Deasr Prof Rao
Sanatana Dharma is fundamentally based not on caste, but on dharma (righteousness), truth, compassion, self-development, and the realization of the Divine. Its principal scriptures associate a person's spiritual standing not with birth, but with one's qualities, actions, and conduct. Therefore, the eternal principles of Sanatana Dharma are rooted in the equality of all souls and the recognition of divinity in all beings, rather than in caste-based discrimination.
At the same time, it is also true from a historical perspective that the caste system has been a long-standing social reality in Indian society and has often been closely associated with religion. Therefore, while it may be valid from a philosophical or spiritual standpoint to say that "Sanatana Dharma has nothing to do with caste," the issue is more complex when viewed through a historical and sociological lens.
In summary:
At the spiritual level: The soul is neither defined nor limited by caste or birth.
At the socio-historical level: The caste system has been an influential institution in Indian society and, at various times, has been supported or justified through religious interpretations.
A balanced conclusion would be:
"The core message of Sanatana Dharma is the unity of the soul, righteous living, and moral excellence. Caste is not an essential spiritual principle of Sanatana Dharma, but rather a historical and social institution that developed within Indian society over time."
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Subject: Re: Reflections on Sanatana Dharma and Humanity
Dear Dr. Aravinda Rao ji,
Namaskars.
Thank you for your thoughtful message and for sharing your reflections. I greatly appreciate your observations regarding the self-correcting spirit present in our scriptural traditions. As you rightly point out, episodes such as Nahusha's discourse on the true nature of a Brahmin and Narada's guidance to King Prachinabarhi regarding ritual animal sacrifice illustrate that our sacred texts have consistently encouraged ethical reflection, reform, and a deeper understanding of dharma.
It is indeed unfortunate that many contemporary discussions reduce Sanatana Dharma merely to the issue of caste, overlooking its profound philosophical, ethical, and spiritual dimensions. Equally regrettable is the fact that the universal and corrective teachings embedded in our scriptures are often not sufficiently highlighted, allowing misconceptions and divisive narratives to flourish.
In my humble understanding, the essence of what is truly "Sanātana" is not confined to any particular religion, community, or historical tradition. Rather, it is rooted in eternal human values such as truth, compassion, non-violence, forgiveness, and mutual respect.
Interestingly, both Hindu and Buddhist traditions use the expression "Sanātana Dharma" or "eternal law" in this universal sense.
The Dhammapada (Yamakavagga, verse 5) declares:
"Na hi verena verāni, sammantīdha kudācanaṃ;
Averena ca sammanti, esa dhammo sanantano."
"Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world; it is appeased only by non-hatred (love and forgiveness). This is the eternal law (Sanātana Dharma)."
Similarly, Manusmṛti (4.138) teaches:
"Satyaṃ brūyāt priyaṃ brūyān na brūyāt satyam apriyam;
Priyaṃ ca nānṛtaṃ brūyād eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ."
"Speak the truth; speak it pleasantly. Do not speak an unpleasant truth merely to hurt others, nor speak a pleasant falsehood. This is the eternal dharma."
What is remarkable is that both these texts identify Sanātana Dharma not with a particular social identity, ritual, or sectarian affiliation, but with universal ethical principles governing human conduct. Love over hatred, truth tempered with kindness, and harmony over conflict are presented as eternal values.
Therefore, in my view, any religion—whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, or any other—may be regarded as embodying the spirit of Sanātana Dharma when it upholds these universal human values. Whenever religion nurtures compassion, truth, justice, and respect for fellow beings, it reflects the eternal principles that sustain humanity. Conversely, when it becomes a source of hatred, exclusion, or violence, it departs from its own highest ideals.
The great wisdom traditions of the world may differ in doctrine and practice, yet they converge in their aspiration to elevate human consciousness and promote harmony. Humanity itself, therefore, is the common ground upon which authentic spirituality stands.
Thank you also for your dedicated work in the study and teaching of Advaita Vedanta. I look forward to continuing this enriching dialogue.
With warm regards,
Dr. Ramanath Pandey
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The ‘birth’ that the Boy obtains from his Preceptor is however indestructible. When the Veda has been got up and its meaning duly comprehended, then alone is one enabled to perform religious acts, by which he obtains Heaven and Final Release; and since all this is due to the Preceptor, he is superior.
