Varna-Vyastha i.e. Varna System is an all India frame of reference by which Hindu society is held to be a society divided into four categories of people, namely, Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishas and Shudras Each Varna performs a particular social function.
Brahamans are held to be embodiments of knowledge and wisdom. They have obligation to study and teach Vedas. They interpret the teachings of Vedas. They, therefore, enjoy the highest position in the social hierarchy. The Kshatriyas enjoy the second position in society. They are the warriors, defenders and rulers of the society.
The Vaishas enjoy the third position in the social hierarchy and perform the function of traders and businessmen. The Shudras occupy the last level of social hierarchy and render service to the other three Varnas.
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Originally the four Varnas relflected a functional division and symbolized the four positions of social hierarchy. Dr.Radhakrishnan observes, “The four varnas were originally occupational” However, latter on these four Varnas became hereditary in character and content. These took the form of Castes which with the passage of time gave birth to several sub-castes and finally to the caste system of India.
Caste is ‘ ‘a hereditary, usually localised group, having a traditional association with an occupation and with a particular position in the local hierarchy of castes. Relations between castes are governed among other things by concepts of pollution and purity, and generally, maximum commensality occurs within the caste.”