Hari om Parents,
This class we covered the four stages of life and the four varnas. We started with the four varnas. varnas in sanskrit means color. varna can also mean name, color, form, quality or relationship. As per Bhagwad geeta
चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः।
तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्।।4.13।।
This is a classification based on tendencies or gunas in a person. This is not based on birth. This organization is needed for society to function properly. This is division of labor. We gave an example of a corporate company. Say, we need help with our billing. Where do we call? Do we call marketing or sales? Why not the janitorial service? Is janitorial service not capable of handling billing questions? Just like a company organizes roles according to the skills of the individuals, the society according to the sanatana sanskriti was organized according to the Gunas. This resulted in the varna system. Over the years and western interpretations by the West, it came to be known as the caste system. Social issues were interpreted to have sanction of the the sanatana sanskriti.
Brahmin has Saatvik tendencies and is focussed on spirituality, learning & teaching Vedas (Knowledge). Kshatriya has rajasic tendencies with some saatvik tendencies he is responsible to defending, conquering & ruling. Vaisya are business people. They have rajasic tendencies with some tamasic tendencies. The sudras are the "do-as-you-are-told" class. They have tamasic tendencies - indolence with no deeper thinking or intense desires. In today's world many of our jobs will be tamasic jobs. This classification is based on dominant tendencies. It is possible that this dominant tendency may change with time. It is also possible that the task may appear to be of one guna but belongs to another guna based on the intention with which it was done. Eg. a priest offering prayers on behalf of individuals purely for money is technically acting like a Vaisya or a businessman.
The stages of our life accordingly can also be interpreted according to Gunas. There are primarily four stages of life - Brahmacharya (youth/learning), Grihastha (Householder), Vana prastha (retired) and Sanyasa (Renouncement stage). Brahmacharya is predominantly Satvic, Grihastha is primarily Rajasic.
There is also a Balavastha (Childhood). This stage has no responsibilities and the kids are free to do what they want. This continues till they reach Brahmacharya where formal education starts. After that an individual may choose to start a householders life. Householder's life is what 'finances' all the other Ashramas - Balavastha, Vanaprastha & Sanyasa. As the householders grows older, he is supposed to reduce his responsibilities and withdraw from day-to-day activities. This is called Vanaprastha. The next stage is where he goes into deeper contemplation and withdraw into himself. This is called Sanyasa. This will prepare him to get closer to "the Brahman".
We played a short game to classify map pictures/scenarios to different stages of life. Unfortunately, we could not complete it.
This week's summary written by Krishna.
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Last Sunday in Balavihar class, we learned about the four varnas and the four asramas (stages of life).
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that he created the four varnas to divide people based on their karma (actions) and their gunas (sattva, rajas, and tamas). The four varnas are Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. In the past, members of the Brahmin varna were expected to have a deep knowledge of the Vedas, as well as to perform pujas and other rituals. Today, it can be a term used to describe anyone who is considered to be of high moral character and has a sattvic mind. Historically, Kshatriyas included members of society such as rulers and warriors. They tend to be more rajasic, as they are more action-oriented and driven to do things. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The same can be said about Vaishyas, who more often than not have minds fit for business. They too are always performing action, since they try to earn as much money as possible. Shudras are members of the working class. I am not sure what defines a Shudra in a modern-day context, so I am not going to go deeper into it.
I found this lesson on Varnas interesting because I always thought that this system was rigid and did not allow people to move up. But what I learned was that your varna is not decided by your birth, but by the things you do in your life. This in particular was interesting to me.
Next, let me talk about the four asramas, or stages of life. Actually, I just realized that there are five; I forgot about one. The five stages of life are as follows: Bala avastha, Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sanyasa. Bala avastha refers to the first stage of life, childhood. This is a time of growth, when a baby learns new things about their new world with the help of their parents. This goes on for a while until the Brahmacharya stage of life comes around. This is when a child goes to a gurukul to pursue their education in all sorts of subjects until they are old enough to leave. Next is Grihastha, which refers to an individual's married life. During this time, one has to serve their family more than they serve themselves. One must care for their children and teach them how to lead a good life. This is the most goal-oriented stage of life. Now, it is time for Vanaprastha. When one is in Vanaprastha, they make the transition from work to retirement. They have to hand the reins to the next generation and start to unattach themselves from worldly things. Finally comes Sanyaasa. In Sanyaasa, one lets go of everything, including their home and their family, and focuses on the Lord and attaining Moksha. Death will eventually take them and their life will have come to an end.
I think this was a very important lesson. One cannot only think about worldly possessions every second of their life; at one point, they have to let go. This definitely takes a lot of willpower and I admire everyone who does it. One day, when I reach the Sanyaasa stage of life, I wish to detach myself from the world and everything it has to offer to die peacefully, while thinking of nothing but the Lord.
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regards and pranams,
Sitaram Kuchibotla
Partha Turaga
