Based on the Vedic scriptures of India, there is a Vedic class or social order System but there is no such thing as a Vedic caste system, commonly known as the Hindu caste system. The word ‘caste’ means fixed but ‘class’ means it can change based on how a person behaves and develops his/her qualities. The class of a person can change from higher to lower or from lower to higher.The current Hindu caste system in India is a complete corruption of the Vedic class system, because it’s based on birth (caste from birth) and not based on the behavior nor the qualities developed. The Vedic scriptures do not authorize a caste system which is fixed from birth, they authorize a class system.
“It is therefore to be concluded that humanity is essentially one, but distinctions of caste have been made according to a person’s qualities and work. As far as general behavior is concerned, the entire human race is one. There is only a difference in people’s occupations and attitudes. Those who divide society into castes according to birth cannot see that human beings are essentially one. After all, the birth, maintenance, death, and bodily activities are only of one kind.” (Bhavishya Purana, 42.33-34)
It is very clear from above that the current caste system in India, which is based on dividing society into castes from birth is completely rejected by this Vedic scripture and others.
“The caste system based simply on birth does not actually divide people according to their development of consciousness. It is one’s envy and hatred or lack of it that allows us to place him/her in a higher or lower category.” (Bhavishya Purana, 40.19-20)
As stated above, it is due to envy, hate, and personal ego that people in India have corrupted the Vedic class system and created a caste system. The Vedic class system as prescribed in the Vedic scriptures is based on personal qualities and the caste system is based on birth in a particular family and has nothing to do with personal qualities.
Definition of The Vedic Class System
We all work. At work we have a boss. Your boss is higher than you and you are lower than your boss. Does this mean that your company is bad for making you lower than your boss? No. You are lower than your boss, because your boss deserves to be higher than you. He is better qualified and experienced and thus he deserves to be higher than you. You are less qualified and experienced and thus you deserve to be lower than your boss. The Vedic class system is exactly like the above example, which is defined in the Bhagavad-Gita as follows:
“Brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras are distinguished by their qualities of work, O chastiser of the enemy, in accordance with the modes of nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.41)
“According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the nondoer, being unchangeable.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.13)
“According to their nature and qualities, there are prescribed duties for brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras.” (Bhavishya Purana, 42.24)
Once again the Vedic scriptures make it very clear that the current caste system in India which is based on birth is against the Vedic authority. The authorized Vedic class system is based on the qualities developed and the actions taken by a person (behavior). A person will belong to one of four classes:
“Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness–these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.42)
Those who possess the above qualities should be the Brahmanas, teachers and advisers to society.
“Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership are the qualities of work for the ksatriyas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.43)
Those who possess the above qualities should be the Ksatriyas, military personnel and administrators in society.
“Farming, cow protection and business are the qualities of work for the vaisyas, and for the sudras there is labor and service to others.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.44)
Vaisyas – Those who posses good trading and farming skills, should be the traders (business owners), farmers, and cow protectors.
Sudras – Those who don’t posses the qualities of the above three classes should be the general workers and assistants.
Every corporation in the World uses the Vedic class system. For example, in a corporation people are employed based on the qualities of work they have developed. Some are vice presidents, some are managers, some are admin clerks, and some are janitors.
It is a fact that everyone is not the same; this can be proven by the fact that not everyone has all the good qualities or all bad qualities.
By following the Vedic class system, everyone will strive to become the best among men. Those at the top (Brahmans) will strive to keep their high position, and those below will strive to advance to a higher position. At work, do you want to advance or would you prefer to stay in the same position?
Everyone would agree that at work, there should be opportunities for advancement for everyone based on the effort put in by each worker. If there are no opportunities for advancement based on the efforts of the workers, then everyone loses the motivation to work and the quality of workers diminishes. This would result in the collapse of the corporation.
In a classless society, there is no motivation to develop good qualities and everyone becomes degraded into the lowest class. This is the case everywhere in the World today. The leaders in most countries around the World are thieves, liars, and have no spiritual knowledge. The result of this is that the public suffers with injustice, high taxes, inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.
