Hindu values: You are defined by your words, actions, and thoughts

Hindu value #6: You are defined by your words, actions, and thoughts

While this may seem obvious even from a common sensical point of view, two apparent features of Hinduism appear to be in direct conflict with this idea which I claim is a Hindu value: the "Varna" system and the caste system (please Google if you don't know what it is as it is not the intention of this article to explain what it is in detail). 

"Varna" are the four key stratifications of human society as espoused by Hinduism. It is deemed hereditary and is a source of several conflicts and differences that plague the Hindus. That it is there cannot be disputed. But, is its implementation in line with the Vedas, the highest authority in Hinduism? Definitely not.

Rig Veda presents Varna as a guidance. In Mahabharata, Yudhishthira was also known as Dharamraj (the king of Dharma) for his deep knowledge of righteous behaviour. When questioned about the various "Varna" divisions, he states unequivocally that this is defined by actions and not birth (though in practice it did not stop him from ridiculing Karna for his humble origins). Vedas describe this stratification in similar terms. There is no sanction for this being hereditary or to be used to promote practices like untouchability. These are inventions of people who wanted to control access to knowledge and prosperity. It doesn't matter who you were born to, only your actions and thoughts can determine whether you are a Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, or a Shudra (e.g. given the one who serves is always a Shudra, all the people in jobs would be Shudra. They are the only class that can accept employment). 

Caste system stands on even thinner ground as it is neither mentioned nor validated in the Vedas. It is based on later scriptures like Manusmriti, and even these scriptures recommend caste as a guidance and it is not supposed to be hereditary. Some people claim that it was done on basis of genetics to minimise genetic disorders. While that may have been true, it can be maintained only if it is strictly adhered to and then revised/ reviewed periodically to verify its success. Since this was not done (i.e. inter-caste marriages have happened and there is no documented evidence that it works), this argument doesn't hold much water either.

Think about it: have you heard about Rama Raghuvanshi, Krishna Yadav, or Arjun Pandu? Last names are a recent invention. At best, alternate names/ titles were earned by people by virtue of their actions. For example, to be called a "Chaturvedi" you would need to master the four Vedas. You could not use the title just because your father has mastered the four Vedas! In Mahabharata, Arjun earned the name "Dhananjay" after he gathered money for a religious rites for his elder brother. Or Krishna was named "Giridhar" after lifting the Giri mountain. Deeds, not birth, determined other names. 

Nevertheless, it is irrefutable that historically both Varna and caste have been used by elite to monopolise resources and maintain their position. Recently, it has been used by politicians to divide and rule people. It is a deep-rooted complex problem. However it doesn't mean that it is in accordance with the scriptures. 

To this date the Indian society is struggling to find an effective response to this problem. We need to awaken the spirit of "Vasudev Kutumbakam" (the world is my family) inline with true Hindu values to create a strong, united country, where social order is determined by merit and not birth.