Indian Caste System

The Indian Caste System describes the social stratification and social restrictions in the Indian subcontinent, in which social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous, hereditary groups often termed as jatis or castes.

Manu Smriti
Is a work of Hindu law and ancient Indian society (manus is the Sanskrit for "man" or "human"). It is one of the nineteen Dharmasastra, which are part of the Smriti literature. It is considered the oldest and one of the most important texts of this genre. Some of these codes of conduct pertain to the caste system and discuss the stages of life for "twice-born" males (the āśrama system). It explains itself as a discourse given by Sage Manus to rishis who begged him to enlighten them on the topic.

The Bhagvat-geeta contradicts many statements including the fixture of one's varna at birth, and has always been accorded a higher authority by the people in daily life.

Vedic Vocations (Hindu Castes) Were Not Related to Heridity (Birth)
The ancient society recognized the importance of all. Irrespective of one's skill or background, there was a place for him / her to participate actively and make useful contribution. The ceremonial rites, though conducted by the learned priest, were open to all. People used prayers for atonement and benediction for all. Everyone sent their "heroes" (sons) to the battles for Visha or to protect and assist the Sovereign. A number of important aspects of the ancient society can be further clarified by considering the following passages (with references to one God or BRAHMAN+, and manifesting as Agni, Indra or Savitar) from Vedas (ancient Hindu texts).

Women's Issues
It seems from the above that the ancient society was quite considerate and respectful to those (both men and women) engaged in various vocations, and people were free to make choices or changes in their careers or skills if the opportunity existed. Vedic prayers also indicate that the women had considerable say in selecting their marriage partners, and were espoused to live in monogamous relationships while enjoying same rights as their husbands.

Furthermore, in the Vedas there is little evidence of child marriages, dowry system and the practice of suttee or sati (self-immolation of a woman upon her husband's death). Similarly, there is no indication of any stigma relating to widowhood or the remarriage of a widow.

Note also that the well-educated, scholarly and charismatic women of yore, who also participated in many philosophical debates with men, included Gargi (the daughter of Vachaknu - from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) and Vidyottama (wife of the famed poet and writer, Kaalidasa, who started his life as a humble and menial worker in the woods). It is clear that the women or the lowly and humble in the society were neither ignored nor abandoned.

The Historical Theory of Caste System Origin
The Aryans organized among themselves in three groups. The first group was of the warriors and they were called Rajayana, later they changed their name Rajayana to Kshatria. The second group was of the priests and they were called Brahmans. These two groups struggled politically for leadership among the Aryans. In this struggle the Brahmans got to be the leaders of the Aryan society. The third group was of the farmers and craftsmen and they were called Vaisia. The Aryans who conquered and took control over parts of north India subdued the locals and made them their servants. In this process the Vaisias who were the farmers and the craftsmen became the landlords and the businessmen of the society and the locals became the peasants and the craftsmen of the society. ......

The Caste System
In ancient India there developed a social system in which people were divided into separate close communities. These communities are known in English as caste. The origin of the caste system is in Hinduism, but it affected the whole Indian society. The caste system in the religious form is basically a simple division of society in which there are four castes arranged in a hierarchy and below them the outcast. But socially the caste system was more complicated, with much more castes and sub-castes and other divisions. Legally the government disallows the practice of caste system but has a policy of affirmative discrimination of the backward classes.

Mostly Culture and Heritage in Andhra Pradesh
Brief notes on Communities and Clans of Andhra Pradesh

Women as Catalysts for Peace and Stability

"The purpose behind explaining the importance of goddesses in Hindu pantheon is not to show my religious leanings or highlight the determinism that has prevented Indians from ushering societal change, but to state that in India, women are not submissive. In fact they provide the moral compass for the Indian society."

'Women as Catalysts for Peace and Stability' - A perspective from India
- Speech made by Archana Kapoor at World Women's Forum at Seoul, Korea
Article on HARDNEWS Magazine

What is dharma? What is mukti?

What is dharma? Dharma is that which makes us seek for happiness in this world or the next. Dharma is established on karma, and it impels us day and night to run after and work for happiness.

What is mukti? That which teaches that even the happiness in this life is slavery, and the same is the happiness of the life to come, because neither this world nor the next is beyond the laws of nature... Again, happiness, wherever it may be, being within the laws of nature, is subject to death and will not last ad infinitum. So we must aspire to become mukta. We must go beyond the bondage of the body. Slavery will not do.

From "The East and the West," originally written in Bengali
by Swami Vivekananda. Complete Works, 5:446.

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Communities and Clans

About roots of indians (South Asians) traceable to many places in the world
- By V. Ramachandra Rao

Part 1--Some info on connections/roots of Indians (south asians) to Africans, Southeast Asians, Malaysians Indonesians, Polynesians, Papuans, China, Jewish, Palestine, Arab, Turkic, Greek, etc. Ethnic Strands in India - Part 1

Part 2--Some info on connections/roots of Indians (south asians) to Celts, Scythian, Goth, Greek, Hunnish, etc Ethnic Strands in India - Part 2

I have a Dream...

