Social inequalities: the Varnashramic difference

In the discussion about socio-economic inequalities prevailing in countries around the world, what continues to be overlooked is the underlying fundamental difference between the varnashrama-ordained inequalities (in India) and the social inequalities seen in (non-varnashramic) societies around the world.

A cobbler, say, in France or Russia would tend to understand his station or condition in life as being the result of the accident of birth (e.g. born into a poor family) OR other life circumstances (e.g. unable to receive education because of impoverished childhood, lack of job opportunities because of prevailing economic depression, unjust economic policies, etc.). The French / Russian cobbler could legitimately aspire to change his condition in life: by finding another job or vocation, by learning new skills or relocating to a place with better opportunities, by seeking a change in the prevailing political / economic arrangements of society, etc.

On the other hand, take the case of an Indian cobbler in his varnashramic society (i.e. Hindu society polluted by Brahmanism / Varnashramam). The cobbler has to accept his station in life as his deserving karmic reward (or penance) for his (mis-)conduct in past lives. Birth is not an accident but a purposeful karmic incident. The varnashramic cobbler cannot legitimately aspire to change his station in life. If he were to leave his vocation, it would be breaking his life's DHARMA, and this would only add to his KARMIC bad debts. He would then miss the chance of being born into a higher caste in his next birth. Isn't this the primary message of the Gita and the rest of the Brahmanist / Sanskritic corpus that have shackled and debilitated the Hindu body, mind and soul for so long? (Note 1)

Now, let us visit the French / Russian cobblers. They could legitimately aspire to change their individual circumstances in life by self effort: there are no religious injunctions against this. They could also get together - or be rallied together - to change their collective social circumstances. Remember the French and Russian revolutions.

Now, coming back to the holy land of Varnashramam. We can breathe easy! Our people are not like the unruly - excitable - masses of the West. Our people have been conditioned (or brainwashed) into accepting that WHATEVER happens so happens only because GOD has so willed, a God who acts through the Law of Karma-Dharma.

Marx and Mao were amongst those who, without even visiting India, ruled out the possibility of the Indian masses ever rising together in revolt as long as their minds remain arrested by Hinduism. Hitler didn't know enough to pin it down on Hinduism when he was hesitating over whether or not to oblige Subhash Chandra Bose (whom he did eventually meet after some initial foot-dragging)!

It must be admitted that Western education - particularly, its scientific outlook - is helping to lift the Hindu mind out of its varnashramic trap / stupor. It is also providing a good opportunity for the non-Sanskritic traditions of India to re-assert themselves after being suppressed for so long by Brahmanism / Varnashramam.

The Tamil world can play a big role in the new resurgence, by taking back Hinduism from the suffocating grips of parochial and self-serving Brahmanism, and regenerating the faith for the benefit of all India and the world at large.


Note 1: see previous blog on: Hinduism: its caste system & priesthood

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