Wouldn’t it be nice if all the Politicians were peaceful, self-controlled, pure, tolerant, honest, knowledgeable, and religious? This is the aim of the Vedic class system. To ensure that suitably qualified personnel are appointed suitable roles in society. This concept is already used in corporations around the World. Just think if all the Politicians were assigned according to the Vedic class system. How wonderful the whole World would be. As only those who are truthful and caring would be qualified to become Politicians. Currently the whole World is in a chaotic condition as nearly all the Politicians are liars, ruthless, and thieves.
The current so-called caste system in India is a complete corruption of the Vedic class system which is prescribed by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita and so it should be rejected. Currently the son of a Brahman is also called a Brahman, even though the son only has the qualities of a Sudra. Can the son of a high court judge also be called a judge? Can the son of a doctor be also called a doctor? The simple answer is no. One can only be called a judge or doctor, if one has developed the qualities of a judge or doctor.
Those outside India, often attack Sanatan-Dharma (the Eternal Religion) due to the Hindu class system, without even understanding the facts about the definition of the class system according to the Vedic scriptures. They them selves have a history of human slavery, hatred, and violence against those who don’t follow their recently created religion. The Vedic class system is civilized. Slavery, hatred, and violence are uncivilized.
How is the Vedic Class System Scientific?
The Bhagavad-Gita (4.13 and 18.41) and the Bhavishya Purana (42.24) very clearly define the Vedic class system/social order system which is known as Varna Ashrama, based on qualities and activities (guna-karma) and not birth in a particular family.
The Rig Veda (10.90.12) compares society to the human body. The four classes of people in society are like the four parts of the body. The head is represented by the Brahmins, the hands represent the Ksatriyas, the belly represents the Vaisyas, and the legs represent the Sudras. The body as a whole is completely useless without all four parts functioning properly. In a similar way, every society/nation needs all four classes of men to function properly.
Every person needs a good head, good belly, good hands, and good legs to function properly. In a similar way, every society or nation needs all four classes of men to function properly. When there is an in balance, the society/nation suffers. This is a fact as most nations today are suffering with corruption, violence, poverty, or wars. This is because unqualified personnel are doing the functions which require suitably qualified personnel, the result is chaos. Just like in a corporation, if unqualified personnel are placed in roles which require suitable qualified personnel, the whole corporation suffers with losses and eventually closes down.
It is a fact that not everyone will develop the same qualities, nor does everyone behave in the same way. Lord Krishna (God) realizes this fact and he created the Vedic class system so that everyone is placed in roles in society which are suitable for them, but Lord Krishna does not dictate who belongs to what class. This is our choice, we have free will. Which means we can develop ourselves to become Brahmins or Sudras or even lower the Mlecchas and Yavanas (out castes). It’s our choice, God is not a dictator.
There are different Universities where people can go and become Doctors, lawyers, and clerical administrators. But the Universities do no dictate who is assigned to what course. It’s based on the qualifications and abilities of applicants. Just like in a family, one child may become a Doctor based on the qualifications acquired. And another child may become a waiter. Both children had the same opportunities and but due to the use of their free will, one did better than the other. However at anytime one can do down or go up, if they desired and worked to develop better qualities or become degraded in their work and thus degradation of qualities. Some Doctors do become waiters or lower and some waiters do become CEOs or better.
Are Some People Good from Birth or Bad from Birth?
The Vedic class system assigns people to appropriate roles in society based on the qualities/skills developed and their behavior. However, some people do have the good qualities already developed in them from birth and some have bad qualities from birth and do not change. Some people are just bad from birth and no matter what is taught to them, they do not change. And some people are naturally good from birth and no matter what situation they are put in, they remain good or pure hearted. Lord Krishna confirms this in the Bhagavad-Gita in the case of Arjuna.
“The transcendental qualities are conducive to liberation, whereas the demoniac qualities make for bondage. Do not worry, O son of Pandu, for you are born with the divine qualities.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.5)
In this verse Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that he has the good qualities from birth and so these are helpful in attaining liberation from material life which is a cycle of repeated birth, old age, disease, and misery.
Can Anyone Develop Good Qualities and Change Their Nature To Divine?
Based on the Bhagavad-Gita, every single person, regardless of the nature they are born with, good or bad. Regardless of the religion they are born in, regardless of their past, regardless of their current qualities. Everyone can develop good qualities and change their nature to divine by practicing the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita.
Conclusion
The Vedic class system is justice, fair, logical, civilized, and practiced by every organization in the world.