Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 172

Sec. 1] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SÜTRA 147
The date of the origin of growth of these four Varnas (colours or orders) can be assigned to the Ro-Vedic age when the basis of social distinction between the Aryans and the NonAryans was the physical difference of their two respective light and dark colours (Varņas) i. e. Aryan colour as against Dasyu Varna.
The following stages in the evolution of Varna may be marked in general :
First, the Ubhau Varnau' (both the colours), probably signifying the two colours-Aryan and Dasyu, lived side by side in Rg-Vedic society.
The second stage of this social evolution ushered in the growth of the three Aryan colours (or orders) (Trai-Varnilca) marked out by the three distinct occupations as mentioned in one of the hymns of the Rg.Veda'.
Lastly, the stage of Caturvarnyari'' is noted by the inclusion of the Sūdras within the social fold as it is revealed in the Purusa Sukta hymn of the Rg Veda and in later secular and religious texts.
In later period the term "Cāturvarna' lost its original meaning and denoted a social order based on various factors, such as birth, tribal connexion, religion, occupation, political, economic and geographical factors which contributed to the formation and growth of different castes out of these four Varnas (Colours or orders).
Divine origin of Cāturvarna
The divine origin of these four orders (Cāturvarnus) can be traced to the Purusa Sūkta hymn of the RgVedat in which it is stated that "the Brāhmana was his mouth, the Rajanya was made his arm, that who was the Vaisya was his thigh, the Südra sprang from the feet of the great Purusa”.
1 Rg Veda, 1, 176,1. I, . 113, 6, 8 16, X, 90, V, 12.
R, Veda, Tenth Mandala, Sutra, 90, V, 12 See also Manu Smrti, 1, 31; 10, 4.