Varṇa (Sanskrit: वर्ण, romanized: varṇa), a Sanskrit word with several meanings including type, order, colour or class, is used to refer to social classes in most Hindu texts.
These Hindu texts classify the society in principle into four varnas:
- Brahmins (Brahmanas) : priests, scholars and teachers.
- Kshatriyas: rulers, warriors and administrators.
- Vaishyas (Vaisyas) : agriculturalists and merchants.
- Shudras (Sudras) : laborers and service providers.
The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CLXXIX (extract) :
"Yudhishthira said, Those characteristics that are present in a Sudra, do not exist in a Brahmana; nor do those that are in a Brahmana exist in a Sudra. And a Sudra is not a Sudra by birth alone--nor a Brahmana is Brahmana by birth alone. He, it is said by the wise, in whom are seen those virtues* is a Brahmana. And people term him a Sudra in whom those qualities* do not exist, even though he be a Brahmana by birth.
* Note from KD : Here, those virtues and qualities are : truth, charity, forgiveness, benevolence, benignity, kindness and the Veda.
The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva: Section CCXI (extract) :
A man, O Brahmana, may be born in the Sudra caste, but if he is possessed of good qualities, he may attain the state of Vaisya and similarly that of a Kshatriya, and if he is steadfast in rectitude, he may even become a Brahmana.
The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva: Section CCXV (extract) :
For the Brahmana who is vain and haughty, who is addicted to vices and wedded to evil and degrading practices, is like a Sudra. On the other hand, I consider a Sudra who is always adorned with these virtues, (righteousness, self-restraint, and truthfulness), as a Brahmana. A man becomes a Brahmana by his character; by his own evil karma a man attains an evil and terrible doom.
The Mahabharata, Book 4: Virata Parva: Go-harana Parva: Section L (extract) :
A Brahmana, having studied the Vedas, should perform sacrifices himself, and officiate at the sacrifices of others. And a Kshatriya, depending upon the bow, should perform sacrifices himself but should never officiate at the sacrifices of others. And a Vaisya, having earned wealth, should cause the rites enjoined in the Vedas to be performed for himself*. A Sudra should always wait upon and serve the other three orders.
* Note from KD : It means : performed for himself by a Brahmana.
The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Section XXIX (extract) :
A Brahmana should study, offer sacrifices, make charities, and sojourn to the best of all holy places on the earth; he should teach, minister as a priest in sacrifices offered by others worthy of such help, and accept gifts from persons who are known. Similarly, a Kshatriya should protect the people in accordance with the injunctions of the law, diligently practise the virtue of charity, offer sacrifices, study the whole Veda, take a wife, and lead a virtuous householder's life. If he be possessed of a virtuous soul, and if he practises the holy virtues, he may easily attain the religion of the Supreme Being. A Vaisya should study and diligently earn and accumulate wealth by means of commerce, agriculture, and the tending of cattle. He should so act as to please the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas, be virtuous, do good works, and be a householder. The following are the duties declared for a Sudra from the olden times. He should serve the Brahmanas and submit to them; should not study*; sacrifices are forbidden to him; he should be diligent and be constantly enterprising in doing all that is for his good.
* Note from KD : It may be understood that if he would study the Scriptures, it should be under a Spiritual Master's guidance. The sense of "study" is manifold.
The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Section XL (extract) :
That Brahmana who never omitteth to perform his ablutions, who always weareth his sacred thread, who always attendeth to the study of the Vedas, who always avoideth food that is unclean, who telleth the truth and performeth acts in honour of his preceptor, never falleth off from the region of Brahma. Having studied the Vedas, poured libations into fire, performed sacrifices, protected subjects, sanctified his soul by drawing weapons for protecting kine and Brahmanas, and died on the field of battle, the Kshatriya attaineth to heaven. Having studied the Vedas, and distributed in proper time, his wealth among Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and his own dependents, and inhaled the sanctified smoke of the three kinds of fires, the Vaisya enjoyeth heavenly bliss in the other world. Having properly worshipped Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaisayas in due order, and having burnt his sins, by gratifying them, and then peacefully casting off his body, the Sudra enjoyeth the bliss of heaven. The duties of the four orders are thus set forth before thee.
The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Uluka Dutagamana Parva: Section CLXIX (extract) :
It hath been said that a Kshatriya acquireth eminence only through might, as Brahmanas acquire eminence through superiority in mantras, as Vaisyas through wealth, and Sudras through age.
The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section XXXIII (Bhagavad Gita Chapter IX) (extract) :
(Krishna says :) Know, O son of Kunti, that none devoted to me is ever lost. For, O son of Pritha, even they who may be of sinful birth, women, Vaisyas, and also Sudras, even they, resorting to me, attain to the supreme goal. What then (shall I say) of holy Brahmanas and saints who are my devotees?
The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva: Section XLIV (extract) :
A Brahmana can take three wives*. A Kshatriya can take two wives*. As regards the Vaisya, he should take a wife* from only his own order. The children born of these wives should all be regarded as equal. Of the three wives of a Brahmana, she taken from his own order should be regarded as the foremost. Similarly, of the two wives permitted to the Kshatriya, she taken from his own order should be regarded as superior.
Notes from KD : As regards the Sudra, he should take only a wife from his own order.
* As explained in the following sections (XLVII, XLVIII), an additional wife from the Sudra order can be taken, but it is not sanctioned by the scriptures.
