Parashurama did not want to rule over these 21 kingdoms. He gifted them away
to the sage Kashyapa who in turn again handed these over to 21 deserving
sons of these Kshatriya kings. He knew that Brahmanas are an important
section of this society. But they can not thrive unless they are protected
by Kshatriyas and fed by the Vaishyas. In the Varna system, every varna has
its importance and role to play. [Sai Bala Newsletter](
http://saibabalinks.org/nwsl/saibala/2003/19.htm)
The varnas relate to the physical aspect of man; they cannot affect the spiritual aspect at all. ... Of course, "physical" includes the intellect, the mind, the chiththa, the antha karana, etc. Unless these are trained and regulated, the Atma Dharma cannot be understood.
[source:Prashanti Vahini, p46.]
The Atma is Sath, Chith and Ananda; those are its nature, if somehow it has to be indicated. This can be realised only by purifying the heart, mind and intellect of man. Persons who have that purity, whatever their varna or ashrama, can attain moksha.
[source:Prashanti Vahini, p46.]
Rama killed Shambuka belonging to Shudra Varna, not because he was a Shudra,
nor for his aspirations to be a Brahmana by practising penance. Shambuka
like Trishanku, past Ikshwaku king in the same line as Rama himself, was
practising penance by, hanging from a branch of a tree with his feet up and
head down. His purpose in following this path of severe austerities was to
obtain heavenly abode with the same body. For this very purpose
Trishanku was cursed to be a Chandala by the sage Vasishtha. This act was
setting a vry bad example before the posterity. It was an anti-social act,
and the punishment for it was death. Rama, therefore, on discovering him
instantly beheaded him. (
http://www.saibabalinks.org/newslett...la_2003_20.htm)
From 'Prasnottara Vahini':
http://www.saibaba.ws/vahini/prasnot...ravahini12.htm
Q. Swami, you say that one has to do some things; that one should not do certain other things. How are we to know which is which? What is the authority?
A. The Sastras are the authority. The Manusmrithi itself declares, for example, that Varnas and Asramas are only for physical purification and that they do not affect the gaining or losing of the Highest.
Q. If that is so, why all this bother of Varna and Asrama, and the rules and regulations binding them?
A. Ah, they are required until you become free from attachment or Raga. Until then and for the sake of that, the regulations, limits and rules have to be obeyed to the very letter. The medicine has to be taken, so long as the illness persists. Each type of illness has a special medicine for cure, is it not? And a different course of diet and a special regimen. After one has got rid of the illness, one can partake of a feast with the rest. Without accepting this, if the well and the ill both demand the same feast, it will lead to calamitous consequences. The Varnas and the Asramas are as medicine prescribed for those who suffer from this Bhavaroga, the ills of worldliness and worldly attachment. Raga (attachment) is the roga (illness) and roga can disappear only by regimen, strictly observed. Unless you get well you cannot be liberated. This is the true meaning of Vedantha; he who knows this, whatever his Asrama, attains Mukthi.
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