Varnashrama

The term 'Varna' has many connotations. It normally  means colour. akshara or syllable, and distinguishing character. When it is added to ashrama dharma, lifestyle of certain class of people, it refers to caste, creed, and sects. However, all these are subjective and hence. much confused by different religious groups. When it comes to the color of people all over the world, there are the whites of Europe, Red of Mongolia and China, and the brown and Black of Asia and Africa, respectively. It seems that the whites are like the half-baked cake and we see these whites lying naked in Sea Beaches to get their skin tanned in the sun. When Brahma was the Creator was baking these humn cakes the over-heated ones became the dark African, the brown ones of South Asia and the white skinned in Europe and North America. However, the color of the people has nothing to do with the religious faiths. The oldest is the Hindu dharma and it is eternal, oters may come and go! It is sanatana.

   Hindu dharma is the oldest of all that exist today and may be traced to almost a Hundred thousand years! There were large communities living in Bharata Khanda, the Indian Sub-continent when there were none in newly found lands like the Americas. They say Columbus discovered India, but it was not Bharata. They say, Magellan and Vasco da Gama went round in sailing boats and discovered lands! 

 Now, if we take the Great Mahabharata War of dwapara yuga, the number of soldiers accounted for, such as Eighteen akshohini can be imagined. These army units were supported by several other thousands engaged in supply lines, armory, and utilities. One can imagine what must be the total population of Bharata at that time when there were no other religions in other parts of the world (except in Egypt, Mexico, Peru, China, and Italy/Greece). We have Ramayana where some detailed geographical accounts are given. But very little is known about the krita yuga/ satyayuga. We definitely do not understand the history and geography of the previous manvantara, dated back to 4 320 000 years ago! Brahmanda purana is terse and difficult to interpret or understand.

   Thus, what do we know about these varnas or ashrama dharma?

The answer is simple. A careful Study and proper interpretation of the Veda might help us to some extent. The Veda gives us the varnashrama dharma,and so also, the Bhagavad-Gita where the four class of groups identified as Brahmana (the priestly class, teachers and Pundits), Kshatriya (Well-versed in warfare or protecting force), Vyshya (Merchant class), and the Shudra or agricultural or groups engaged in cultivation of crops, processing, and community services. None of these are considered either of high or low in esteem and all were equal and respectable. It is the advent of the Europeans who came to do business and started ruling the country that did not understand this scientific classification of occupational, economic social, or functional groups. It was a wonderful rural community where all worked for one and one for all. This was een in the community functions.

  The early rural communities were highly dharmic and centered around the Temple. The people were pious, God-fearing and highly civilized in the sense that there were no thefts, crime, and law and order problems. Common religious festivities marked the happy communities.

  What a contrast when we see the present day divisive tendencies like the ideologies of Communism, Leftists, Rightists, Extremists Terrorists and invading ISIS Missionaries converting innocent people, and other uncivilized brutal fundamentalists committing genocide! This is an indication of declining dharma and mark the end of Kaliyuga of the last quarter of the vaivasvata manvantara. This will end disastrously giving rise to a New Era of Sarvochisha Manvantara, next. The dooms day is nearing?