Changes

{{ToBeEdited}}

{{ToBeEdited}}Varna Dharma (Samskrit : वर्णधर्मः) refers to a social order based on dharma. In this framework, brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra form the components of the society.

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Varṇa Vyavastha (वर्णव्यवस्था) is a vision presented by dharma traditions wherein diversity is not only recognized as a fundamental reality of the human society, but is also made the foundation stone of human welfare. Dharma means “that which upholds” and hence, a social order based on the dharma should be such that it leads each individual to well-being and fulfillment, all the while establishing justice and harmony in the society, a notion well summarized in the popular saying <blockquote>लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु । ''lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu ।''</blockquote>Meaning : let all beings in the world attain happiness.  

Varṇa Vyavastha (वर्णव्यवस्था) is a vision presented by dharma traditions wherein diversity is not only recognized as a fundamental reality of the human society, but is also made the foundation stone of human welfare. Dharma means “that which upholds” and hence, a social order based on the dharma should be such that it leads each individual to well-being and fulfillment, all the while establishing justice and harmony in the society, a notion well summarized in the popular saying <blockquote>लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु । ''lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu ।''</blockquote>Meaning : let all beings in the world attain happiness.<ref name=":2" />

The Rṣi-s and the authors of dharmashastra conceived of a social order wherein the uniqueness in temperaments and capabilities of every individual was not only recognized, but was made the central piece of the entire conceptual social structure and called this conceptual framework Varṇa Vyavastha. Thus, it is important to identify the designation and structuring of varna as a conceptual framework and not a social stratification.  

The Rṣi-s and the authors of dharmashastra conceived of a social order wherein the uniqueness in temperaments and capabilities of every individual was not only recognized, but was made the central piece of the entire conceptual social structure and called this conceptual framework Varṇa Vyavastha. Thus, it is important to identify the designation and structuring of varna as a conceptual framework and not a social stratification.

Scholars have often understood varṇa as a social organization, as caste and/or class that refers to definite social grouping, which has led to mistaken notions that make varṇa, jati, kula and caste synonymous.While kula and jati refer to social groupings based on kinship relationships and ethno-cultural identities, varṇa is a conceptual framework that aims to provide a conceptual basis for building a social order that promotes harmony and overall wellbeing of everyone.<ref name=":2" />

Scholars have often understood varṇa as a social organization, as caste and/or class that refers to definite social grouping, which has led to mistaken notions that make varṇa, jati, kula and caste synonymous.While kula and jati refer to social groupings based on kinship relationships and ethno-cultural identities, varṇa is a conceptual framework that aims to provide a conceptual basis for building a social order that promotes harmony and overall wellbeing of everyone.<ref name=":2" />

== वेदे वर्णः ॥ Varna in the Vedas ==

=== वेदे वर्णः ॥ Varna in the Vedas ===

Though, varṇa system has often been understood as a reference to “caste system” or “class system” representing a social grouping, the primary usage of the term in the veda and dharmashastras has been that of a “conceptual framework". Rgveda Purushasukta (verse 12) provides an earliest reference to the conceptual framework of varṇa. It uses the metaphor of human body to represent the universe as a cosmic Purusha with his limbs denoting various aspects and functions of the universe.<ref name=":2">Nithin Sridhar, [http://indiafacts.org/varna-vyavastha-as-a-conceptual-social-order-that-facilitates-self-actualization/ Varṇa vyavastha as a conceptual social order that facilitates self-actualization], indiafacts.org</ref><blockquote>ब्राह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीद्बाहू राजन्यः कृतः । ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः पद्भ्यां शूद्रो अजायत ॥१२॥ (Rig.10.90.12)<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 90], Verse 12.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>brāhmaṇo'sya mukhamāsīdbāhū rājanyaḥ kr̥taḥ । ūrū tadasya yadvaiśyaḥ padbhyāṁ śūdro ajāyata ॥12॥ (Rig.10.90.12)</blockquote>Meaning: The Brahmana (representing spiritual wisdom and splendour) was His mouth; the Kshatriya (constituting administrative and military prowess) became His arms. His thighs were the Vaishya (who formed commercial and business enterprise); of His feet the Shudra (repository of the productive and sustaining force) was born.<ref>Swami Krishnananda, [https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/invoc/Daily_Invocations.pdf Daily Invocations], Rishikesh: The Divine Life Society, Pg.no.63</ref>

