varna system vs caste system

The Caste system is the social hierarchy in India. Class System: Class system refers to a system of stratification where individuals in society are divided into various classes based on … The same thing happened to Indra. Each caste or sub-caste became a closed shop; it framed its own tyrannical rules; and violations were punished by exclusion or expulsion. Varna may be described as an abstract classification of people of a mythical origin. Hence Varna is concerned with one’s colour or occupation. I believe that Caste system that is present in the current indian society is based on BIRTH and is man-made. TOS 7. 4. If varna was bad, jati or caste made the system worse. There are regional variations mostly based on linguistic differences. It is not limited to ancient India, it is still prevalent today. Varna was decided by karma, not by birth. The western world is aware of the caste system that is prevalent in India, but they make the mistake of treating both Jati and Varna as the caste of an individual where the two terms are not synonymous. As regards the Shettys, they belong to the Vaishya Varna as per the Chaturvarna system. The Rigveda portrays the classes as coming forth from, respectively, the mouth, arms, thighs, and feet of the primeval person. Caste: 1. I understand the difference between the caste system and varna system. Kshatriya king Yayati married the Brahaman Devayani while Dushyant married Shakuntala. Describe the varna and caste systems. It is today the basis of affirmative action programmes in India. 5. iv) The conduct of most castes is determined. Hinduism literature talks about four Varnas: Brahmin, Kashtriya, Vasya and Shudra and it is believed that all originated from Lord Brahma only. Caste and Varnas are two separate concepts. The concept of ‘caste’ and ‘caste System’ is often equated to the Hindu scriptural concept of ‘varna’, and it is alleged that the latter provides a religious basis and a justification for the former. Caste System: Caste system is a system in which people are born to different castes and have to live in it all their lives. To unravel the complex issue of caste, it is important to differentiate between the caste system as practiced on the ground today and the religious system of Varna as envisaged by the Hindu ancestors. - The lower caste people who are going to convert in different religions leaving Hinduism. Castes are very large in number. Caste system is from Europe. Thus, ‘caste system’ as a rigid hierarchical social institution with an embedded element of … The Brahmins held the most force in Hindu society as clerics also called the otherworldly and scholarly pioneers of the general public. Vedas talks about varna system and not caste system which is currently practiced in India. Difference between Caste and Varna! The difference in their literal meaning shows that Jati is evolved from a Sanskrit root ‘jaha’ meaning to be born. 5. There are many examples of change in Varna and Inter- Varna marriages during and even after Vedic period. Other Comparisons: What's the difference? Many non-Hindus have this misconception that There is a caste system in Hinduism. Content Guidelines 2. Before publishing your articles on this site, please read the following pages: 1. The Varna system was a flexible and changing system. Caste, by contrast, is a concrete grouping based on ritualistic and occupational criteria. Varna system or Vedic caste system which later deteriorated into the modern caste system due to colonialism and misinterpretation, was natural and necessary for the proper functioning of the society. With the acquisition of talents and virtues, an individual may improve upon his previous status and vice-versa. As nouns the difference between caste and varna is that caste is any of the hereditary social classes and subclasses of south asian societies while varna is (hinduism) any of the four original castes in hinduism, or the system of such castes. 2. In the Mahabharata there is a mention of Devaki, Sidhudip and and Vithavya becoming Brahamans, and there are similar instances in the Bhagwat Purana. Caste is fundamental of birth, Varna a fundamental of action. The Kshatriya Vishvamitra became by birth and Kshatriya by action. In the caste system special importance is given to birth rights and respect enjoyed on that account. Hinduism is composed of a caste, jati, system and class, varna, system (Rodrigues 132).According to Hindu myth, the four main varnas, compromising the brahmin or “priestly” class, the ksatriya or “warrior” class, the vaisya or “commoners” class, and the sudra or “servant” class (Rodrigues 146), originated from the body parts of a mythical deity, Purusa (Macdonell 240). Castes also have many subdivisions known as sub-castes. According to S. A Nigosian in World Religions, the caste system, “Is its (India) system of social stratification”(Nigosian 136). The Varna