Maharishi Manu proclaims flexibility of Varnas and their growth
Vedas proclaim that all human beings should move forward in unison and there cannot be any distinction on the basis of birth.
Atharva Veda says "All the four Varnas should live in harmony and with love" Priyam ma krnu devesu priyam rajasu ma krnu, priyam sarvasya pasyata uta sudra utarye.(Atharva Veda 19-62-1).
As per true Vedic concept, the duty of each Varna is to serve the society and every individual irrespective of his varna has to discover his soul (self-realization). Soceity will not obstruct the growth and progress of even Shudra to awaken his soul. That is why Manusmriti ( WITHOUT INTERPOLATIONS) says:
"Shudro brahmanatameti brahmanashchaiti shudratam.
Kshatriyanjalamevamtu vidyadvaishyattathaiva cha."
(Manusmriti 10/65)
i.e. a Shudra can become a brahmin by acquiring learning, merit, virtuous life, etc.and a brahmin lacking in above traits becomes a Shudra. The above principle of merit, action and personality traits (Guna-karma-Swabhava) also holds good for Kshatriya and Vaishya for their upward or downward mobility.
HISTORICAL EXAMPLES REGARDING CHANGE OF VARNA
1. Kavash Ailush, a son of a slave-woman, and Vatsa, a son of a Shudra-woman became Rigvedic Rishis for their having become seers of Mantras(exponents of Vedic hymns).
2. Valmiki who (according to some legends) was lowly-born acquired the fame which goes with the name of Maharishi Valmiki.
3. Female Servant's son, Vidur, became the Prime Minister of Raja Dhritarashra and came to be known as Mahatma.
4. Shri Ram, a son of King Dashratha, and Shri Krishna, born in a Yadav family, came to be regarded as God. They became venerable even for the Brahmanas, their birth in a Kshatriya family notwithstanding.
5. On the other hand, Ravana who was born in a clan of Pulastya Rishi came to be called a Rakshasha 'demon' for indulging in evil deeds and for his mis-conduct.
6. Raghu, the ancestor of Rama had a son named Pravridha. He was outcast from the Kshatriya clan due to his misdeeds and misdemeanour and became a demon.
7. Trishanku, originally a king became a Chandal.
8. Many of the Vishwamitra's sons came to be called Shudras.
But the misinterpretation of Vedic texts by Imperialist scholars of 19th century is continuing even till today which has led to several misconceptions about Vedic studies including Manu's Dharma Shastra. Therefore, it is only an intelligent and holistic approach for the study of Vedas, Manusmriti and other Arsha literature (composed by rishis) which would reveal the true nature of Varna System - the four divisions of social and occupational castes based on worth of a person rather than birth.
Vedas proclaim that all human beings should move forward in unison and there cannot be any distinction on the basis of birth.
Atharva Veda says "All the four Varnas should live in harmony and with love" Priyam ma krnu devesu priyam rajasu ma krnu, priyam sarvasya pasyata uta sudra utarye.(Atharva Veda 19-62-1).
As per true Vedic concept, the duty of each Varna is to serve the society and every individual irrespective of his varna has to discover his soul (self-realization). Soceity will not obstruct the growth and progress of even Shudra to awaken his soul. That is why Manusmriti ( WITHOUT INTERPOLATIONS) says:
"Shudro brahmanatameti brahmanashchaiti shudratam.
Kshatriyanjalamevamtu vidyadvaishyattathaiva cha."
(Manusmriti 10/65)
i.e. a Shudra can become a brahmin by acquiring learning, merit, virtuous life, etc.and a brahmin lacking in above traits becomes a Shudra. The above principle of merit, action and personality traits (Guna-karma-Swabhava) also holds good for Kshatriya and Vaishya for their upward or downward mobility.
HISTORICAL EXAMPLES REGARDING CHANGE OF VARNA
1. Kavash Ailush, a son of a slave-woman, and Vatsa, a son of a Shudra-woman became Rigvedic Rishis for their having become seers of Mantras(exponents of Vedic hymns).
2. Valmiki who (according to some legends) was lowly-born acquired the fame which goes with the name of Maharishi Valmiki.
3. Female Servant's son, Vidur, became the Prime Minister of Raja Dhritarashra and came to be known as Mahatma.
4. Shri Ram, a son of King Dashratha, and Shri Krishna, born in a Yadav family, came to be regarded as God. They became venerable even for the Brahmanas, their birth in a Kshatriya family notwithstanding.
5. On the other hand, Ravana who was born in a clan of Pulastya Rishi came to be called a Rakshasha 'demon' for indulging in evil deeds and for his mis-conduct.
6. Raghu, the ancestor of Rama had a son named Pravridha. He was outcast from the Kshatriya clan due to his misdeeds and misdemeanour and became a demon.
7. Trishanku, originally a king became a Chandal.
8. Many of the Vishwamitra's sons came to be called Shudras.
But the misinterpretation of Vedic texts by Imperialist scholars of 19th century is continuing even till today which has led to several misconceptions about Vedic studies including Manu's Dharma Shastra. Therefore, it is only an intelligent and holistic approach for the study of Vedas, Manusmriti and other Arsha literature (composed by rishis) which would reveal the true nature of Varna System - the four divisions of social and occupational castes based on worth of a person rather than birth.
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