The Hindu Caste System

The caste system is very incorrectly integrated with Hinduism – The four-fold division of society in Hinduism referred to by the Vedas (Varnas – meaning class and not Jati) was incorrectly translated by the Portugese as caste or Jati. This mix-up is very significant because the Varna System proposed by the Vedas was for division of labor and help society operate effectively and did not refer to the parentage of an individual. In fact it was conferred on an individual based on the three Gunas (Satva, Rajsic and Tamasic).



The Varna system started as a professional guild which degenerated due to exploitation by priests and socio-economic elements of the society and this system became hereditary. The Varna system became rigid and based on inheritance and it was enveloped by another social system known as the caste system. This caste system cannot be part of the original Hindu religion because it violates the fundamental belief of Hinduism that there is no distinction between individuals as the same Atman dwells in every person.