system was based upon a transcendent ideal of human unity in the Divine, not an effort to give power and domination to one section of society. Its membership cannot be assumed through any other medium. The most popular misconception about caste system is its alternative use with the concept of Varnas. In the history of Dharma Shastra Shri P V Kane writes that the idea of Varna mainly lays emphasis on the ethical and intellectual capabilities of man. 7. Varna, any one of the four traditional social classes of India: the Brahman (priestly class), the Kshatriya (noble class), the Vaishya (commoner class), and the Shudra (servant class). The religious explanation of the Varna system is derived from the Purushashukta and the Rig-Vedic hymn which describes the creation of priests (Brahmins) warriors (Kshatriyas) traders (Vaisyas) and menials (Sudras) from the mouth, arms, thighs and feet of the Creator respectively. There is a vast difference in the number of Varna and caste. Copyright 10. How is Varna system different from caste system. Varnas are only four in numbers whereas Castes are large in numbers. The caste system in India is the paradigmatic ethnographic example of caste.It has origins in ancient India, and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval, early-modern, and modern India, especially the Mughal Empire and the British Raj. People who term caste discrimination as “Hindu” Evil, primarily base their argument around Varna system mentioned in Purush Sukta, given in Rigveda. The Kshatriya Vishvamitra became by birth and Kshatriya by action. Varna and Caste are two different concepts which are erroneously considered as synonymous. The Caste framework is the social pecking order in India. Disclaimer 9. Caste and Varna are two separate concepts. Varna divisions were based on individual temperament and their intrinsic nature which are immutable. Varna vyavastha (literally, the class system) remains one of the most interesting and debatable topics in the study of Vedic culture. There is no caste system in Hinduism but a Varna System. There are many examples of change in Varna and Inter- Varna marriages during and even after Vedic period. Caste or ‘Jati’ originates from the root word ‘Jana’ which implies taking birth. Jati and Varna are classifications of the traditional Indian Society. Whereas the caste system is a multilayered extension of the varna system. Thus, caste is concerned with birth. Thus, caste … Privacy Policy 8. The Kshatriya is comparable to the arms because he defends society, the Shudra work like the feet. Varna system is extensively discussed in Dharma-shastras. Derived from Portuguese word ‘casta'. The caste system in ancient India had been executed and acknowledged during, and ever since, the Vedic period that thrived around 1500—1000 BCE. NOTE(Read the below for a basic guide to the Indian social system): The caste system should not be confused with the varna system. Varna system is free from socio-economic and political disabilities as well as restrictions. 4. Some of the major differences between varna and caste are as follows: 1. Varna’s are only four in number i.e. >> If varna system is Not the Jati system than there would not be any problem. The Bramhin, Kshyatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra are referred to as Varna … Prohibited Content 3. Caste system is based on rigid principles and mobility in the ladder is checked. On the other hand, Rose has put the number of castes at 400, on the authority of Census reports. A Brahmana is respected under the Varna System only if he has acquired knowledge and imparts it to others. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 4. Thus caste means birth. Varna-class correlation is mostly positive. Describe their characteristic features and critically examine the references available in Hindu Shastras in this connection. - Its brings bad name to Hinduism all over world. Now to see the basis of the Varna system in scripture I will start with this quote from the Rigveda. Within each varna there were divisions and sub-divisions and each one of them came to represent a caste (jati) or a sub-caste. Occupational mobility is one of the biggest banes of the Caste system. The Four Varna system of ancient India was originally based upon the idea of an organic social order that remains relevant today. Since the Vedas remain an unraveled mystery even today due to the archaic Sanskrit in which they were composed, much of the ancient social history is derived from the extrapolation from the later history of Indian society. Now this is from the Purusha Sukta, and Purusha in the Vedas you can view as this cosmic being, but they anthropomorphize this being, making it seem or making an analogy with a human body. In the 10th mantra of the Rig Veda we find meaning that the Brahamans does the work of the mouth in giving knowledge. 