Скачать или смотреть Hindu Caste System History. Varna, Kula Based On Birth Or Qualities, Duties?

Swami Tattvavidananda | Advaita Vedanta ‪@swamitv-eng‬
source: Lecture by Swami Tattvavidananda https://www.youtube.com/live/rVpVDL2p...
My post on the "4 Varna" verse in Bhagwad Gita: "cāturvarṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa karma vibhāgaśaḥ". Detailed 16 page explanation from Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati.    • Запись  

Here is the breakdown of the video based on the transcript:

*1. Varna vs. Kula (Caste)*

The speaker distinguishes between two often-confused terms:

*Varna:* Described as universal and based on *Guna (qualities)* and **Karma (actions/duties)**. Historically, individuals could move between the four Varnas based on training and behavior. For example, a physician or engineer is essentially a "Brahmana" by education.
*Kula/Caste:* Described as a man-made system unique to India, based strictly on **birth**. The speaker notes there are approximately 3,100 Kulas today, and unlike Varna, there is traditionally no movement between them.

*2. Historical Evolution and Timeline*

The speaker traces how the system shifted from merit-based to birth-based over millennia:

*Vedic/Pre-Mahabharata Time (~3500 BCE):* Varna was determined solely by Guna and Karma, never by birth.
*Mahabharata Period:* This was a "transition period" where the corruption of birth-based status began to enter society. The speaker cites *Karna* as an example—a Kshatriya by karma who faced rejection because of his perceived birth status.
*Manusmriti Period:* By the time of the *Buddha (approx. 560 BCE)**, the *Manusmriti had taken hold, formalizing Varna by birth and creating rigid social restrictions.
*The Puranic Era (3rd Century onwards):* The speaker argues that various Puranas (some written as recently as 150 years ago) further solidified the birth-based system, leaving little to no scope for Karma-based classification.

*3. Religious and Philosophical Perspectives*

*The Gita:* The speaker mentions that the Bhagavad Gita addresses this topic in the 4th and 18th chapters, emphasizing qualities over birth.
*The Buddha:* Buddha is highlighted for dismissing the rigid, birth-based system. The speaker notes that while Buddha's teachings once ruled Indian society, they were eventually "driven out" to peripheral countries.
*Great Acharyas:* Later spiritual leaders often struggled with this issue; some were ambiguous to fit the social context of their time, while others remained firm that Varna is determined by Karma alone.

*4. Conclusion*

The speaker concludes by urging a return to the original spirit of the scriptures. He suggests that in modern society, we should define ourselves by our qualities—striving to become "Brahmins" through our actions and wisdom rather than relying on birthright.