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CASTE SYSTEM
The majority of Hindus follow the caste system, broadly a fourfold classification of
people based originally on four types of human nature: Brahmin (spiritual-introvert,
i.e.,sattvik), Kshatriya (spiritual-extrovert, i.e.,sattvik/rajasik), Vaishya (extrovert,
guided by the constraint of inertia, i.e.,rajasik/tamasik), and Shudra (guided by the
principle of inertia, i.e.,tamasik).Different duties in life have been assigned to each
group depending on the nature of the people who constitute it, which, to a large extent,
is determined by their family environment. Teaching and priestly duties fall to the Brah-
min, protection of country and maintenance of justice to the Kshatriya, agriculture and
commerce to the Vaishya, and the duty of assisting others to the Shudra. We have to
keep in mind that this division usesdharma—religion and righteousness—as its frame
of reference; it recognizes variations in human beings and must be viewed in the setting
of the universe that includes them. From the perspective ofdharma,the worth of any
work is measured in terms of the spiritual progress it occasions in the agent. It is, how-
ever, possible for an individual to transcend the hierarchy of social duties and become
a renunciant, that is, asannyasiorsannyasiniin his or her personal spiritual quest, irre-
spective of birth or background, but only if one is ready for such a step. In the Hindu
tradition a true renunciant has always been a guiding force for the whole society. People
from all walks of life still flock in reverence to the feet of these holy people for guidance,
which psychological counseling in the world of today only feebly approximates.
Untouchability has unfortunately been practiced by the Hindus for a long time. A
concern for hygiene and cleanliness at a time when germicidals were nonexistent likely
explains the establishment of this institution. It has been argued that the institution is
not a part of Hinduism, because it goes against the spirit of universal love encouraged
in the scriptures. Mahatma Gandhi tried hard to eradicate the custom, giving the name
Harijans, literally “people of God,” to the so-called Untouchables. The custom is very
much on the wane with the rise of public consciousness and the adoption of various
legislative measures. It will take some time, however, before it is completely eradicated.
In spite of indications to the contrary in the Mahabharata, the caste system has
long been understood as hereditary and typically serves as the basis for the choice
of one ’s partner for marriage.
THE FIVE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE ONE
Hinduism has developed over centuries of dialectical discussion and has come to en-
compass a broad spectrum of spirituality, ranging from theism, with its belief in a