Caste is a Portuguese term. The real story  behind the caste system is glaringly different to what we know. Was it called  the caste system then? What was its original purpose? Was the system rigid? Was  it designed to breed discrimination or inequality? Was there any merit in  having a so-called caste system? Could people move between these so-called castes?  Caste ka real story kyā hai?

Go through the historiography of  the Indian caste system and you are more likely to get a head-spinning ‘chakkar’.  Caste is too deep a topic and needs to be understood contextually along with  expert advice. To figure out the original system of caste, one needs to dig the  annals of our cultural and social history, study ancient scriptures, examine expert  advice, read medieval travelogues and apply Guru Wisdom. Then one realises that  ‘Caste’ is definitely not ‘Casteism’ as one accuses it to be.  

What the system originally called? The Indian social order in its  original form was called the ‘Varna Vyavasthā’ which meant a “macro  sociological scheme”, incorrectly referred to as the ‘caste system’ (from the  word ‘Casta’) by the masquerading Portuguese during their first voyage to India  in the 16th century. The social order given by Indian scriptures was  called ‘Varna Āshrama Vyavasthā’, consisting of two schemes, Varna Vyavasthā  (social scheme) and Āshrama Vyavasthā (Inidividual scheme).

The original Varna system has  been periodically exploited and maligned by cheap pundits, upholders of  orthodoxy, obnoxious polity, invaders and elements outside the India-fold. And  they did it for their own ego-centric and selfish needs. Add to this the mass ignorance  and the implanting of a false perception by the exploiters that superiority or  inferiority is based on birth (Jāti), thus getting entrenched into the psyche  of the common man. Birth meant ‘Jāti’ which comes from the root ‘jan’ meaning ‘to  beget’. There is a clear contrast between the classical four-fold Varna  Vyavasthā of ‘Brāhmana (Brāhmin), Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shūdra’ and how it is  practiced in modern times.

Today’s caste system: Today’s caste system is a story of milk turned  into an unpalatable sour cream. Today it’s nothing but a social crime. Gladly this  nasty practice of caste seems to be dying out especially in large cities. But  do knowledgeable people on this subject bother to educate or to bust this myth?  In fact, lots of open minded educated groups don’t care or aren’t even aware of  their caste. For many it matters very little.

Some say that they descend from a  Saptarishi (sage) but are totally ignorant of that sage anyway and more  importantly their teachings. My friend claims to be a descent of Lord Krishna’s  clan but admits he has never read the Bhāgavatam or the Holy Gita of Lord  Krishna. So where’s the advantage of this claim to the lineage. Isn’t it a case  of a lost opportunity? It is like claiming to belong to an army regiment (by  birth) but not following the rules or adorning the army uniform. Can a Doctor’s  son be a born doctor?

With the help of the scriptures  and expert advice, the Varna system is not difficult to understand. According  to the Holy Bhagavad Gita, it can be construed that caste was not so rigid. Lord  Krishna says (ch-4, verse 13): “The fourfold-caste (Chātur-varna) has been  created by Me according to the differentiation of ‘GUNA’ and ‘KARMA’; though I  am the author thereof know Me as non-doer and immutable.” So there is no  sanction of today’s appalling caste system in the Holy Gita. Nor does this make  it a racial system.

So what was Varna system really based on? Strictly Varna was based  on one's ‘Guna’ (mental quality or trait) and ‘Karma’ (physical actions or conduct).  This definition of the Varna not only removes our present misunderstanding but  also provides us with some data to understand its true significance. Not by  birth (jāti or heredity) does a man belong to a Varna but by his “mental  tendencies” and “personal conduct”. It is based on the intrinsic qualities  (Swabhāva).

The Yaksha in the Mahābhārat asks Yudhistira “King, how  does one become a Brāhmana: Is it by birth or character or study of the Vedas  or education? Tell me precisely.” To this the dharma-abiding King Yudhistira  says “Listen, Yaksha, it is neither birth nor education, nor even the study of  the Vedas. Without doubt, it is character alone that marks a Brāhmana.” In  another instance in the Mahabharata, Yudhistira answers similar questions to a  Python who wounds itself around Bhima, which is quite enlightening on the Varna  system.

There are lists of traits in the scriptures for each  varna-group which are looked upon as components of character. This Varna system  was ultimately based upon one's aptitude and capabilities, not birth. By birth  Veda Vyas was born to a fisherwoman but he is revered as Brāhmana.

Here is some more  pramān from the scriptures: ”A hymn from the Rig Veda (9.112.3) also seems  to indicate that one's Varna is not necessarily determined by that of one's  family: “I am a bard, my father is a physician, and my mother's job is to grind  the corn.” The Rig Veda goes to the extent of saying,” No one is superior, none  inferior. All are brothers marching forward to prosperity".

Blasting the general opinion that Caste system is a product  of Hinduism, Swami Vivekananda remarks “Though our castes and our institutions  are apparently linked with our religion, they are not so. In religion there is  no caste. The caste system is opposed to the religion of Vedānta.”

Hindu scriptures declare that ‘Birth cannot  give superiority or inferiority to anyone’. The generic definition of the term  ‘Varna’ comes from ‘Vriyate Iti Varnaha' implies that one can choose the social  group, occupation based on your innate tendencies. But this choice of changing  one’s innate tendencies takes time and effort, unless it is natural or  sincerely yearned for.

History is replete with such examples of this exercise of  choice and existence of flexible varna/caste mobility.  

Swami Vivekānanda explains “Take a man in his different  pursuits, for example: when he is engaged in serving another for pay, he is in  Shūdra-hood; when he is busy transacting some piece of business for profit, on  his account, he is a Vaishya; when he fights to right wrongs then the qualities  of a Kshatriya come out in him; and when he meditates on God, or passes his  time in conversation about Him, then he is a Brāhmana. Naturally, it is quite  possible for one to be changed from one caste into another. Otherwise, how did  Vishwāmitra become a Brāhmana and Parashurāma a Kshatriya?”

The ancient Varna system may or may not be relevant today,  but its existence as a flexible natural order of society has universal appeal  even today. In fact many sections of society follow this naturally without a  system badge. The Varna system did not force persons to carry on the prescribed  callings which are not their choice.

Certainly the Varna system, in its true import, supports innate  tendencies that impel ‘Conduct’. Isn’t conduct more important than the  so-called ‘descended–genetic-strands-of-purity’ or otherwise that seem to lie ever  dormant?

Also read:
• When Caste was not a bad word
•Indigenous Education in the 18th century
• Religion, not caste behind reservations