1. iii) In most mutual exchange of foodstuffs is restricted to the caste. It speaks to a division of work dependent on inheritance legitimized by good and strict ideas. Varna basically means inherent nature or स्वभाव. Why we think caste system is bad. 2. Caste system forbids marriage among different castes, each caste considering marriage rigid if these are in the same caste itself. This article attempts to highlight the differences between Jati and … The Varna system was based upon a transcendent ideal of human unity in the Divine, not an effort to give power and domination to one section of society. It is based on a closed type of stratification. Report a Violation, Differences between Class and Caste Systems. Image Guidelines 5. 6. Thus caste is based upon birth while Varna is on action. Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra. Those who fall out of this system because of their grievous sins are ostracised as outcastes (untouchables) and considered outside the varna system. In the caste system an uneducated Brahman is respected while an educated Shudra is looked down upon. Although Shantanu was a Kshatriya, he married low born satyavati. Missed the previous lesson? In the Padma Purana we have a mention of low born Vyas and Vaishya Vashistha becoming Brahamans. Varna System is flexible while caste is a rigid one. The Four Varna System reflects a deep ecological and yogic vision of social and universal unity very different from the divisive idea of caste by birth. vi) Almost all castes have their own laws the infringement of which leads to expulsion from castes. In ancient India, society had a system of classification that was known as Varna vyavastha or system. 7. The Caste System which is also known as varna-ashrama in Indian scriptures has been one of the most misrepresented, misinformed, misunderstood, and misused and the most maligned aspects of India. Literally ‘Varna’ means colour and originates from the world ‘Vri’ meaning the choice of one’s occupation. On the other hand, Varna means to select or choose. Caste-class correlation is not always positive, There may be variations in the placement due to economic, political arid educational status of various groups. The peculiarity of the Hindu theory of social organisation is its Varna-asharm organisation. ii) Members can not marry outside their own caste. Plagiarism Prevention 4. Caste or ‘Jati’ originates from the root word ‘Jana’ which implies taking birth. A discussion of how varnas as described in the Rigveda and Bhagavad Gita relate to the notion of "caste" in modern India. What is Varna after all? The Varna system was a flexible and changing system. The caste system does not promote democracy, since it severely limits equal opportunity to rise from an individual’s station: Class system does not act as a hindrance to democracy, since classification is based on education, social status, and the work one does. Content Filtrations 6. 2. As regards the mobility pattern Varna’s are relatively flexible, compared with the castes. 5. 6. 3. Thus, there were four Varnas. 7. The caste system imposes many restrictions on the members. The word Shetty is derived from from the Sanskrit word Shresthin (श्रेष्ठिन्), the same source gives rise to Seth (सेठ) of North india and Chettiar (செட்டியார்) of Tamil Nadu. I have no idea about the Gowdas. The segregation of people based on their Varna was intended to decongest the responsibilities of one’s life, preserve the purity of a caste… Varna System is flexible while caste is a rigid one. Varna system is free from socio-economic and political disabilities as well as restrictions. Ans – Distinction between Varna and Caste : –, Write a short note on Gandhiji ideas on Trusteeship, Impact of Globalisation on Poverty Alleviation, Criminalization of Politics in India for UPSC, Vivekananda’s views on Universal Religion and Internationalism. Varna on the other hand belongs to Sanatana Dharma. 3. The hierarchical pattern of Varna shows the concept of purity and pollution as the basis of division of society and placements of groups into higher and lower classes i.e. i) It is fundamental in birth. The varna system is a form of an ancient social classification based on professions. There are numerous examples of inter-Varna marriages in the Mahabharata. The Hindu theory of social organisation has referred to varnashram organisation, where Varna and the ashram organisations are perceived as two separate organisations. The Varna organisation and Ashram organization are two separate organisations yet the two go together as they refer to the problems of nurture and nature of man. They differ in the work they do. Risley, Ketan, Hutton, and Ghurye have named the following Characteristics of caste-. Today the Jati system we justify by saying that Its actually varna system. Literal Distinction – Caste and Varna are completely different from each other. 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