Author: Seema Burman
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 19, 2006
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1537377.cms
Caste has been misinterpreted as being hereditary
whereas Krishna states clearly in the Bhagavad Gita that caste is a classification
of people's potential. A single family might have children with qualities
that are suitable for Brahmins, Kshatri-yas, Vaishyas, or Shudras.
A child interested in academics can be said
to have Brahminical qualities; the one wanting to join the armed forces can
be said to be Kshatriya-like, the one who prefers business has Vaishya gunas
and the one who likes serving has Shudra gunas.
You might even find more than one trait in
one person. Microsoft's Bill Gates, for instance, can be said to be of quadri-caste
since his functions and aptitude contain elements of all four castes.
Attributing everything in Creation as being
dominated by three gunas saatvic, rajasic and tamasic Krishna says that all
beings are under the influence of these gunas.
The three qualities determine our intelligence,
emotions, behaviour, actions, habits, impul-ses, everything. Unlike other
life forms, human beings have the capability to hone and polish specific skills
and qualities.
When saatvic guna dominates, we enjoy spiritual
pursuits like meditation. When rajasic quality is on high, we derive pleasure
from the five senses.
Tamasic quality leads to wasting of time,
and neglect of duties. Education counsellors help students determine their
aptitude. Similarly, Krishna the perfect counsellor tells us which vocation
to follow to gain the ultimate goal of self-realisation.
For example, there are nine functional qualities
of a Brahmin as enumerated by Krishna: serenity, self-control, austerity,
purity, forgiveness, simplicity, scriptural proficiency, spiritual attainment
and adherence to theological principles (18.42).
A competent warrior must have qualities of
heroism, resplendence, and fortitude (18.43). As is a Kshatriya. In the end,
all work has to lead to karmayoga, dedicated to the Divine.
When rajoguna is mixed with tamoguna it gives
birth to Vaishya-like qualities, says Krishna, and they pertain to agriculture,
animal husbandry, and commerce.
Some are naturally interested in service,
and so are suitable for those professions that require a predominantly service-component.
Whatever one's potential and interest, the ultimate aim is self-realisation,
and not self-gratification. These qualities do not bestow any special status
on anyone; they are not even hereditary.
Krishna states: "The four divisions have
been created by Me according to the classifications based on natural qualities
and functioning but in this act know Me as the immutable, Non-doer" (4.13).
There is no nobility in these divisions, as they are merely functional.
The aim of life being self-realisation, the
two pillars which help this are varna and ashram. Varna based on natural tendencies
can help in deciding the appropriate field of activity which would help in
achieving the goal of life.
To consider oneself superior or inferior is
not sanctioned by shastras for such a perception leads to self-degradation.
One who is born in a trader's family, for instance, might have an advantage
but there can be exceptions.
The most important factor in choosing a profession
is one's natural aptitude. Choosing a profession one likes or for which one
has the aptitude gives inner satisfaction and leads to self-realisation.
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