Though, varṇa system has often been understood as a reference to “caste system” or “class system” representing a social grouping, the primary usage of the term in the veda and dharmashastras has been that of a “conceptual framework". Rgveda Purushasukta (verse 12) provides an earliest reference to the conceptual framework of varṇa. It uses the metaphor of human body to represent the universe as a cosmic Purusha with his limbs denoting various aspects and functions of the universe.<ref name=":2">Nithin Sridhar, [http://indiafacts.org/varna-vyavastha-as-a-conceptual-social-order-that-facilitates-self-actualization/ Varṇa vyavastha as a conceptual social order that facilitates self-actualization], indiafacts.org</ref><blockquote>ब्राह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीद्बाहू राजन्यः कृतः । ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः पद्भ्यां शूद्रो अजायत ॥१२॥ (Rig.10.90.12)<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 90], Verse 12.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>brāhmaṇo'sya mukhamāsīdbāhū rājanyaḥ kr̥taḥ । ūrū tadasya yadvaiśyaḥ padbhyāṁ śūdro ajāyata ॥12॥ (Rig.10.90.12)</blockquote>Meaning: The Brahmana (representing spiritual wisdom and splendour) was His mouth; the Kshatriya (constituting administrative and military prowess) became His arms. His thighs were the Vaishya (who formed commercial and business enterprise); of His feet the Shudra (repository of the productive and sustaining force) was born.<ref>Swami Krishnananda, [https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/invoc/Daily_Invocations.pdf Daily Invocations], Rishikesh: The Divine Life Society, Pg.no.63</ref>

The sukta mentions how brahmaṇa, kshatriya, vaishya and Shudra manifested out of Cosmic Puruṣa’s head, hands, thighs and feet, respectively. It is to be understood here that the different limbs of a body, though being inseparable part of the body, are distinct from each other in their nature and function. For example, the quality of the head is intelligence and accordingly its function is thinking and decision making. Distinct from this are the feet, which have the quality of movement and hence a function of carrying the body to different places. The same is the case with other organs.

The sukta mentions how brahmaṇa, kshatriya, vaishya and Shudra manifested out of Cosmic Puruṣa’s head, hands, thighs and feet, respectively. It is to be understood here that the different limbs of a body, though being inseparable part of the body, are distinct from each other in their nature and function. For example, the quality of the head is intelligence and accordingly its function is thinking and decision making. Distinct from this are the feet, which have the quality of movement and hence a function of carrying the body to different places. The same is the case with other organs.<ref name=":2" />

Thus, from this account, we can derive two key hermeneutic principles for understanding and interpreting the meaning of varṇa and their usages in different Hindu texts, namely:

=== स्मृत्यां वर्णः ॥ Varna in Smrti ===

Manusmṛti (1.87) describes how cosmic Puruṣha allotted different duties to people born from His different limbs for the sake of protecting and sustaining the universe.<ref name=":2" /> Talking of the purpose of the Varna Dharma Manu says,<blockquote>सर्वस्यास्य तु सर्गस्य गुप्त्यर्थं स महाद्युतिः । मुखबाहूरुपज्जानां पृथक्कर्माण्यकल्पयत् । । १.८७ । ।<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>sarvasyāsya tu sargasya guptyarthaṁ sa mahādyutiḥ । mukhabāhūrupajjānāṁ pr̥thakkarmāṇyakalpayat । । 1.87 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: With a view to the protection of this entire creation, the Resplendent One ordained the distinct functions of those who sprang from the mouth, the arms, the thighs and the feet (1.87).<ref name=":1">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.8241/page/n5 Vol.3]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>

When these principles (viz quality and function) are applied to individuals, the inner temperaments of an individual called as svabhava will represent the quality or defining factor of the individual whereas the actions and duties in sync with this inner calling (svabhava ) called as svadharma will represent the function of the individual. Explaining the interplay between these hermeneutic principles, R. K. Sharma in his work 'Indian Society, Institutions and Change' notes: “within the person svabhava is the guiding principle. One who acts on svabhava acts spontaneously… Thus, following svabhava results in harmony… And the result is happiness…  Svadharma means one’s duties in society. These duties should not be imposed from outside. In order to be natural, spontaneous and divine the duties must be based on svabhava. Thus, svadharma and svabhava should be identical. Svabhava should decide svadharma.”<ref name=":2" />

