Varna
In the Vedic age, based on their skills, the individuals were classified in four casts, namely Varnas (वर्ण). The purpose of this classification was to enable the smooth functioning of the human society.
After the creation the first humans in these varnas emerged from various parts of God's divine body
After the creation the first humans in these varnas emerged from various parts of God's divine body
ब्रह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीत्, बाहु राजन्यः कृतः ।
ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः, पदभ्यां शूद्रोऽजायत ॥
ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः, पदभ्यां शूद्रोऽजायत ॥
ऋग्वेद पुरुष सूक्त १०.९०.११–१२
brahmaṇo'sya mukhamāsīt, bāhu rājanyaḥ kṛtaḥ ।
ūrū tadasya yadvaiśyaḥ, padabhyāṃ śūdro'jāyata ॥
ūrū tadasya yadvaiśyaḥ, padabhyāṃ śūdro'jāyata ॥
ṛgveda puruṣa sūkta 10.90.11–12
BrahminBrahmin (ब्राह्मण) are intellectuals, who were competent in studying and teaching the scriptures.
ब्रह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीत्
brahmaṇo'sya mukhamāsīt After creation "they emerged from God's mouth". e.g. of these are sapt rishi.
KshatriyaKshatriya ( क्षत्रिय) are individuals with special administrative and warrior skills.
बाहु राजन्यः कृतः
bāhu rājanyaḥ kṛtaḥ After creation they emerged from God's arms. e.g. of this Sarvbhaum Manu the first human.
Vaishya |
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Vaishya ( वैश्य) are individuals with expertise in farming and trading.
ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः
ūrū tadasya yadvaiśyaḥ
ūrū tadasya yadvaiśyaḥ
After creation they emerged from God's thighs.
Shoodra
Shoodra (शूद्र) are rest of the individuals who did not have a unique expertise, they were deputed to help the other three groups.
पदभ्यां शूद्रोऽजायत
padabhyāṃ śūdro'jāyata
padabhyāṃ śūdro'jāyata
After creation they emerged from God's feet.
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