1. Thread on varna and caste in Hinduism.

This is more complex subject. Afrer reading different opinions I am saying varna is not by birth. But at same time there in few cases there is a chance that one may be born in particular varna.

#Hinduism

2. Gita clearly says Varna is based on guna and karma. Means conduct, charecter and action. Karma can be prarabdha past karma or kriya karma present action.

Gunas can be influenced to an extent by previous vasanas. Vasana means brain imprints.

3. So one may be born in particular varna due to their vasana. Like in previous birth irrespective of varna he led satvik means pure life then present birth he may be born as brahmin. But this is only one criteria among thousands. That doesn't mean he will be satvik in present.

4. Let's say one may took birth based on vasanas alone still at point of time he can change the varna.

There are hundreds of examples like this. Whole alwar saints belong to shudra or vaishya varna. But they changed varna by gaining knowledge.

5. A man can be born in particular birth due to previous vasana or prarabdha Karma related to people.

Like one may have robbed someone then the man can be born in robbers family and may cause serious problems.

#HinduSaints

6. So normally upanayan cermony will be done in young age itself but after gurukula and later stage one can change the varna.

There is enough fluidity in varna change. Some are easy methods and some may take few years etc.

7. Adi shankara himself in start said birth based varna to an extent because of previous vasanas but when a chandala enlightened him he written great stotram on humams.
The jiva or person can be from any varna but if he understood the self and brahmin,he is greater than any jiva

8. So some of shankaracharya may have used his previous stance and propagated birth based varna.

To overcome these many sects started the initiation process. Ramanuja accepted everyone by giving Narayana mantra.

9. The logic is let's say for some jeevas , vasanas influenced to born in particular varna then the man by sheltering under lord the vasanas are destroyed.

Chaitanya mahaprabhu intiated everyone by giving krishna mantra. Prabhupada made many shudras into great acharyas
#iskcon

10. #Vivekananda obviously one of the foremost name who said the caste system existed and did great damage to bharat. He said varna by conduct and talent is good but not birth based caste or varna.

He even criticized some of hinduism sects.

11. Swami chinmayananda who logically disapproved birth based caste system. He was from same Advaita Vedanta by adi Shankara. His disciples also preach the same.

One of the best video on varna based on conduct and actions

12. #Aurobindo preached againist varna by birth. He said varna is a universal concept where society is in built divided as knowledgeable people, administirative class, trade market, service and NGO type.

#hinduism

13. Great Vaishnava scholor bhakti Vedanta thakur said the varna is by guna.

Some cases it's birth and guna. In any case one can change varna by karma under proper guidance. He gave sacred thread to all after their performance and interest.

14. Great vedic scholar and astrologer Sanjay rath who came from the lineage of royal astrologers of thousand years.

He says in astrology chart varna one will be born in belongs to first house and under brahma while 10 house of karma bhava belongs to vishnu

15. So vishnu overrule everything. If anyone says varna is by only birth and no alternative then thats directly against vishnu.

16. We got many mediaeval saints from all states like tukaram,mira bhai of kshatriya, ravi das of shudra,kabir das of another religion who preaches vedic dharma and respected by all Brahmins and varnas.

Alwars,nayanats, nath sampradaya Acharyas most of them belong to shudra

17. Not to mention vyasa, Valmiki, viswamitra,jabali, aitreya rishi and many other rishis are from not brahmna varna.

Some of differences are due to class than varna or caste from ithiyasa.

18. If we take grahas budha mercury son is vaishya. Saturn is son of Sun but a shudra. Saturn delivers karma and does service to humans to be real. So he is a shudra. So the varna shows the calssification based on nature.

#hinduism

19. Vedas won't say anything about birth based varna etc. Whatever sect , they all follow veda. They declare atma is eternal and quality is equivalent to para brhaman.

And Mahabharatam, bhagavat says especially in kaliyuga the criteria should only by charecter not even vasana

20. Hindus should read themselves different Acharyas and decide for themselves. Not by few gurus or sects

Don't form an opinion based on selective texts or videos. Finally this Chanakya episode is must watch on varna