Though not so common here in USA, one of the important ways
in which we classify ourselves is based on caste and we say, we are Brahmins,
Vysyas etc. I would like to go on a journey to understand who really we are.
in which we classify ourselves is based on caste and we say, we are Brahmins,
Vysyas etc. I would like to go on a journey to understand who really we are.
As all of us are aware, there are four castes, Brahmins,
Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. Though all of us classify ourselves as one of
above based on birth, we know the explanation that caste was based on their
role in society. Brahmins were the intellectual class and focused on
learning/teaching; Kshatriyas were the warring class and protected society;
Vaisyas were the commercial class and ensured that society gets its goods and
services; finally the Sudras were the toiling class doing menial jobs.
Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. Though all of us classify ourselves as one of
above based on birth, we know the explanation that caste was based on their
role in society. Brahmins were the intellectual class and focused on
learning/teaching; Kshatriyas were the warring class and protected society;
Vaisyas were the commercial class and ensured that society gets its goods and
services; finally the Sudras were the toiling class doing menial jobs.
Let us try to understand these classes based on an
understanding of the drivers of human nature. What causes a particular behavior
of me is based on essentially three ingredients, which are called Gunas. The
three Gunas are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Sattva refers to that quality which means
purity, shining, knowledge, selflessness etc. Rajas refers to the quality of
action based on desire, turmoil, need to keep doing something, agitation etc.
Tamas refers to ignorance, darkness, sloth, laziness etc. All of us have a mix
of these three gunas and that is what makes each of us unique in this world.
Again this mix is not constant and can change on a day-to-day basis and even
within a day, can change. When we are feeling sleepy, we are tamasic. When we
start doing work, drive to work, go a party etc, we are rajasic. When we go to
a temple, finish prayers etc, we are satvic.
understanding of the drivers of human nature. What causes a particular behavior
of me is based on essentially three ingredients, which are called Gunas. The
three Gunas are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Sattva refers to that quality which means
purity, shining, knowledge, selflessness etc. Rajas refers to the quality of
action based on desire, turmoil, need to keep doing something, agitation etc.
Tamas refers to ignorance, darkness, sloth, laziness etc. All of us have a mix
of these three gunas and that is what makes each of us unique in this world.
Again this mix is not constant and can change on a day-to-day basis and even
within a day, can change. When we are feeling sleepy, we are tamasic. When we
start doing work, drive to work, go a party etc, we are rajasic. When we go to
a temple, finish prayers etc, we are satvic.
Now using this background of the three gunas, let us try to
analyze the four classes. A Brahmin is a person who has significant proportion
of sattva, a small portion of rajas that is needed to sustain life and a
smaller portion of tamas.
analyze the four classes. A Brahmin is a person who has significant proportion
of sattva, a small portion of rajas that is needed to sustain life and a
smaller portion of tamas.
On a mathematical basis, let us say,
Brahmin = 0.85Sattva+ 0.11Rajas + 0.04Tamas
A Kshatriya has a significant amount of Rajas, a small
amount of Sattva and a smaller amount of Tamas, but more Tamas than a Brahmin.
A kshatriya, be he a ruler, a politician whoever though does action for
himself, has a small element of helping others and hence has a proportion of
Sattva.
amount of Sattva and a smaller amount of Tamas, but more Tamas than a Brahmin.
A kshatriya, be he a ruler, a politician whoever though does action for
himself, has a small element of helping others and hence has a proportion of
Sattva.
On a mathematical basis, let us say,
Kshatriya = 0.85Rajas+ 0.1Sattva + 0.05Tamas
A Vaisya has a significant amount of Rajas, a small amount
of Sattva, which is even less than a Kshatriya and a significant amount of
Tamas, but more Tamas than a Brahmin and Kshatriya. A Vysysa does action for
himself primarily, has a very small element of helping others and hence has a
proportion of Sattva.
of Sattva, which is even less than a Kshatriya and a significant amount of
Tamas, but more Tamas than a Brahmin and Kshatriya. A Vysysa does action for
himself primarily, has a very small element of helping others and hence has a
proportion of Sattva.
On a mathematical basis, let us say,
Vysysa = 0.65Rajas+ 0.05Sattva + 0.30Tamas
A Sudra has a significant amount of Tamas, almost no Sattva
and a very small element of Rajas.
and a very small element of Rajas.
On a mathematical basis, let us say,
Sudra = 0.05Rajas+ 0.01Sattva + 0.94Tamas
So, at least in my life, my initial actions were selfish
(Rajas). I was totally ignorant of the reality of this world (Tamas). But at
least I was acting. So I was somewhere between a Sudra and a Vaisya. Later in
professional life, when I became a manager, my actions were still selfish
(Rajas), but I cared for my group (Sattva) and to that extent, I was unselfish,
but still did not know reality of the world (Tamas). So I was somewhere between
a Vysysa and a Kshatriya. I am currently on the journey to understand the
reality of the world (Sattva), I still act primarily selfishly (Rajas), but
there is probably a more proportion of caring for others. So I probably am
somewhere between a Kshatriya and a Brahmin. I will become a Brahmin the day my
actions are totally unselfish. That can happen only when my ignorance is gone.
(Rajas). I was totally ignorant of the reality of this world (Tamas). But at
least I was acting. So I was somewhere between a Sudra and a Vaisya. Later in
professional life, when I became a manager, my actions were still selfish
(Rajas), but I cared for my group (Sattva) and to that extent, I was unselfish,
but still did not know reality of the world (Tamas). So I was somewhere between
a Vysysa and a Kshatriya. I am currently on the journey to understand the
reality of the world (Sattva), I still act primarily selfishly (Rajas), but
there is probably a more proportion of caring for others. So I probably am
somewhere between a Kshatriya and a Brahmin. I will become a Brahmin the day my
actions are totally unselfish. That can happen only when my ignorance is gone.
So though I was born in a Brahmin family, I think I have
never been a Brahmin in the true sense of the world. I hope I have provided
food for thought to people to reflect and see where they are.
As readers may be aware, 3 of my books on spirituality are available on Amazon.com.
I invite readers of my blog to try any of the books and give me feedback so that I can make changes in the next edition.
1. My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
2. Attain Infinite Bliss
Attain Infinite Bliss - A Spiritual Guide
3. The Spirit Of Spirituality
The Spirit Of Spirituality
never been a Brahmin in the true sense of the world. I hope I have provided
food for thought to people to reflect and see where they are.
As readers may be aware, 3 of my books on spirituality are available on Amazon.com.
I invite readers of my blog to try any of the books and give me feedback so that I can make changes in the next edition.
1. My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
My Humble Understanding Of Spirituality
2. Attain Infinite Bliss
Attain Infinite Bliss - A Spiritual Guide
3. The Spirit Of Spirituality
The Spirit Of Spirituality
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