The Caste System as a Backbone of Indian Society

Dharma which controls the natures of action (pravritti) and withdrawal (nivritti) together with the social walfare and spiritual perfection of all beings must be well protected by danda signifying punishment. Varna dharma requires one to follow hereditary occupation, acceptendogamy, hierarchy and to observe and discharge proper duties during the four-stages of life. Manu writes that the deviation of the Vaisyas and Sudras form their respective duties throw the entire world into confusion he must have been estimating the danger of such a social situation to the Varna-back economy. Both these classes being the very backbone of the economic life of the socity.

The next to Varna in importance is the institution of the asramas, which are four, namely Brahmacharya (Studentship), Grihastha (Domestic life), Vanaprastha (Asceticism) and Sanyasa (Life of complete runuciatiation). The term asrama is derived from the root srama, i. e., to exert oneself and signifies a stage in the long journey of life. The scheme of asrama is so organised that an individual is free to discharge the duty of wisdom in action, economic duty, the duty of the preservation of the race, and the duty towards self.

The asrama life is based on a supposition that all life is a preparation for salvation and must be properly organised both for individual and social walfare. The Brahmacharya life a man is expected to obey all normative duties and learn all about the cultural and spiritual traditions of his people. The Grihasthya stage a man must follow the fundamental principle of planned family-life and planned economy.

The third stage Vanaprastha requires one to rise above him and mundane interest. In the fourth stage Sanyasa, a man strives for the realisation of salvation. Regarding the contribution of asrama life. The asrama are so designed as to ensure the fullest individual development and also to ensure social well-being. They gave ability to life without arresting individual and social progress and their influence on the formation and cultural, tradition of ancient times is the most significant. The Varna asrama dharma is a system of ideas and values.

It is a well known fact that that the Hindu socity is divided into four castes, based on Varnasrama Dharma. This system was also prevalent during the period under review. The Society was divided into four castes known as Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. But in course of time, with the region developed changes in the patterns of caste system. Besides, in the long process of social evolution, each of those castes got divided into a number of sub-castes and communities, each of which had its own distinctive character and status. Further Later eastern Ganga and the Suryavamsi Gajapati laid down their own rulers of professional and social conduct. The majority of inscription of the period referred three castes i. e. Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and either as the done or the donor. Their professions were indicated through certain titles service or designations. The some of inscriptions however refer to perions of the Sudra caste occupying position in the service other than the profession of their caste.