varna
(varṇa)
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| (Language: Sanskrit) |
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| Short Description: |
Caste; class; the four major social divisions in Hindu society. |
| Long Description: |
Caste; class; the four major social divisions in Hindu society include (in descending order): brāhmaṇas (priests), kṣatriyas (royals and warriors), vaiśyas (merchants and farmers), and śūdras (servants and laborers); situated outside the caste system are the caṇḍālas (outcastes and "untouchables") and mlecchas (foreigners and "barbarians"); members of the three upper castes are called "twice-born" (dvijā) and are permitted to study the Vedas. |
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| Source(s): |
Lamp of Non-Dual Knowledge, Cream of Liberation Translated by Swami Sri Ramanananda Saraswathi |
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| Related Terms: |
brahmana kshatriya vaishya shudra chandala mleccha |
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