Questions tagged [caste-system]
For the questions about a caste-system based on varna e.g the Chaturvarna: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudras. The mixed varnas, apostate varnas, and varnas not necessarily related to the Chaturvarna (e.g. Mleccha) are also valid for this tag.
341
questions
1
vote
1
answer
48
views
Is there any other work from ancient India which considers any caste other than Brahmins as superior?
There are 18 Mahasmritis and Upasmritis . Almost all of them are advocating birth based Varna considering Brahmins as superior. I would like to know any similar work which says any caste other than ...
- 1,652
0
votes
0
answers
26
views
Where does this verse on caste come from? [duplicate]
I saw this statement on social media.
Which scripture does it come from? Which verse?
The verse you are referring to is:
"Janmana jayate shudrah, samskarat bhaved dvijah, vedapathad bhaved
...
- 1,274
1
vote
0
answers
37
views
How may a twice-born atone for eating an egg unknowingly?
This answer says Rig Veda has a verse which prays to destroy egg eaters.
So if a twice born are egg knowingly or unknowingly, what are all the
atonements shall be done?
Whether egg is consumable for ...
- 1,652
1
vote
1
answer
79
views
Can't Shudras listen to the puranas?
I always thought that Shudras can read/listen to Puranas. But when reading Skanda Purana, came across one shocking verse:
23.The man conversant with Purāṇas should be an expert, clean, calm and ...
- 1,652
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
Treatment of a Chandala who has good Moral Character
If a Chandala had good moral character can one give him gifts and treat him more than what is stated in Dharmashastras. Please answer from Dharmasutras/sastras and Nitisastras.
- 785
-3
votes
1
answer
39
views
Did Tulsidas promote a society with caste violence?
In Ramcharitmanas Sunderkand Paath Chaupai Part 59, Tulsidas writes:
ढोल गवाँर सूद्र पसु नारी। सकल ताड़ना के अधिकारी॥3॥
This is translated as "Drums, the illiterate, lower caste, animals and ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
68
views
Marriage in Brahmins
How is marriage is decided between hindu boy and girl according to their gotras for example :
Can a bhardwaj gotra girl marry kaushik gotra boy?
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
52
views
Does Shiva promote total caste discrimination in housing and rituals?
Kamika Agama Purva Pada:
1.80
For the brahmins, tripundra should be with a length of 6 angulas.... For the women, it should be in one angula. People of other castes (अन्यजातिस्तु-children of higher ...
- 1
-4
votes
2
answers
175
views
Why does Bhagavad Gita insult people? Is it original?
BG 9.32
मां हि पार्थ व्यपाश्रित्य येऽपि स्यु: पापयोनय: | स्त्रियो वैश्यास्तथा शूद्रास्तेऽपि यान्ति परां गतिम्
The word "paap yonayah" clearly means born of sin or race of sin since the ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
131
views
In which scriptures does Shiva support casteism?
In Mahanirvana Tantra, Shiva himself reportedly says the following:
Chapter 3:
Let the excellent Guru, ocean of kindness, next whisper the Mantra
seven times into the right ear of the disciple if he ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
65
views
How to reconcile hereditary varna vs. the limits of Sabda Pramana?
DISCLAIMER
This question deals specifically with the belief that one's varna depends on the family into which one is born. For those that believe varna is based only on actions and qualities, this ...
1
vote
1
answer
54
views
How to ensure Brahminas don't step out of line regarding the law
The Dharmashastras forbid any capital punishments on Brahminas. While this is partly understandable as doing harm to a holy man is considered wrong, couldn't some Brahminas with evil intentions step ...
- 785
3
votes
1
answer
192
views
Is the pouring of lac in a Shudra who hears the Vedas or recites them intentionally Danda or Prayaschitta?
Generally, people say that Shudras who hear the sacred knowledge (Vedas) have to undergo painful punishments, but is this self-imposed or imposed by a ruling or governing authority? Because, if it is ...
- 785
0
votes
0
answers
79
views
Books Defending Caste and Untouchability
It is obvious that today's historians never place themselves in the shoes of past people and have a very one-sided and biased view of history looking at an individual over a societal level. I am ...
- 785
0
votes
1
answer
107
views
Can a Kshatriya put on a Urdhvapunda Tilak?
I read some where that Narada Purana says a Brahmin should wear a Urdhvapundra (for Vishnu) and a Kshatriya should wear a Tripundra (for Shiva). Does the Narada Purana say it is absolutely necessary?
