The
vaisya varna or caste is the third of the four
social strata of vedic society. Vaisyas are likened
to the belly of society and farming, cow protection
and business are the natural work or dharma for the
vaisyas. The brahmanas or priests, the highest
caste are likened to the head of society - they provide
advice on spiritual matters and are engaged in worship
and sacrifice. Next come the kshatriyas or warriors,
who are likened to the arms of society and are responsible
for the protection of society. For the sudras, who
are likened to the legs of society, there is labor
and service to others.
"Persons
of all varnas are brahmanas, because they are all
born from Lord Brahma. The brahmanas were born
from the mouth of Brahma, the ksatriyas from his arms,
the vaisyas were born from his navel, and the
sudras were born from his legs. Do not consider the
varnas in another way. One who is fixed in knowledge
is a brahmana. Therefore, O king, this moksa-sastra
was spoken for the benefit of those brahmanas and
ksatriyas who have attained knowledge. This is the
opinion of ancient scholars."
-- Mahabharata, Santi-parva, ch. 318
This
varnasrama system is designed for the improvement
of all members of society. A class system may seem
inequitable in terms of the distribution of resources
in the modern world but in vedic society all varnas
are considered necessary for a healthy society and
while the higher varnas may enjoy greater privileges,
they also bear greater responsibilities, a feature
that seems to be missing from contemporary society.
One's role or identity is naturally important in human
society and one's occupation is a large contibuting
factor. While it is generally considered that there
is not much mobility in the Indian 'caste system',
this is not the case. There are plenty of verses from
various sacred texts that attest to the fact that
varna should be based on the qualities and activities
of the individual and not their birth.
If
one is factually situated in the occupation of a brahmana,
he must be considered a brahmana, even if born of
a ksatriya or vaisya family. "O Devi, if even a sudra
is actually engaged in the occupation and pure behavior
of a brahmana, he becomes a brahmana. Moreover, a
vaisya can become a ksatriya. "Therefore, neither
the source of one's birth, nor his reformation, nor
his education is the criterion of a brahmana. The
vrtta, or occupation, is the real standard by which
one is known as a brahmana.
-- Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, ch. 163
So,
what place has varnasrama in the 21st century? After
all, it has been said that everyone in Kaliyuga (the
Iron or Winter Age of which approximately 5000 years
have passed) is a sudra or lower. While, most of us,
especiallly those of us in the Western world cannot
possibly hope to follow every Vedic injunction, we
can at least aspire to follow the principle of varnasrama
and improve our lot materially and spiritually through
the means of karma yoga and in the case of the vaisya
practice ethical business and agriculture that is
in harmony with the environment, protecting all inhabitants
of the earth instead of exploiting them for some short
term profit. The internet has become a democratising
force giving the small business person an equal footing
with the multi-national. Community is again becoming
an important feature in the modern world, a reverse
of the trend of the nuclear family. The Open Source
and Linux community epitomise this trend and here
again short term profit has been forgone for mutual
benefit in an essentially gift economy.
Ref.:http://www.vaisya.net
