Tuesday, 27 August 2013

Classifications in Sanatana Dharma (Hindu Philosophy) Part 3

Let us see the classifications of the human beings. The entire population has been classified into four groups (varnas) based on their nature of work. They are Brahmana, Kshtriya, Vysya and Shutra. Brahmanas study the scriptures and take care of the religious functions. They pass on their knowledge to their disciples and preserve the tradition. Kshtriyas are the leaders of the society and they offer protection to the community. Vysyas are the backbone of the society’s economy. They engage themselves in producing, buying, transporting and selling of goods. Shutras are the group of people who help all of them in their activities. These classifications were made in order to have a smooth functioning of the society and all groups were considered equal and essential.


The qualities in each individual are classified into three- Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. In simple terms, sattva guna binds a person to knowledge and humble nature, rajas binds one to passion and action and tamas binds to inaction and submissiveness.  All gunas are present in each and every person in varying degrees.  Predominantly, Brahmanas have sattvic guna, Kshtriyas and Vysyas have rajasic guna and Shutras are with tamasic guna. In present day world, A Brahmin by birth may have rajasic nature in helping others  (Kshtriya nature) but he may be doing business (Vysya by profession). Similarly it can be in any combination! In a single day,  for some hours one can be sattvic, after that he can become tamasic, and again his nature may be ruled by rajasic.

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