Varna. What are varnas? Four main classes of ancient Indian society: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras

“Fulfilling one’s own duty, even poorly, is much more important than fulfilling someone else’s duty super-excellently.”

Bhagavad Gita

Varnas are a natural formation that is divided according to the levels of development of a person’s consciousness and determines his position in society.

It is worth especially emphasizing that the division into varnas (castes) in the original and deep understanding is not a division according to the level of material wealth, but a designation of the evolutionary spiritual level of people, the characteristics of people based on the level of their awareness, worldview, worldview, and understanding of their place in society , relationships to family, homeland.

Initially, varnas (castes) served precisely for this designation. Later, with an increase in the level of degradation of people and a narrowing of their understanding of the laws of the universe and the world order, varnas (castes) began to be used to indicate a person’s financial situation, dividing society into the rich, the middle stratum and the poor. Initially, people knew that by engaging in self-improvement and self-knowledge, following the path of evolutionary spiritual development Over the course of a lifetime, a person can move from one caste to another (and both rise one step higher and fall one step lower). The varna system is also closely related to the understanding of the law of karma.

Our ancestors had a distribution of people according to varnas (castes) throughout the long history of the existence of our people. The Slavs brought the tradition of dividing people into varnas (castes) to India, along with other traditions and knowledge that Indians have preserved to this day, although they introduced some changes and additions to them according to their worldview.

Now in India the caste (varna) system has been preserved. In India, it is accepted that belonging to a varna (caste) is inherited, through the family, that is, if a person was born into a family of brahmanas (magi, those in charge), then he is classified as a brahmana caste, if a person was born into a family of sudras, then he is classified as a In the Shudra caste, such a person, even if he is a talented person and has any abilities, is almost impossible to get out of the prejudice about him that he is a Shudra and achieve something in activities different from those that Shudras are accustomed to engage in. That is, in India it is now customary to look not at the abilities and real spiritual evolutionary level that a person exhibits from birth, which assign him to a specific caste, but to stereotypically assign a person to a caste according to the type of his birth. This approach is erroneous, based on the loss of a deep understanding of the essence and reasons for the division into varnas (castes).

When a person determines which caste he belongs to, this is just a statement of fact, at what spiritual evolutionary level he is now and during the course of our lives we can pass and are in each.

There are 4 conditional varnas (levels), the transition to which is carried out in accordance with the development of human consciousness:

Smerdas (in Indian tradition - shudras)

The life tasks of a Shudra are only to survive and reproduce. Shudras are often born, reborn from an animal state into a human being, so their thinking often does not go beyond instinctive motivations.

The skills gained at this level are the ability to survive, work with physical world, produce viable offspring, serve and obey, be hardworking, ability to carry out work with discipline and purpose. The Shudra is characterized by repetitive actions, well known in his labor activity, V colloquial speech, in the manifestation of feelings, in the way of thinking. He feels calm only in an environment and work that is familiar to him. Conservatism and categoricalness in all its manifestations are very strongly expressed. While conservatism is highly developed in a person, the consciousness of lower Varna cannot come up with something new for society, so it adapts to the conditions that exist, and having adapted, it fights to ensure that they do not change, because if something changes, it will have to happen again adapt to new conditions. Therefore, a Shudra is by nature conservative and does not like change.

Shudra loves physical work, and constant work with the same cycles. It is better and easier for him to swing a hammer than to repair a small object like a wristwatch. A Shudra can be very proud of the fact that he worked as a turner for thirty years in one factory, and proudly say: “I am a working man,” because this is a great achievement for him.

He has no desire for education, for knowing and changing himself. He constantly needs self-affirmation. His actions predominantly contain instinctive tendencies, so he has no will as a regulator of his behavior. Sudra thinking is stimulated mainly when a problem situation arises.

Shudra is not capable of leading other people - he definitely needs a leader and owner to organize his work. He works for the owner, who tells him what to do, how to do it, when and why. A Shudra is a hired worker, regardless of profession or education. For example, a computer technician and a worker with a shovel are both sudras if they simply carry out the will of the owner, without any initiative or creativity. Shudra lives for himself with the internal slogan “Everything is ours, everything is mine.” It works quite limited, without any creativity: they said to dig - he digs (presses the keys), they said not to dig - he doesn’t dig (does not press). There is no interest in work, the main thing is that the money is paid later. Just a performer. However, if a person exhibits a high level of skill and creativity, he begins to move beyond the level of sudra. A master of his craft will no longer be a sudra. The work of a master is always a creative process.

The accomplished level of shudra is a person who stands firmly on his own two feet, physically developed, hardy, loving physical work, possessing excellent health, both physical and mental, with a well-developed maternal or paternal instinct, a faithful employee and an indispensable assistant in many matters. He loves nature, the earth, he has the most developed instinctive thinking, he is closer than all other people to the land, cultivates it, protects it, feeds other people with the fruits of his labors.

Vesi (in Indian tradition - Vaishya)

This is the next step in the development of human consciousness in society. A person who has learned to earn his own food, build a house, and now he wants to create some kind of comfort and coziness for himself, a craving for money, aesthetics, and a sense of beauty appears. Among Vaishyas one can observe an increased desire for comfort. This is an owner whose personal interest is higher than public interest. People of this varna participate in creating the material and technical base of society. They organize the trade turnover necessary for people’s lives, create jobs, and satisfy people’s needs for food, clothing, and housing.

Vaishyas also distribute goods and cash among people.

Having grown from a sudra in his development, a person begins to increase his production, hires people, organizes his small business. His trade turnover has increased so significantly that he is no longer able to cope with it alone, and the need for hired workers arises. Vaishyu is a small owner, he manages his money by working for the owner or has his own business. Piece workers or private traders are often Vaishyas, as are many individual craftsmen.

If a Shudra creates something durable, then a Vaishya already strives to create something beautiful and elegant out of it, that is, not a rough object, but a more subtle one.

A representative of this varna develops a sense of will and increases control over his impulses. It becomes characterized by more complex volitional acts. He has the ability to get down to business well and easily on his own initiative, without waiting for outside stimulation, and initial organizational abilities are formed. Vaishya can make a decision that concerns the scope of his activities. He perceives obligations at the contract level and knows how to negotiate with the people he needs on mutually beneficial terms.

The main motivation of Vaishyas is the passion for hoarding and obtaining pleasure in any way. Benefit is also considered only from the point of view of the resulting pleasure. Wherever you plant a Vaishya, he will find many ways to get pleasure, even through suffering. If a Vaishya is deprived of pleasure, he often loses the meaning of life, life is over for him.

