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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00033 Feb 2003

 
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Sri:

Dear Devotess of the Lord, Please accept adiyEn's humble pranams

Dear Sri Kiran: Social, Political, economical and Spiritual structures are 
differrent, 
motivated by and led by differrent people for obvious reaosns.

All adiyEn can do is address the spiritual aspect which should be a 
guidingfactor for all beings, 
including those in Political and social circles.

Spiritual aspect is motivated by, LED by HIM for HIM. 

There can be NO Caste, Community, Language barriers in this area.
=========================================
Article in the upcoming VEDIC Magazine, 

Based on Q&A Session in Chicago with Students
==========================================
The truth about Varna (Occupation) and Jaati (Caste)
==========================================
Question 1: What is Caste system? 
Does Vedic religion divide people based on birth?
===================================================
Answer: Popular misconceptions say that the Vedic religion encourages division
of human beings based on one's birth. 
As a result, some people have been kept backward and uneducated while others
have abused this misconceptions and misinformation for personal gains. 

Much of this misconception can be attributed to the use of the words 'Varna'
and 'Jaati' interchangeably. A closer analysis will reveal just how wrong these
misconceptions are.

===================================================
Question 2: What is Varna? 
===================================================
Answer: Varna: The root word for Varna is 'Vri' which means one's occupation.
The Varna system was hence originally based on division of labor. Those whose 
duties were
to protect the men, animals and properties were called as 'Kshatriyas', 
thewarriors. 
Those who had skills in teaching and scholarly thought, were 'Brahmins' andso
on.

The Varna system was solely based on the attitude and qualities of an
individual and his/her propensity for performing certain duties. The source of 
these identified in the
Srimad Bhagavad Gita as being the gunas, or inner qualities, that were the 
result of the karmas of
each individual from previous lives. 
Those who had more of Sattva guna were Brahmins, 
Those who had Rajasic Guna were Kshtriyas and so on.

======================================
Question 3: Is that just your opinion or there is any proof for this?
======================================
Answer:
To quote from Lord Krishna?s words in Bhagawad Gita: (GeetaAcharyan)

Chapter 4, Verse 13 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita
catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah
tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam

Here Lord says that according to the three modes of material nature and the
work associated with them, 
He created the four divisions of human society.

===========================================
Question 4: Are there any examples of great "accepted Scholars" who were not
born in brahmin families
===========================================
Answer: We have instances from Puranas of many who were not born from 
Brahmin parents actually teaching Brahmins and others.

Sri. Vedavyasa was the one who actually compiled 4 Vedas. He was not a Brahmin
by birth.
He is the compiler of the Vedas (Not the Author ? Vedas are Not Authored by
anyone) He is the compiler of Mahabharatha.

Lord Krishna, was born a Vaishya and He gave us the Bhagawad Gita.
Lord Rama was born a Kshatriya, and his life is the Ramayana.

The caste of the person giving the message is is not important, but the Actual
message is.
At first, the people had more or less a right to choose over their varna based
on their gunas and karmas. However, over time, fathers began to expect their 
sons to
take 
over the duties of their specific calling. Due to the continual aspect of Son
taking 
over father's duties in the society, the 'Work associated' became a matter of
birth and in later days, 
became identified as a birth right. 

Swami Ramanuja (A Brahmin by birth) who is the foremost SriVaishanva Acharya
had Acharyas who were not Brahmins. He had many Sishyas (followers) who were not
Brahmins. 
So in the SriVaishnava sampradaya, the issue of caste does not arise for 
Salvation. Love for Lord, intiation and salvation is for everyone.

=========================
Question 5: And what is Caste (Jaati)?
=========================
Answer: Jaati (Caste): The Root word for 'jati' is 'jan', which means Birth.
It might have happened that due to a continual evolution of one's father's duty 
to his
son over many years , the Varna became confused with 'jaati' and we know
where are we now.
Instead of having four divisions of labors, we now have several dozen jaatis,
each competing with one another for special rights, and each blaming the other 
for the
problems of society. 
So, even though two jaatis may actually belong to one varna, they may see each
other as being two different castes. It is this which has led to the 
degradation of the
varna system and a general disrespect for the Vedas.

While it may not be possible to move completely away from the equating of varna
and jaati, we must recognize that when our Poorvacharyas referred toVarna, they 
literally
meant 2 things:
1. One's attitude (Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasa Gunas)
2. The duties the individual held in the society.

What is important to recognize that, in line with Vedic teachings, our
poorvacharyas refused to acknowledge one varna as being greater than another, 
or one being lower than another. 
All people, irrespective of their varna are equal in their ability to do Good
for this world, and in their ability to obtain salvation through surrender to 
the 
Lotus Feet of Sriman Narayana. 

In many of the Srivaishnava works such as Sri Vachana Bhushanam, it is
clearly emphasized that a Srivaishnava , irrespective of race, caste, or
gender should be 
revered and respected as 'Thirumal adiyar' (a devotee of the Lord of Lakshmi) 

Consequently, while we must respect and perform the the duties and obligations
of our specific varna, we must not divide ourselves by jaati. We are all one 
family
bound together by Sriman Narayana and His Unconditional Love for each and every 
one of us.

===================================================
Question 6: In recent years are there examples of Non-Brahmin born Scholars
who inturn had Brahmin born students. (your previous example of Veda Vyasa is 
very very
old, thousands of years ago)
===================================================
Answer: Swami Satagopan (Nammazhwar) was Born in 4th Caste. 
He is the most important acharya who brought the teachings to all the
SriVaishnavas. 
We have Azhwars (were born upto 600 AD) who are from all walks of life, gender,
caste and community.

In fact our Acharyas and MahaPurushas are so revered that even talking about
their varna is is Taboo. In fact that is the attitude towards all Sri 
Vaishnavas., once a per son has 
become a devotee, even to talk about the devotee's Varna is not-accepted.

In all Srivaishnava homes you will find prayers and utmost respect for Swami 
Nammazhwar.

===================================================
Question 7: Again Nammazvar example is too old, Are there any examples in the 
last few hundred years?
===================================================
Answer: Yes, there are many examples in SriVaishnava Acharyas, the most famous 
Sri Pillailokacharya lived in Srirangam throuhgout his life and was a strong
believer, preacher & propogator in equality of various varnas in the eyes of 
God. 

One of his foremost disciples was a Harijan, called Vilancolaippillai, 
who became very learned and, in his turn, had many Brahmins as his disciples. 

In the eyes of the Lord all are same, and everyone has been give this blessed
birth. This is an oppurtunity to fall in love with God, and realize our true 
purpose
of life, irrespective of race, caste, or gender.

In the Srivaishnava path this is seen in practice in daily life and in our 
teachings.
===================================================
Further questions send mail to: ramanuja@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

azhwAr emperumAnAr JeeyAr thiruvadigalE sharanam

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan
Mukundan Vangkipuram Pattangi
http://www.radioramanuja.com




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