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sethie
13 August 2009, 12:12 PM
Hi everyone

my understanding is that the Gita says that one's dharma or duty is based on one's ability, not ones birth into a certain family.

I would like to learn a lot more about this idea.

Can anyone recommend a website or some good articles about this.

I also want to research the various professions that are included under each of the four "castes."

Wishing you well,

Seth

mukunda20
13 August 2009, 03:43 PM
Hi everyone

my understanding is that the Gita says that one's dharma or duty is based on one's ability, not ones birth into a certain family.

I would like to learn a lot more about this idea.

Can anyone recommend a website or some good articles about this.

I also want to research the various professions that are included under each of the four "castes."

Wishing you well,

Seth

Namaste Seth,
As you have mentioned Lord Krishna gives full detailed explanation of the four Varnas(types/groups) and He goes on to further explain the various duties of the people belonging to the various Varnas. Please note here that Varna is not Caste since Caste is man made where as the Varnas are groups into which any being will come under based upon his/her previous Karma and Gunas.
the Sanskrit equivalent of Caste is Jati.
My opinion is that the Bhagavad Gita is the best source for what you are seeking.
clearing up the concept of Jati/Caste :
the people belonging to different Varnas began to misuse their position in the society to suit their ego and benefits which evolved over a period of time to form numerous Jatis/Castes.the worst turn of Caste system was when people who were born in the family of a particular Caste had to stick to that Caste, thus further dividing the people.
but the concept of Varna as explained in the Scriptures and The Bhagavad Gita is as you have mentioned above. A person does not belong to a particular Varna due to his/her Janana(birth), but by his/her Karma (deeds/action) and Dharma. simply put, the Caste system is exactly opposite to the system of Varnas.
In case you are interested to read the Bhagavad Gita online in pdf format, please download from http://www.gitapress.org/ in the download section.
in case you wish to listen to the Gita, http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/ is a good site.
hope this helps,
mukunda

Eastern Mind
13 August 2009, 07:17 PM
Hi everyone

my understanding is that the Gita says that one's dharma or duty is based on one's ability, not ones birth into a certain family.

I would like to learn a lot more about this idea.

Can anyone recommend a website or some good articles about this.

I also want to research the various professions that are included under each of the four "castes."

Wishing you well,

Seth

Wecome to HDF. Good question. Have you tried a 'subcaste' search?

Aum

saidevo
13 August 2009, 11:32 PM
Namaste sethie.

Some links to books:
The Caste System
http://www.esnips.com/doc/e51425d4-04b0-4b13-a065-8d2214464135/AT2H---Social---The-Caste-System

The High-Caste Hindu Woman (Ramabai Sarasvati)
http://www.archive.org/details/highcastehinduwo00ramaiala

The History of Caste in India (SV.Ketkar)
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofcastein01ketkuoft

VarNa and Caste were originally based on profession. Please note that there are several English names derived from their castes/classes/occupations. The traditional system of hereditary practice of class-based occupations was in vogue in the West at least until the Industrial Revolution. Some such names that have today lost their original meaning are:

Smith, Brown, Archer, Baker, Carter, Cook, Carpenter, Driver, Miller, Taylor, Weaver, Arkwright, Bailey, Barker, Cartwright, Chapman, Cooper, Fletcher, Fuller, Turner, Wainwright, Ward, Wheelwright, Wright.

Check http://www.webhistoryofengland.com/?p=128 for an explanation of the occupations relating to these names.

rkpande
14 August 2009, 12:47 AM
Please look up SUBALA UPANISAD. This upanisad belongs to Sukla Yajur Veda and is in the form of a dialoge between the sage Subla and Brahma, it discuss the nature of the universe and character of Absolute.

The first chapter deals with the origin of the worldd and of the four castes.

You may find the translation in "The principal Upanisads" by Shri S Radhakrishnan.

sethie
17 August 2009, 05:19 PM
Thanks all.

Yes, it is varna I am interested in. I have read the Gita's verses on it.

In the reccomended Upanishaid, all I found was "His face was Brahmana, arms were made into Kshatriya, thighs became the Vaishya, Sudra was born from the feet, air and vital air
(Prana) from his ear, all this is from his heart."


I sometimes wonder where artists fit into varna.

rkpande
18 August 2009, 12:16 AM
oh! its Vajrasucika upanisad it undermins caste distinctions based on birth.This upanishad belongs to the Sama Veda and describes the true character of Brahmana