Topic started by maNivaNNan on Sat Nov 6 12:39:14 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

An essential characteristic of ancient Indo-Aryan societies is that it was based on Varnasrama that assigned specific roles to people based on their birth. Priests, Warriors and Merchants dominated these societies and depended on the labors of proletariats. Proletariats were further divided into internal proletariats who shared culture, language and received some benefits of the society and external proletariats who belonged to conquered races and were typically assigned menial roles and were for the most part treated as slaves of the society. A similar division of the society was seen throughout the ancient world where Aryan tribes settled (Ireland to India) though the rigid birth based classification disintegrated under the onslaught of universalist religions such as Christianity and Islam.

Orthodox Hindus assert that such classification of the society is beneficial and is divine-ordained and claim that breakdown of such division inevitably leads to breakdown of societies.

Is it? I would like this thread to analyse the proposition that Varnasrama is beneficial using history not religion as guide.

Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Yashwant (@ c701887-a.ftclns1.co.home.com) on: Thu Dec 28 22:21:29 EST 2000
  
  The four distinct varnas have ceased to exist.
  
  Perhaps it was a useful classification at one time. However the 4 varnas had largely become a myth long time ago.
  
  How many "Kshatriyas" of today can claim a clear descent from the ancient Kshatriyas? How many "Vaishyas" of today can claim a definite descent from the ancient Vaishyas?
  
  Who are a large fraction of today's Indian soldiers?
  
  
  
• From: Tamil (@ host254.marriott.com) on: Fri Dec 29 10:55:09 EST 2000
  
  Dear Mr. Yashwant,
  
  Have you or has any one of your family members willing without any obstruction entered in matrimonial alliances with a Dalit?
  
  What we have in the dawn of 21st century is a repackaging of Varnashrama Dharma, a 21st century adaptation. Old Wine in New Bottle. I can provide a mountain of evidence substantiating my claim here.
  
  Only if Periyar followers are vigilant we can arrest the evil effects of casteism.
  
  As long as Periyar is in our memories No Hindutvawadi will be able to fool us.
  
  
• From: harish (@ ) on: Wed Oct 24 05:43:28
  
  What is varnasrama and how this is going to help a man in his lifetime?
  
  
• From: periyardasan (@ 210.18.90.1.sify.net) on: Thu Jun 3 08:01:31
  
  Periyar followers must be vigilant. Yes.
  
  1. They will say they are fighting the caste system (only between Bs & NBs) conveniently forgetting the fact that their idol periyar called himself E.V.Ramasami Naicker (Naciker is not a caste name for periyarists, U see).
  2. They will conveniently forget that periyar never raised hois voice for dalits & that he never questioned the upper caste NBs when they attacked lower caste NBs.
  3. They will talk of only caste system in Hindusim (NEVER against those in any other religion).
  4. They are the sole guardians of tamil langauge conveniently forgetting that Periyar was a kannadiga & that he called tamil a kaattumirandi baashai.
  If anyone talks about these facts, they are "Hindutwadis".
  So, definitely, periyarists must be vigilant lest somebody speaks up the above truths.
  
  
• From: mabangua (@ 61.11.79.180) on: Tue Jun 8 11:22:30 EDT 2004
  
  There r inferior people
  
  Varnasram is right
  
  Naming dog a dog is varnasram
  
  Not a mistake, Not an insult
  
  You name something a dog only after u see it wag its tail, bark and be loyal.
  
  Something never turned into dog because someone said it should turn into dog
  
  So r the qualities of human got it name.
  
  When u look into mirror u see ur face,
  u cannot say this is not my face because it is ugly. Cant put the blame on others either coz ur face looks ugly.
  
  
  
  
  
• From: mabangua (@ 61.11.79.180) on: Tue Jun 8 11:24:54 EDT 2004
  
  The fellows who say mixture of community is right r low casate people
  
  They invite the idea coz they have more to take than to give.
  
  The haves should have a very broad mind to do it
  
  The havenots may never be trusted i know.
  
  
  

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