''Patriotism is not instilled by fear but is inspired by hope. Hands that were once raised against one another will join to run the economic engine of the country, if the vision of a common destination inspires confidence and commitment. The answer lies in promoting economic opportunities for assured employment and equitable living conditions, so that 'others' are not perceived as job stealers or rapacious profiteers. Sharing the fruits of economic growth brings about a sense of the common 'us', whereas the feeling of alienation that springs from economic marginalisation splinters society into several resentful sets of 'us' battling inimical groups of 'them'. Growth with equity will ease the hearts and clear the minds, preparing people for unified action.

Even as these efforts must be undertaken with urgency, the dignity of a human being and the sanctity of human life must become the essence of human rights that have to be respected by all. The State, and civil society, must ceaselessly strive to protect and promote those rights, till their observance is seen to be obligatory for all citizens. Those who foment sectarian hatred or violate human rights have to be punished by the law of the land and by social censure. If the custodians of peoples' welfare, the guardians of law or the conscience-keepers of society (especially the media) act in a cowardly or complicit manner when human rights are threatened or trampled upon, there will be no defence against prejudice and persecution, other than rebellion and retaliation.

In the public sphere, open dialogue and discourse must continue to engage people's minds on these issues, without the fear of being shouted at or shut down by sectarian groups. Myths need to be broken, stereotypes need to be challenged and unpleasant realities must be acknowledged. This requires conviction, courage and candour in all who wish to contribute to social harmony. Young people must be engaged in these efforts, so that they are not weighed down by past prejudices but can uplift their minds to seek a society where diversity results in confluence rather than conflict."

.... read the rest of the article on HardNews Magazine (Google News Alert for: Indian Express, Hyderabad)

We must all work incessantly

We read in the Bhagavad Gita again and again that we must all work incessantly. All work is by nature composed of good and evil. We cannot do any work which will not do some good somewhere; there cannot be any work which will not cause some harm somewhere. ... Good and evil will both have their results, will produce their karma. Good actions will entail upon us good effect; bad action, bad. But good and bad are both bondages of the soul. The solution reached in the Gita in regard to this bondage-producing nature of work is that, if we do not attach ourselves to the work we do, it will not have any binding effect on our soul.

Class on Karma Yoga. New York, December 20, 1895. Complete Works, 1:53.

Oneness of All Beings

Wherever there has been expansion in love or progress in well-being, of individuals or numbers, it has been through the perception, realization, and the practicalization of the eternal truth
--the oneness of all beings.

Written by Swami Vivekananda in March 1899, to be included in the prospectus of the Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati in the Himalayas. Complete Works, 5:435.

Former CBM Missionary to India Passes Away

TIMPANY, Dorothy Elizabeth - 95, CM MD FRCS(C), formerly of Windsor and Falmouth, passed away February 3, 2008, in Windsor Elms Senior Citizen's Home. Born March 6, 1912, in Peddapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India, she was the oldest daughter of missionaries, Dr. Clarke L. and Elizabeth Wright Timpany from Aylmer, Ont. Known as "Dot" to her friends and colleagues, she served as a physician/surgeon in India for 44 years.

She served in a succession of hospitals: Berhampur with the British Baptists, the Christian Medical Centre in Pithapuram, the Star of Hope Hospital in Akividu, before studying general surgery at the Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore.

Dot and two Indian colleagues, Susheela and K. Janaki, studied surgery in Scotland during her furlough in 1964-65.

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Religion

Religion is the idea that is raising the brute unto a human being, and a human being unto God. Vivekananda Sayings and utterances. Complete Works, 5:409

Universal Religion

“if there is ever to be a universal religion, it must be one which will have no location in place or time; which will be infinite like the God it will preach, and whose sun will shine upon the followers of Krishna and of Christ, on saints and sinners alike; which will not be Brahminic or Buddhistic, Christian or Mohammedan, but the sum total of all these, and still have infinite space for development; which in its catholicity will embrace in its infinite arms, and find a place for, every human being, from the lowest grovelling savage not far removed from the brute, to the highest man towering by the virtues of his head and heart almost above humanity, making society stand in awe of him and doubt his human nature. It will be a religion which will have no place for persecution or intolerance in its polity, which will recognise divinity in every man and woman, and whose whole scope, whose whole force, will be created in aiding humanity to realise its own true, divine nature.”

At the Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 1893. Complete Works, 1:19

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is a system of ethics and religion intended to attain freedom through unselfishness, and by good works. The Karma Yogis need not believe in any doctrine whatever. They may not believe even in God, may not ask what their soul is, nor think of any metaphysical speculation. They have got their own special aim of realizing unselfishness, and they have to work it out themselves.

Karma Yoga, Complete Works, 1: 111, New York 1896.

Truth and goodness

Truth is infinitely more weighty than untruth; so is goodness. If you possess these, they will make their way by sheer gravity.

From Chicago: January 11, 1895. Letter to G. G. Narasimhachariar. Complete Works, 5: 65

Trekearth, Andhra Pradesh

A beautiful portrayal of Andhra Pradesh through the lenses of contributing Photographers

Bhimavaram

All about Bhimavaram !!

Be true to your mission ....

Be true to your mission. So far you have done well, do better and better still, go on and on. ... Do not fight with people. Do not antagonize anyone. ... Why should you mix in controversies? Bear with the various opinions of everybody. Patience, purity, and perseverance will prevail.

From USA, 1894. Letter to Alasinga. Complete Works, 5: 62