Thread by @vakibs

Varna has a meaning only in the context of Yajña, that is collective consciousness and voluntary sharing at the societal and universal level. It is exactly the opposite of individualism. It cannot exist cannot be defined in isolation. Varna implies harmony and mutual cooperation.

https://twitter.com/carvakaneo/status/1425381832007110656

There are 4 Varnas as there are 4 Purushārthas. Each Varna is focused on the attainment of one of the Purushārthas. By cooperating as a society, we achieve all of them. This is why it is impossible to separate Varna from the fundamental tenets and ideals of Indian philosophy.

If the Jātis are defined in isolation, it is a recipe for the breaking up of society, a voiding of the social contract that kept them together at the level of shared consciousness. Hence, it is Adharmic. We must get rid of this system “caste” imposed on us by the colonialists.

A truly liberal person in the Indic sense would find the system of “caste” repulsive, but see Varna as essential. As elaborated very clearly in the Bhagavad Gita, what determines the Varna of a person are his or her Gunas (virtues). Our goal should be to cultivate such virtues.

The 4 quintessential Dharmic virtues are Tejas (Brilliance in mind), Vīryata (valor, courage in adversity), Prajāti (prosperity and progeny) and PratishTa (stability and composure in one’s circumstances). They are complementary. Very rare to find all such virtues in one person.

A person who has the highest quotient of a virtue should be identified into the corresponding Varna.

Brāhmana: Tejas
Kshatriya: Vīryata
Vaiśya: Prajāti
Śūdra: PratishTa

All the virtues are good. All the Varnas are good. They must work together. Are these virtues hereditary?

I think this question of inheritance is blown out of proportion. It is not fundamental to Indian philosophy. Varna can happily exist without any discussion about inheritance. But if we acknowledge that to be a factor (like Jāti), then it is only a partial determinant.

I think the worst of all the worlds is when Jāti is recognized but treated in isolation, and Varna is completely ignored. This will surely lead us to a society with only vices and no virtues. (end of thread)