‘That birth which the Preceptor brings about’—i.e., the sacramental rite called ‘Upanayana’ ‘initiation,’ which is called the ‘second birth,’ which he accomplishes—‘by means of the Sāvitrī’—i.e., by the expounding of it;—‘that’—birth—‘imperishable, immortal.’ Though all these words mean the same thing, yet they have been used with a view to pointing out that the ‘birth’ named ‘Initiation’ is superior to that which one obtains from his mother. As a matter of fact, ‘perishing’ and ‘death’ are not possible for ‘birth,’ as they are in the case of living beings; if mere ‘indestructibility’ were meant, this could have been expressed by means of a single word; and yet this is not what is done (which shows that the meaning is as explained above).
The construction of the sentence is as follows:—‘Vedapāraga ācāryo yāñjātim vidhivat sāvitryā—i.e., by means of the full details of the Initiatory Rite, which is what is indicated by the term sāvitrī—utpādayati—is what is superior.’ ‘Jāti’ stands for ‘janma,’ birth.—(148)
KR IRs 3626
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"According to the traditional Dharmashastric view, a Śūdra is not entitled to Vedic study, since Vedic learning requires prior initiation through the Upanayana rite, and that rite is regarded as applicable only to the three twice-born classes—Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas."
This translation reflects the classical orthodox position expressed in certain Dharmashastra and Mimamsa texts. It describes a historical doctrinal viewpoint and should not be taken as representative of all Hindu traditions or later reformist interpretations.
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The aim of the adhikarana is to restrict access to sudra as clearly started in the beginning (शूद्रस्याप्यधिकारः स्यादित्येतामाशङ्कां निवर्तयितुमिदमधिकरणमारभ्यते). Then begins the पूर्वपक्ष arguing for inclusion of शूद्र in learning ब्रह्मविद्या. The पूर्वपक्ष provides various arguments for it such as - sudras have both the desire and competency (अर्थित्वसामर्थ्ययोः सम्भवात्), in the same vein it is mentioned that vidura etc too had access to specialized knowledge (विदुरप्रभृतयश्च शूद्रयोनिप्रभवा अपि विशिष्टविज्ञानसम्पन्नाः स्मर्यन्ते) and therefore sudras should have access to ब्रह्मविद्या (तस्मादधिक्रियते शूद्रो विद्यासु). Here ends the पूर्वपक्ष and the उत्तरपक्ष begins (इत्येवं प्राप्ते ब्रूमः)Dear Abhishek JiI'm pretty confident these translations are not misleading. Please read the bhaṣya in its entirety -
यथा मनुष्याधिकारनियममपोद्य देवादीनामपि विद्यास्वधिकार उक्तः, तथैव द्विजात्यधिकारनियमापवादेन शूद्रस्याप्यधिकारः स्यादित्येतामाशङ्कां निवर्तयितुमिदमधिकरणमारभ्यते । तत्र शूद्रस्याप्यधिकारः स्यादिति तावत्प्राप्तम्; अर्थित्वसामर्थ्ययोः सम्भवात् , ‘तस्माच्छूद्रो यज्ञेऽनवकॢप्तः’ (तै. सं. ७ । १ । १ । ६) इतिवत् ‘शूद्रो विद्यायामनवकॢप्त’ इति निषेधाश्रवणात् । यच्च कर्मस्वनधिकारकारणं शूद्रस्यानग्नित्वम् , न तद्विद्यास्वधिकारस्यापवादकं लिङ्गम् । न ह्याहवनीयादिरहितेन विद्या वेदितुं न शक्यते । भवति च श्रौतं लिङ्गं शूद्राधिकारस्योपोद्बलकम् । संवर्गविद्यायां हि जानश्रुतिं पौत्रायणं शुश्रूषुं शूद्रशब्देन परामृशति — ‘अह हारे त्वा शूद्र तवैव सह गोभिरस्तु’ (छा. उ. ४ । २ । ३) इति । विदुरप्रभृतयश्च शूद्रयोनिप्रभवा अपि विशिष्टविज्ञानसम्पन्नाः स्मर्यन्ते । तस्मादधिक्रियते शूद्रो विद्यास्वित्येवं प्राप्ते ब्रूमः —Also please read the bhaṣya to 38th sutra. Things will become very clear then -
