Varna Dharma

"Varna", has two meanings; first it means "color"; and second it means a "veil". As color it does not refer to the color of the skin of people, but to the qualities or energies of human nature. As a veil it shows the four different ways in which the Divine Self is hidden in human beings.

For the sake of the prosperity of the worlds, the Purusha created the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra from his mouth, his arms, his thighs, and his feet. Brahmana, the Kshatriya, and the Vaisya varna are the twice-born ones, but the fourth, the Sudra, has one birth only. There is no fifth Varna. In all varna those children only which are begotten in the direct order on wedded wives, equal in caste and married as virgins, are to be considered as belonging to the same caste as their fathers. In order to protect this universe, He assigned separate duties and occupations to those who sprang from his mouth, arms, thighs, and feet. To Brahmanas he assigned teaching and studying the Veda, sacrificing for their own benefit and for others, giving and accepting of alms. The Kshatriya he commanded to protect the people, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study the Veda, and to abstain from attaching himself to sensual pleasures. The Vaisya to tend cattle, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study the Veda, to trade, to lend money, and to cultivate land. Only one occupation is prescribed to the Sudra by God, to take care of other three castes whole heartedly.

The three twice-born Varnas - Brahmana, Kshtriya and Vyshya - discharging their prescribed duties, study the Veda but among them the Brahmana alone shall teach it, not the other two. The Brahmana must know the means of subsistence prescribed by law for all, instruct the others, and himself live according to the law.

Notes: The Shudras have a clear understanding of the universal principles. They acquire the Vedic knowledge from Smrithis and Sadachara. They are convinced of the need to sustain a suitable structure for ultimate realization of one and all. They play a major role in creating/sustaining a most conducive environment towards this purpose. They support and nourish the other Varnas. They ensure removal of obstacles in performing the additional duties by other Varnas.