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Hinduism is the term conventionally used for the actual religion, the Santana drama or the anagram system that is universal. There are four vans and four ashram as based on the eternal Vedas. Vedas literally mean books of knowledge.
The four vans are the social order, viz., Brahman (intelligent class), Kshatriya (administrators), vistas (mercantile) and Sudra's (labor class) and the four ashram as are the spiritual order, viz., brahmacarya (student), grihastha (householder or married life), vanaprastha (austere life) and sannyasa (renounced order).
The varnasrama system continued purely for a long time, until Jamadagni and his son Parasurama, of ksatriya nature, claimed themselves as brahmanas. By following a varna contrary to their nature, out of self interest, they created friction between the brahamana and ksatriya classes. Because of
this seed of enmity between the two classes, the procedure of judging varna by birth became fixed. In time, this system of varnas without reference to nature entered covertly in the Manu Samhita and other scriptures. Without possibility of attaining a higher varna, out of frustration, the ksatriyas created BUDDHISM to destroy the brahmana varna.
But for every action there is an equally strong reaction. Therefore the class distinction based on birth became even stronger. With the conflict between exploitation of position, based on birth (the brahmanas), and disloyalty to ones culture (ksatriyas), they gradually destroyed themselves.
Those with no brahman qualities, brahmanas in name only, began to write scriptures with their own interest at heart, thus cheating the other classes. Ksatriyas, without ksatriya qualities were defeated in battle. Without their kingdoms, they began to support Buddhism.
Vaisyas without vaisya nature began to preach JAINISM. By this act, the great mercantile
community became weakened.
Laborers without sudra nature, without qualification for works of specific nature, became thieves. Running without any scriptural reference, the country came under the control of the Muslims.
Shipping companies entered. The concept of service vanished. Gradually the influence of Kali deepened.3 The present pitiful condition of India, which was once the controller and teacher of the whole world, is not because of old age, but because of the corruption of the varnasrama system. By the desire of the Lord, the controller of all living beings and rules, may there arise again in India an empowered person who can establish the varnasrama system. The writer of the puranas also expectantly awaits the action of Kalki.
According to the scriptures, a person is qualified for action according to
his varna. In this book it will be impossible to discuss this in detail.
A brahmana is qualified for the following activities: feeding guests,
bathing three times a day, deity worship, reading the Vedas, teaching,
serving as priest, taking vows, leading the life of a brahmacari and
sannyasi.
The ksatriya is qualified for righteous war, ruling a kingdom, protecting
the citizens, works of charity and social relief. The vaisya is qualified
for raising and protecting animals, agriculture and commerce. The sudra
is qualified for serving the deity without mantras and serving the three
higher varnas. All men and women of all varnas are qualified for marriage
rites, worship of the Lord, helping others in distress, charity, service to
guru, welcoming guests, purity of body and mind, observing festivals,
serving the cow, maintaining the population and proper conduct. Women'
special qualification is serving the husband.
A person should do that work and follow those rules of varna which are most
suitable to his nature. By honest judgment person can determine the work
and lifestyle most suitable to himself, and if he cannot do so, he should
consult a competent authority. Those Vaisnavas who would like additional
information on these matters should consult Gopala Bhatta Gosvami's Sat
Kriya Sara Dipika.
Excerpts from Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Caitanya Siksamrita.
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What are the differences between Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism? ?
