Sambodhi 2005 Vol 28

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, K M Patel
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 31

KĀYASTHA - ITS EVOLUTION, A CRITICAL REVIEW
SUDARSHAN KUMAR SHARMA?
The term "Kāyastha" has been discussed by many erudite scholars like Nrpendra Kumar Dutt), Sourindro Mohun Tagore“, Dr. Bhāndārkaras and others while making a review of the Social conditions of times in various periods of history.
Rgveda X, 90.12 alludes to the four castes Brāhmana, Rājanya, Vaisya and Śūdra. Mahābhārata (śānti Parva Parāśara-gītā 2966) and Manusmrti 1-31) refer to the words of the Ķgvedic seer in postulating the birth of a Brāhmana from the mouth of Prajāpatī, that of a Ksatriya from the arms, that of a Vaiśya from the thighs and that of a Sūdra from the feet.... This allegory is symbolic of the equality of the source of generation of the four varnas that escalated their norm by mutual concord and discord in course of time that needed a fourfold stratification of the society evolving into a homogeneous whole out of the heterogeneous chaos of physical lustrations. "Brhad bhavan, iti Brahma," "bahu rahasya yamiti yah sah-iti bhāvāt; Brahman, Brahman, eventually culminating into Brāhmaṇa for whom Ksātat trānaparah Kşattrah or Ksatriyah (Kşatāt kilatrāyata ityudagrah Ksattrosya śabdo bhuvanesurū dhah” Raghuvamsa of Kālidāsa (II. 53) required a grouping for the protection from the revilious elements liable to injure the person of the community taking to the task of propagation and enhancement of learning and knowledge. (The Sāksāt-krtadharmānah rsyah-of Yāska who disseminated the mantras unto the asāksātkstadharmanah-avarāh-unendowed with lesser fertility of mental faculties). Rgveda X, 174-5, 176, 47, 173.199, 148. 2; VII 82. I. 31.11; II 26.3 refer to Janmans, Visas and Janas, village, a communion of villages (Vis) and a corporation of Viśas, Jana, "Visibhavaḥ Vaisyah" a person born in a corporation catering to the living needs of the Brāhmanas and the rājanyas or Ksatriyas. The service of the three brought about the necessity of a fourth order that was to foster the cause of the kitchen meant to enhance the intelligence, virility, prowess and stamina of the three orders “šūnā" and "sūnā” deriving their original from Śūnya (ath arvaveda XIV 2.19) meaning a desolation or isolation,