Freethought & Rationalism Archive

hinduwoman · 07-14-2001, 05:54 PM

Actually it was found that there was a mistranslation in 'noseless'. The term actually means mouthless, that is, devoid of vedic rites. Again many think that the division into four major castes was never more than an idealized version of what had already happened --- trying to group the numerous functional groups into coherent units.

Well, in the earliest period there does not seem to be any such caste divison. Later it was said that Brahmans came from the mouth of God, Khastriyas from his arms, Vaishyas from his thighs and Shudras from his feet. In early scriptures it was specifically stressed that birth does not determine caste, only conduct does. Natural aptitudes lead one to his proper caste. So actually, Hindus can junk caste without ceasing to be Hindus. So far I can judge, being a Hindu is a matter of conviction rather than of believing in a particular doctrine.

hinduwoman · 07-14-2001, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Boro Nut:
<STRONG>

Tell them their daughter is shagging a West Indian. It's amazing how pale they can get.</STRONG>

Not only West Indian, but Africans and darker complexioned people as well. But those who live in USA have come to accept such marriages --- there is nothing else they can do anyway.
I think that those living in remote villages are actually more accepting of black people; but at the same time the black man as a suitor might be objectionable because he does not belong to any assigned caste.

HindooHeathen · 07-27-2001, 05:55 AM

Late Dr. Isaac Asimov, once mentioned that caste system arises as a result of limited resources and low mobility in a society. We find in the Indus-Saraswathy a civilization facing natural disasters at around 2000 BCE . Perhaps caste system developed then. Gita talks of Varnashrama (four fold caste ) being determined by "Guna-Karma" innate abilities and the work-apptitude. There has been many historical examples of Sudras having become Kshatriyas( Chandra Gupta Maurya, Veer Shivaji etc.) and Sudras becoming Brahmanas (Elazhava revolution by Narayan Guru) and Brahmins becoming Kshatriyas(Parasu Ram).

Caste is not central to Hinduism. It is a dying system kept alive only by anti-Hindu political vested interest. The Hindu kernel (if such a thing is needed) is the Upanishadic Vedanta. Veer Savarkar a strong Hinduthvite led inter-caste marriages and made Dalits (the so-called untouchables) as priests.

[ July 27, 2001: Message edited by: HindooHeathen ]

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07-14-2001, 05:54 PM	#11
hinduwoman Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: India Posts: 6,977	Actually it was found that there was a mistranslation in 'noseless'. The term actually means mouthless, that is, devoid of vedic rites. Again many think that the division into four major castes was never more than an idealized version of what had already happened --- trying to group the numerous functional groups into coherent units. Well, in the earliest period there does not seem to be any such caste divison. Later it was said that Brahmans came from the mouth of God, Khastriyas from his arms, Vaishyas from his thighs and Shudras from his feet. In early scriptures it was specifically stressed that birth does not determine caste, only conduct does. Natural aptitudes lead one to his proper caste. So actually, Hindus can junk caste without ceasing to be Hindus. So far I can judge, being a Hindu is a matter of conviction rather than of believing in a particular doctrine.

07-27-2001, 05:55 AM	#13
HindooHeathen Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nagercoil Posts: 24	Late Dr. Isaac Asimov, once mentioned that caste system arises as a result of limited resources and low mobility in a society. We find in the Indus-Saraswathy a civilization facing natural disasters at around 2000 BCE . Perhaps caste system developed then. Gita talks of Varnashrama (four fold caste ) being determined by "Guna-Karma" innate abilities and the work-apptitude. There has been many historical examples of Sudras having become Kshatriyas( Chandra Gupta Maurya, Veer Shivaji etc.) and Sudras becoming Brahmanas (Elazhava revolution by Narayan Guru) and Brahmins becoming Kshatriyas(Parasu Ram). Caste is not central to Hinduism. It is a dying system kept alive only by anti-Hindu political vested interest. The Hindu kernel (if such a thing is needed) is the Upanishadic Vedanta. Veer Savarkar a strong Hinduthvite led inter-caste marriages and made Dalits (the so-called untouchables) as priests. [ July 27, 2001: Message edited by: HindooHeathen ]

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