Jāti-Varṇa Nirṇaya

Jāti means a birth-community, and varṇa means one of the four broad social roles: brāhmaṇa, kshatriya, vaiśya and śūdra. Nirṇaya means “deciding” or “settling”. Jāti-Varṇa Nirṇaya, “settling the question of jāti and varṇa”, is the subject of Chapter 10 of the Brahma Khaṇḍa of the Brahma Vaivarta Purāṇa. The chapter explains the sacred origins of various communities through stories from the Purāṇas.

It tells how communities of craftspeople came from divine beings, namely the apsarā Ghṛtācī and the divine architect Viśvakarmā, who were cursed and born again on earth. It also discusses the principles behind the differences between jātis. A later part of the same Purāṇa, the Śrī Kṛshṇa Janma Khaṇḍa, adds Śrī Kṛshṇa’s teaching on the duties of each varṇa.

Overview

Chapter 10 of the Brahma Khaṇḍa takes up the complex question of jāti and varṇa from the view of the Purāṇas. It does not treat them only as social groupings. Instead, it roots them in stories of divine origin and in the working of karma. It shows that even communities of lower varṇa standing have a sacred ancestry.

Ghṛtācī, Viśvakarmā and the Nine Craft Communities

The central story of Chapter 10 is that of Ghṛtācī, an apsarā (a divine dancer), and Viśvakarmā, the divine architect. At Pushkara-tīrtha (the holy place of Pushkara) they cursed each other, and both were born again in human form. They later came together on the Malaya mountain and had nine sons, who became the ancestors of nine communities of craftspeople.

The nine communities are:

  1. Mālākāras (garland-makers)
  2. Karmakāras (blacksmiths)
  3. Śaṅkhakāras (workers in conch shell)
  4. Kuvindakas (weavers)
  5. Kumbhakāras (potters)
  6. Sūtrakāras (carpenters)
  7. Svarṇakāras (goldsmiths)
  8. Citrakāras (painters)
  9. A ninth community, also named in the text

Three of these nine sons later became patita (fallen) because of a brahma-śāpa, a curse given by a brāhmaṇa.

Teachings on Jāti

The wider teaching of the Brahma Khaṇḍa on jāti includes these points.

The Kali Yuga and jāti: The Brahma Khaṇḍa (Chapter 11) stresses that in the Kali Yuga, the present age, bhakti (loving devotion) to Śrī Kṛshṇa rises above differences of jāti. Vaishṇava brāhmaṇas are the greatest of all communities, and serving them brings merit beyond measure. This puts bhakti, rather than jāti, at the centre of social order.

The sacred origin of every community: The story of Ghṛtācī and Viśvakarmā shows that even craft communities counted as śūdra have divine ancestry, through beings from the divine worlds who took human birth. This makes jāti something sacred, rather than a mere social ranking.

Brahma-śāpa as the cause of change: The text shows that some communities fell from their first standing through curses given by brāhmaṇas. This explains the differences within communities, and also leaves open the possibility of being restored through dharma and bhakti.

The Duties of the Varṇas in the Śrī Kṛshṇa Janma Khaṇḍa (Chapter 83)

Chapter 83 of the Śrī Kṛshṇa Janma Khaṇḍa contains Kṛshṇa’s teaching to Nanda on the duties of each varṇa. Nanda asked about varṇa-dharma (the duties of the varṇas), and Kṛshṇa answered in detail.

Brāhmaṇa Dharma

The brāhmaṇa’s main dharma is Vishṇu-bhakti (devotion to Vishṇu), pūjā of the Śālagrāma (the sacred stone form of Vishṇu), havishyānna bhojana (eating only pure havishya foods) and guru-sevā (service to the guru). A brāhmaṇa who follows these is the foremost in all creation. Veda-pāṭha (recitation of the Veda), tapas (austerity) and Kṛshṇa-nāma-smaraṇa (remembering the name of Kṛshṇa) complete the brāhmaṇa’s life.

Kshatriya Dharma

The kshatriya’s dharma is to protect the people, rule the kingdom justly, fight wars according to dharma, protect brāhmaṇas and cows, and hold to truth in all dealings. A kshatriya who protects the weak and punishes the wicked fulfils his svadharma (own duty).

Vaiśya Dharma

The vaiśya’s dharma is honest trade, fair weights and measures, care of cows, farming done with the proper rites, and generous dāna (gifts) to brāhmaṇas. A vaiśya who earns honestly and gives generously is dear to Bhagavān Kṛshṇa.

Śūdra Dharma

The śūdra’s dharma is service to the three higher varṇas with dedication and devotion, honesty and pure conduct. A śūdra who serves the higher varṇas with true humility and keeps himself pure is worthy of respect.

Sannyāsī Dharma

The sannyāsī’s (renunciant’s) dharma is to give up all possessions and relationships completely, to live with vairāgya (detachment), to practise nāma-smaraṇa (remembering the divine name), to wander without a fixed home, to accept bhikshā (alms) without storing anything up, and to teach brahma-jñāna (knowledge of Brahman) to all who sincerely seek it.

Pativratā Dharma

The pativratā (devoted wife’s) dharma is pati-pūjā, honouring her husband as her highest devatā. She serves him in health and in sickness, keeps the home pure, raises the children in dharma, and stays chaste in thought, word and deed. As part of this teaching Kṛshṇa gave a stotra (hymn) spoken from the heart of the pativratā. In it the wife sees her husband as a form of the Divine and honours him in that way.

Sources

  • Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Chapters 10–11
  • Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Śrī Kṛshṇa Janma Khaṇḍa, Chapter 83