Jati And Jati

727 Words2 Pages

The ideas of caste, varna and jati extend across the religious traditions of Islam, Hinduism and Jainism; each holding a different meaning to each community. The idea of ‘caste’ is a unique social stratification system native to India which divides the citizens into four varnas; Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The idea of caste emphasizes hierarchy and occupational specialization. (Kinsley, 153) However, while Jati, Caste and Varna may all seem similar, they represent very different things across Indian communities. Varna is outlined as the ideal social structure in vedic and sastric texts. At times Varna can be restricting on people, by being born into your specific Varna you must also marry into it. The hierarchical model of Varna is based on the purity and pollution, with Brahmins being the most pure and able to perform Vedic rituals, while the untouchables are the least pure due to their association with occupations such as sweeping and leatherworking. Varna, when compared to Jati, alludes to some parallels but also many differences. Jati is the proper term for caste and more specifically means To begin to analyze Jati and Varna from a Jain perspective, it is important to consider the idea behind Varna. Varna was first described through the story of the Cosmic Man, Purusa, who was a victim in a Vedic sacrifice. As he was torn apart his mouth formed the Brahman caste, his arms the warrior, thighs the people and his feet the servants. (Rg Veda 10.90) This represented a simple division of labor between classes. The problem arises in Jain’s belief of this due to the fact that they hold the belief that the world was never created, thus this idea that Varna was created by humans is not true to Jain tradition. (Babb, 132) Through Varna, caste restricts marriage choices and the act of coexisting castes creates a hierarchical

Show More
Related

  • Krishna/Hinduism Worldview

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are four main castes and one in which they consider to be the outcastes. The four main castes are the Brahmin, the next is the Kshatriya, the third is the Vaishya, and the fourth is the Shudra. The outcastes are in the group called Dalits. Each caste has a purpose in life, the Brahmin are considered to be the priestly caste in which they are teach the Veda, and are to “sacrifice for others and receive alms” (Institutes of Vishnu 5-10, pg. 44). The Kshatriya is considered the warriors or the ruler caste, they have constant practice in battles, and they are to protect the world from harm. The Vaishya are to be the merchants and the farmers, they tend to the cattle, they, “engage in farming, keeps cows, trades, lends money at interest, and grows seeds” (Institutes of Vishnu 5-10, pg. 44). The Shudra are the manual laborers who according to the Institutes of Vishnu under the Four Castes, are to serve the twice born men who are to sacrifice and to study the Veda, the Shudra also engage in all the different duties of craftsmanship (5-10, pg.44). In case of a crisis, each caste is allowed to follow the occupation of the caste that is below them in rank. The duties in which all four of these castes, whatever gender or stage of life, are to follow and hav...

    Read More

  • A Comparison of the Values of Classical India, China, and Persia

    1649 Words  | 4 Pages

    In India, the religion of Hinduism in particular, provides two sources of support in regards to the social structure of the era. These sources are the Vedas and the Upanishads. According to The Rig Veda when Purusha’s body was divided “his mouth became the brāhman; his two arms were made into the rajanya; his two thighs the vaishyas; from his two feet the shūdra was born (Reilly, 92).” By splitting up the body in this way, there was a justification for the creation of the varna or caste system. The highest class or Brahmin’s were the priest class, who were also known as the most pure. In this role, they were the connecting figures between Purusha and his people, which is reflective of them being his mouth. The next upper division class was the Ksatriya or warrior/leader class. In the class, the role was to do the fighting which was reflective of them being Purusha’s arms. The artisan/farmer or middle class was known as the vaisyas. In this class, members represented the role of the thighs of Purusha, who were responsible for doing the brunt or tougher jobs in society. The nethermost social class was the sudra, who were serfs and servants. They represented the feet of Pursha, which is reflective of their status as the lowest class. Along with the Vedas, the Upanishads served as a written guideline for the varna. These works urged the concept of doin...

    Read More

  • Indian Caste System Dbq

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thousands of years ago, Indian society developed into a complex system based on different classes. This system is known as the Caste System. It separated Indians into different castes based on what class they were born into. As thousands of years went by, this system grew larger and became further complex (Wadley 189). This system caused frustration for the Indian citizens because they were receiving inequality.

    Read More

  • The Caste System: History and Highlights

    1323 Words  | 3 Pages

    Woodburne, A. S. "Can India's Caste System Survive in Modern Life?” The Journal of Religion, Vol. 2, No. 5. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. pgs. 525-537. Web

    Read More

  • A comparison of Marriage Practices Between American and Indian Culture

    947 Words  | 2 Pages

    This book helps greatly in a true understanding of the Hindu social psychology and institutions. It is a comprehensive, systematic and integrated exposition of a very difficult subject.

    Read More

  • The Culture and Religion of the Ancient Mauryan Empire

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    Chandragupta Maurya was a man who was very paranoid in his time of power. He greatly feared assassination. His food was always tasted before he consumed anything, and he had a secret police to look after him. There was also a very large army and inspectors. Chandragupta did not even sleep in the same bed more than once in his palace to make sure no one could kill him in his sleep. Finally, after years of ruling, Chandragupta Maurya became too paranoid for his own good and retired from ruling. He then handed over his power to his son, Bindusara. Chandragupta converted to Jainism in his late...

