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Some Mistakes Corrected
almost exclusively on the thoughts of Greeks and Romans, and of one Semitic race, the Jewish, may draw that corrective which is most wanted in order to make our inner life more perfect, more comprehensive, more universal, in fact more truly human, a life, not for this life only, but a transfigured and eternal life - again I should point to India."
The second mistake which I desire to correct relates to the origin and purpose, and supposed sacred character of the caste system prevailing in India. Those of you who have honored me by attending my private lessons at this place on the philosophies of India, need not be told that I set up no defense of the cast institution as it obtains there. The popular explanation of this system accepted by the people of the Western world I will give in this way: The four great division of caste are named the Brahmin, the Kshatriya, the Vaishya and the Shudra, and their origin and meaning in this view, are these : The Brahmin sprang from the head of the God, and represents exclusive privilege of intellectual progress and learning, including priestly functions and religious superiority constituting therefore, an exclusive monopoly of right, privilege and enjoyment of intellectual development and religious cult.
The Kshatriya sprang from the arms of the God and represents the soldier element which stands for the defense of material and national rights, but without the privileges pertaining to the Brahmin.
The Vaishya or third class sprang, in this view of caste, from the loins of the God, representing wealth, commerce, business and the activities and monopolies of trade and industries, with still more limited privileges and rights pertaining to the classes above, namely the Brahmin and the Kshatriya. The fourth, or Shudra caste, sprang from the feet of the God, representing servitude and all menial pursuits and labors, with still more
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