Sudras, varnāśrama, and Krsna Consciousness
The idea of Varnāśrama is frequently confused with the hereditary caste system, but these two systems are actually diametrically opposite. However, there are a few nuances.
The Vedas bring the idea of Varnāśrama-dharma, a perfect system of social division based on work and qualification. This is a divine system described by Krsna in the Bhagavad-Gita (4.13): "According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable."
The idea of Varnāśrama is frequently confused with the hereditary caste system, but these two systems are actually diametrically opposite. The caste system is based on hereditary privileges, while true Varnāśrama is based on training and qualification.
Of the four classes, Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, and Vaishyas are considered to possess the necessary qualifications to study the Vedas, while Sudras are excluded from studying it due to their lack of qualifications. At first, this may appear as a discriminatory idea, but that's not the point. When it's affirmed that the Sudras are not qualified to study the Vedas, the understanding is that they should progress and become qualified by going through the appropriate process, and not that they should remain eternally in ignorance.
Most people nowadays, especially in Western countries, lack the purity and higher qualification of the Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, or even Vaisyas. Therefore, most of them are Sudras or less than Sudras in terms of qualification. However, this is not determined by birth and can be changed by the appropriate training. When a person accepts to follow the four regulative principles and chant the specified number of rounds of the Hare Krsna Maha-Mantra, as well as undergo spiritual training under the spiritual master, he can be initiated as a Brahmana and thus become qualified to worship the Lord and study the Vedas, regardless of his situation at birth.
There is a topic in the Vedanta Sutra, composed of the sutras 1.3.34 up to 1.3.38, that deals with the issue of Sudras being qualified or not to study the Vedas.
The discussion is based on a passage from the Chāndogya Upaniṣad (4.1.1-5) which narrates the story of Janaśruti Pautrāyaṇa, who, although called a Sudra, was afterward trained in the Vedas by Raiṅka Muni.
The passage starts with the words "janasrutir ha pautrayanah" (There was a man named Janaśruti Pautrayana). This story narrates how, after hearing some insulting words spoken by two swans, Janaśruti became afflicted and approached Raiṅka Muni with presents, asking to be trained in the Vedas. Raiṅka Muni initially rejected him, calling him a sudra: "Raiṅka replied, away with your necklace and chariots, O sudra! Let your cows remain with you."
Rejected in this way and called a Sudra, Janaśruti came back with more wealth, cows, chariots, and even his daughter as a present for the sage. However, Raiṅka again called him a sudra, saying: “Do you hope to gain this knowledge through these means?"
However, he eventually agreed and trained him in the science of the Vedas.
A question could be raised based on this story: Since Raiṅka Muni eventually agreed to teach Janaśruti, despite having at first called him a sudra, does it mean Sudras are also qualified to study Vedic knowledge? There are certain other passages that can be used to sustain this thesis, such as Vidura (who is sometimes counted as a Sudra being born of a maidservant) being described as a knower of the Vedas.
To this, Vyasadeva answers: śug asya tad-anādara-śravaṇāt tadādravaṇāt sūcyate hi (Vedanta Sutra 1.3.34). In this passage, Janaśruti is called "sudra" in the sense of being afflicted. The word is a combination of "suk" (unhappy) and "dru" (he who ran). It thus denotes that, being unhappy, he ran to Raiṅka, and not that he is a Sudra. When the sage referred to Janaśruti as "sudra" he simply referred thus to the fact that he ran to him when afflicted. In reality, Janaśruti was a Ksatriya, and thus, this thesis has no sustenance.
A person who is born a Sudra can be accepted by the spiritual master and become eligible to study the Vedas if he attains the necessary qualification, but nowhere in the scriptures is it accepted that a person without qualification may study the Vedas.
Vidura, for example, although born from a maidservant, is nothing less than the incarnation of Yamaraja, who was born a Sudra because of a curse.
Another meaning is that although the four Vedas (which deal mainly with mantras and ceremonies) can be studied only by qualified Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, and Vaiśyas, other literature, such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas, doesn't require special qualifications and can thus be studied by all persons, regardless of social class or level of qualification. Among all the Puranas, the Srimad Bhagavatam is considered supreme because it teaches directly about devotional service to the Lord, which is the ultimate conclusion of the Vedas.
Similarly, although the Vedic mantras can be chanted only by twice-borns, people who attained the necessary qualifications, the chanting of the Hare Krsna Mahā-Mantra can be performed for everyone, regardless of gender, age, social class, or any other material designation. In this way, although it is a fact that the Vedas can be studied only by persons who attain the status of a twice-born, the simple process of Krsna Consciousness, based on chanting the holy names, discussing the Srimad Bhagavatam, and taking prasādam, can be easily practiced by everyone.
This point is not directly discussed by Vyāsadeva in the Vedanta Sutra, but it is clearly explained in the Srimad Bhagavatam, which is the authorized commentary to it. In the 1st canto, for example, it is described how Nārada Muni attained perfection in his previous life, although born as the son of a maidservant by serving great sages and hearing about the Srimad Bhagavatam from them. Similarly, in the 6th canto, it is described how the sinful Ajāmila was saved from arrest by the Yamadūtas and ultimately attained liberation by just chanting the holy name of Lord Narāyana a single time.
Yamaraja, who is known throughout the universe as the greatest authority in matters of Dharma, or religious principles, declared to his servants, the Yamadūtas:
"Lord Brahmā, Bhagavān Nārada, Lord Śiva, the four Kumāras, Lord Kapila [the son of Devahūti], Svāyambhuva Manu, Prahlāda Mahārāja, Janaka Mahārāja, Grandfather Bhīṣma, Bali Mahārāja, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and I myself know the real religious principle. My dear servants, this transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhāgavata-dharma, or surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for ordinary human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home, back to Godhead.
Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is the ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society.
My dear servants, who are as good as my sons, just see how glorious is the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. The greatly sinful Ajāmila chanted only to call his son, not knowing that he was chanting the Lord’s holy name. Nevertheless, by chanting the holy name of the Lord, he remembered Nārāyaṇa, and thus he was immediately saved from the ropes of death." (SB 6.3.20-23)
One could question why the majority of the verses in the Vedas describe auspicious ceremonies and rituals if one can achieve liberation and ultimately love of Godhead just by chanting the holy names and studying Srimad Bhagavatam. The point is that there are different classes of people. Most are just interested in staying in this world and attaining material prosperity or a better position in the next life by performing pious fruitive activities, and thus most of the Vedas are dedicated to teaching that, offering these people a gradual path for advancement. Fruitive activities and ceremonies, however, can award positive results only when properly performed, and therefore there is a need for qualified Brahmanas who can chant the mantras and perform the rituals.
The process of Krsna Consciousness, however, is not designed to increase one's good karma, but to destroy all karma, good and bad, opening one's way back to Godhead. In the age we live, this is the only effective process of self-realization.
If you read this article to the end, give it a like. This makes Substack recommend it to more people.
Read also:
