1/n Neither the word "Varna" in Sanskrit, nor the words for four varnas have any Sanskrit root that even remotely refers to janma or birth, unlike jati.
The Sanskrit root word for varna gives meanings like "to cover, to choose, to describe, to classify" etc.
The Sanskrit root word for varna gives meanings like "to cover, to choose, to describe, to classify" etc.
2/n When Brahmin, Kshatriya etc are words with particular meanings, how can they be dissociated with them and be made birth-based?
If a blind man is named nayan-sukh, will he start seeing?
If a blind man is named nayan-sukh, will he start seeing?
3/n And if one wants to approximate varna with jati, one needs to check whether the approximation holds at large or not.
And it today's times, it certainly doesn't. Not at all.
And it today's times, it certainly doesn't. Not at all.
4/n Varna is a samsaric covering - meant for attainment of purusharthas + sarve bhavantu sukhinah in samsaric domain
Varna system is based on order, reciprocity, harmony etc. Any interpretation of varna system that goes against dharma is wrong.
Varna system is based on order, reciprocity, harmony etc. Any interpretation of varna system that goes against dharma is wrong.
5/n A list can be made of rakshsas who were "brahmins" (hiranyakashipu for ex) but neither were they treated like one, nor would we invite them for pravachana if they were present today.
6/n Varna = societal role; jati = lineage. Both are attached to body which is = clothes that atma changes frequently
Karma, not samsaric self-identifications are relevant as far as spiritual growth is concerned. Over-indulgence with latter cause moha, ahamkara & subsequent patan
Karma, not samsaric self-identifications are relevant as far as spiritual growth is concerned. Over-indulgence with latter cause moha, ahamkara & subsequent patan
7/n त्वयि मयि चान्यत्रैको विष्णु
र्व्यर्थं कुप्यसि मय्यसहिष्णुः ।
भव समचित्तः सर्वत्र त्वं
वाञ्छस्यचिराद्यदि विष्णुत्वम् ॥
In me, in you and in everything, the same Vishnu
dwells. Your anger and impatience is meaningless. If you wish to attain liberation, have equanimity.
र्व्यर्थं कुप्यसि मय्यसहिष्णुः ।
भव समचित्तः सर्वत्र त्वं
वाञ्छस्यचिराद्यदि विष्णुत्वम् ॥
In me, in you and in everything, the same Vishnu
dwells. Your anger and impatience is meaningless. If you wish to attain liberation, have equanimity.
n/n Varna is emphasized as the carrier of Dharma because it is based on personal duty/karma. If Varna= nomenclature by birth, then we already have Jatis= surname by birth. That's clearly not enough to save Dharma. Varna=Jati causes Eurocentric misinterpretation of our scriptures.
