The Dhaarmik Traditions - Indic Studies Foundation

limbs of the cosmic self and the occupations in each of the varnas based on their
mix of GuNAs. In the first verse of the Purusa Suktam the gigantic being that
comprises the cosmic self is described as having a thousand heads, thousand eyes
and a thousand feet. It is clearly a metaphor for the Viraat Purusa (VP). There is no
reference to his arms. The VP is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. There is
also the clear implication of interdependence between the various parts of the
cosmic self. No (wo) man is an Island unto himself and specialization of skills leads
to division of Labor where every one in theory does what he or she is best suited
for. In this Indic societies were and are no different from other societies in the west
where the son of a blacksmith almost always opted to become a Blacksmith.
It is by no means an endorsement of a hereditary caste system based on race, as
the question of race rarely enters into the discourse anywhere in the Gita. There is a
clear implication that within the same person there dwells the tendency to be any
one of the Castes depending on the stage in one’s life and the circumstances and
challenges faced by the individual at various stages on one’s life. Hindu
Renaissance has brought out a special issue on the topic which takes a parallel
view of the topic. 5
5 The Hindu Renaissance; Issues of jati and Varna, Vol.4, no.2, Varshapratipada Yugabda 5108
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