The Shudra lives by instinctive feelings (cold, hunger, etc.), and therefore he strives to satisfy his senses, i.e. live guided by them. To do this, he creates his own home so as not to live in the cold, and earns money for food so that he can eat well. Vaishya already has a more subtle spectrum of feelings, and, in addition to hearty food, he loves beautiful and delicious food. The requirements for housing are higher than those of the Shudras, they love luxury, but at the same time the passion for hoarding is so strong that in a situation where a Vaishya can earn quite a large amount money, he forgets about any convenience and comfort, and even about food - he can starve for several weeks, just not to miss his jackpot. Shudra is not capable of this.

The Vaishya worldview is based on the fact that everything can be bought and everything can be sold - “money can do everything,” “money is power.” Unlike the Shudras, they strive for power not only for the purpose of survival, but also for the purpose of obtaining pleasure.

They exhibit the ability to be a “broad nature” to whom “nothing human is alien”; ability to work hard, creative restlessness. Sexuality is built on the same principle and is not entirely clear to them, although they satisfy it quite eagerly.

Knights (in Indian tradition - kshatriyas)

When a Vaishya masters the qualities inherent in his varna, he moves into the kshatriya varna (Sanskrit: “dominance, power, strength, power, warrior”). With changes in worldview, new motivations appear. A kshatriya is characterized by such qualities as honor, conscience, justice, leadership, nobility, honesty, etc.

A Kshatriya is a noble warrior. A true kshatriya is noble and honest, he knows the value of his word. If a person of varna sudra or vaishya does not disdain lies and does not consider it shameful to obtain any thing through deception, then a kshatriya considers this behavior below his own dignity. Vaishyas and Shudras, having given their word, easily break it, but a true Kshatriya is a man of his word in all respects, he will never betray his friend and enemy too, many examples of this can be seen in various novels, stories, etc.

Many cannot understand how this is so, a kshatriya does not deceive, because in war all methods are good. But it should be noted that in the battle between kshatriyas there is a military strategy, and not deception and betrayal.

A Kshatriya knows how to quickly bring himself into a state of readiness and internal mobilization of his forces. A person of this varna learns all the planes of material reality and the laws of their interaction through ways of controlling himself and people, which is why the structure of the army in most cases is built on such people.

A kshatriya has well-developed willpower and increases control over his desires, needs, and interests. It is characterized by volitional acts that include the stages of goal setting, discussion and struggle of motives, decision making and execution. At the stage of the struggle of motives, the highest values—ethical and moral norms—take over; what is socially significant is personally significant. A kshatriya is characterized by this form of behavior as an act.

His interests are based on intellectual activity. Cognitive process comes through service. The level of thinking increases - the distribution of attention increases, abstract theoretical thinking develops. A kshatriya's self-esteem is determined by his worldview, sense of duty, morality and ideology.

Each of the kshatriyas has his own motivation. A Kshatriya is a fighter, for him life is a struggle with his enemies inside and outside himself. But some go against the system, thereby forcing it to improve and move in the direction necessary for its development, while others, on the contrary, establish order within the already established system. But at the same time, you need to understand that a kshatriya is not a fighter with fists (sudra). He will not fight in order to stretch his bones or “show off.” All these are shortcomings at the sudra level. Aggression is also inherent in a sudra, not a warrior. A warrior is characterized by fortitude, composure, developed will and clear discipline. A kshatriya not only forces others to obey the law, but also always observes it himself. This is a man of the system, of the state.

At the kshatriya level, a person has conquered the most important fear - the fear of death. Shudra and Vaishya are not able to overcome this fear and many other fears. For a kshatriya, valor and honor are higher than death. Required quality for a kshatriya - heroism. There is such a thing famous expression- “Madness we sing to the brave We are songs." But there is no need to consider a kshatriya a fool, he will not do stupid things - his heroism is reasonable. He will not strive for heroism in order to show off to others.

After all, what looks like heroism from the outside can be done by representatives of the two lower varnas, for example, pulling out a box of jewelry and so on from a collapsing house and making a considerable profit from it.

A novice kshatriya strives for combat, for defense, and comprehends the art of combat to perfection. As he grows, the warrior begins to think about the structure of the world, and he has a desire to explore it in ways that are still unknown to him. Thus, a sorcerer (Brahman, magician, explorer of life, scientist) is born.

Magi, sorcerers, ascetics (in the Indian tradition - brahmans)

The Sanskrit word is Brahman (“reverence; world soul; creator God”). In the first case, the emphasis is on the first “a”, in the second – on the second “a”. In the neuter gender, this word denotes the highest philosophical principle of Existence - Consciousness or Nirvana. IN masculine it represents prayers, holy Scripture and the bearers of Scripture - the Brahmins/Brahmins.

Brahmans are sages, philosophers, scientists, researchers, priests, priests, teachers, rulers, yogis, magicians, shamans, mystics, sorcerers - all those for whom knowledge of themselves and the Universe is most important in life.

Anyone who carries some kind of new idea, which is firmly established in the world, who generates the “new” - morality, ideas, theories, worldviews that determine the direction of evolution in a certain historical period. For example, new culture, method of versification, movement in art, etc.
The Brahman has much greater free will than the people of the lower varnas: his mind, not the mind, exercises control over the formation of thoughts. The main task of Brahman is to help in the revelation and mentoring of those who turn to him.

A person of this varna is the unity of a student and a Teacher, he becomes an Individuality that he knows, manifests and helps others in this. Its distinctive feature is the service of evolution, constant desire to harmony, search and accumulation of life wisdom. Brahman is always honest. First of all, this concerns honesty towards oneself, and from this follows honesty towards the World, towards everything that is in the World, towards every particle of it, towards every person that one meets on one’s Path. Morality is in the blood of a brahman. If a person of the lower varnas needs to be taught and instilled in what is “moral” and “immoral”, what is “good” and what is “bad”, based on the laws of the society in which he is located, then for a brahman there is no morality as such - it is always in him and with him, it only needs to be correctly opened and awakened fully during the first half of life.

According to the Laws of Manu, a person cannot be called a brahmana if he has qualities inherent in the lower varnas. This means that he has not mastered some of the lower varna skills. We will call such a person a brahman who has shortcomings in the lower varnas, because he has every opportunity to improve these qualities throughout his life; but only after this can he be called a true brahmana. As soon as a brahman manages to work out at least one lower varna completely, his energy increases, which allows him to work with greatly increased strength, because he stops wasting his energy.

