24
votes
Accepted
Can a Sudra become a Brahmin in 'this' birth?
Yes, it is possible through the power of Panchakshari Mantra. As already discussed in question Mantras can have wonderful powers. Similarly through the power of Panchakshara Mantra even a Shudra can ...
- 47.8k
20
votes
Accepted
Relevance of "Dhol Ganwar Shudra Pashu Nari, Sakal Taadana Ke Adhikari"
This is one of the most misinterpreted verses of Ramcharitmanas. Tulsidas had no intention of showing women low by citing this verse.
We have to see the context of the verse:
This verse isn't told by ...
- 47.8k
19
votes
What are the counter-arguments within Hinduism(scriptures) against the Birth based Varna and Caste system?
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa) 7.11:
यस्य यल्लक्षणं प्रोक्तं पुंसो वर्णाभिव्यञ्जकम्।
यदन्यत्रापि दृश्येत तत्तेनैव विनिर्दिशेत् ॥३५॥
[Nārada Muni:]
If one shows the symptoms of being a brāhmaṇa, ...
- 23.9k
18
votes
Accepted
Can a Brahmana raise a war or kill someone?
The Brahmins can indeed raise war in times of emergencies or when their life is endangered or when the situation demands so.
The Shastras clearly allow it.
Manu Smriti ,Chapter 8,Sloka 348,says:
...
- 111k
18
votes
Any references where varna/caste is determined independent of birth/parentage?
In 7.11 The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes) of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa), Nārada Muni says
यस्य यल्लक्षणं प्रोक्तं पुंसो वर्णाभिव्यञ्जकम्।
यदन्यत्रापि दृश्येत तत्तेनैव विनिर्दि...
- 23.9k
17
votes
Accepted
Why is killing a brahmin considered sin while killing other caste people is not?
Your confusion arises because you think that Hindu scripture supports the Hindu caste system as seen today. That is not the case. The term Brahmana in Hindu scripture has a different connotation from ...
- 35.8k
17
votes
Accepted
Why Gayatri mantra is widely recited by non-bramhins nowadays which was once the stronghold of only the brahmins?
gAyatri mantra HAS TO BE recited by non brahmins also, Kshatriyas and vysyas too have right for vedic initiation/upanayana.
Secondly women too have right to study and chant vedas and conduct vedic ...
- 19.1k
16
votes
Accepted
Is the Rig Veda Purusha Suktam hymn an interpolation?
No, it is not an interpolation. The Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajur Veda says the same exact thing as the Rig Veda Purusha Sukta hymn about the origin of the castes and the Devas from the body ...
- 21.9k
15
votes
Accepted
Are Sudras not allowed to study any scriptures of Hindusim?
Are sudras allowed to read scriptures other than Vedas ?
Yes they are allowed to read and hear some Scriptures like the Puranas,Itihasas etc.
From Devi Bhagavatam:
18-24. At every Manvantara, in ...
- 111k
15
votes
Any references where varna/caste is determined independent of birth/parentage?
There is one reference in Mahabharata that clearly states that Varna is independent of birth and specifies conduct to be the only ground.
Maheshwara said, ‘..Neither birth, nor the purificatory rites,...
- 35.8k
15
votes
Accepted
If a Brahmin doesn't perform duties as per his varna, is he still called as brahmin?
No. He will be considered degraded then. He will be a Brahmin just for the namesake.
From Manu Smriti:
2.103. But he who does not (worship) standing in the morning, nor sitting in the evening, ...
- 111k
14
votes
K.S. Bhagavan's critique of Adi Shankara
In brief, the situation is:
A rationalist has analyzed a text written in C++ into English because both look similar. He has critisized C++ for "bad grammar". Certain extremists are behind his life ...
- 19.7k
14
votes
Can a Sudra become a Brahmin in 'this' birth?
By Deeksha also (Guru Deeksha i mean) a Sudra can get rid of his Sudratva.
Gatam Sudrasya sudratvam ViprashyApi cha VipratA||
DeekshasamskAraSampanne JAtibhedo Na Vidyate ||
After Deeksha ...
- 111k
14
votes
Are Sudras not allowed to study any scriptures of Hindusim?
I am supplementing the answer given by defining the term Sudra.
These teachings are not to be imparted to persons who are wicked,
haughty, barbarous, foul in conduct, hypocritical, given to ...
