Attended a discourse on Bhagavat Gita, chapter 18, Verse 41 to 49 by Smt Jaya Row. Her discourses are always inspiring.
Chapter 18 deals with the four castes or varnas. This distinction was not based on heredity but on one's proportion of Sattva, rajas and tamas.Each caste was given a vocation that best suited their temperament, the purpose being to help everyone attain Perfection. The varnas correspond to natural archetypes that exist in all societies. A mismatch of inner composition with external work can be highly frustrating and prevent progress.
Brahmins were predominantly sattvika individuals. They were leaders and role models. They naturally took to academics - study, research and teaching - in the fields of science, medicine, engineering etc. They were also stalwarts in soft skills like music, art, literature and philosophy. They were advisers to the other castes, particularly in the field of ethics and morality. Thus ancient India was led by men and women of wisdom, not wealth. They guided the wealthy Ksatriyas and protected them from the corruptive influence of wealth and power.
The Ksatriyas - ruler and warrior caste with administrative and management skills- were predominantly rajasika.
Vaisyas - traders and businessmen - had more of tamas with less rajas and sattva.
The Sudras, labour class, were predominantly tamasika in nature.
The above are all from Smt Jaya Row's brochure.
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