In this case, you need to understand that a brahmana can have shortcomings in the kshatriya varna, but a kshatriya can only have the achievements of a brahmana to a very small extent, because the worldview of the varna above is not understandable to the person of the varna below, and in order to cognize it, one must move to this varna.

Having gone through all the stages of knowledge of a kshatriya, a person becomes a fully brahmana. Brahman is closer to the Creator, the Creator; he himself is the creator of correct imaginative thinking in his part of the world, wherever he is. But in turn, he does not lose the skills he acquired in the varnas below. A bad brahmana is one who is unable to feed himself, provide the means he needs, or rule the world. He can do the work of a sudra, vaishya, kshatriya, but he will approach it creatively, inventing new methods, work techniques, etc.

Brahmins always differ from others in their education - this is from the word " creative thinking", and not to be intellectually stuffed with various information, and this does not always have to mean any kind of technical or humanitarian education. Considering the varna of a sudra, having received a higher education, a person still remains a sudra. It should be noted that not all brahmins have a higher education by modern standards, but they will always be wise by nature and at the same time they have very highly developed creativity, they create new visions and approaches, new trends in all spheres of society, scientific discoveries that develops society. Brahmins can also be called those artists, poets, writers, composers who create new things in their field - write poetry, music, books, etc. They are capable of bringing a new impetus to the development of humanity. But it must be taken into account that only a very small part of those working in such places are brahmins.

A Brahman is patient, he can wait for years if necessary, but at the same time, he knows the value of time and will not waste it. If you feel that a brahmana is wasting his time, perhaps you have not understood his activities. Let us remember how Buddha was considered lazy, while his work took place on completely different planes, inaccessible to others. He comprehended his spirit, and ordinary people they thought that he simply did not want to work and was wasting his time aimlessly.

A Brahman is not bored. Even if he is locked alone in some room for a long time, he will always find something to do. If a person of the lower varnas cannot live without society, without the presence of other people, then a brahmana is freer and enjoys this.

What is varna, how to define it?

Soul, last lap incarnation in the animal world - born in the human world, receives human body, manifesting itself in one of the four varnas. Varna is a social and professional group of Aryan society, which is formed according to the inner calling, the image of personal happiness and the spiritual qualities of a person. There are three varnas and a social layer of the ignorant.

First, each of us appears as an invisible one (smerd), who from life to life, developing righteousness and listening to Mother Karna, receives birth in the varna of masters (vesei), then knights and finally wise men.

The ignorant are the performers of the simplest social and industrial actions. They are specialists in a narrow and low-responsibility industry. At any level, even at their lowest level, they strive to avoid responsibility and duty. Smerdas are the worst, lowest form of manifestation of an ignorant person. Those who are ignorant of the level of stench are interested in simple bodily pleasures - eating, sleeping and satisfying sexual needs. Such people need constant and tireless supervision from the weights and knights, otherwise their ignorance, combined with a thirst for pleasure, can destroy the clan's treasure trove (system).

In bright times, the ignorant humbly and joyfully fulfill their destiny, working on village farms, serving the knights, and helping those in the know to clean temples, temples and sanctuaries. By devoted service to the varnas of the twice-born, the sightless improve their karna and accelerate the Color.

Vesi is the first of the twice-born varnas, born workers, for whom the well-being, prosperity and prosperity of their family and clan is an urgent need. A real weigher always and everywhere strives to organize the production of products, their sales or exchange. The entire structure of the state rests on the scales; its increase is the life aspiration of this noble varna. As twice-born, Vesi understand that their peaceful work is possible only in a state protected from external threats, in a state capable of organizing profitable trade relations with other countries, protecting their trade and protecting their income. Therefore, paying the tithe is the first sign of a righteous person who cares about the common good through the good of his family.

Varna village is heterogeneous and consists of several classes: farmers, cattle breeders, merchants (traders), entrepreneurs and other modern crafts associated with obtaining legal profit.

Vesi were initially respected and venerable in Varna society; one need only recall the numerous carols where the Most High Family itself is identified with the Great Lord, because indeed, he is a perfect vesey, from whom the righteous masters draw their skills and inspiration.

Knights (Cossacks) are twice-born, called to build a state, protect it and ensure livelihoods. Souls born in this varna are endowed with the ability to manage society and structure it according to the goals of the state. The goodness and strength of the state is the highest life value for the Cossack knights, for the sake of which they are able to sacrifice income, family and personal interest. Honor, conscience and courage are the main signs of Slavic warriors, which they do not exchange for any wealth of this world. The Knight cannot, by his nature, betray the society to which he belongs. He does not do this, under any circumstances, for any “high” ideas and values, because it is brotherhood (community) that is the highest value for him, which is designed to make his family strong, free and rich.

The honor for a knight is in devoted service to his spiritual guide; everything he does is open to society and cannot be done behind the back of the guide. Otherwise, the knight covers himself and his family with lifelong shame. Conscience for a knight in action for the sake of the good of his family-people and the unity of the Slavic Stingy. For a knight to defend the clan, harming the unity of the Race, is madness; to defend the unity of the Race, destroying the originality of which of the clans is shame and disgrace. Courage for a Cossack is self-sacrifice in the name of the people and the state, readiness to protect the language, culture, faith and customs of the Fatherland, always and everywhere, through their actions in reality.

The varna of knights includes professional military personnel, civil servants, law enforcement officers and other professional groups who have the right to bear arms and, to one degree or another, build or defend the state.

Magi (knowing ones) are souls born to bring wisdom and knowledge in the White Light, they come to Reality in order to learn the laws of the universe and convey them to their compatriots and humanity as a whole. The virtue and honor of the knowers is to be faithful to their spiritual master and their chosen path. IN social activities These are scientists, artists, spiritual leaders and priests.

According to Vedic customs, there are five stages of manifestation of consciousness on the path to its perfect state, enlightenment, which differ in the sources of happiness and pleasure for the soul. These five levels of consciousness are:

1. Happiness, the source of which is guaranteed food, shelter and protection from external dangers (ignorant).

2. Happiness in activities aimed at economic development for the sake of personal and social prosperity (vesi).

3. Happiness lies in gaining knowledge about the laws of the universe and in fulfilling these laws (knights).

4. Happiness in realizing the eternal and spiritual nature of one’s self (magi).

5. Happiness in serving God and other living beings (enlightened ones)

Following the path of development and self-knowledge, souls rise from one level to another, performing a joint task. In one life they can be engaged in entrepreneurship, in further boards, politics and public administration, and in some - to support and develop education, science and some kind of religious tradition. So they go through successive stages of soul development, participating in the development of humanity on the planet.

