Read on Twitter
1/n: If caste is an ancient system of religious oppression, there would be evidence CONSISTENT ACROSS CENTURIES. Varna was fluid and the oppression narrative is a colonial construct. Oppression in modern times is largely due to the policies of the British. See travelers accounts: https://twitter.com/subhash_kak/status/1294377176574435336
2/n: “which in point of number is inferior to the other classes, but in point of dignity preeminent over all. For the philosophers, being exempted from all public duties, are neither the masters nor the servants of others”
Megasthenes ~300BCE ragarding Brahmins(1 of the 7 castes)
Megasthenes ~300BCE ragarding Brahmins(1 of the 7 castes)
3/n: “Brachhmans who adopt an independent life, and abstain from animal food and all victuals cooked by fire, being content to subsist upon fruits, which they do not so much as gather from the trees, but pick up when they have dropped to the ground” - Ibid.
4/n: “Throughout the whole country the people do not kill any living creature, nor drink intoxicating liquor, nor eat onions or garlic. The only exception is that of the Chandalas.” - Fa Hien ~400CE
5/n: “The name Chandalas is explained by ‘butchers,’ ‘wicked men,’ and those who carry ‘the awful flag,’ to warn off their betters;—the lowest and most despised caste of India, members of which, however, when converted, were admitted even into the ranks of the priesthood.” Ibid.
6/n: Xuan Zhang (~700CE) notes how children are first taught “book of twelve chapters (Siddhavastu)” followed by the 5 Vidyas: Sabdavidya, Silpasthana-Vidya, Chikitsavidya, Hetuvidya and finally Adhyatmavidya. Brahmins go on to learn the 4 Vedas as well.
7/n: As the eminent scholar Dharampal uncovered from the Madras Presidency Indigenous Education Survey (1832) by the British, the extent of social equity in education at that time. Shudras accounted for 65% of the class in what is brahminophobic state of TN!!
8/n: Finally, I must end this thread with the story of King Rantideva in Srimad Bhagavatam that explains the essence of Hindu philosophy as love and mangalam of all beings and seeing them a part of the same divine. Rantideva was the embodiment of this essence.
9/n: Once after doing daanam, 48 days had passed since his last meal. Finally, some food came his way, and as he sat down to eat with his family, a Brahmin arrives. He offers the food to him. Then as he sits down to have the left overs, a shudra comes, and he offers it to him!
10/n: then he is just left with some water. As he begins drink the water, a thirsty chandala comes with his dogs. Rantideva seeing the same divinity in all beings, gives water to the Chandala and his dogs and says:
11/n: “I do not desire to attain the 8 siddhis nor for the cessation of a repeated birth; I accept all hardship in staying among all living beings so that they may become free from suffering...
12/n.... from hunger, thirst, fatigue, a shaky body, from poverty, distress, lamentation, depression and bewilderment, from them all am I, handing over my water, freed, maintaining the life of this poor soul desiring to stay alive!”
13/n It is the most exalted state of empathy. Varnas are indeed determined by gunas and karmas and are fluid. However, the story demonstrates the importance of the Varnas as merely part of the Artha-Vyavastha. The objective is to transcend them as well & pure “Preeti” remains
14/n This principle is consistent across Upanishads, Itahasas & Puranas...values with which many of us have grown up!
No PhD or historian can come and tell us what our beliefs are. Let us Empower ourselves with truth and expose their perverted agendas & constructs.
No PhD or historian can come and tell us what our beliefs are. Let us Empower ourselves with truth and expose their perverted agendas & constructs.