...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
77
views
The Metaphsyics of Varna
Clarification of Metaphsyics
A clarification: By metaphysical I mean more the system in which it's decided and the various aspects of it ie what differs a Brahmin-Brahmin from a Brahmin-Chandala and a ...
- 785
0
votes
0
answers
20
views
Books for Anyone Regarding the complex nature of Varna
I want books not modern ones, but ones by authentic religious personalities from olden times on the system of Varna and their differentitation of bodily and mental gunas. I would prefer a more ...
- 785
1
vote
0
answers
35
views
Is Varna and Bodily Gunas have a similar system to genetics
Varna is based on birth or one's Gotra, but I found some similarities when studying simple Mendelian genetics keep in mind this is simple and not modern genetics. Now I am not saying necessarily that ...
- 785
1
vote
2
answers
186
views
Regarding Mixed Castes in Mahabharta
So the Tirtha Yantra Parva of the Mahabharata says mixed castes are considered better than the original when purification rites are performed. (https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-mahabharata-...
- 785
-1
votes
1
answer
134
views
Treatment of Chandalas
Within Ithihasas there seems to be bad treatment of Chandalas as Bhishma recounts. By Chandala I mean a child born to a Brahmin mother & Shudra father. Are there any alternative treatments ...
- 785
3
votes
2
answers
698
views
Why are Hindu texts like Mahabharata so focused on race, lineage and varna?
I was reading Mahabharata, the abridged version from C Rajagopalachari ji. I liked the literature aspect of it and some of the advices there. But one thing that bothered me was the hyperfocus of the ...
- 394
0
votes
0
answers
26
views
According to Vaishnavism, what is a fruitive activity?
I am currently reading Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu by Rupa Gosvami (with commentary by Jiva Gosvami).
In it, it has been mentioned that a pure devotee is above fruitive activities such as the varnasrama ...
- 164
1
vote
0
answers
185
views
Pravara of Suryavamsa Kshatriyas
From the question given here: Who is the Vaishya Rishi Sankila?,
It is evident that true vedic kshatriyas must have a three-rishi (pravara) "Manava, Aida, Paururavasa" for the Hotri, ...
- 49
1
vote
0
answers
136
views
vrAtyastOma on fallen dwijAs in Kali Yuga
In a previous question, we established the lack of kshatriyas and vaishyas in today's day and age. Basically, the only dwijAs to exist today are the sath BramhanAs. For reference, one can gloss over ...
- 49
2
votes
0
answers
91
views
Can we go back to our own varna dharma?
If our Brahmin or Kshatriya ancestors did not perform Upanayana Samskara and have not followed their dharma can we still have rights to get Upanayana Samskara for ourselves and our children?
If no, ...
-2
votes
1
answer
234
views
Did other Srivaishnavite teachers like Vedanta Desikan differ from Ramanuja on the caste system?
The Chaaturvarnya caste system of Aryaavarta has been reduced to just two castes in Tamil Nadu _ Brahmins and Sudras (polite Brahmins call them "Non Brahmins", since there cannot be ...
- 22k
0
votes
1
answer
176
views
Do any principal Upanishads unequivocally advocate for the birth-based caste system?
Apparently, Sankara cites the Rig Vedic Purusha Sukta while commenting about the caste system advocated in the Bhagavad Gita.
But since the Vedas are regarded as apara vidya in comparison to the ...
- 22k
2
votes
0
answers
39
views
Exploring sadhanas for transformation: Overcoming the impact of birth on nature
In a fascinating discourse between Yudhishthira and Bhishma found in the Anusasanika Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma discusses the interplay between a person's birth and their conduct. He ...
- 31.9k
2
votes
3
answers
580
views
What was Sri Rama's opinion on the caste system?
Did Rama enforce castiesm or did he attempt to reform it or did he ignore it?
- 947
2
votes
1
answer
99
views
Does canonical Sanskrit scripture contain rejections of caste that go beyond the birth vs qualities dichotomy?
Starting from the Purusha Sukta - there is the birth-based four-fold division of humanity - Brahmins,kshatriyas,Vaishyas and Sudras.
https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/52131/12489
refers to an ...
- 22k
3
votes
2
answers
573
views
Which caste is "software developer"?
Advocates of the varnashrama dharma claim that we should follow the varna professions listed in the dharma shastras. For example:
10.47 - For Sūtas, the management of horses and chariots; for ...
- 22.3k
2
votes
0
answers
306
views
If kshatriyas and vaishyas don't exist, who can take up arms and do farming?
For example, the shastra says only people born as kshatriyas and who have done upanayanam can be military or police:
Manu 10.79 - For the Kṣatriya, carrying of arms and weapons. For the
Vaiśya, ...