On the path of each person, various opportunities and situations may arise, but as custom says, it is better to do your job poorly than to do someone else’s job well. Our own work is the work that corresponds to our inner nature, is done easily and naturally, and most importantly brings happiness.

Therefore, it is very important to find exactly your level, your spiritual nature, which is manifested in varna. Often people, striving for something more prestigious and desirable, choose work and activities that do not suit them, as a result of which the souls themselves and the people around them suffer, and negative karna develops.

Why is the goodness and sanity of the Rodnovers not manifested by good fruits in their lives?

Because goodness and sanity are ostentatious, if 16 grains of truth were cultivated in a person, his life would change. This is the state spiritual fall, in which the entire society resides, Rodnoverie is not an exception here. But, despite the fact that the Rodnovers have not achieved the ideal embodiment of their worldview, we are one of the few spiritual organizations that clearly and clearly understands what is happening to the world. It is the Magi today who give a clear understanding of the fact that now nothing more than the worldview needs to be changed. It is precisely this that underlies the troubles that confront humanity. It is possible to prevent a technocratic catastrophe only by reassessing spiritual values and changing the way of thinking. If the Rodnovers fully do this, and they have already begun to do this, our country and perhaps the Earth will emerge from the test preserving their cultural achievements.

What can the Native Faith give to the owner (ves, merchant); why should he be a Native Faith?

The Native Faith gives all varnas the opportunity, and most importantly, an understanding of the path of their destiny. In contrast to the existing foreign beliefs, which have tried in every possible way over the centuries to humiliate and trample on the desire to accumulate material wealth, Rodna Vera welcomes a person’s desire to be rich.

The obvious, carnal world is such a part of God, like other components of the Triworld, to know it means to know one of the facets of God. Since ancient times in Rus', merchants and nobles in general were held in the highest esteem and respect. It was thanks to them, their ability to obtain benefits, that a strong and happy power was built.

Native Faith teaches everyone how to interact correctly with the world, so that the wealth obtained in this world becomes spiritual wealth. It is the worldview of Rodosvet that explains to the Slavs that the flow of love has a direct impact on a person’s ability to master the material sphere. Interrupted channels of love (with relatives, loved ones, Motherland, Gods) directly affect a person’s well-being, which he will sooner or later lose.

Our native Orthodox Faith teaches that spiritual wealth is associated with obvious wealth. If people have been languishing in poverty for many years, they need to change their worldview and find where love is lost, in what relationships. To be rich is good, but to be beneficent is a hundred times better for the entire Universe, for God. Adhering to the rule of tithes, Slavic merchants and weighers became the most respected and rich in ancient world, it was they who were very often not inspected at customs, taking their word for it, understanding the meaning of the merchant’s word. Native Vera, through awareness of the 9 laws of the family, explains to modern villagers how to regain this state, how to change the surrounding Reality.

What methods of preaching do native believers use?

The Ancestral Fire of the Native Orthodox Faith has created 3 spiritual educational institutions, through which the direct and immediate preaching of the Native Faith passes. Firstly, this is the Vedic Children's Academy (VeDA), where children up to 14 years old study. Secondly, this is the Slavic School of Rodnoverie (SURYA), where they receive secondary spiritual education. Thirdly, this is the Orthodox Rodnoverie Academy of Faith Studies (PRAV), where they receive higher spiritual education.

Each community of the RO RPV operates a weekly School of the Slavic Vedic tradition, which openly teaches the basics of religion and Slavic custom. Every Sunday, at 10.00 am, communities hold the Glorification of the Native Gods, which our compatriots can also freely come to.

The Ancestral Fire of the RPV conducts a constant publishing work; tens of thousands of copies of books dedicated to the Slavic Faith and culture have been published. Two subscription publications have been created: “Vera Predkov” (international Russian-language newspaper) and “Triglav” (All-Ukrainian Ukrainian-language newspaper).

Two videos about the Native Faith have been launched and filmed, the first is dedicated to age-related initiations, the second is dedicated to the foundations of the Native Faith. The films were shot interestingly and professionally. There are about ten websites dedicated to Rodnaya on the Internet. Orthodox Faith, which are conducted both by the Spiritual Center and our communities.

Why are you against the introduction of a second state language– Russian?

Because the Russian language in Ukraine is not threatened at all; it is an integral part of the culture of Ukraine. In Ukraine, in the sphere of mass media, the Russian language ranks leading value, in book publishing the whole picture is the same. The introduction of a second state language will bring confusion to the life of the country: two national anthems (?!), an oath in two languages (?!). But the most important thing is that the introduction of Russian as a second state language will reduce Ukrainian language to the marginal level. Bilingualism in Ukraine is not the right of the Russian language, it operates freely in our country, in fact, it is the right of officials not to know and not to respect the Ukrainian language. The Russian language is protected by such a great and powerful country as Russia; it will never disappear anywhere, especially in Ukraine. But speaking of the Ukrainian language, it is not in demand anywhere else than in Ukraine, and therefore needs special attention from the state. Knowledge of two languages gives unique opportunity citizens of Ukraine to gain a deeper understanding of Slavic culture. And there is no such opportunity in Russia, for example. In Ukraine, Russian is taught in all schools. And we should talk not about a second state language, but about a more professional teaching of the Russian language, because it is not a stranger in Ukraine.

Who are the Jews, why are they often called racists?

Jews are a people of the Semitic language group, professers of a unique religion in which God signed a contract with his followers, that is, the Jews. Unable to maintain their statehood, Jews settled throughout the world. This was facilitated by the way these people managed their economy - usury and trade. Jews settled in major cities, in many countries around the world and tried to take control of trade. Very often, the behavior and greed of Jewish merchants led to uprisings among the local population. This was the case in Persia, in Khorezm, in the Khazar Kaganate, including in Rus' (1097, the congress of princes in Lyubich approved the decision to expel and no longer allow Jews into Rus').

The main reason is that Jews are often called racists because Old Testament, which details the mass genocide of Jews against many nations. The book “Shulchan Aruch”, compiled in the 16th century by Yosef Karo, added to the fire, which prescribed a rather harsh attitude towards non-Jews.

To what extent can nationalism be combined with the Native Faith?

Nationalism can be completely different, both creative and destructive, depending on the specific historical and political conditions of the existence of peoples.

The emergence of nationalism in Western Europe was accelerated by the religious Reformation. That is, the formation of Christian churches on a national basis, such as Lutheran - in Germany, Calvinist - in Switzerland, Anglican - in England, the Great Council of 34 bishops in France (in 1682), Hussite movement in the Czech Republic.

