The Dhaarmik Traditions - Indic Studies Foundation

The guNAs present in individuals fall under the various varNAs in the order of
predominance as follows:
Brahmana: Sattva-->rajas
Kshatriya - rajas-->Sattva-->Tamas
Vaisya - rajas-->Tamas-->Sattva
Shudra - Tamas
In other words, one cannot term himself a Brahmana or a Sudra unless the person is
endowed the right characteristics. This is not the situation today where the caste
system is primarily an ethnic classification with racial connotations
Can you give references to the occurrences off the Guna Varna Vyavastha
in the Sruti
Let us look at a few examples to see what the scriptures say.
The following verse in the Rg. Mandala X, hymn 90-11, is usually quoted, to bolster
the assertion that the caste system is sanctioned by the Vedas. This is what the
verse actually says
ॄाह्मणो.अःय मुखमासीद बाह ू राजन्यः कतर्ः |
ऊरू तदःय यद वैँयः पद्भ्यां शूिो अजायत || X,90-11
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