- 22.3k
1
vote
0
answers
738
views
Was there any case of Yadav men marrying Kshatriya women?
Was there any case of Yadav men marrying Kshatriya women ? Duryodhan daughter married son of Krishna , but Duryodhan opposed it.
Was there any such instance where Yadav men married Kshatriya women and ...
- 6,827
3
votes
4
answers
281
views
Do people who are born in dwija castes did lots of virtues in their previous lives?
Is it true that those who born in twice-born castes (Brahmin , Kshatriya and Vaishya) did lots of virtues (Punyas) in their previous lives ?
I am asking this as in the past only twice born castes had ...
- 6,827
2
votes
2
answers
300
views
Were there only Brahmins in Satyuga or in remote past ? Were all Varnas created from Brahmins?
Were there only Brahmins in the past ? Were all other Varnas created from Brahmins ? How did it happen ?
- 6,827
1
vote
0
answers
142
views
Is there any mention of presence of Ambasta caste community in Puranic or historic text?
A caste in India claim to be Ambasta . But there is a confusion , if it is the name derived from Ambasta as in Manusmriti (Brahman Father + Vaishya mother) or from Amba devi.
I am asking this as I ...
- 6,827
1
vote
0
answers
61
views
Is working for wage sin for twice-born castes?
Is working for wage sin for twice born castes (Brahmin , Kshatriya and Vaishayas) ? Does it lead them to hell ?
- 6,827
1
vote
1
answer
181
views
Can a person be of more than one caste?
For example people like da vinci who are talented in many fields can they belong to more than one cast? what if a person is very intellectual like a brahmin can fight like a kshatriya?What caste will ...
- 791
2
votes
0
answers
138
views
How many caste are there in Hinduism?
If one searches Caste on google images, the first few images they would be greeted with is this:
However on wikipedia, the following is written:
There are 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes in India,...
1
vote
0
answers
141
views
How to know which Brahmin sub-caste is real and which one is fake?
All Brahmin sub-castes call one another fake brahmins and themselves to be the real one. So, How to know which one is real and which one is fake ?
- 6,827
1
vote
0
answers
148
views
What are the marriage conditions for an offspring boy of sagotra vivah?
Marriage in Kaliyug is to be within castes not outside, but not sagotra as well or else the offspring is Varnasankara. The pramana for this is given across Shrimad Bhagvad Gita and Puranas.
I am born ...
- 91
3
votes
0
answers
114
views
By performing what acts does a brahmin become outcaste?
I want to know about all the acts on doing which a brahmin becomes outcaste or chandala!
- 1,381
4
votes
0
answers
79
views
Differences between Lingayats and Aradhyas?
Lingayat community was founded by Basavanna. What is the history of Aradhyas who are shiva followers too and they too wear lingas.
What are the differences between these communities?
- 1,466
4
votes
1
answer
284
views
When Varnas are already defined from were did yavana, mleccha or Chandalas originated
When Varnas are already defined as per Vedic principles from were did yavana, mleccha or Chandalas originated
- 241
3
votes
1
answer
435
views
What was the caste of Vidur's wife?
What was the caste of Vidur's wife? To which caste does Vidur's wife belong?
- 6,827
1
vote
1
answer
569
views
How valid are these words of Arjuna in discouraging inter-caste marriages of 'contemporary' times?
Consider the following words by Arjuna in Bagavath Geetha.
यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतस: | कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च
पातकम् || 38||
कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभि: पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् | कुलक्षयकृतं ...
- 31.9k
3
votes
0
answers
134
views
Which other scriptures say that inter-caste marriages can give better children?
In a discussion between Yudhishthira and Yaksha, Yudhishthira says that children from inter-caste couples can be treated better compared to the same caste couple if the inter-caste couple undergoes ...
- 31.9k
5
votes
0
answers
152
views
What is the story of Vasista changing his caste through penance?
It is almost impossible for an individual to change her caste in her lifetime. It will take at least five generations to change the caste.
‘Caste becomes elevated during the fifth or the seventh ...
- 31.9k
3
votes
2
answers
211
views
What are the possible names of 'others' who changed their own caste?
It is almost impossible for a person to change one's own caste during her lifetime.
Bhishma said, 'The status of a Brahmana, O Yudhishthira, is incapable
of acquisition by a person belonging to any ...
- 31.9k
7
votes
1
answer
879
views
On doing what a Brahmin and Kshatriya lose his caste?
By doing what things a Brahmin loses his caste?
On doing what a Kshatriya loses his caste?
- 6,827