One can clearly distinguish two types of nationalism that have settled in Vienna (Europe). These two types are aptly called state-created nationalism and intelligentsia-born nationalism. In another way, they are also called “political” and “ethnic” nationalisms.

Age of Enlightenment and influence French Revolution marked the beginning of the revival folk culture and the growth of its importance in contrast to the culture of the nobility and church. Masterminds popular movements, which focused mainly on peasant culture, developed unified standard written languages based on one or several dialects, modeled on the classical ones, which contributed to the merging of small ethnic groups with large ones.

In the 19th–20th centuries. hr. era, the largest cultural-populist movements turn into national-political ones, which put forward demands for their own national state. They consider the ethnic nation to be the real "owner" of the nation-state. Beginning of the 20th century was marked by a surge in the struggle for spheres of influence in the world. Nationalism becomes the driver of the interests of European states; it embraces, in its various forms, the political doctrines of the large states of Europe. This is how he writes in 1927 about nationalism in France French philosopher and historian Julien Benda: “Having become popular, national feeling very quickly turned into national pride, into national resentment.”

Changes in the content of nationalist ideas also led to changes in organizational formations. A number of nationalist organizations emerged: “Great Britain”, “Italian Nationalist Association”, “Axen Française”, “Pan-German Union”, etc. It was these organizations that showed the movement of the national idea towards the primary tradition. Racism and social Darwinism are becoming widespread.

The deepening ethnicization of nationalism and its acquisition of racist features was not stopped, but was even strengthened by the Treaty of Versailles, concluded after the First World War. National movements became increasingly influential. The search and deepening of one’s own identity naturally led nationalist ideology to the question of national faith, because the fact that Christianity was an international creed was clear to the ideologists of nationalism. These trends acquired concrete manifestations of the revival of the pre-Christian faith in Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, the Baltic states, Poland and Ukraine.

Consequently, nationalism, which penetrated into Christianity, split it, gave it a national coloring and, ultimately, led to the birth in the minds of the national elite of the idea of reviving the popular faith. Unfortunately, at a certain stage, having merged with Christianity, nationalism adopted some bad features from it, such as: intolerance, dividing people into friends and foes, attention to external signs, but not internal state person. Therefore, today such nationalism is simply harmful and hinders the development, multiplication and unity of the Slavs. This type of “Christian” nationalism teaches families to create in opposition to a more successful neighbor; its exact expression is the saying: “Whatever you like, the main thing is that the neighbor is worse off.” The education of clans is carried out not on age-old customs, but on the idea of opposition to the enemy. In such confrontation, language, culture and ritual become impoverished.

Our nationalism is Slavic Rodolubie (Native Faith), which is based on such features as belief in Slavic Gods, love and justice, respectful filial attitude towards Nature, belonging to the White race, preservation and use of the ancestral (native) language, large families, cult of Ancestors.

Is there a tradition of dividing people of the white race according to eye color, and if so, does this difference matter when creating a family?

This is natural and this division is visible to the naked eye. Indeed, only among the descendants of Arya there are 4 types of eye colors: blue, green, fiery (brown), gray. Studying folk ideas, we see that people with different eye colors have different inclinations. For example, warriors are most often blue-eyed, knowing green color eyes, rulers have gray eyes, and workers have fiery eyes. But, this does not mean that eye color is a diagnosis for a person, in no case. This is just a tendency noted among the people, nothing more.

This has no meaning when creating a family within the white race. The most important thing is to understand whether your chosen one (chosen one) is your star half.

Does the Slavic Faith allow divorce, debunking and why?

For a long time, humanity has known an immutable law (principle): opposites attract, complement and reveal the essence and purpose of each other. Everything in the world lives, exists and is known with its opposite. Actually, our Universe is built on this, everything: phenomena, events, creatures, everything has its opposite and is unknowable without it. That is why, from time immemorial, opposites have been reaching out and looking for each other, thereby generating a flow of power that gives life or takes it away. This flow of power is called love.

Many teachers and mentors, prophets, sons and daughters of God have written and described love. Everyone found some particle of this phenomenon, directing the flow of Power in a certain direction, making it, this direction, determining. In the Native Orthodox Faith (Slavic Faith), we understand love as the holistic acceptance of each other’s opposites: fire and water, day and night, earth and air, the heavenly and earthly races, man and woman. Actually, this is the love on which the world is built. It is precisely because we are opposites that there is a craving for each other, a desire to know, to reveal each other (in fact, revealing ourselves in the other).

The concept that is called East Slavs(in particular Ukrainians and Belarusians) a family union is a shlub. The root of this concept is the word “love”, that is, love. This means that a family union among the Slavs occurs when a couple masters the gift of love. Hence the name of the union - shlyub, that is, “for love”, “with love” (“s” turned into “sh”).

Let's remember again that love is a combination of opposites, it is the desire of two halves of one whole to unite again. The separation of the integral soul took place so that we could gain experience and, enriched with knowledge (knowledge), come back together. As the magi of Radenya Svarozhye say, this separation of the original integral soul took place when the Morning of Svarozhye ended and the forefather Mir gave people the knowledge of Rodolad.

Rodolad explains that there are three types of family unions in dark time Day of Svarog. The first is the union of two halves of a single whole. Like Svarog and Lada, like day and night. This is a relationship where our half literally acts as your complement and opposite. Having been originally created as a single whole, we and our spiritual half are a single entity, divided into two souls, like two halves of one grain. After receiving karmic experience for a sufficiently long time, the spiritual halves meet again and are reunited with each other. Then we feel filled with happiness and joy for life. Spiritual couples always belong to the same race, very often to the same people, and always live within reach of each other within the same soul family.

The second type is a union of kindred souls. This is the relationship of soul-friends, classmates of the school of life. Typically, such couples have similar interests and beliefs, goals and objectives. Dealing with the same karna, kindred souls learn the same lessons and often work together on the same task. In past lives they were friends and worked together towards the same goal, so a relationship of trust, friendship and cooperation arose between him. In many cases, they are not very interested in the physical intimacy (sex) of their relationship and may feel that they have slight disagreements on this issue. Being members of one group of souls that went into incarnation with a specific purpose, they are united in aspirations and life values, but still, everyone has their own spiritual soul mate. Despite this, the power of the relationship between soul mates manifests itself very powerfully, they help each other rise to new levels of consciousness and life. Often, soul mates maintain relationships for a fairly short period of time with the sole purpose of using a powerful combination of their powers to advance a certain stage of their development. Moreover, it often happens that one person has risen to a higher level of development than the other, and the insufficiently developed aspects of the “friend” can irritate her.

