Varna system in Ancient India_AIHC and Archaeology

Varna system in Ancient India_AIHC and Archaeology

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  Course Title AIHMJ302: Ancient Indian Social Life and Institutions Sachin Kr. Tiwary [email protected] Unit I : Varna-Āśrama System, Rina, Puruśārtha 1. Origin and development of Varna
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  Topics to bediscussed 1. Varna: Meanings 2. Sources 3. Four Theories of the Origin of Varna 4. Rights and Duties of Varnas 5. Four Varnas – Duties and Roles 6. Characteristics of the Varna System 7. Social Mobility in Early Periods 8. Varna vs Jati 9. Privileges and Disabilities 10. Purpose of the Varna System 11. Gradual Changes 12. Criticism and Legacy
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  Varna: Meanings •Sanskrit Root:The word "varna" is derived from the Sanskrit root vr. •Core Meanings: vr itself means "to cover," "to count," or "to classify". •Derived Meanings: From this root, the word "varna" emerged with several related meanings: •"Color": This is the most literal translation, but it's used symbolically to denote qualities, characteristics, or types. •"Class" or "Order": The classification aspect of the root led to the term's use for social divisions or orders. •"To shape" or "to form": This implies the idea of forming a social structure or classifying people into distinct groups.
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  Puruṣasūktam (पुरुषसूक्तम्): oneof the hymns of the Rigveda, 10:09:11 The verse reads as follows: ब्रा॒ह्म॒णो॓‌உस्य॒ मुख॑मासीत् । बा॒हू रा॑ज॒न्यः॑ कृ॒तः । ऊ॒रू तद॑स्य॒ यद्वैश्यः॑ । प॒द्भ्याग्ं शू॒द्रो अ॑जायतः ॥ brahmano asya mukhamaseet | bahoo rajanya: krta: | ooru tadasya yad vaishya | padbhyam shoodro ajayata || The Brahmana was his mouth, the Rajanya was made his arms; the being called the Vaishya, he was his thighs; the Shudra sprang from his feet. Verses 5–15 hold the creation of the Rig Veda. Creation is described to have started with the origination of Virat, or the astral body from the Purusha. In Virat, omnipresent intelligence manifests itself which causes the appearance of diversity. In the verses following, it is held that Purusha through a sacrifice of himself, brings forth the avian, forest-dwelling, and domestic animals, the three Vedas, the meters (of the mantras). Then follows a verse that states that from his mouth, arms, thighs, and feet the four varnas (categories) are born.
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  Varna Created from Occupation Brahmin Head/ Mouth Teacher, mentor, advisor, writer,poet, artist, scientist, strategist, etc. Kshatriy a Arms & hands Ruler, soldiers, administrators, social workers, engineers, managers, etc. Vaishya Stomach & thighs Merchants, traders, entrepreneurs, farmers, moneylenders, bankers, etc. Shudra Feet Servants, laborers, workers whose actions are directed by others Varna System and Occupations
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  Scriptural Source Section/ Verse Description Rig Veda II.33.13 All mankind is equal, created by Prajapati (Manu). Taittiriya Brahmana II.3.8.1 Our father Manu Prajapati created all human beings equally. Satapatha Brahmana VII.5.2.6 Prajapati formed animals from his breath, man from his soul — showing a single divine source. Brhadaranyaka Upanisad I.4.11–15 All humanity is born from a single parent. Vishnu Purana 1.12.63-64 Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras originally fell away from an ideal state in Treta Age; in Satya Age they were perfect mind- born sons of Brahma. Bhagavad Gita 5.18 A wise person sees equally a Brahmin, cow, elephant, dog, or dog- eater. Other Upanishads — The same Brahman exists in all living beings. Mahabharata VII.138–140 Shudra and women can attain liberation. Mahabharata III.216.14–15 Through self-control, truth, and righteousness, a Shudra can become a Brahmin. Yajnavalkya Smriti — A virtuous Shudra is superior to a Brahmin without virtues. Equality of Varna in Hinduism
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  Four Theories ofthe Origin of Varna 1.Theory of Qualities (Guṇa Siddhānta) •According to this view, varnas are derived from the predominance of the three guṇas (qualities) of human nature: •Sattva (Purity / Illumination): Associated with calmness, clarity, peace, and knowledge. •Rajas (Passion / Activity): Associated with restlessness, dynamism, energy, and desire. •Tamas (Inertia / Darkness): Associated with heaviness, ignorance, dullness, and crudeness. •Those dominated by Sattva were considered Brahmins, Rajas inclined to Kshatriyas, and Tamas associated with Shudras. Vaishyas were seen as a mix of Rajas and Tamas.
