On Hinduism

The word Caste comes from “chastity” or European rules of purity for their own three layer caste system. It’s not the same thing as the Hindu system. It is not sanctioned by the Vedas nor other Hindu texts and teachings, and is neither intrinsic to the practice of Hinduism nor did it span all of Hindu history. Hinduism has Varna (personality types, tendencies) and Jati (occupation), not Caste. 

The Varna system in Dharma-shastras classified society into four varnas (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra). Creating thriving ecosystems requires specialization and mutual dependence. Varna-Jati enabled that. A farmer’s son will inherit land and skills needed for farming. “Everyone is exactly the same” does not allow for either specialization or foster a healthy mutual dependence. 

Jati is simply explained when you see that a goldsmith’s son is also a goldsmith. Case in point, George Herbert Walker Bush and George Walker Bush shared a common profession. Over several generations you have a Jati. A Kennedy is naturally expected to be a politician. That’s Jati.

Over the millennia, what was to be a skills and aptitude based guild system was rigidified into a hereditary hierarchy. This distortion was a result of certain social practices and taboos gaining acceptance over time and countless foreign invasions.

Other reading material: Short answers to real questions about Hinduism, HAF articles on Not Cast in Caste, Caste and Class in Colonial India, HAF on Caste, Original Varna Shastra in Sanatana Dharma Vs Today’s Caste System

Relevant videos: Swami Chinmayananda and Rajiv Malhotra, Rajiv Malhotra, Caste and Hinduism Explained, Living with Faith-Dilip Amin (8:30 min), The State vs Hindus, 

Contributor: Gaurav Rastogi

Location of this post (25a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-the-caste-system-and-untouchability/

Gita predates the modern British imperial social construct of Caste, thus Gita has no mention of caste. However, Gita talks extensively about varna and gunas but that is not caste.

In Bhagawad Gita Lord Krishna says, “According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me.” (BG 4:13) Then He continues, “Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras are distinguished by their qualities of work in accordance with the modes of nature.” (BG 18:41) 

It is important to observe that there is no mention of birth as a determining factor for one’s varna or classification. They are ascertained by their quality of work. 

Lord Krishna adds, “By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect… By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, man can, in the performance of his own duty [or occupation], attain perfection.” (BG 18:45-46). 

Forced designation or untouchability was never a part of the Vedic process.

Source: https://www.stephen-knapp.com/casteism.htm

Other reading material: https://www.hinduamerican.org/all-about-caste 

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Dilip Amin

Location of this page (25b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-does-gita-say-about-the-caste-system/