The third type is a karmic family union. Such interaction occurs between two mutually opposite souls, on the path of development of which strong emotional experiences arose (love-hate, servant-master, victim-executioner, etc.). They meet to pay off their karmic debt to each other. Therefore, life is often such married couples associated with fairly tough interactions and mutual rejection. They conscientiously work each other out as rivals in battle. But, if they can pass this test with honor, without creating negative karma again, at a certain period of their life this knot is untied and everyone receives the freedom to move on and pave their own path to real happiness.

Unfortunately, or perhaps in order for us to gain experience and work off our karmic debts, in our time it is the third type of family relationships that predominates. Actually, we will talk about it, as well as the union of kindred souls, considering such a phenomenon as divorce and debunking.

Let's start with the fact that marriage among the Slavs has long been a tribal phenomenon, that is, neither secular (state, princely, tribal) authorities nor spiritual guides (vedaya) interfered with it. All kinds of attempts to interfere in family relations met with long and stubborn resistance from the Slavs for centuries.

For example, from 6469 (988) to 7252 (1744) neither the state nor the church could force the Slavs and other peoples Russian Empire adhere to church marriage. Therefore, the synod, which was part of the tsarist government, issued an order to force the newlyweds to live together until the public wedding if they accepted a church wedding. That is, this says that the public, that is, ancestral, wedding for our ancestors was primary and had a more sacred meaning than a church rite.

But, let's take a closer look at the sources and folk memory. The oldest written sources covering family relationships are of foreign origin.

Family is an integral part of society, both modern and ancient. To understand the meaning of divorce in Slavic customs, you need to get at least a cursory idea of traditional Slavic society, that is, what existed before the introduction of Christianity. Scientists, with a few exceptions, agree that the Slavs, like the rest of the Indo-Europeans (Arya), had a triune society. That is, it consisted of three social states: lords, knights and priests (in charge).

According to sources, the society was headed by those in charge. The Arab traveler Ibn Ruste reports about the Rus: “They have healers, some of whom are in charge of the king, as if they were their, the Rus’, bosses... And if the healers give orders, then it is impossible not to carry out their orders...”. Persian anonymous work of the 9th century. (“Borders of the World”) repeats almost the same thing: “Healers are held in high esteem by them.” U Western Slavs The picture was the same, let us quote Helmold’s words: “The king is held in less respect by them, compared to the priests.” The second place was occupied by the knights, and the third by the vesi.

The four varnas are mentioned for the first time in "Purusha-sukte""Rig-Veda", which describes the origin of people from the body parts of the first man Purusha:

Later monuments repeat both the idea of the four varnas and the motif of their origin from a certain demiurge or cultural hero, the founder of the tradition. One of the most famous versions of the plot of the transformation of a divine character or first man into elements social structure(in this case in varnas) is contained in the “ Laws of Manu" (where the varna structure of society received its codification):

And for the sake of the prosperity of the worlds, Brahma created from his mouth, hands, thighs and feet a brahmana, a kshatriya, a vaishya and a sudra.

And to preserve this entire universe, he, the Most Holy One, established special activities for those born from lips, hands, thighs and feet. He established teaching, study of the Vedas, sacrifice for oneself and sacrifice for others, giving and receiving alms for the brahmanas. He specified the protection of subjects, distribution of alms, sacrifice, study of the Vedas and non-adherence to worldly pleasures for kshatriyas. Pasturing livestock, as well as giving alms, making sacrifices, studying the Vedas, trading, usury and farming are for Vaishyas. But the lord indicated only one occupation for the sudras - serving these varnas with humility.

It should be noted that Brahman had the right to receive alms (in essence, to take ownership of any property he wanted). The Kshatriya had the right to pardon anyone. When initiated as a disciple, the boy received a cord made from different material for representatives of different varnas, which was obliged to wear for the rest of their lives.

Already in Ancient India, stratification began within the varnas, which led to the formation of numerous castes.

Brahmins

In a typical rural areas The highest layer of the caste hierarchy is formed by members of one or more Brahman castes, constituting from 5 to 10% of the population. Among these Brahmins there are a number of landowners, a few village clerks and accountants or accountants, and a small group of clergy who perform ritual functions in local sanctuaries and temples. Members of each Brahmin caste marry only within their own circle, although it is possible to marry a bride from a family belonging to a similar subcaste from a neighboring area. Brahmins are not supposed to follow the plow or perform certain types of manual labor; women from their midst can serve in the house, and landowners can cultivate plots, but not plow. Brahmins are also allowed to work as cooks or domestic servants.

A Brahman has no right to eat food prepared outside his caste, but members of all other castes can eat from the hands of Brahmans. When choosing food, a Brahmin observes many prohibitions. Members of the Vaishnava caste (who worship the god Vishnu) have adhered to vegetarianism since the 4th century, when it became widespread; some other castes of Brahmins who worship Shiva (Shaiva Brahmins) do not, in principle, renounce meat dishes, but abstain from the meat of animals included in the diet of the lower castes.

Brahmins serve as spiritual guides in the families of most high- or middle-status castes, except those considered "impure". Brahmin priests, as well as members of a number of religious orders, are often recognized by their “caste marks” - patterns painted on the forehead with white, yellow or red paint. But such marks indicate only belonging to the main sect and characterize this person as a worshiper of, for example, Vishnu or Shiva, and not as a subject of a particular caste or sub-caste.

Brahmins, more than others, adhere to the occupations and professions that were provided for in their varna. Over the course of many centuries, scribes, clerks, clergymen, scientists, teachers and officials emerged from their midst. Back in the first half of the 20th century. in some areas, brahmins occupied up to 75% of all more or less important government positions.

In communicating with the rest of the population, Brahmins do not allow reciprocity; Thus, they accept money or gifts from members of other castes, but they themselves never make gifts of a ritual or ceremonial nature. There is no complete equality among the Brahman castes, but even the lowest of them stands above the rest of the highest castes.

Kshatriyas

After the Brahmins, the most prominent hierarchical place is occupied by the Kshatriya castes. In rural areas they include, for example, landowners, possibly associated with former ruling houses (for example, the Rajput princes in North India). Traditional occupations in such castes are working as managers on estates and serving in various administrative positions and in the army, but now these castes no longer enjoy the same power and authority. In ritual terms, the Kshatriyas rank immediately behind the Brahmins and also observe strict caste endogamy, although they allow marriage with a girl from a lower subcaste (a union called hypergamy), but in no case can a woman marry a man from a subcaste lower than her own. Most kshatriyas eat meat; they have the right to accept food from Brahmins, but not from representatives of any other castes.

