How European Caste System Differs From Hindu Varna – Jati Concept

Unfortunately, in contemporary times, the terms ‘Caste,’ ‘Varna,’ and ‘Jati’ are used synonymously with each other. Many people mistakenly consider that all three words refer to the same thing. It is not so! Before throwing light on the corresponding facts, it is important that we first succinctly speak of the Varna system.

Varna system as per Hinduism
Varna system, in its purest form, segregates society into four classes, based on occupation and the innate nature of the person. These classes are what are called varnas.

Brahmans: The Brahmans, who constituted the teachers and priests, were knowledgeable about the Vedas, various scriptures, and the Hindu knowledge system. Their responsibility was to impart atmik education along with practical studies, take care of worship of Bhagwan and Devis in public temples, and perform the Hindu samskaras in the homes of people, as and when necessary. They also kept track of the calendar and would share the same with the local community. They also guided the other classes in society who sought knowledge on various aspects of the Hindu way of life. All these activities were not done by a single person but the group of people who were responsible for these functions was called Brahmanas. Their primary duty was to lead by example to show the community that the higher or ultimate purpose of life is not materialistic but atmik.

Kshatriyas: Kshatriyas belonged to the ruling class and they were obligated to rule over the land in a fair and just manner. Their duty included protecting the region from external forces, nuisance elements like thieves, dacoits, and robbers within the state and safeguarding the well-being of their subjects. They were responsible for tax collections and financial management of the state, deploying the surplus in an economically viable manner – for example by building dams and irrigation canals and also in running the criminal and civil justice system.

Vysyas: Vysyas participated in economic and commercial activities. In the past, before the foreign invaders corrupted the Hindu way of life, there were several primary occupations of the vysyas – agriculture, animal husbandry, craftsmen, trade, and money lending. Even the various craftsmen who manufactured various items from wood, metals, or fabric would broadly come under the Vysya varna.

All the above varnas had two primary characteristics – one they went through a formal education process in a standardized format in which not only moral and ethical education but the role-related knowledge was taught in the Hindus education system. More importantly, these roles required the person to be ‘swayambhu’ or stand on their own feet without working for a salary. You can call them consultants, independent businessmen, or those who ran their own institutions. Together these 3 varnas were called ‘Dwijas’

In summary, there are responsible for maintaining their own institutions and serving society with their expertise. These people were self-supported and not dependent for a livelihood by working for others. In modern human resources subject, you could call them the Type A or go-getter personalities. This also required the ‘dwijjas’ to face difficult situations, make tough mental decisions and take leadership positions.

Sudras: The Sudras are those individuals who are not interested in complex studies and highly skilled work. Nor are they willing to be Type A dynamic personalities. These are individuals who want to live a steady life without much exertion and want to go with the crowd. They used to do supporting work to assist the other three varnas in their occupation for a salary. Though they made operational decisions and were skilled in various areas, they were not required to handle high-pressure and difficult situations. This role allowed them to work in a less rigorous intellectual and risk-prone lifestyle and lead a relatively comfortable life with other varnas protecting them from difficult situations.

Another important characteristic of the ancient Indian civilization was that though there was specialization of roles it was a cohesive society. In certain times and situations, there is no caste. For example, when various varnas of people take ‘diksha’ just before major festivals and stay in temples – all are referred to as swamis – at that time there is no varna difference. Swamis of all varnas cook, eat, sleep, and bathe in the temple premises. Since the highest importance was given to moksha in the Hindu way of life, respect was given to the atmik nature of a person not just their learning, power, or martial strength.

Caste word is of Portuguese origin
Now, it won’t be inappropriate to focus on some crucial points related to the aspects of caste. The term ‘Caste’ originated from the Portuguese and Spanish word ‘Casta,’ which conveys the meaning of ‘lineage’ and ‘race,’ when translated into English. Caste is a very rigid framework and a person cannot change their caste after they are born to their parents. Some claim that this was used to segregate and maintain the superior race of white Christians from middle-eastern, Latin American, African, and Asian converts to Christianity.

Colonial British misuse of power forced Hindus to choose a caste
Herbert Hope Risley, a colonial administrator, and a member of the Indian Civil Service was responsible for the 1901 census of British India. Risley mischievously forced the caste system on the Hindus in British India during the process of the census in 1901. Forcing each Hindu community to choose a caste which was a totally alien concept to the Hindu way of life.

With this mischievous intervention and misuse of power during the colonial rule, usage of the word “Caste” to refer to the Varna system of Hinduism commenced. This has grossly misinterpreted and misrepresented the Varna system.

We need to understand that the Varna system was based only on the occupation and inclinations of the people. It was concerned with the innate nature, aptitude, interests, and abilities of individuals. But, the Western word “Caste” speaks of something that a person gets by birth, by default, and which they can’t change. There is no way this definition of caste can be applied to the varnas in Hinduism.

The Hindu varna system
In the Varna system, a person of given varna can fit into any of the other three varnas, depending on their competencies, interests, and above all behaviors. This requires years of disciplined effort. Anyone belonging to any varna can become a Brahmin by acquiring Vedic and scriptural knowledge and adopting a disciplined and non-materialistic lifestyle. It can be said that it is the “Karma” that determines the “varna” of a person.

We can give many examples, in this context. Vishwamitra, who started as a king (Kshatriya), became a Brahma Rishi, after performing severe practices of Brahmanas. Likewise, Dronacharya- a Brahmin by birth – excelled as a warrior in the Kurukshetra war. Ravana was a brahmin who though born as Brahmana jati, chose to become a Ksatriya and deteriorated to a Rakshas by his unethical conduct with women. Similarly, in more recent times, we have Saint Tukaram who despite being born in a humble ‘Jati” he elevated himself to the position of a brahman, owing to his “Bhakti” towards Lord Vitthal.

What is Jati?
It would now be apt to focus on the word “Jati.” It is from the term “Jana” that “Jati” came into existence. When “Jana” is translated, we get to read it as “birth/taking birth.” Jati is which clan, tribe, or group you are born to. This is a reality, a person cannot deny their parents or their ancestors. Every year, there is a tradition in Hindus of remembering not just the parents but grandparents and great-grandparents. Hindus don’t believe in forgetting their parents or ancestors as due to their sacrifices, a person reaches adulthood and opportunities.

Why Jati-Varna system is not problematic, unlike the European Caste system?
It should also be noted that people of all varnas opted for monkhood and they would renounce their relationships with family when they join the sect of saints. In recent times, Yogi Adityanath was born to a Rajput family and renounced his family to join the Goraknath monastery to serve the entire humanity instead of only his family.

Satavahana was a famous central Indian personality who was an orphan and took shelter in the family of a potter. Based on his karma of protecting the region from robbers with his leadership skills, martial expertise, and service to the public – he became very popular and was elevated to the position of Emperor. Such was his popularity with people that people joined his army in large numbers to quell the mighty emperor who dared to march against his small kingdom.

We shouldn’t hesitate to conclude this write-up with the view that it’s only the original varna system that recognizes the parents and ancestors of an individual. But allows growing to their potential based on their abilities and efforts. Unlike the European caste system, it does not impose any stringent and rigid rules! “Caste” is a narrow European concept that not only gravely limits individual growth, it creates a superiority-inferiority hierarchy that is alien to Hindu philosophy and way of life.

Note: Also read about ethics and values as per Hindu Sanathana Dharma – Samanya Dharma, Apad Dharma, Vishesha Dharma.