1. Caste System, Stages and Goals of life

2. The Caste systems is a division of society into distinct social classes that are created by birth or occupation
The Caste system was originally known as varna meaning “color”
The Caste system is mentioned in the Rig Veda
The Gita also mentions it: there are different types of people and they have their own way to achieve perfection- depending on their personality type and role in society.
The Caste system dissuades members of different castes from intermarrying
Caste system

3. Social classes
Members of society are divided into five main social classes:
The priest (brahmin)
The warrior-noble (kshatriya)
The merchants (vaishya)
The peasants (shudra)
The untouchables (dalit)

4. The warrior-noble (kshatriya)
The priest (brahmin)
The warrior-noble (kshatriya)
The highest caste
Performs Vedic rituals
Act as a counselors
Act as scholars
Act as cooks as well- is seen as a natural extension of the priestly relationship with fire and sacrifice
May prepare food for people in all other castes as well as their own.
Has the role of protecting society
The traditional caste of the aristocracy
Administrators
Arjuna was a warrior

5. The merchants (vaishya)
This class includes merchants, landowner, producers, farmers, moneylenders, and artisans

6. Males of these three upper classes – brahmin (priets), kshatriya (warrior-noble), and vaishya (merchant) – receive a sacred cord during a ceremony in their youth and afterward are called “twice-born”

7. The Untouchables (dalit)
The peasant (shudra)
The Untouchables (dalit)
Does manual labor
is expected to serve the higher castes.
The origin of this caste probably goes back to the Aryan subjection of native people, who were forced to do the work of servants
The peasant is called “once-born”
They do the dirties work
Cleaning toilets, sweeping streets, and collecting animal carcasses
What was an early concern for hygiene led to the separation of untouchables from the rest of society

8. “Children of God”
Untouchables have been denied the use of wells used by other social classes and have even been forbidden from entering many temples.
Untouchables have been forced to live in ghettos and sometimes have been horribly mistreated
Gandi urged their inclusion in regular society and gave them a new name: Harijan (means “children of God”)

9. Stages of life
Just as the individual’s path to “correct action” is suggested by caste, traditional Hinduism holds that each stage of life also has its proper way of being lived.
Every culture recognizes specific life stages through which each individual passes.
Student
Householder
Retiree
Renunciation

10. Ages 8-20 studies religious works
Householder
Student
1st stage
Ages 8-20 studies religious works
Intense study of the Vedas
Celibacy is a necessary part of the training
Lasts until marriage
2nd stage
Career is essential
Marriage occurs at about age 20
The person fulfills the demands of society by raising children
Marriage is arranged by the parents

11. Retiree 3rd stage Starts with the birth of the first grand child
The individual may retire from ordinary life to spend time once again on religious matters
Man leaves the home to seek a spiritual quest
Often in the forest
Retirees may continue to live with their children and with other relatives in an extended-family setting
They may eat separately from the rest of the family and spend time on religious pursuits with friends.

12. Renunciate 4th stage It is an option not a requirement
Appropriate after retirement
Live entirely free from society by leaving home
The entire world is their new home
A man may leave his wife but need to make sure she is protected
Celibacy is expected and the sign is an orange robe
Wandering ascetic

13. Sannyasin
Renunciate aka sannyasin is considered to be outside the caste system- free to wander, begging his food along the way, and many temples feed such pilgrims
The sannyasin may remain a constant traveler, making pilgrimage to the sacred sites of India
Or: he may settle in an ashram (religious community)
Or: live in a cave permanently
The purpose of this kind of life is to hasten mystical insight, to free oneself of all attachments, to end rebirth, and to attain moksha.

14. The goals of life
Hinduism also exhibits a respect for more worldly goals
These life goals are acceptable and virtuous when practiced correctly.
These goals can be achieved simultaneously
The goals are:
Kama
Artha
Dharma
Moksha

15. Goals of Life: Dharma and Moksha
Means duty
Social and religious duty
Complete freedom
The great ocean into which all rivers eventually flow