Letter # 101: "Caste Sytem"

“The Army has carried the American ... ideal to its logical conclusion. Not only do they prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, creed and color, but also on ability,” said Tom Lehrer (1928-), the renowned musical satirist.
Despite prohibitions, discrimination keeps popping up its despicable head. By discrimination, I don’t mean good acumen but prejudice, bigotry, hatred, inequity, intolerance, favoritism etc.
A man told me that he is often hurt on being mocked; he’s half Indian (from India) and half Caucasian. Another told me that he’s uncomfortable when people make comment on his genetic background; it makes him feel that he doesn’t fit in. He’s half First Nations and half Caucasian.
Perhaps the caste system of India gets first prize for discrimination. But I must remember that when I point my index finger at something or someone, four of my other fingers point back at me!
Born in India but brought up in the west, I see discrimination everywhere, east and west, north and south. I have been at the unpleasant receiving end of it while growing up in Glasgow. Even now, people see my brown skin and make wrong assumptions that are rapidly shattered when I open my mouth and speak with my deeply ingrained Glaswegian accent. I have become accustomed to their astonishment.
When others ask me what caste I am, I say I’m the say same caste as God. And when they ask what religion I am, I say the same religion as God.
Families discriminate against their less educated and less wealthy members. Neighbours discriminate against those that live on the other side of the proverbial railway track. Villages and cities discriminate against accents of speech. Indeed, we discriminate against age, gender, occupation, ability, disability, race – white, black, brown, and yellow, First World, Old World, and Third World. I believe that all these comprise our “caste” systems.
The spiritual text of India, the Srimad Bhagavatum, documented by the sage Vyasa, perhaps 5,000 years ago, states: “The Personality of Godhead said: O my dear King, even the entirety of whatever there may be within the three worlds to satisfy one's senses cannot satisfy a person whose senses are uncontrolled.” SB 8.19.21. Are the "senses" at the root of discrimination?
Srila Prabhupada says yes. His commentary on this verse explains that reason for the development of societal structures was to curb greed and distribute work and resources according to ability. He states, “Therefore the Vedic culture or brahminical culture teaches one how to be satisfied with possessing the minimum necessities in life. To teach this highest culture, varṇāśrama-dharma (now known as the caste sytem) is recommended. The aim of the varṇāśrama divisions — brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa — is to train one to control the senses and be content with the bare necessities.”
The idea of varnasrama-dharama was and is noble but, as with many great ideas, time and the immense propensity of the human mind for corruption erode all noble concepts.
Another thing - isn’t it odd that we discriminate against religions even though they all give the same sublime message of untiy and love?
Yusafali’s translation of the Holy Koran states, “Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other).” 21:92.
Proverbs 10:12 tells us, “Hatred stirs up dissension but love covers over all wrongs.”
Guru Nanak sings, “Brahm-giani kai dris(i) saman(i); Jaise raj rank kau lagai tul(i) pavan”, which means “The knower of God treats all men as equals; Just as the wind blows and gives benefit to the rich and poor without any distinction.” [SS Aht 8. P 82].
It's hard work but we have to re-establish noblity in each generation. The ancient texts give excellent direction.

God Bless; Allah Hu Akbar; May The Forces Of The Universe Bring You Harmony; Hare Krishna; Radha-Swami; and Nanak Naam Chardi Kala Tere Bhane Sarbat Dha Bhalla.

I wish to express my gratitude for your comments, which inspire me to carry on writing. Please forgive my fallibilities in presenting this material. Also, feel free to send this message on to someone that you might think would like to receive it. If you do send it on, my only request of you is that you send it as it is, in its entirety, and to not alter or modify any of the text, references or authorship information. Thus you will help to give credit or liability to where they are properly due.
Jas Bhopal
Copyright© 2008References: "The Holy Bible" Online version; "The Koran" as translated by SV Mir Ahmed Ali 2005 ISBN 0-9761870-0-0); "The Bhagavad Gita As it Is" as translated by Srila Prabhupada ISBN 0-89213-268-X; The Srimad Bhagavatum as translated by Srila Prabhupada ISBN0-89213-259-0; "I Am That. Talks With Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj” ISBN 0-89386-022-0; The Dhammapada ISBN-10:1-84483-344-5; The Sacred Sukhmani ISBN 81-7205-098-4; Wikipedia.