== स्मृत्यां वर्णः ॥ Varna in Smrtis ==

=== महाभारते वर्णः ॥ Varna in the Mahabharata ===

The twin features of svabhava and svadharma mentioned in the above context appear again and again across Hindu texts of different genres. Manusmṛti (1.87), for example, describes how cosmic Puruṣha allotted different duties to people born from His different limbs for the sake of protecting and sustaining the universe.<ref name=":2" /> Talking of the purpose of the Varna Dharma Manu says,<blockquote>सर्वस्यास्य तु सर्गस्य गुप्त्यर्थं स महाद्युतिः । मुखबाहूरुपज्जानां पृथक्कर्माण्यकल्पयत् । । १.८७ । ।<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>sarvasyāsya tu sargasya guptyarthaṁ sa mahādyutiḥ । mukhabāhūrupajjānāṁ pr̥thakkarmāṇyakalpayat । । 1.87 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: With a view to the protection of this entire creation, the Resplendent One ordained the distinct functions of those who sprang from the mouth, the arms, the thighs and the feet (1.87).<ref name=":1">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.8241/page/n5 Vol.3]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>

Mahabharata (12.188) assigns a color to each varṇa that symbolically represents the attributes/svabhava associated with that varṇa, reflecting the three qualities of the nature (prakrti): sattva, rajas, and tamas.<ref name=":2" />  

It is said in the Moksha Dharma Parva in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata that,  <blockquote>ब्राह्मणानां सितो वर्णः क्षत्रियाणां तु लोहितः । वैश्यानां पीतको वर्णः शूद्राणामसितस्तथा ॥ ५ ॥<ref name=":3">Ramnarayandatta Shastri Pandey, Mahabharata - [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata05_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n9/mode/2up Volume 5] (Shanti Parva), Gorakhpur: Gita Press. </ref></blockquote><blockquote>''brāhmaṇānāṁ sito varṇaḥ kṣatriyāṇāṁ tu lohitaḥ । vaiśyānāṁ pītako varṇaḥ śūdrāṇāmasitastathā ॥ 5 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: The colour of the brahmanas is white, kshatriyas is red, vaishyas is yellow and that of the shudras is black.

Mahabharata (12.188), on the other hand, assigns a color to each varṇa that symbolically represents the attributes/svabhava associated with that varṇa, reflecting the three qualities of the nature (prakrti): sattva, rajas, and tamas.<ref name=":2" /> It is said in the Moksha Dharma Parva in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata that,  <blockquote>ब्राह्मणानां सितो वर्णः क्षत्रियाणां तु लोहितः । वैश्यानां पीतको वर्णः शूद्राणामसितस्तथा ॥ ५ ॥<ref name=":3">Ramnarayandatta Shastri Pandey, Mahabharata - [https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata05_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n9/mode/2up Volume 5] (Shanti Parva), Gorakhpur: Gita Press. </ref></blockquote><blockquote>''brāhmaṇānāṁ sito varṇaḥ kṣatriyāṇāṁ tu lohitaḥ । vaiśyānāṁ pītako varṇaḥ śūdrāṇāmasitastathā ॥ 5 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: The colour of the brahmanas is white, kshatriyas is red, vaishyas is yellow and that of the shudras is black.

Explaining how this difference of Varna came about it is said, <blockquote>न विशेषोऽस्तिवर्णानां सर्वे ब्राह्ममिदं जगत् । ब्रह्मणा पूर्वसृष्टं हि कर्मभिर्वर्णतां गतम् ॥ १० ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''na viśeṣo'stivarṇānāṁ sarve brāhmamidaṁ jagat । brahmaṇā pūrvasr̥ṣṭaṁ hi karmabhirvarṇatāṁ gatam ॥ 10 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: O sage, in the beginning, there was no difference among the varnas. Having originated from Lord Brahma, the entire universe was Brahmana. Later, due to the the various karmas (activities), they were differentiated on the basis of Varnas.

Explaining how this difference of Varna came about it is said, <blockquote>न विशेषोऽस्तिवर्णानां सर्वे ब्राह्ममिदं जगत् । ब्रह्मणा पूर्वसृष्टं हि कर्मभिर्वर्णतां गतम् ॥ १० ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''na viśeṣo'stivarṇānāṁ sarve brāhmamidaṁ jagat । brahmaṇā pūrvasr̥ṣṭaṁ hi karmabhirvarṇatāṁ gatam ॥ 10 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: O sage, in the beginning, there was no difference among the varnas. Having originated from Lord Brahma, the entire universe was Brahmana. Later, due to the the various karmas (activities), they were differentiated on the basis of Varnas.

