Dispelling the Myth of the Caste System

Lord Krishna says He created the four-fold caste system. The four castes include the religious class (Brahmins), the soldiers (Kshatriyas), business class (Vaishyas), and the servant class (Shudras). The religious class is said to represent the spiritual qualities of goodness, ethics, virtue, serenity, and other sattwic attributes. The warrior class is said to represent goodness (sattwa), passion/desire, and dullness (rajas and tamas, respectively). The servant class is said to represent dullness, ignorance, and inertia (tamas).

Now these terms have become misused, misinterpreted, and consequently highly inflammatory. What was once a horizontal division of labor, where people worked in areas most suited to their nature (eg, tall, strong people were the defenders of good; nature lovers worked the land, etc); evolved into a judgmental, condescending vertical system, where the priests claimed to be most superior and the servants were considered ‘untouchable.’ Even the notion of ignorance was distorted, labeling as ignorant the people whose love and devotion was all they needed in this world. They cared not for intellectual understanding, since they had found Divine wisdom. Indeed, intellectual ignorance became known as something that prevented one from knowing God. This is incorrect.

In reality, each caste depends on the other for support. The tall and strong were the defenders. The physically weak and philosophically oriented prayed for the community. The nature lovers farmed the land, the shopkeepers kept the community stocked with needed [Verse 13]

The four divisions (castes) of humans was created by Me according to the differences in people’s qualities, actions, and abilities. While I am the creator of this world, know Me as the changeless non-doer. [13]

Action, Inaction and Detachment

As mentioned earlier, actions do not affect the eternal, nonmoving, non-object, absolute form of Krishna, nor does He desire any rewards of action such as wealth, fame, or power. Those who know this by experience also are not bound by action. Thus, wise persons act to help others without seeking a reward for their help.

Now there is a subtler form of attachment and action. There are those who begin by helping others, but later may start to crave the honor they receive from helping others rather than just helping others without their knowing you have helped. So true detachment from The notions of action and inaction are difficult to understand even for wise people. Krishna distinguishes the difference between actions to become free from those which enslaves the mind, body, and Soul. He says there is Right action, Unlawful action, and Inaction.

A common story in India illustrates detached giving. When a person is helped by a saint, the person asks, ‘How can I thank you, how can I repay you? ” To which saints generally reply, ‘You can thank me by helping someone else; pass it on.” [Verse 14–17]

Actions never affects Me, nor do I have any desires for the rewards of actions. Those who understand Me in this way are also not ensnared from actions. [14]

Knowing this, the ancient enlightened ones still performed their duties. Thus, you too must dispense your responsibilities as did your wise ancestors. [15]

Even the wise are bewildered regarding what is action and inaction. So, I will teach you about action that leads to liberation from inauspicious matters. [16]

You need to understand the natures of ‘right (harmonious) action’, unnatural action, and inaction. The nature of karma is very difficult to understand. [17]

Vision of the Wise

People who realize that even while acting (involving the movement of mind, body, senses), the Soul remains still — eternal. The sages recognize wisdom in a person who realizes this — for such wise Soul (the true person) is acting. These people have gone through By not caring for reward and helping others merely to help, one others to feel contentment or happiness) Acting to help, knowing the Soul is not doing anything; thus, taking credit or pride in the action is not possible.

A parent, for example, loves their child and tries to guide them to live their life while growing into adulthood. A wise parent would purpose, lovingly encourage them on their path.

Now, a parent who is not yet wise, a parent who themselves has not to live out the parent’s unfulfilled dreams. The parent may push the children for success so they will take care of the parent. Or a parent may be overly attached and co-dependent on the child to allow examples of caring for the results of one’s actions, and being unable to be detached from a situation.

Krishna says that a person can be freed from longing for something, since people are already everything (ie, the eternal omnipresent); one automatically has the ability of self-control. There is no notion of ownership or possession, because every object and person are a part of the eternal ‘is-ness.’ Things and people just are. Thus, money exists; it is neither yours nor mine, it is a part of the eternal whole. The Soul does not gain from fame or money, and it is not lessened without them. [Verse 18]

It is the wisest of people who see inaction in action and vice versa. They are established in wisdom, harmoniously and dutifully performing all their actions. [18]

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