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The pattern of social classes in Hinduism.

Vedic scriptures speak of the idea that a person must be recognized as a caste to be a member. A worker could become qualified and become a priest.

However, the idea of Karma is such that a person may have become qualified to increase in caste because of past actions.

The basic castes are called “varn.as” or “colors”:

• Brahmin
• Ks.atriya
• Vaishya
• Shudra

• Untouchable

Jâtis are subcastes (subdivisions) of the varn.as.

Shudra ∞

(on Wikipedia)

Laborers

• Plural: Shudras
• Sudraś

[discussing the qualities of the castes]:
“…for the sudras there is labour and service to others.”
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 18

• “kalo sudra sambhavah” = “In The Age of Kali, everyone is a Shudra.”

Notes ∞

• was https://krishna.org/ctfote/varnash.php

  • https://krishna.org/the-indian-caste-system/
  • https://krishna.org/the-horrible-indian-caste-system/