Amit Bajaj: I am very confused about caste system. Did this system ever exist in Indian society?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. Varnna system is mentioned in Vedas, based on present deeds and not by birth. I paste here my one of articles on the same –
Amit Bajaj: I am very confused about caste system. Did this system ever exist in Indian society?
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. Varnna system is mentioned in Vedas, based on present deeds and not by birth. I paste here my one of articles on the same –
I have already written about caste system (varn vyavastha). Yajurveda mantra 31/11 says that caste is based on present deeds (karmas) and not by birth. The sense of Mantra is that if a son of shudra studies Vedas, controls senses/organs and mind, does practice of Ashtang yoga, then he will be considered Brahmin and a Brahmin who has no such qualities he will be treated as shudra etc., etc. There is no caste system in Vedas based on birth and the other holy books like Manusmriti, six shastras, Upnishads, Valmiki Ramayana, Mahabharat (Bhagwad Geeta) etc., were written by ancient Rishis/Munis based on only the knowledge of Vedas, so no caste system exists therein based on birth.
In this connection Yajurveda mantra 31/11 also says that he who knows Vedas and God, he is Brahmin being most supreme in the world like a mouth in the body. So anyone (of any caste) can be a Brahmin by hard studies of Vedas, practising Ashtang yoga therein and thus realizing God. One who has physical power in his arms, he is Kashtriye-Rajput to protect the country. So anyone can be a Rajput, holding the said qualities. One who has powers in his thighs to travel and to do hard work to establish business, he is Vaishya (businessman). One who has not studied, based on his qualities that he could not gain the qualities of Brahmin, Kashtriye and Vaishya, he is shudra (may be of any caste).
In four Vedas there is no caste system so question of shudra’s not being allowed to study, does not arise.
Rekha: Swami Pranam, I was advising somebody to do hawan during her birthday the lady told me that Arya Samaji do hawan not the sanatan dharmi. I could be reply that time up to the mark. Swamji plese put guidelines on this.
Swami Ram Swarup: My blessings to you. Four Vedas are applicable to all human beings universally. Knowledge of Vedas, emanates direct from God and is originated in the heart of four Rishis in the beginning of each creation. Vedas are eternal. The meaning of sanatan is “eternal”. Therefore the path of Vedas is eternal, please. You, may send your query again please.
Lalit: Sir, you say that by doing havan one is draining out his bad karmas and in the present life it would also enable us to get happiness and prosperity. But in Satyarth Prakash Dayanand Saraswatiji praises havan only and only because it purifies air and water and that it does not do anything good to the individual per se.
Swami Ram Swarup: Agnihotra- Havan/Yajyen gives both benefits- spiritual (Adhyatmik) as well as worldly (Bhautik). For example- Samveda mantra 735 states that just like a horse is cleansed of all dirt by giving bath in the river similarly the waves of Ved mantras when flow in a Yajyen from the mouth of an acharya, it also purifies the mind, intellect, chitta (inner fabric of a person) also i.e, Destroys the illusion. (kaam- sensuality, krodh-anger, Lobh-greed, ahankar- pride etc). Samveda mantra 830 states that God bestows good fortune and happiness on the person who does Havan/Yajyen.
Samveda mantra 114 states that when God is pleased by agni i.e., Yajya-agni then He destroys all the illusion, bad conduct, sins etc., of the worshipper. Actually, when the aahutis are offered in Yajya-agni with meaning of mantras then emotions arise and love with Almighty God by offering the stuti mantras becomes permanent. Sometimes, in the Yajyen Brahma preaches and opens the secrets of Ved mantras which the aspirants hold in their lives and realise the God.
In a Yajyen/Agnihotra, Ved mantras pertaining to prarthna (prayer), stuti (praise), Upasana(Worship) are recited. Where the said three mantras are recited, a complete worship is done. Thereafter aahutis of ved mantras reciting the Divine names of God are offered which are listened by God, say the Vedas.