Vaishya

The untouchables are divided according to the traditional activities of their representatives, as well as according to the area of their residence. The most common categories of untouchables are chamars (tanners), dhobis (washerwomen), and pariahs.

Current situation

Despite the fact that varnas arose approximately 2-3 thousand years ago, they continue to exist in modern India, although their role and importance in the life of society is steadily declining. In rural areas, varnas are played comparatively more important role than in cities. In many firms and corporations, as well as in government agencies, a person’s belonging to one or another varna does not officially play any role, although cases of discrimination on this basis are quite frequent.

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See what “Varna” is in other dictionaries: - (Sanskrit lit. quality, color), 4 main classes in Dr. India. The dominant position in society was occupied by brahmanas and kshatriyas. The working population was included in the varnas of the Vaishyas and Shudras, the position of the latter was degraded. The most oppressed and...

Big Encyclopedic Dictionary - (Sanskrit, literally quality, color), 4 main classes (castes) in Ancient India: Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras ...

Modern encyclopedia There are four main caste classes in ancient India. Members first three Varna Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (military nobility), Vaishyas (community members) in childhood underwent an initiation rite, which was considered a second birth, and therefore were called twice-born. Marriages... ...

Historical Dictionary- (Sanskrit, literally quality, color), 4 main classes (castes) in Ancient India: Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras. ... Illustrated encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Sanskrit, literally quality, color), four main classes in ancient India: Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras. * * * VARNA VARNA (Sanskrit, lit. quality, color), four classes of Ancient India. Representatives of the highest varna, brahmanas (see... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

varnas- abscess... Brief dictionary anagrams

Varna Indian castes Varna Western Slavic tribe near the Varnov River List of meanings of a word or phrase with links ... Wikipedia

India is a country where everything is for European man seems unusual. The Indian people live according to some of their own rules and traditions, so the caste system, which arose in ancient times, has significantly influenced the life of the entire society. From the article you will learn what varnas are, how they were formed and how they can be characterized.

Varna system in ancient India

What does the word "varna" mean?

Varnas are the classes of Ancient India, formed under the influence of the Hindu religion, or more precisely, ideas about the origin of people. According to these ideas, Brahma (divinity) created four varnas from parts of his body , whose representatives have their own purpose in life and fulfill their role.

The word “varna” translated from Sanskrit literally means “color”, “quality”. And this allows us to partially characterize the varnas, since each of the classes has its own color.

What varnas existed in ancient India

There were four varnas in total:

The highest varna is the brahmanas (priests). They got their name because they were created by the god Brahman from his mouth. This meant that their main purpose in life was to study the ancient sacred texts, learn religious truths and speak before God on behalf of all people. When there was no written language, texts were transmitted orally from brahman to brahman.

In order to become a priest, a representative of this class had to begin training at a fairly young age. The boys were sent to the home of a Brahmin teacher, where he studied for years scriptures, features of religious rituals and comprehended divine wisdom. They had to know spells and be able to perform sacrifices correctly.

Varna of the Brahmins corresponded White color. In this way, their purity and innocence were emphasized. You can learn more about this from the article.

Kshatriyas are the second most important varna. These included warriors and rulers. They were created from the hands of God, therefore power was in their hands. From childhood, representatives of this class had to learn to drive a chariot, wield weapons and ride a horse perfectly. These must be decisive, powerful and fearless people. That is why their varna was personified by the most “energetic” color – red.

No less respected and revered by all other classes of varna is the Vaishya varna . They were created from the thighs of God. These included artisans and farmers. They spent their entire lives cultivating fields, trading, or working in various workshops. Vaishyas actually fed all the other varnas, which is why they enjoyed such honor. Among them there were quite a lot of wealthy people. Their color is yellow (the color of earth).

Shudras are the fourth varna, which did not enjoy special honor. These were ordinary servants. Their purpose is to serve the other three varnas. It was believed that Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are the descendants of the ancient Aryans who conquered the territories of India. But the sudras are indigenous people. God created them from his feet, stained with mud, so their color was considered black.

Belonging to a particular varna was inherited. For example, if a child was born into the Kshatriya class, then from childhood he will be trained in the art of war or will inherit the throne of the ruler. It turns out that a person’s place in life, his position in society and his type of activity are predetermined from birth. You can learn more about this from the article.

All varnas, except the sudras, were considered to be “twice-born”. When boys reached a certain age, a sacred cord was hung on them after an initiation ritual, after which it was as if he was born a second time. Only then did he become a full member of his class.

Marriages between representatives of different classes were, to put it mildly, not welcomed. It was especially condemned if a woman was higher than a man in varna. Children born in such a marriage were initially incomplete.

What happened to those who did not belong to any of the varnas?

The fate of the “untouchables” (chandalas) – those who did not belong to any of the varnas – was especially difficult. They were despised, not allowed to join other classes, not touched, and even feared to hear their voice. Any contact with them could desecrate a representative of Varna.

Despite the fact that not a single millennium has passed since the birth of such a structure of society, the problem of “untouchables” continues to exist today, although it is not as acute as before. Also read the article "".

Are varnas and castes the same thing?

Although some people mistakenly consider the concepts of varna and caste to be identical, there are still significant differences in them.

Varna is a class of society, and caste is a social group. Each caste belongs to a specific varna. That is, it turns out that society is divided into varnas, and they, in turn, into castes.

In Hinduism, they believe that the success of incarnation in the next life directly depends on the performance of good deeds in the previous one. For example, if a person in his previous life was a sinner and created troubles, then he will be reincarnated as an “untouchable”.

From this it turns out that all ideas about the four varnas, formed in Ancient India, have a deep religious background.

Over the millennia of life, the four main classes of ancient Indian society practically did not change their life rules and moral principles, maintaining a huge gap of alienation between varnas: social strata of the population. What are varnas and what effect do they have on a person? Is knowing one's place the secret of the Indian nation? After all, it is known that India is the most peaceful country that has never attacked other nations.

What are varnas?

This concept in Ancient India was formed in the 2nd century BC, when the basic law of Manu, the progenitor of humanity according to Hinduism, was formulated. This code of laws contained 2685 shlokas, that is, couplets that conveyed the essence of social (caste law), legal and legal legislation.