    Read More

  • The Laws Of Manu

    847 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Laws of Manu the caste system is described in great detail. It explains everything one must do to be a part of their caste. In Hinduism each social class (varna) has its own dharma, or social law. The concept of dharma regulates all parts of life for Hindu’s and outlines their duties. However, there are different levels of dharma for people in the twice-born varnas, which includes the Brahmin, Ksatriya, and Vaisya. The different levels of dharma are based on the stage of life that an individual is at. The four stages an individual can be at are a student, a householder, a forest-dweller, or a sannyasin. A sannyasin is the lowest stage one can be in and one reaches that stage when they have cut all of their ties to society. In the text from The Laws of Manu it is stated that a householder may “never, for the sake of subsistence, follow the ways of the world: let him live the pure straightforward, honest life of a Brahmin” (Smart & Hecht 214). The Hindus believed in living a very simple life and being very honorable. The Laws of Manu states that no Brahmin should “attach himself to any sensual pleasures” (214) and also to “avoid all (means of acquiring) wealth which impede the study of the Veda” (214). In The Laws of Manu the idea of final liberation is brought up very frequently. Final liberation is the goal of all Brahmins. A Brahmin lives his whole life striving to reach final liberation and he does so by following dharma. He does not challenge dharma at all and believes that if he follows it, he will reach final liberation.

    Read More

  • Hinduism, Tolerance, and Individuality

    1686 Words  | 4 Pages

    The four main stages of life in Hinduism also take the caste system into account. The first stage is that of a student, being led by a teacher. T...

    Read More

  • The Criticism Of Intersectionality

    732 Words  | 2 Pages

    Owing to India’s diversity, these identities are determined by caste, ancestry, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation and geographic location, and play an important role in determining the social position of an individual (Anne, Callahan & Kang, 2011). Within this diversity, certain identities are privileged over others, due to social hierarchies and inequalities, whose roots are more than a thousand years old. These inequalities have marginalized groups and communities which is evident from their meagre participation in politics, access to health and education services and

    Read More

  • Escaping Poverty: The Importance of Location

    752 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Portuguese word casta means race, or breed, and Hindus have traditionally interpreted this as different levels of society, known as the caste system used in India (“India caste system”). The caste placements are commonly associated with a specific occupation, for example, a priest is a member of the Brahmin caste, and a merchant is a member of the Vaishya caste (“BBC - The caste system”). A Hindu is born into the caste that their parents are ‘members’ of, and as a member of that caste, they must marry in the caste, perform the expected occupation of that caste and eventually die as a member of said caste. The lowest caste of the system are the Dalit, or ‘untouchables’ as they are more commonly known. Members of this caste are also born into it, but because of their extreme conditions of living in poverty, they were too despicable to be considered a part of the caste system. These ‘untouchables’ were usually found begging on the streets and did not have a job that fell into the categories of the caste system, therefore were severely looked down upon by all othe...

    Read More

  • Impact Of British Colonialism on the Indian Caste System

    2707 Words  | 6 Pages

    The caste system in India is elaborately structured to have an Indian touch to it, clearly distinguishing it from social structures worldwide. Caste is a word often used to describe a cluster of people who have a specific rank in the society. Each caste system is elaborately crafted to suit the needs of the society and they vary from group to group; each has its own rules and customs. Different chaste systems are planned in a hierarchical manner to become part of any of the four basic colors; varnas (a Sanskrit word for color). These include; the varna of Brahmans, identified with the learned class and priests; varna of Kshatriyas, which is encompasses warriors, rulers and property owners, the varna of Vaishyas, which attracts traders ; and lastly the varna of Shudras, who are servile laborers (Bayly, 1999).

    Read More

  • Caste System in India

    1481 Words  | 3 Pages

    Pandey, T.N., 2014. Lecture 1/14/14: Cultures of India: Hierarchy Structure in India. Cultures of India. U.C. Santa Cruz.

    Read More

  • Women In Ancient Egyptian And Mesopotamian Culture

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the story that was told in the reading I interpreted the Mahabharata felt that kinship became necessary, because of greed, desire, and infatuation. The people were losing their morality and needed someone spiritual to help guide them. With all of these lost, men started to lose their spiritual knowledge was lost. The gods were filled with fear and sorrow for the people and begged the leader of all gods to help give the people back their righteousness .That is why Virajas was created by the leader of all the gods, to help bring back control and morals to the people.

    Read More

  • The Machine Stops

    490 Words  | 1 Pages

    Vashti believes she “worships nothing” and that “all the fear and superstition that existed once has been destroyed by the

    Read More

  • Rebirth In Hinduism

    1723 Words  | 4 Pages

    There emerged more structure encompassing the tenets for custom learning (Veda) and custom activity (Karma) and their part in salvation (i.e. joining the Fathers in Paradise). The Brahmins –the holy standing in Hindu society- started to take control of these customs. The way to the Universe of the Fathers was thought to require not just custom learning and activity at the time of death, however keeping in mind the end goal to be kept up in this domain one's relatives must proceed with custom activity. Without the correct activity and information one future reborn again on

    Read More

More about Jati And Jati

Open Document