Hinduism and Caste System.

[Guest guest]

All:

 

While certain topics regarding the Caste System were touched by

Stephanie, i could not resist passing this information to the group.

 

The Rigvedic society probably had a caste system that was flexible

and allowed an individual to change his caste if he so desired. But

during the later vedic period it became very rigid. The caste system

was responsible for the weakness of Hindu society and for the

invasion and subjugation of Hindus by several foreign forces. The

physically strong shudras were condemned to pure agricultural labor

and menial jobs. They would have been more useful as fighters and

soldiers and defended the land well against foreign invasions.

 

The idea of writing this is not to stir any emotions but to

represent the right face of the coin on the table without any twist

or spin to it.

 

Read below.

 

--Sanjay Aggarwal

 

Hinduism does not support caste system. The focus of Hinduism is on

the INDIVIDUAL and his SALVATION not on his CASTE or its PRIVILEGES.

Scholars tend to quote the Purushasukta as the basis for the

emergence of caste system. There are also references to caste system

in the Bhagavad gita. But for a serious student of History, it

becomes obvious that these references appear to be deliberate

manipulations and later day interjection intended to justify a

system that was otherwise fully unjustified. The Manusmriti, in the

form that is available today did more damage to Hinduism and the

self esteem of many Hindus than Islam and Christianity.

 

Hindus should be clearly aware of the distinction between a SACRED

scripture (SHRUTI) and a BOOK written by an individual (SMRITI) such

as MANUSMRITI. Manusmriti was probably edited and reedited a hundred

or thousand times by different scholars during different periods. It

is time Hindus realize this and stop castigating Hinduism on the

basis of this grotesquely tampered scripture. It is time they

examine their thinking and take some positive steps to create a more

equitable and dignified human society based on a new manava dharma

shastra based on present day values and ideals.