5

In this question, I am assuming the meaning of words caste, Varna, class stands for same. Don't consider tribes as same as caste.

Consider the following talks by Krishna in Mahabharata

From Udyoga Parva Section 29

Krishna said, '...Thou must, O Sanjaya, take into thy consideration the division of the four castes and the scheme of respective duties allotted to each. ...'

From the Bhagavad Gita 4.13

"The Holy One said,--'.....The quadruple division of castes was created by me according to the distinction of qualities and duties. ....'

Does Krishna talk about any other statement beyond this four-class system such as out of the caste system, 5th caste etc., anywhere in Mahabharata or any other texts

|improve this question
  • What do you mean by "out of the caste system" ? Its not clear. – TheLittleNaruto Oct 23 '18 at 8:20
  • Persons not coming under any of the four castes.... – hanugm Oct 23 '18 at 8:21
  • I think Brahmachari would be the one who wouldn't come under any caste. – TheLittleNaruto Oct 23 '18 at 8:42
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    @TheLittleNaruto No.. Brahmachari certainly have a caste.. He is talking about an outcaste... who does not belong to any of the 4 castes... They are also known as mixed-caste or antyaja.. for example Chandala is an antyaja. – Rickross Oct 23 '18 at 8:51
4

In Bhagavata Purana,

While Krishna is explaining about the way to worship govardhana hill, he mentions about outcastes.

http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/10/24/28

After giving the appropriate food to everyone else, including such fallen souls as dogs and dog-eaters, you should give grass to the cows and then present your respectful offerings to Govardhana Hill.

The sanskrit word used in the verse is candala which is an outcaste. Some translate it as outcaste.

http://srimadbhagavatam.org/canto10/chapter24.html

'To act appropriately in respect of everyone, also should be thought of others: fallen souls like dogs and outcasts. After next having given grass to the cows the offerings should be presented to the mountain'

If dog-eater and outcasts are synonymous in the way they are used in scriptures, then even in Bhagavad Gita 5.18 we find Krishna talks about outcasts.

vidyä-vinaya-sampanne brähmaëe gavi hastini suni caiva sva-päke ca paëòitäù sama-darçinaù

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  • Anywhere did he mention that the people from the given 4 classes won't eat dog? – hanugm Oct 24 '18 at 13:39
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    The exact sanskrit word used is candala which is definitely an outcaste. It was translated as dog eater. Some translate it as outcaste. – user16618 Oct 24 '18 at 14:27
  • Refer srimadbhagavatam.org/canto10/chapter24.html – user16618 Oct 24 '18 at 14:33
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    @hanugm A Chandala is also referred to as a "Svapaka" which means "one who cooks/eats dog meat". – Rickross Oct 25 '18 at 5:42

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