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  Four Theories ofthe Origin of Varna 2.Theory of Colours (Varṇa literally = Colour) •This theory links varna to colours, symbolizing qualities: •White (Śveta): Purity, knowledge → Brahmins. •Red(Rakta): Energy, bravery → Kshatriyas. •Yellow (Pīta): Wealth, trade → Vaishyas. •Black (Kṛṣṇa): Ignorance, servitude → Shudras. •Here, colour functions as a metaphor for disposition and social role.
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  Four Theories ofthe Origin of Varna 3.Theory of Duties / Actions (Karma Siddhānta) •This principle explains varna by prescribed duties and occupations: •Brahmins: Six duties (ṣaṭ-karma) → giving charity, accepting charity, performing sacrifices, officiating sacrifices for others, studying, and teaching; along with detachment. •shatriyas: Five duties (pañca-karma) → protection of people, giving charity, performing sacrifices, studying, and detachment. •Vaishyas: Seven duties (sapta-karma) → protection of cattle, giving charity, performing sacrifices, studying, engaging in trade, lending and borrowing money, and agriculture. •Shudras: One duty (eka-karma) → service. •This is the karma-based interpretation, where social division arises from vocational specialization.
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  Four Theories ofthe Origin of Varna 4.Theory of Birth (Janma Siddhānta) •According to this view, varna is determined by birth. person born in a Brahmin family is a Brahmin, one born in a Kshatriya family is a Kshatriya, and so on. •This hereditary model gradually became the dominant practice in society, though it contrasts with earlier flexible, karma/guṇa- based interpretations.
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  Varna Rights Duties Brahmin Teaching,sacrifices, receiving gifts Study, perform rituals, guide society Kshatriya Ruling, protection, landholding Protect people, maintain law, perform sacrifices Vaishya Trade, farming, cattle- rearing Pay taxes, support society, engage in economic work Shudra None specific (dependent) Serve the other varnas Rights and Duties of Varnas
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  Varna Role/Duties MarriageNorms Brahmins Priests, rituals, sacrifices, spiritual leadership Women free to marry, preferably Brahmin Kshatriyas Warriors, rulers, protection of society Could marry across varnas (except Shudra women discouraged) Vaishyas Traders, farmers, craftsmen, wealth creation Women supported husbands in work; marriages flexible Shudras Service to other varnas, menial labor, some farming Shudra men restricted to Shudra women Four Varnas – Duties and Roles Features Details Nature Hierarchical system Basis Occupation, socio-economic status, and Dharma Flexibility Early system allowed social mobility (not rigid like caste) Exclusion Untouchables outside Varna framework Aim Harmony, division of labor, dharmic duties Characteristics of the Varna System
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  Evidence Observation Rigveda Varnadivisions not rigid; intermixing possible Upanishads Some stories of Kshatriyas teaching Brahmins Epics Varna status could change by karma (deeds) Social Mobility in Early Periods Aspect Varna Jati Nature Ideal 4-fold division Thousands of local groups Basis Occupation & dharma Birth & heredity Scriptural Basis Vedas & Smritis Local customs & practices Flexibility Initially fluid Rigid, hereditary Varna vs Jati
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  Varna Privileges Disabilities BrahminHighest status, access to Vedas Cannot engage in trade or manual labor Kshatriya Political power, arms Cannot become priests Vaishya Wealth creation, trade Subordinate to Brahmins & Kshatriyas Shudra Protection by higher varnas Excluded from Vedic learning & rituals Privileges and Disabilities
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  Purpose of theVarna System •Maintain social order & division of labor. •Ensure purity of dharma within each Varna. •Promote harmony and prevent chaos. •Pathway to moksha through duties (karma). Gradual Changes •Later Vedic period: rigidification of varna → caste system. •Inter-marriages restricted further. •Shudras barred from Vedic rituals. •Untouchability emerged later, outside Varna order. Criticism and Legacy •Provided order but also inequality. •Linked to socio-political dominance. •Reform movements (Buddhism, Jainism, Bhakti) challenged it. •Still debated in modern scholarship.
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  Topics discussed 1. Varna:Meanings 2. Sources 3. Four Theories of the Origin of Varna 4. Rights and Duties of Varnas 5. Four Varnas – Duties and Roles 6. Characteristics of the Varna System 7. Social Mobility in Early Periods 8. Varna vs Jati 9. Privileges and Disabilities 10. Purpose of the Varna System 11. Gradual Changes 12. Criticism and Legacy