Four In One

The Vedas speak of the four varna (social groups) as directives for the exercise of the rights and responsibilities of individuals. They declare that the Brahmana group, the intellectuals, and the spiritual seekers, must serve as the face of society—the face that hears, sees, tastes, and smells the changing moods of the community. This group has the duty to warn the community of impending calamity, oncoming distress, and latent drawbacks. They have to guide, lead, counsel, and comfort the rest of the people aright. They form the brain trust, on which the country relies for advice—timely, impartial, and most conducive to the common good. They represent the Head of the Cosmic Person.

The Kshatriya group is the ‘arm’ of the Cosmic Person. The group consists of the rajasika individuals who equip themselves for guarding the country against internal and external danger. They dedicate their all for the safety and security of the country.

The Vaishya group is the ‘thigh’ of the Cosmic Person—the support and sustenance of the arms and the head. They gather and preserve the wherewithal on which the community lives and prospers. They adhere to the limitations imposed on profit and exploitation.

The Shudra group is ‘the feet’ of the Cosmic Person, bearing the burden of feeding and fostering the community.

One Divine Impulse Activates All The Limbs

The four varna form one organic whole, one indivisible unity. No one can do without the other. On the harmonious cooperation of all the four depends the peace and prosperity of the community. The head is immediately aware of what happens to the feet; the slightest pain anywhere is cognized by the entire body. When a thorn pricks the sole, the eye reprimands itself for not noticing the thorn and warning the foot in time. It sheds tears of repentance. The eye has the responsibility of warning, leading, guiding, and saving the foot. Every caste has to ensure the prosperity and strength of all the rest.

When you invite a person into your home, you cannot request him to bring in only his head. The feet too have to be welcomed with equal solicitude. The feet are important. In fact, homage is offered at the feet of the Lord. The feet of the Lord are the objects of adoration and worship.

The limbs may be different, with distinct names, forms, and functions. But they function only because of the unceasing grace of one Heart which supplies each with a single stream of blood. The qualities of each limb and its special activity may be different, but the same Divine impulse activates each one. There can be no question of inferior or superior when all are cooperating in one common endeavor. They are all moved by the single urge of love towards the individual they constitute.

30-5-1979