- 35.8k
14
votes
Accepted
Is the Manusmriti written to favor a particular Varṇa?
NOTE: Manusmriti critics have cherry-picked certain verses from the Manusmriti to show that Manu was unfair towards Shudras and partial towards Brahmins. The purpose of this answer is to provide the ...
- 21.9k
13
votes
Accepted
Are we encouraged to become a brahmin?
Based on the nature a person has acquired from material modes; he can be classified to be belonging to one of the varnas.
There are 4 varnas Viz. Brahmin,Kshatriya,Vaishya and Shudra.
The ...
- 2,746
13
votes
Colors of different varṇas: Is it their physical complexion or their qualities?
These "colors" are to be understood metaphorically or allegorically as Gunas (qualities). As mentioned in this answer, white represents Satva, Red represents Rajas and Black represents Tamas.
...
- 31k
12
votes
Why casteism (varṇa system) is based on birth instead of present guṇa-s & karma-s?
The four castes are mentioned in Vedas itself.
ब्राह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीद् बाहू राजन्यः कृतः । ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः
पद्भ्यां शूद्रो अजायत ॥१२॥
Braahmanno-Asya Mukham-Aasiid Baahuu Raajanyah Krtah ...
- 111k
12
votes
Accepted
Why casteism (varṇa system) is based on birth instead of present guṇa-s & karma-s?
Better we talk about Sukshma Sharir in prior. It is made up of Manas, Buddhi & Ahamkar + 5 tanmatras. A soul (Jeevatma) leaves the body in this form after death. This is a bag whose content ...
- 15.6k
12
votes
Examples of Varna migration in Hindu mythology?
Yes Varna migration is possible.
Change of Varna
Narada said, 'If in members born in a certain Varna the qualities
pertaining to another Varna are seen, they (the former) are to be
classified ...
- 35.8k
12
votes
Accepted
Is it permissible to deny the authority of Manusmriti?
Argument 1a)
Manusmriti 4.176 says
Let him avoid (the acquisition of) wealth and (the gratification of his) desires, if they are opposed to the sacred law, and even
lawful acts which may ...
- 4,793
12
votes
Can't Shudras read the Bhagavad Gita?
There are no specific restrictions for reading and understanding Bhagavad Gita based on castes, differentiation apart from two cases, where Krishna himself emphasizes on to whom this Gita knowledge ...
- 3,474
11
votes
Can a Dalit caste person be a priest?
Can a Dalit become a priest?
Yes.
According to this Hindustan Times news article:
[More than 200 people belonging to SC, ST and fishermen communities are being trained by Tirumala Tirupati ...
- 30.5k
11
votes
Accepted
In which caste was Lord Krishna born into?
There are verses in "Shreemad Bhagvatam" that points towards "Lord Shree Krishna's" relation with Pandavas. Although he has been raised in Gokula, Kunti mother of Pandavas was sister of Vasudeva (...
- 31.9k
11
votes
Why did Rāma kill Śambūka? And is Rāma justified in killing him without a second chance?
This is what happened.
Rama, the performer of unblemished deeds, spoke these words. Hearing
them, with his face hanging downwards. he replied in these words, ‘I
have been born in the womb of a ...
- 35.8k
11
votes
Accepted
Kshatriyas and alcohol consumption
Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are allowed to drink certain forms of alcohol. Kumarila Bhatta discusses this in this excerpt from his Tantra Vartika, one of his commentaries on Jaimini's Purva Mimamsa ...
- 96.9k
11
votes
What are the counter-arguments within Hinduism(scriptures) against the Birth based Varna and Caste system?
Shanti Parva of Mahabharata says people of all varnas can perform sacrifices as at first only Brahmin Varna was created, from Brahmin Varna only other Varnas emerged.
Bharadwaja said, 'If the ...
- 3,943
11
votes
Shudras and learning Sanskrit
Various Śūdra and Dalit people have made contributions to Sanskrit literature, so they must have been able to learn Sanskrit to begin with, including the following -
King Śūdraka (apparently Śūdra ...
- 452
10
votes
Can a person change his caste in Hinduism?
The answer depends on what you think is meant by caste. The answer is no if you think of caste as jati or community. The answer is yes if you think of caste as varna which should depend on conduct.
...
- 35.8k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible