Rightful Conduct VS Perfection
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THE SPH NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM
18.41
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप ।
कर्माणि प्रविभक्तानि स्वभावप्रभवैर्गुणैः
॥ १८-४१ ॥
brāhmaṇa-kṣatriya-viśāṁ śūdrāṇāṁ ca
parantapa karmāṇi pravibhaktāni
svabhāva-prabhavair-guṇaiḥ
Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and
śūdras are divided in the work they do
based on their nature, Parantapa
(Arjuna).
POWERFUL COGNITION
It is better to do one's assigned work imperfectly rather than do another's work perfectly
18.42
शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च ।
ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम्
॥१८-४२॥
śamo damastapaḥ śaucaṁ
kṣāntirārjavameva ca jñānaṁ vijñānaṁ
āstikyaṁ brahmakarma svabhāvajaṁ
The nature of Brāhmaṇa is
characterized by their calmness,
discipline, austerity, tolerance,
honesty, knowledge, wisdom and
belief in God.
POWERFUL COGNITION
No caste was considered inferior or superior to another.
18.43
शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् ।
दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम्
॥१८-४३॥
śauryamṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ yuddhe
cāpyapalāyanam dānamīśvarabhāvaś ca
kṣātraṁ karma svabhāvajami
Kṣatriya are characterized by their
qualities of heroism, vigor, firmness,
dexterity, steadfastness in battle,
leadership and generosity.
POWERFUL COGNITION
No caste was hereditary
18.44
कृषिगौरक्ष्यवाणिज्यं वैश्यकर्म स्वभावजम् ।
परिचर्यात्मकं कर्म शूद्रस्यापि स्वभावजम्
॥१८-४४॥
kṛṣi gaurakṣya vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma
svabhāvajam paricaryātmakaṁ karma
śūdrasyā api śvabhāvajam
Those who are good at cultivation, cattle rearing, and trade are known as Vaiśya. Those who are very good in service are classed as śūdra.
POWERFUL COGNITION
The selection and training was scientific and done impartially. It enriched society well since everyone was living and expressing themselves according to their aptitudes, their peak possibility and their unique path towards liberation.
A VERSE THAT WAS MISUNDERSTOOD
So-called scholars have interpreted this verse in a very inappropriate way compared to the other verses of the Gītā. The uneducated have also used this verse in order to condemn the Vedic culture.
First of all, one must understand how the caste system originated, as well as realize how it became corrupted. In the Vedic culture, under the Gurukul tradition, young children were left in the care of the Master. This is how Arjuna grew up with Aśvattama, Droṇa's son. No caste was considered inferior or superior to another.
No caste was hereditary. The selection and training was scientific and done impartially. It enriched society well since everyone was living and expressing themselves according to their aptitudes, their peak possibility and their unique path towards liberation.
This is why Kṛṣṇa says it is better to do one's assigned work imperfectly rather than do another's work perfectly. It is possible that one can perform elements of another's work well. A brāhmaṇa, being a scholar, may excel as a vaiśya in commercial calculations;
He will have neither the heart nor
the head to be a businessman. In
this Gurukul system, along with
the Master, the child also was
allowed to select his vocation. The
child could express its passion and
decide.
Over time, this classification of
selection and training became
corrupted. Those who were
brāhmaṇa wanted their children
to be brāhmaṇa and so on. The
varṇa or caste system that had
originally been a selection and
training system in education led
to the stratification of society
based upon birth.
Before we condemn the caste
system, realize that every
society has stratification.
Wherever equality has been
forced on society, it has been
a failure. Each person is
unique and when similar
people form groups, there will
be stratification and
classification. In Vedic India
this classification was based
upon talents and intelligence.
In modern society it is based
on money and power. Which
is better?
GOALS:
Helping students
understand the way the
Vedic classification system
functioned
ASSESSMENTS
- In the Gurukul tradition, who was taking care of young children?
- How was selection and training done?
- What has happened to societies in which equality has been forced upon?
- What was the classification based on in Vedic India?
- How did this classification enrich society?
- What is the classification based on in modern society?
ART OF THE DAY
ART OF THE DAY:
YOU ARE UNIQUE
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- Paper
- Scissors
- Glue Marker
- Pencil
- Eraser
Various pictures showing different activities (for example, cooking, cleaning, teaching, protecting, building relationships with people, reading, creating a business, handling money, etc.). Ensure that you have many images representing the same activities. Note: the pictures should be available for cutting up for the collage.
PROCEDURE
Ask each student to make a collage that represents their uniqueness, what they enjoy doing the most, their passion. At the end, share the art pieces and discuss what makes one unique.
INFERENCE
Each person is unique and when similar people form groups, there will be stratification and classification. In Vedic India this classification was based upon talents and intelligence.
ACTIVITY OF THE DAY
ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:
A NEW SOCIETY
MATERIALS NEEDED
- The collage each child made in “art of the day”
PROCEDURE:
Tell the students that they must come together and create their own functional society based on each individual’s talents and passions. They can look at everyone’s collage to determine what role would best fit for each individual. Together, clearly define everyone’s role and how it will benefit the whole. Ensure that everyone feels complete and enthusiastic about their contribution to society
ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:
A NEW SOCIETY
INFERENCE:
No caste was considered inferior or superior to another. No caste was hereditary. The selection and training was scientific and done impartially. It enriched society well since everyone was living and expressing themselves according to their aptitudes, their peak possibility and their unique path towards liberation.
WORKSHOP OF THE DAY
WORKSHOP OF THE DAY:
VAAKYARTHA SADHAS PERFECTION
Guide the students into a
discussion about Kṛṣṇa's words: "It
is better to do one's assigned work
imperfectly rather than do
another's work perfectly".
WORKSHOP OF THE DAY:
VAAKYARTHA SADHAS PERFECTION
Encourage them to cover the three following points:
- Which option would you choose and why?
- Why would someone prefer doing another's work perfectly rather than one's assigned work imperfectly?
- What is perfection based on your understanding?
WORKSHOP OF THE DAY:
VAAKYARTHA SADHAS PERFECTION
CONCLUSION
In this Gurukul system, along with the
Master, the child also was allowed to
select their vocation. The child could
express its passion and decide.
- BHAGAVAD GITA -
BOOK XVIII, VOLUME XIV