It is further said that,<blockquote>कामभोगप्रियास्तीक्ष्णाः क्रोधनाः प्रियसाहसाः । त्यक्त्वस्वधर्मारक्ताङ्गास्ते द्विजाः क्षत्रतां गताः ॥ ११ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''kāmabhogapriyāstīkṣṇāḥ krodhanāḥ priyasāhasāḥ । tyaktvasvadharmāraktāṅgāste dvijāḥ kṣatratāṁ gatāḥ ॥ 11 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : Those who, having foresaken the duties appropriate for a brahmana, favoured material enjoyment, had sharp nature, anger and were known for their valarous deeds; and whose body became red due to this very reason, (those brahmanas) attained the Varna of a kshatriya.<blockquote>गोभ्यो वृत्तिं समास्थाय पीताः कृष्युपजीविनः । स्वधर्मान् नानुतिष्ठन्ति ते द्विजा वैश्यतां गताः ॥ १२ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''gobhyo vr̥ttiṁ samāsthāya pītāḥ kr̥ṣyupajīvinaḥ । svadharmān nānutiṣṭhanti te dvijā vaiśyatāṁ gatāḥ ॥ 12 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Those who accepted cattle rearing and farming as the means of livelihood due to which their colour turned yellow and  who abandoned the duties of a brahmana attained the Varna of Vaishya.<blockquote>हिंसानृतप्रिया लुब्धाः सर्वकर्मोपजीविनः । कृष्णाः शौचपरिभ्रष्टास्ते द्विजाः शूद्रतां गताः ॥ १३ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''hiṁsānr̥tapriyā lubdhāḥ sarvakarmopajīvinaḥ । kr̥ṣṇāḥ śaucaparibhraṣṭāste dvijāḥ śūdratāṁ gatāḥ ॥ 13 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Those who deviated from cleanliness and good behaviour and favoured violence and untruth, and took up livelihood involving actions that are not praiseworthy due to greed and thereby had their bodies turn black, (those brahmanas) attained the Shudra Varna.<blockquote>इत्येतैः कर्मभिर्व्यस्ता द्विजा वर्णान्तरं गताः । धर्मो यज्ञक्रिया तेषां न नित्यं न प्रतिषिध्यते ॥ १४ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''ityetaiḥ karmabhirvyastā dvijā varṇāntaraṁ gatāḥ । dharmo yajñakriyā teṣāṁ na nityaṁ na pratiṣidhyate ॥ 14 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : This is how due to the karmas (activities) those brahmanas got separated from their  brahmanatva and attained the various Varnas. However, they have not been denied adherence to dharma and performance of Yajnas in day to day life.

It is further said that,<blockquote>कामभोगप्रियास्तीक्ष्णाः क्रोधनाः प्रियसाहसाः । त्यक्त्वस्वधर्मारक्ताङ्गास्ते द्विजाः क्षत्रतां गताः ॥ ११ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''kāmabhogapriyāstīkṣṇāḥ krodhanāḥ priyasāhasāḥ । tyaktvasvadharmāraktāṅgāste dvijāḥ kṣatratāṁ gatāḥ ॥ 11 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : Those who, having foresaken the duties appropriate for a brahmana, favoured material enjoyment, had sharp nature, anger and were known for their valarous deeds; and whose body became red due to this very reason, (those brahmanas) attained the Varna of a kshatriya.<blockquote>गोभ्यो वृत्तिं समास्थाय पीताः कृष्युपजीविनः । स्वधर्मान् नानुतिष्ठन्ति ते द्विजा वैश्यतां गताः ॥ १२ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''gobhyo vr̥ttiṁ samāsthāya pītāḥ kr̥ṣyupajīvinaḥ । svadharmān nānutiṣṭhanti te dvijā vaiśyatāṁ gatāḥ ॥ 12 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Those who accepted cattle rearing and farming as the means of livelihood due to which their colour turned yellow and  who abandoned the duties of a brahmana attained the Varna of Vaishya.<blockquote>हिंसानृतप्रिया लुब्धाः सर्वकर्मोपजीविनः । कृष्णाः शौचपरिभ्रष्टास्ते द्विजाः शूद्रतां गताः ॥ १३ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''hiṁsānr̥tapriyā lubdhāḥ sarvakarmopajīvinaḥ । kr̥ṣṇāḥ śaucaparibhraṣṭāste dvijāḥ śūdratāṁ gatāḥ ॥ 13 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning: Those who deviated from cleanliness and good behaviour and favoured violence and untruth, and took up livelihood involving actions that are not praiseworthy due to greed and thereby had their bodies turn black, (those brahmanas) attained the Shudra Varna.<blockquote>इत्येतैः कर्मभिर्व्यस्ता द्विजा वर्णान्तरं गताः । धर्मो यज्ञक्रिया तेषां न नित्यं न प्रतिषिध्यते ॥ १४ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>''ityetaiḥ karmabhirvyastā dvijā varṇāntaraṁ gatāḥ । dharmo yajñakriyā teṣāṁ na nityaṁ na pratiṣidhyate ॥ 14 ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : This is how due to the karmas (activities) those brahmanas got separated from their  brahmanatva and attained the various Varnas. However, they have not been denied adherence to dharma and performance of Yajnas in day to day life.

