Wow, this was a brilliant article by Francois. He has written it like a true Vedic person, His wisdom shines through in this essay. What a pity that Hinduism's very own people are destroying it. They are too blind to realize that it is the very caste system that they have come to hate and be prejudiced against is the system that has held together India through the millenia. Of course, when population explodes, exploitation increases and the caste system was no exception. But today there is blind hatred towards it, without even acknowledging how it has given us our identity and offered us channels to excel in our line of work (skilled manual work, defence, finance and trade, the arts and science..).. Well.. anyway, India will progress, and everyone will be prosperous one day - but their true wealth will be lost forever.
I know, many people will simply want to jump and shred me to pieces upon reading this message. All because they are heavily biased against the word "caste" without even knowing what its Vedic meaning is. The keyword is Vedic. Look up how beautifully the Vedas describe it. Caste implies maturity of intellect and accomplishment, not birth. However, just as a brilliant/brave/skilled/shrewed man's son is also naturally expected (and is, in most cases) to be the same, caste identification by birth was an inevitable result of societal identification.
Alas. The caste system is being destroyed. Hinduism is in its last leg. It'll be over pretty quickly. Dharma indeed will stand on only one leg in KaliYugam.
RE:Superb article!
by Prashant on Feb 06, 2007 08:19 AM Permalink
Vijay,
Which vedas you have read about caste. I do not think any vedas talk about caste system. They talk about varnas. Castes was later formed because of the ways people got married and the way manu decided thier work.
The varna system was based upon human inteligence and not the caste system. The caste system is purely based upon birth.
If you are such a believer of caste system, why brahmins are becoming engineers, doctors, businessmen?
Brahmins have always used vedas for their own benifits. Today you call Hindu a "sanatan dharma". But is it really a sanatan dhrama? why did you stop worshiping sun, agni, indra as described in vedas and started worshipping "Shiva" and "vishnu" which are not vedic gods but tantrik gods.
The only thing I can say about all you guys is you are nothing but hipocrite.
RE:RE:Superb article!
by biz Narayan on Feb 06, 2007 10:38 AM Permalink
Prashant : A bunch of liberated westernized Brahmins and oppurtinistic gurus at the start of century decided that things are tantric Vs Vedic vs Puranic Vs animistic, shiva Vs vishnava ... Since your conclusion is from reading some english literature [ Tell me how did I know ?] I can inform you that your conclusion is misleading. Take it or throw it away.
RE:Superb article!
by Vijay B on Jun 07, 2008 06:51 AM Permalink
Prashant,
Vedas talk about Sanaathana Dharma and that in itself is the caste system. People who think these two are different are ignorant, not more not less.
You're saying varna system is different from caste system. What you are saying is an elephant is different from an elephant.
Brahmins don't come with birth. They come by action. Brahmins who eat meat, drink, smoke, have no scruples, don't lead a pious life, are not Brahmins anymore.
By becoming engineers, or doctors, or businessmen, Brahmins aren't becoming non-Brahmins. Remember - who taught Arjuna, a Kshatriya, the art of war? Who were the best of the warriors whom nobody could beat? It was Brahmanas only.
Whether it is asthra vidya, shaasthra vidya, Brahmanas only wrote both and taught them both. But they never used it themselves until compelled to.
Dude - a true Brahmana is not by birth only in his first few births - it is by what dharma he has chosen for himself - by means of past karmas .
This is the eternal truth. You and I may or may not believe a fact, but that doesn't change its standing and its nature of truth.
RE:RE:Superb article!
by Vijay B on Jun 07, 2008 06:53 AM Permalink
Not to forget - a Brahmana is also called a "Dwija", one who is twice born. Nobody is born a Brahmana in his first birth itself - it is impossible, is what the Vedas say.
Brahmanathvam is solely based on the good karmas we do. Dear Prashant, by denying Brahminism, you are denying yourself a chance to accelarate your self-realization dude.
Wish you the best. But I must say, you're so polite.. :)
