Varna Ashram -10

...There are some people who claim that Varna of a man is not birth based but depends on Karmas and Gunas (deeds and nature). The strongest evidence that the caste is based on birth is the existence of endogamous jatis. People belonging to a particular jati refused to marry outsiders and thus make jati a birth based system. However we may see the arguments in favor of Guna (nature) based Varna. These people seem to imply that Varna is different from jati. However Varna is a socially ranked group of similarly ranked endogamous jatis as given in scriptures. If nature (Guna) of man is going to decide his Varna then endogamous nature of jatis has to break down. As far as Gunas are concerned there are three Gunas. These are Satvik, Rajsik and Tamsik. The Satvik guna denotes purity, calmness, intelligence and renunciation. These qualities are supposed to be possessed by Brahmanas. The Rajsik guna denotes power, vitality and dynamism. These qualities are supposed to be possessed by Kshatriyas. The Tamsik guna denotes darkness, ignorance and inertness. These qualities are supposed to be possessed by Shudras. And the third Varna of Vaisyas possesses a combination of Rajsik and Tamsik Gunas. It is like being a combination of pure and impure. This description is not necessarily right but let us assume that it is right. Different Varnas possess different Gunas. But it is not same as saying that Gunas determine Varna. Or nature of a man decides his Varna. Do the Gunas decide Varna of a man? Whether a man from any Shudra jati possessing Satvik Gunas belongs to Brahmanas Varna? Does he have the right the right to study and teach Vedas? Does he have the right to guide King in running his kingdom? Does he have the right to be revered by Kshatriyas and Vaisyas? Does he have the right to become priest of temples? And biggest of them all – does he have the right to marry a Brahman girl? This is the right which even the kings do not have. The Varna system does not come in isolation, it comes with a complete baggage. It would be interesting to note the number of Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas willing to extend him all these rights. The number of such people would be zero. As long as such a man exists in the arguments of defenders of Varna system there is no problem. However the moment such a Shudra possessing Satvik Gunas presents himself in physical form the problems start. First thing, he would have to go through thread ceremony to become a Brahman which no Brahman would perform. Secondly all the Brahman families would refuse to give him a girl in marriage. They would even refuse to dine with him. The Kshatriyas would refuse to honor him and refuse to touch his feet. The Vaisyas would also refuse to honor him and refuse to touch his feet. The Kshatriyas and Vaisyas would refuse to dine with him, walk with him and sit with him. Offering a girl in marriage cannot even be thought of. None of the higher three Varnas would be willing to cross the first stage of walking and talking with him. So after facing the rejection from all the sides he is back to being a Shudra. Therefore, the claim that a man born in Shudra jati possessing Satvik Gunas belongs to Brahman Varna is grand fable which falls flat on its face when applied socially. Such a man exists in the arguments of defenders of Varna system not in their hearts. There he is simply non-existent. Nobody followed the teachings of Gita rendering it meaningless. Even Gita does not provide a way of handling the baggage associated with Varnas created by the God...