Guest guest Posted December 15, 2003 Report Share Posted December 15, 2003 - "de_spell_2000" <oiokasti <> 12 December, 2003 10:37 PM Re: Power of Sound )))))))))))))) > Dr Yadu, > I think a brahmin is just another name for a spiritual person. As a > westerner i have no respect for the system of castes and i do not > believe in brahmins. I do have a great deal of respect for wise and > great souls though, even if they belong to the untouchables.... I am > just trying to say that only superficial people, would give authority > to a person just due to its caste. Its funny, i thought that castes > dont exist in modern india and yet, it still is a subject. > Dear de_spell_2000, Let us be a little careful and try to understand the whys and hows of the caste system. What we are today is the result of our actions and residual desires, cumulatively known as Karma, of our past lives. Whether we are born in America, Ethiopia, India or elsewhere, is the result of this Karma. We don't have to desire to be born in America but say we had some subtle unfulfilled desire at the time of death, that can only be fulfilled in that country, the Supreme Intelligence direct your next birth to that country or whatever. The same is the case with the caste system. The caste system is meant to allow us to make spiritual progress by doing our assigned duties honestly and truthfully as an offering to the Lord. Today this significance may have lost among many, is a different matter, but I am sure there must be some, even a small minority who accept their given lot as a blessing of the Lord. If one is placed in a Brahmin family to allow him to continue his Sadhana of the past, but if he (includes she also if you may) abuses that status, he is sure to be hurled down to a lower position in the next birth. In our scriptures, the term "Narah and Purushah" denotes the Jiva who is caught up in the cycle of births and deaths, regardless of their sex identification. Here are some of the relevant quotes from the Gita on this topic: (Gita CH.4, V.13) "Chaturverniam Mayiasrishtham ....." The four orders of the society (viz. the Brahman, the Ksatriya, the Vaisya and the Sudra) were created by Me classifying them according to the mode of Prakriti predominant in each and apportioning corresponding duties to them; ... What are their natural duties that help them to make spiritual progress, are described in Ch.18, V.41-45. (In the V.45, the Lord says,"By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect.) (Gita Ch.18, V.8) "Any one who gives up prescribed duties as troublesome or out of fear of bodily discomfort is said to have renounced in the mode of passion (Rajas). Such action never leads to the elevation of renunciation." One who has started on the path of Yoga (spiritual path), and not having completed the task in the present birth, for whatever reason, how does he continue on the path in the future? (Gita Ch.6, V.42-43) "He is born in the family of enlightened Yogis; but such a birth in this world is very difficult to obtain." (42) "Arjuna, he automatically regains in that birth the spiritual insight of his previous birth; and through that he strives, harder than ever, for perfection (in the form of God Realization." (43) These are just a few examples to show how the Lord facilitates our path to perfection birth after birth through His system of Varna Ashrama Dharma. Hari Om radhakutir ********************************************************************* "The Lord's blessings are ever with His devotees who chant His sweet Names and who work in the world as His instrument. Enthrone Him in your heart. Merge yourself in Him. Continuous remembrance of the Lord is the secret of success in life and God- realization." - Swami Sivananda Please visit our website on Vedanta: http://www.geocities.com/radhakutir ********************************************************************* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2003 Report Share Posted December 15, 2003 Thanks respected Radhakutirji it was an awesome account on caste system. another explantion given by a great saint is also worth reading. As per Manusmriti there will be four types of persons in the society 1) Those whose Chetna (focus of concentration etc) is on the body are called Shudra. They live for the body and do everything to keep it alive. These type of person form the lowest category "Shudra" They should serve the upper categories to advance to next stage of evolution. 2) Those whose chetna is fixed on the Manas (mind). They will care for their desires and will like luxuries to fulfil their desires of this birth as well as of next. They will be known as Vaishya. They should induldge in business and increase their families. They should serve the society by means of business etc. 3) those whose chetna is fixed on EGO will be called Kshtriyas. They will not care for the body or luxuries for the sake of self- respect. They should serve the society by guarding the country and induldge in wars to save Dharma 4) those whose chetna is fixed on Brahma (GOD), will be called Brahmins. They will not care for body mind and ego and will be induldged in knowing the higher truths of the Supreme. They should serve the society by teaching the spirituality to others. Now if we carefully see, we will find these four castes are found all over the world, be it america, india or Europe. The only problem in india is that we started connecting the birth with a caste, which created problems for the society. Clearly, caste relates to Karma of a person not his birth. Reagrds and love Nachiketa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2003 Report Share Posted December 16, 2003 Dear dr_nachiketaji, Thanks for your wonderful exposition. There is nothing accidental, incidental or random, including the birth of an individual, in this wonderful creation of ours. In the end the creation is said to be 'Mithya' and is equated to a dream, perhaps that is why there is a seeming perfection and purpose behind every thing and all happenings, which may not be obvious but it is there beyond doubt. >>> Clearly, caste relates to Karma of a person not his birth. >>> Of course the caste relates to one's Karma. It is only because of his past Karma that determined his present birth. Having born in a particular caste if one deviates from one's normal pursuits, he is sure to be born in a different set of circumstances in his next birth. One' caste is relevant only to his present birth and the future births shall perhaps be determined by his Karma of this birth. In the Hindu system there is a name given to each caste, where in the western world it is nameless caste determined by one's profession. It is our ignorance about the caste system that has created problems in India. Hari Om, radhakutir - "dr_nachiketa" <no_reply> <> 16 December, 2003 10:50 AM Re: Caste system as a means of spiritual progress > > Thanks respected Radhakutirji it was an awesome account on caste > system. > > another explantion given by a great saint is also worth reading. > As per Manusmriti there will be four types of persons in the society .. > > Now if we carefully see, we will find these four castes are found > all over the world, be it america, india or Europe. The only problem > in india is that we started connecting the birth with a caste, which > created problems for the society. > > Clearly, caste relates to Karma of a person not his birth. > > Reagrds and love > > Nachiketa > > > > > > > > > > > Links > > > / > > > > > Your > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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