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The Dharmashastra

The Dharmashastra is the text that refers to the dharma, it is based on the Vedas and Purans. There are many Dharmashashtras though there are many conflicting points of view, each of these texts has many versions. The texts include discussion of ashrama (stages of life), varna (social classes), purushartha (proper goals of life), personal virtues and duties such as ahimsa (non-violence) against all living beings, rules of just war, and other topics. The Dharmashastra emerged from the  Vedas , there are 4 Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sāma, and Atharva) each Veda has further divided into two categories namely the Saṃhitā which is a collection of mantra verses and the Brahmanas which are prose texts that explain the meaning of the Samhita verses. The Brāhmaṇa layer expanded, some of the newer esoteric speculative text layers were called Aranyakas while the mystical and philosophical sections came to be called the Upanishads . The Vedic basis of Dharma literature is found in the Brahmana layer of th

The twice-born (Dvija)

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It is a belief that a person is born two times, the first-born physically and at a later date is born for a second time spiritually it is called " dvija " in Sanskrit which means " twice-born ". The second birth occurs when one takes up fulfilling a role in society, at the time of the Upanayana initiation ceremony. by this time a Brahmin is initiated into school to study and pursue Brahmopadesha (preach, counsel) in the matter of the nature of Brahman, the ultimate reality . Traditionally, a Kshatriya would start learning the use of arms, while a Vaishya would start a trade apprenticeship. The  Upanayanam   thread ceremony marking initiation as a Dvija. The first significant appearance of the word Dvija occurs in the Manu Smriti composed between the 2nd to 3rd century CE. then the word  Dvija is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana and Mahabharata also. states Patrick Olivelle , suggesting that Dvija is not a Vedic or ancient tradition of Hinduism, but an innovation that

The Savarna and Avarna

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The Savarna and Asavarna are part of the caste system of Hindus. T hose communities that belong to one of four Varana as per their fit are called  Savarna  Hindu but there are many more people and communities which are not part of any Varnas like Tribes and Dalits they were put in another category called Avarnas . The evolution of the Lower caste to modern-day Scheduled Castes is complex. The caste system as a stratification of classes in India originated about 2,000 years ago and has been influenced by dynasties and ruling elites. The Hindu concept of Varna historically incorporated occupation-based communities. The Dharmashastras The Varnas system is extensively described in the Dharmashastras. This Varna is divided into four Varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudras). Those who fall out of this system because of their grievous sins become outcastes (untouchables) and considered outside of the Varna system. Those who are unrighteous or unethical are also considered outcasts. Da

Beginning of The Caste System (Varna)

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Indian culture is one of the richest cultures in the world. At an early age or in history Indian Hindus were divided into 4 categories called Varna Brahmins Kshatriyas Vaishyas Shudras We can say this is the beginning of the official caste system for Hindus. There are many texts like Manusmriti, Dharmashastra, Vedas etc.  where a description of the rank of four varans is available. Communities are developed per people's work and cultures, and those communities that belong to one of four Varana as per their fit are called Savarna Hindu. The Dalits and Tribes who do not belong to these varnas are called Avarna .   All four social classes (without using the word Varna) appeared in the Rigvedic Purusha Sukta  that is Brahmins,  Rajanya  (Kshatriya), Vaishyas and Shudras. when Purusha divided into portions The Brahmins was his mouth Both arms were the Rajanya (Kshatriya) His thighs become Vaishyas From his feets the Sudras produced Varna is divided among people and community as there