== गीतायां वर्णः ॥ Varna in the Gita ==

=== गीतायां वर्णः ॥ Varna in the Gita ===

In line with the above context, the Bhagavad Gita also speaks about creation of four varṇa-s based on guṇa (natural qualities and tendencies) and karma (personal duties) (verse 4.13).<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः | ''cāturvarṇyaṁ mayā sr̥ṣṭaṁ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ ।'' <ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 4].</ref> </blockquote>and that the duties have been allotted based on the guṇa-s that arise from svabhava (verse 18.41)<ref name=":2" />.<blockquote>ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप । कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥१८- ४१॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 18].</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>''brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṁ śūdrāṇāṁ ca parantapa । karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ ॥18- 41॥''</blockquote>

In line with the above context, the Bhagavad Gita also speaks about creation of four varṇa-s based on guṇa (natural qualities and tendencies) and karma (personal duties) (verse 4.13).<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः | ''cāturvarṇyaṁ mayā sr̥ṣṭaṁ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ ।'' <ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9E%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 4].</ref> </blockquote>and that the duties have been allotted based on the guṇa-s that arise from svabhava (verse 18.41)<ref name=":2" />.<blockquote>ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप । कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः ॥१८- ४१॥<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 18].</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>''brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṁ śūdrāṇāṁ ca parantapa । karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāvaprabhavairguṇaiḥ ॥18- 41॥''</blockquote>

== भागवते वर्णः ॥ Varna in Bhagavata Purana ==

=== भागवतपुराणे वर्णः ॥ Varna in Bhagavata Purana ===

Bhagavatapuraṇa (11.17.13) stresses that the four varṇa-s that originated from the supreme Purusha are to be recognized/designated by their atmachara (natural activities or personal duties according to inherent nature).<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>विप्रक्षत्रियविट्शूद्रा मुखबाहूरुपादजाः । वैराजात् पुरुषात् जाता य आत्माचारलक्षणाः ॥ १३ ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 11, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AD Adhyaya 17].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''viprakṣatriyaviṭśūdrā mukhabāhūrupādajāḥ । vairājāt puruṣāt jātā ya ātmācāralakṣaṇāḥ ॥ 13 ॥''</blockquote>It is interesting to note the very terminology of ''varṇa'' embeds within itself these two key features. The term ''varṇa'' is derived from the verbal root ‘''vr’'', which has a number of meanings, prominent among them being: color and choosing. While the color highlights the aspect of ''svabhāva'', the choosing highlights the aspect of ''svadharma''.

Bhagavatapuraṇa (11.17.13) also stresses that the four varṇa-s that originated from the supreme Purusha are to be recognized/designated by their atmachara (natural activities or personal duties according to inherent nature).<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>विप्रक्षत्रियविट्शूद्रा मुखबाहूरुपादजाः । वैराजात् पुरुषात् जाता य आत्माचारलक्षणाः ॥ १३ ॥<ref>Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 11, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AD Adhyaya 17].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''viprakṣatriyaviṭśūdrā mukhabāhūrupādajāḥ । vairājāt puruṣāt jātā ya ātmācāralakṣaṇāḥ ॥ 13 ॥''</blockquote>

 

 

 

 

It is interesting to note the very terminology of ''varṇa'' embeds within itself these two key features. The term ''varṇa'' is derived from the verbal root ‘''vr’'', which has a number of meanings, prominent among them being: color and choosing. While the color highlights the aspect of ''svabhāva'', the choosing highlights the aspect of ''svadharma''.

Thus, ''varṇa'' can be understood either as a reference to the ''svadharma'''[12]''''' (personal duty/purpose of life) chosen by each individual in his/her life according to his/her ''svabhāva'' (inherent nature) or more appropriately as a descriptor tag referring to the ''svabhāva'''[13]''''' that drives people to spontaneously choose[14] particular paths of life as their ''svadharma''. As Shastry (2011) notes ''varṇa'' refers to “unique descriptor tags, unique features which can be used for identification of individual entity for a specific identity[15].”

Thus, ''varṇa'' can be understood either as a reference to the ''svadharma'''[12]''''' (personal duty/purpose of life) chosen by each individual in his/her life according to his/her ''svabhāva'' (inherent nature) or more appropriately as a descriptor tag referring to the ''svabhāva'''[13]''''' that drives people to spontaneously choose[14] particular paths of life as their ''svadharma''. As Shastry (2011) notes ''varṇa'' refers to “unique descriptor tags, unique features which can be used for identification of individual entity for a specific identity[15].”