इतश्च न शूद्रस्याधिकारः; यदस्य स्मृतेः श्रवणाध्ययनार्थप्रतिषेधो भवति । वेदश्रवणप्रतिषेधः, वेदाध्ययनप्रतिषेधः, तदर्थज्ञानानुष्ठानयोश्च प्रतिषेधः शूद्रस्य स्मर्यते । श्रवणप्रतिषेधस्तावत् — ‘अथ हास्य वेदमुपशृण्वतस्त्रपुजतुभ्यां श्रोत्रप्रतिपूरणम्’ इति; ‘पद्यु ह वा एतच्छ्मशानं यच्छूद्रस्तस्माच्छूद्रसमीपे नाध्येतव्यम्’ इति च । अत एवाध्ययनप्रतिषेधः । यस्य हि समीपेऽपि नाध्येतव्यं भवति, स कथमश्रुतमधीयीत । भवति च ‘वेदोच्चारणे जिह्वाच्छेदः, धारणे शरीरभेद’(गौ॰ध॰सू॰ २-३-४) इति । अत एव चार्थादर्थज्ञानानुष्ठानयोः प्रतिषेधो भवति — ‘न शूद्राय मतिं दद्यात्’(म॰स्मृ॰ ४-८०) इति, ‘द्विजातीनामध्ययनमिज्या दानम्’(गौ॰ध॰सू॰ २-१-१) इति च । येषां पुनः पूर्वकृतसंस्कारवशाद्विदुरधर्मव्याधप्रभृतीनां ज्ञानोत्पत्तिः, तेषां न शक्यते फलप्राप्तिः प्रतिषेद्धुम् , ज्ञानस्यैकान्तिकफलत्वात् । ‘श्रावयेच्चतुरो वर्णान्’(म॰भा॰ १२-३२७-४९) इति चेतिहासपुराणाधिगमे चातुर्वर्ण्यस्याधिकारस्मरणात् । वेदपूर्वकस्तु नास्त्यधिकारः शूद्राणामिति स्थितम् ॥ ३८ ॥Vidura got the knowledge not from the Veda but from other means.Regards
Namaste
(Note: Sharing a personal view and concern: triggered by the ideation in Arjuna’s asking in Gita 2-54 and Sri Krishnas later response: 3-25/26).
(Nothing personal or unintended critiquing of any scholar, law of land, academia and their choices to explore –explain connect texts-traditions).
Many times, I wonder why this theme of < sanatana dharma has nothing to do with caste > keeps hitting headlines and sucks the time – energy- resources of learned scholars. Why is there a ‘reluctance to upgrade a 17th-century Sanskrit text on Dharmashastra * and align to the new realities of local and global communities’?
Is the exchange of views just to keep the issue alive, share-display of ‘what we understand our tradition for practical living and identity at nation’? or ‘pride of how we have kept tradition of ‘sanatana dharma’ alive, practical and relevant,
even after noticing 300 dharma shastra/ smruti text updates –reviews in three millennia in our own ‘ home land ( etat desha / aryaavarta /Dharma kshetra / punya kshetra): the ‘ maatru-bhoomi of ‘sanatana dharma’ ?
The fact stands: Sanatana Dharma Social and National practical of ‘Sanatana –Dharma’ as ‘Dharma-Shaastra of 21st century’ for Local, National and Global Religion communities need a review over its last revision in 17th century.
This is beyond the scope of ‘Constitution of / at Nation’ which has ‘acknowledgement of Sanatana Dharma in Principle’ and ‘denounces- limits- constricts’ the practice of Sanatana Dharma as Dharma shaastra’ in executive action.
Then who should undertake and implement this work of ‘ Updating Dharma shaastra: 17th century revision to 21st century version’. The real continuity of ‘Work of Dharma Shaastra –kaara’ ? If ‘Sanatana Dharma’ is Global and beyond Caste, as a principle, then can we give a practical local, national, global practical shape to ‘Sanatana Dharma based Identities’.
