2. Caste system 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

3. Social classes Members of society are divided into five main social classes: 1. The priest (brahmin) 2. The warrior-noble (kshatriya) 3. The merchants (vaishya) 4. The peasants (shudra) 5. The untouchables (dalit)

4. The priest (brahmin) 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.

5. The warrior-noble (kshatriya) Has the role of protecting society The traditional caste of the aristocracy Administrators Arjuna was a warrior

6. THE MERCHANTS (VAISHYA) This class includes merchants, landowner, producers, farmers, moneylenders, and artisans

7. 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”

8. The peasant (shudra) 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”

9. The Untouchables (dalit) 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

10. “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”)