Advaita too makes no distinctions, not even with non-living things; and in some Vaishnava beliefs also there are no distinctions. All are devotees of Lord Krishna or Narayana.
Thanks to
@Vinayaka and you, it has become apparent to me that the major sampradāyas out there do not discriminate on the basis of caste.
'Varna' and 'Jati' distinctions were more in practice than in religion. And it suited brahmins, reserved their space in religion.
Makes sense. What are the steps to become a Brahmin so I can reserve my space in religion?
Most of the Rishis in those times themselves were of the lower economic shudra groups engaged in farming, tanning, and so on.
Well then, I can no longer hold them in high regard. I expect any ṛṣi to be a brahmin who knows that he is above such lowly occupations.
Kidding, of course! What you wrote is very good to know like everything else you have contributed to this thread. It's fascinating to me that most of the ṛṣis had those kinds of occupations because, later in history,
sants such as Kabīr, Ravidās, and Nānak were men who did not believe caste or occupation made a person lowly or impure.
The earlier vedic system did not entertain casteism, and this was a later development through the Manu smriti which established the feudal birth-based caste system. This however has no basis in the Vedas and was probably compelled by economic and social factors at that time, and supposed to change with time.
Good to know.
It is the Varna or character-disposition that the Guru guaged Satyakama and not his birth or Jati. Due to his honest character and conduct, Satyakama was seen as a Brahmana.
The father may be a birth-based brahmana in the caste system, but then cannot be seen as a true Brahmana, as per your observation, in terms of varna which is the important point, as he had taken advantage of a lower caste female in his household .
It makes sense then that the gurū accepted Satyakāma for the latter's character rather than lineage.
Casteism hampers meritocracy, and this was the reason why India was under exploitative foreign rule for many centuries. The invaders had a more meritocratic structure within themselves favoring competence, and which enabled them to conquer and rule easily.
I just realized that casteism is as backwards as racism. Giving somebody a position just because the person is white, for instance, is no different from giving somebody a position just because the person is of a particular lineage. Skills, competence, passion, etc. are much better factors in a person.
The Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj which goes solely by the Vedas and not later smritis provides the necessary rituals and training in vedas and samskaras to all Hindus including foreigners.
They sound like some really fine movements!
Hinduism in its pure Vedic form actually inclines to the modern political ideals of equality, fraternity and liberty of all human beings. I had created a thread in this regard...
Liberty, fraternity and equality are cornerstones of Hinduism
I am definitely checking out your thread!
Thank you.