The ‘Hindu- Identity Tag’ for a ‘Citizen at Nation’ is wildly tainted by tags like ‘Sanatani, Manuwadi, Vedic, and ‘Placement in the company of World-Religions’ defending the ‘Caste’ axiom by ‘Divine authority’ - is partial and insufficient to meet the placed demand.
Given the facts : The issue has remained an ‘eternal theme of intellectual debate, with no practical reality in last two millennia at least ! At least in post-independence India, that was Bharath and Mahabharath.
So how are we to understand the relevance of ‘scholars discussions’ on
< caste debate- in current society and law of Current land = Constitution >
: which in PRINCIPLE categorically dispenses with ‘CASTE’ as a TAG for CITIZEN IDENTITY at NATION
yet invokes and pushes EXECUTIVE ACTION PROVISIONS SPECIFIC TO 6000 plus CASTE IDENTITIES,
as ‘Social Justice for historically marginalized Communities’
for governance and benefit of
Those SEEKING ‘CITIZEN – AT NATION –BENEFITS’ - USING ‘ HISTORIC CASTE –IDENTITY – INHERITANCE’? - DETERMINANTS’
and in the process **
DENOUNCE the ‘FACTORING BASIS OF HISTORIC - CASTE – IDENTITY – INHERITANCE’ ?
<sanatana Dharma>- in bygone historic societies was respected and lived as law of Historic land to get a ‘Bharateeya Yoga-Identity’ >
* Nirnaya Sindhu (or Nirnayasindhu) is a 17th-century Sanskrit text on Dharmashastra by Kamalakara Bhatta. A scholar of Varanasi ( Kashi). Sanatana Dharma followers
inherited local identities in local practicing communities by compliance level of 'practices' to 'Historic Dharma Shaastra guiding implementation of Sanatana Dharma'.
Nirnaya Sindhu is a historic and nation specific compilation of 'historic decisions on Dharma -practices in societies and a guidance for present and future generations. It is named as such because it acts as a vast repository resolving differing opinions on religious injunctions.The text does not claim to the status of 'eternal authority like Vedas'.
The text serves as a comprehensive guide for communities who desire to claim an identity and live by Mahabharata- historic inheritance and Gita based 'Sanatana Dharma' practice; in three aspects of 'Aachaara, Vichara, Vyavahara Karma- kaanda. The entire design is integral. The fractioned, fractured model of 'Sanatana Dharma practice' in an inappropriate social global eco system needs a 'Dharma-Shaastra -upgrade' from its last 'local-update' to the new 'Glocal Upgrade'. When citizen-community at nation adapts and accepts' <106 amendments till date to a Historic constitution which came in to formal operation in 1950> what is the difficulty in bringing up a < 301st update on a five millennia old framework, a compilation book which is two hundred years old ? A book which was not meant to cover 'people of all religion’s' even at the time of its compilation? >
** The Indian Constitution does not recognize the caste system; instead, it establishes a secular, egalitarian society that explicitly outlaws caste discrimination. To
correct historical injustices, the Constitution mandates affirmative action policies (reservations) for historically marginalized communities.
Core Constitutional Provisions
The foundation of India's anti-caste framework is enshrined in the following Fundamental Rights:
• Article 14 (Equality Before Law): Guarantees equality for all individuals, ensuring that caste cannot grant privileges or deny protections under the law.
• Article 15 (Non-Discrimination): Prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on grounds solely of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Article 16 (Equal Opportunity): Ensures equality of opportunity in matters of public employment, explicitly prohibiting caste-based exclusion in government jobs.
• Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability): Abolishes "untouchability" entirely and forbids its practice in any form. The enforcement of any disability arising from it is a punishable offense.
Affirmative Action and Protective Measures
To bring historically disadvantaged groups (such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes) to a level playing field, the Constitution utilizes compensatory discrimination:
• Reservations (Articles 330 & 332): Mandates reserved quotas in public sector employment, government educational institutions, and legislative bodies.
• National Commissions (Article 338): Establishes dedicated statutory bodies to investigate, safeguard, and monitor the interests of SCs, STs, and BCs.
For further reading on the exact legal texts, you can explore the official Constitution of India
Regards
BVK Sastry
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