Varna

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Varna
Society in India is divided into different groups or castes.
There are religious and social origins to the caste system.
Caste discrimination is a major issue in India today.
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Religious Origins of:
The Purusha Sitka
Is a poem from the Vedas
Explains how the universe, world and life was created
Shows the role of each group of humans in society
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From his head:
The Brahmin caste were created.
They were the priests.
Their tradition role was to lead puja and Arti at the Mandir.
The were also the teachers – wise gurus.
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From his arms:
The Kshatriya caste were created.
They were the warriors.
Their traditional role was to lead and defend the people.
They were the rulers and soldiers.
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From his thighs:
The Vaishyas were created.
They were the business people.
They generated wealth for society.
Their traditional role was to produce material goods for everyone.
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From his feet:
The Shudras were created.
They were the workers.
They traditionally did the physical and manual work.
They were craft workers and servants.
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Dalits:
Some people were not considered to be part of the caste system
They were called ‘untouchables’
They did all the unclean jobs (and spiritually unclean jobs)
They dealt with rubbish, cleaning, death.
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Social Origins of Caste
JATI = this means occupation or job.
People would belong to a particular Jami based on their fathers profession.
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Social Origins of Caste
You were born into a Varna and could not change it
You had to marry from the same caste
Everyone in society had a job/role/place
Good karma resulted in you being reborn into a higher caste.
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Varna today:
It is illegal in India to discriminate because of caste
Caste is still a big deal in some villages and rural communities
Abroad and in big cities caste is less of a thing
Dalits are given extra support/help to improve their lives
Less people follow tradit
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Varna Dharma:
Varna – caste
Ashrama – stage in life
Dharma – duties according to your caste and stage in life
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Is a poem from the Vedas
Explains how the universe, world and life was created
Shows the role of each group of humans in society

Back

Religious Origins of:
The Purusha Sitka

Card 3

Front

The Brahmin caste were created.
They were the priests.
Their tradition role was to lead puja and Arti at the Mandir.
The were also the teachers – wise gurus.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The Kshatriya caste were created.
They were the warriors.
Their traditional role was to lead and defend the people.
They were the rulers and soldiers.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

The Vaishyas were created.
They were the business people.
They generated wealth for society.
Their traditional role was to produce material goods for everyone.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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