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Line 218: − * Occupations were associated with varnas. According to the Dharmasutras, Brahmanas (Brahmins) were to practice the occupation of teaching and practicing Vedas, and included the rtviks (priests) and purohits. Kshatriyas were involved in administration, military service and strategy. Trade and commerce, agriculture and cattle rearing were associated with the Vaishya varna. Shudras were involved in fishing, hunting, service to other varna people in various capacities. + + +
Kalpa Vedanga (कल्पवेदाङ्गम्) (view source)
Revision as of 00:25, 24 February 2020
, 00:25, 24 February 2020→Occupations: adding references
==== Occupations ====
==== Occupations ====
Occupations were associated with varnas. According to the Dharmasutras, Brahmanas (Brahmins) were to practice the occupation of teaching and practicing Vedas, and included the rtviks (priests) and purohits. Kshatriyas were involved in administration, military service and strategy. Trade and commerce, agriculture and cattle rearing were associated with the Vaishya varna. Shudras were involved in carpentry, fishing, hunting, and service to other varna people in various capacities. Here the Gautama Dharmasutra<ref name=":6" />definitions of various varnas are alluded to as an example. <blockquote>ब्राह्मनस्याधिकाः प्रवचनयाजनप्रतिग्रहाः ॥२॥ (Gaut. Dhar. Sutr. 10.2)</blockquote><blockquote>राज्ञोऽधिकं रक्षणं सर्वभूतानाम् ॥७॥ न्याय्यदण्डत्वम् ॥८॥ (Gaut. Dhar. Sutr. 10.7, 8)</blockquote><blockquote>वैश्यस्याधिकं कृषिवणिक्पाशुपाल्यकुसीदम् ॥४९ (Gaut. Dhar. Sutr. 10.49)</blockquote><blockquote>तेभ्यो वृत्तिं लिप्सेत ॥५७ ॥ शिल्पवृत्तिश् च ॥६० (Gaut. Dhar. Sutr. 10.58-59)<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>Summary: Teaching, officiating during yajnas, and receiving danas (gifts) pertain to Brahmanas. To a Raja (kshtriya) pertains the protection of all creatures, justice, punishment. A vaishya, in addition, relates to agriculture, trade, cattle breeding, and money lending for interest. A shudra may seek livelihood from other varna people, and by working as artisans.
A few other related points include the following
* Members of Brahmana, Kshatriya etc varnas were allowed to practice occupations of other varnas, however restriction in case of teaching or being priests was largely enforced mostly because of speech alteration that could make it ineffective. Except for this there were no rigorous restrictions in case of other occupations and no other occupation ever remained the monopoly of a single varna. Many exceptions of taking up inter-varna occupations are seen.
* Members of Brahmana, Kshatriya etc varnas were allowed to practice occupations of other varnas, however restriction in case of teaching or being priests was largely enforced mostly because of speech alteration that could make it ineffective. Except for this there were no rigorous restrictions in case of other occupations and no other occupation ever remained the monopoly of a single varna. Many exceptions of taking up inter-varna occupations are seen.
* Agriculture and cattle rearing was common among people of all varnas.
* Agriculture and cattle rearing was common among people of all varnas.