The class of society, which included a certain group of people, a social stratum of the population (varna in Ancient India), was determined by birth, it could not be bought or gifted. Marriages between different varnas were strictly prohibited and were scrupulously persecuted. Moreover, if a person violated the division by class and created unequal marriage, he was declared a sinner who violated centuries-old foundations: his children “inherited” this sin and were persecuted by society.

There are four main varnas: brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas and sudras, but there was also an unspoken caste of untouchables. Later, the word “varna”, meaning “color” (of skin?), was renamed “caste” (from the Portuguese “clan”) at the instigation of the Portuguese, who first visited India in the 16th century, although, according to some sources, it is believed that varna and caste is still different concepts: Varna is a class by birth, and caste is by type of activity.

If the first three classes could interact at the level of work, housekeeping or other social aspects, then contacts with the Shudras were extremely undesirable. For each varna, a special code of behavior and morality was drawn up, which was forbidden to be violated:

Brahmins studied the Vedas from the age of 8, and came of age at the age of 16.
Kshatriyas studied the sacred scriptures from the age of 11 and reached adulthood at 22.
Vaishya studied Vedic wisdom from the age of 12, and came of age from the age of 24.
Shudras were prohibited from studying ancient Vedic texts.

The history of the emergence of varnas

The Vedas are ancient Indian books of wisdom, passed down for many centuries as the main heritage of Indian culture. According to the Vedas, the supreme creator of the material world, Brahma, gave birth to the varna of the brahmans from his mouth, endowing them with holiness, the highest spiritual knowledge and the wisdom of truth, from his hands he recreated the varna of the kshatriyas, therefore they are characterized by power, strength and activity. From his thighs he created vaishyas - people with a market mentality who could create wealth or at least a comfortable existence out of nothing. The last varna - the sudras - was created from the feet of Brahma, so she was destined to obey and serve all other superiors.

Moreover, varnas are a division into classes according to the level of consciousness, motives of behavior and internal spiritual world, which is determined by the environment, and primarily by parents. That is why, from birth, a child is jealously protected from communication with other classes, so as not to distort his one-pointedness of mind.

The essence of the idea is in one word

Some teachers have a fairly simple explanation of how to denote varna in one word:

Shudra - "I'm afraid." The lower class, living in constant base fears: hunger, cold, insecurity from people and the elements.
Vaishya - “I ask.” It is easy for people from this varna to ask, they often achieve everything thanks to their “thick skin” in promoting their interest.
Kshatriya - “I believe.” People of strong faith, often not based on any solid facts.
Brahman - “I know.” A class whose life is based on true knowledge.

Highest caste: Brahmins

Priests and scientific thinkers, spiritual mentors who thoroughly know the sacred “Vedas” and religious figures, teachers - they all belong to the varna of brahmins, the highest and most revered among the classes that participate in the destinies of the city (government, courts), are engaged in scientific activity. They are ascetic and balanced, merciful and highly spiritual.

Even if a brahman was engaged in activities unworthy of his pedigree - farming or weaving, this was explained by the fact that he comprehends the nature of this action, that is, he conducts philosophical observations and reflections. It was believed that white color was exclusively for Brahmins.

Violation of the law is allowed only in especially severe cases (which is extremely rare and is considered very shameful). Causing harm to a brahmana is a very difficult karma that haunts for years the one who dares to break age-old traditions.

Average human level

They are called kshatriyas: warriors, rulers, military leaders, public and administrative figures. In ancient times, they were considered the descendants of the Aryans, aristocrats by birth and special warriors who achieved this position through their exploits: full of heroism and fortitude, patience and generosity.

The political power of a city or region was concentrated in their hands, quite often they owned vast estates and lands, so, in fact, they had double income: from the lands and a salary from the state for military actions (if there were any). Kshatriyas were even allowed to kill in the name of justice and protecting the honor of those who could not stand up for themselves - women, children. Red color means belonging to the Kshatriyas.

Merchant class

People who deal closely with money are traders, farmers and artisans - vaishyas (vaishyas). Their mentality was strikingly different from that of a Brahmin or a Dalit: the entrepreneurial spirit was in the blood, and already with early childhood representatives of this varna knew how to earn a living.

This does not mean that such a person necessarily lived in prosperity, being a speculator or moneylender, no, but the Vaishya definitely owned a worthy craft that supported a sufficient level of existence for that time. With all this, the color yellow belonged to the Vaishya, was considered a commoner and did not have a significant voice in society, but was not persecuted like a Shudra.

Lowest level: Shudras

Hired workers, servants and in general the entire population living below the poverty line, both material and spiritual, are called Shudras. Communication with them upper castes was considered unworthy, on the verge of lifelong disgrace.

Of all the varnas, it was the Shudras who suffered the most severe oppression from the state: they paid a heavy tax, they were judged especially harshly for offenses and were not allowed to perform religious ceremonies, which is considered a rather significant sign. A Shudra could be bought and sold, his property could be taken away from him, without fear of punishment: there was only one explanation - he was born to serve, which means he cannot grumble in fact. The color of a Shudra is naturally black.

Dalits (untouchables) or pariahs

Twenty percent of the entire population of India are Dalits who do not have any social and legal rights: they are not allowed to communicate with them, they are not allowed to enter inside a temple or into the courtyard of a person from another varna or caste, and if they dare to take water from a common well , of which there are plenty in India, they will simply be torn to pieces by the offended crowd.

Historians believe that this varna arose in Ancient India from the local population conquered by the Aryans, who established their settlements on their territory and used the natives as slaves for the dirtiest and hardest work. Nowadays, nothing has changed: untouchables clean toilets, kill animals for food and tan their skins, remove dead animals and garbage from the streets, and wash clothes (dhobi washerwomen). Varna is such that it marks one’s family forever: since the attitude towards varna is inherited, Dalits have no chance of breaking this vicious circle, unless the government changes the ancient code of laws and abolishes the outdated system that violates human rights, for which for a long time Mahatma Gandhi fought.

Analogues in Slavic culture

To understand what varnas are, let us turn to the tradition of the Slavic peoples, which also had its own generic differences:

Magi, or witches, are brahmins in Hinduism, in Ancient Rus' They were also keepers of spiritual knowledge, carrying it through centuries of generations.
Knights are kshatriyas, warriors and defenders of the fatherland, as well as rulers: princes, kings and governors.
Vesis - Vaishyas, traders, farmers and artisans are the main layer of society in any country.
Smerdas - Shudras, also exist to serve the other three classes, since they do not have a penchant for mental or philosophical activity, and also have low level spirituality. It is enough for them to eat and sleep, to copulate - their consciousness does not require more, unlike higher classes.