Varnashramadharma

Question 1

What is varnashramadharma?

Answer 1

Varna- social category. Ashrama- life stage. Dharma- religious duty. If you follow the duties of your life stage and complete your religious duties, you will have a better rebirth and will eventually reach moksha.

Question 2

What are the four varnas?

Answer 2

1. Brahmans- highest caste, teachers and scholars. 2. Kshatriyas- soldiers and warriors. 3. Vaishyas- merchants and professionals. 4. Sudras-lowest caste of laborers and servants.

Question 3

Where did Varna originate?

Answer 3

In the vedas brought to India by the aryans, it comes from CH 10 of the rig veda from the purusha sutka hymn.

Question 4

Describe the purusha sutka hymn

Answer 4

Purusha was a giant primeval man who was sacrificed, from his mouth came the Brahmins, from his arms came the Kshatriyas, from his thighs came the vaishyas, from his feet came the Sudras, the moon came from his mind and the sun from his eyes.

Question 5

What do some scholars claim about the purusha sutka?

Answer 5

It was false and was added later, Manu also wrote rules about the varnas and the duties of the four varnas are also found in the Bhagavad Gita.

Question 6

What did Gandhi say about varna?

Answer 6

Everyman is born in the world with certain natural tendencies…with definite limitations that he cannot overcome. From a careful observation of those limitations the law of varna was deduced.

Question 7

Explain caste

Answer 7

Derived from the Portuguese ‘casta’ meaning color, it was thought that the aryans had lighter skin then the Drayus, so imposed the system to keep themselves separate. This theory has largely been rejected and it is thought it was more to do with the spiritual qualities associated with each varna.

Question 8

What qualities and colors are associated with each varna?

Answer 8

Brahmins- Sattvas, purity and white. Kshatriyas- Rajas, passion and red. Vaishyas - Rajas and Tamas, nourishing and yellow. Sudras- Tamas, inertia and black.

Question 9

What are the four ashramas?

Answer 9

1. Brahmacharya, begins with the sacred thread ceremony and is all about study, learning the vedas and following a life of celibacy, applies to all castes bar the Sudras. 2. Grihasta, begins with marriage and is for all castes, you follow the four purushartas, raise a family and teach children. 3. Vanaprastha, begins with the birth of the first grandchild, you return to a celibate and more spiritual life and give up your position as head of the household, only for Kshatriyas and Brahmins. 4. Sannyasin- only for Brahmins, you leave home and wander around finding god, you have no possessions and focus totally on god.

Question 10

What is the difference between Varna, caste and jati

Answer 10

Varna- social category based on spiritual purity. Jati/caste- words signifying one’s social position which is determined by occupation.

Question 11

1. How did varna develop?

Answer 11

Varna are social groupings you are born into, over the years different jatis evolved to fit into these groups, the skills of each group was guarded within families which led to occupations becoming exclusive and hereditary.

Question 12

2. How did caste develop?

Answer 12

A heircvahy of castes within the varna system started, but this was not uniform across India. Varna and jati are not the same, varna is a larger group made from smaller jati groups doing different jobs and maintaining tractions. Caste also applies to those who live outside of the system.

Question 13

Explain the community of believers

Answer 13

Caste hierarchies are so linked to life in India that Hinduism is defined as less of a religion and more of a way of life based upon living according to varna.

Question 14

What are the purposes of life?

Answer 14

Fulfill dharma, receive good karma, achieve moksha and be reunited with Brahman, breaking free from samsara.

Question 15

What are the four purushartas?

Answer 15

1. Kama- sensual pleasure. 2. Artha- lawfully making money. 3. Dharma- doing one’s duty. 4. Moksha- release from samsara.

Question 16

Who are the Dalits?

Answer 16

People born outside of the caste system, live in slums and have the most menial jobs, they are seen as scum and expected to serve upper castes and accept their position.

Question 17

What is life like for Dalits?

Answer 17

They are heavily discriminated against, some eat rats to survive, they are forbidden to draw water from the same well as other villages and have to have their own temple. They do the ‘polluting’ jobs such as disposing of animal carcasses.

Question 18

How do many Dalits see their position?

Answer 18

They accept it as god’s intention, they believe they are being punished for sins in a previous life and that their next life will depend upon their attitude to this one.

Question 19

Give an example of Dalit discrimination

Answer 19

Girdharilal maurya was born a Dalit, but did well for himself, so bought a path of land outside of the village and demanded to be allowed to use the village well. Villagers responded by burning his home, destroying his farming equipment and beating his family.

Question 20

How was varnashramadharma transformed by Bhakti?

Answer 20

Bhakti opposed rigid caste practices, they initiate non caste Brahmanas from untouchables and accept female gurus. Bhakti sees itself as above varnashramadharma, the rules to do not apply and they can reach moksha regardless of varnashramadharma/gender. This idea is strongly opposed by caste conscious Brahmins.

Question 21

Give four positives of varna

Answer 21

1. Perfect way of organizing society. 2. Each caste has its own distinct role. 3. Based on the interests of the community, not individuals. 4. Kinship provides security and support for all members within a caste.

Question 22

Give three more positives of varna

Answer 22

5. Provides a wide support group. 6. Strong community identity promotes self respect within all groups in society. 7. Varna is the ultimate form of social justice as karma must be paid off.

Question 23

Give six negatives of Varna

Answer 23

1. No way out for Dalits. 2. Very discriminatory. 3. No free choice in areas like marriage. 4. Isolated from western advancements and modernity. 5. Impractical for western Hindus. 6. No sense of individual worth.

Question 24

How can varna be seen as outdated?

Answer 24

In the west, many marriages are interracial and inter religious, going against the traditional idea of caste. Modernization had been instrumental in slowly eroding caste barriers.

Question 25

What is sanatanadharma?

Answer 25

Thousands of years older then varnashramadharma, it is about spiritual duties for all atmans, these duties are universal and apply to everyone.

Question 26

What is sanatanadharma about?

Answer 26

The intrinsic inclination of humans to do service as desired by god whilst expecting nothing in return. It prescribes eternal duties such as purity and non violence that all should follow.

Question 27

How are sanatanadharma and varnashramadharma similar?

Answer 27

Both are about duty and stem from the vedas. They give good karma if they are followed, they aim for moksha and allow society to function.

Question 28

How are sanatanadharma and varnashramadharma different?

Answer 28

Sanatanadharma: spiritual, universal, focuses on spiritual unity and many Hindus call their religion sanatanadharma. Varnashramadharma: practical, dependent on karma and discriminatory, Hinduism is seen as an aspect of varnashramadharma, with no independent status apart from it.

Question 29

What is a woman’s dharma?

Answer 29

Stridharma, women are not part of the caste system, so have their own dharma. 1. As a child she is protected by her father and learns her role in the home. 2. As a wife she is protected by her husband, she looks after the house and children. 3. As a widow she is protected by her eldest son and treated with respect.

Question 30

Give some traditional female dharmas

Answer 30

Obedience, service to husband, knowledge of religious practice, dressing nicely, controlling passions and speaking truthfully, loving and educating children.