Poshit Nag Mandali

Oct 29,2019

Chandogya Upanisad – Varna System and Guru-Sisya Dynamics

Varna System
Traditionally, Vedic culture is divided into 4 varnas (castes) and 4 asramas (spiritual divisions).
These divisions can be seen even in the present-day Indian society. Most often, the nature of
these divisions has changed over time, however, it is quite interesting to see some of the varna-
asrama dynamics described in the 4th chapter of Chandogya Upanishad.
In the discussion between Janasruti and his steward, Janasruti describes the nature of Raikva as
"'As the lower throws all go to the one who wins with the highest throw of the dice, so
whatever good things people may do, all that goes to him. I say the same of anyone who knows
what Raikva knows.'" 4.1.6
It can be clearly seen that the above description points Raikva as someone with great valuable
knowledge. And when asked to look for Raikva, the steward appears to look for Raikva in the
brahmin community, which clearly points out that the society at that point of time clearly
related to people with great knowledge as Brahmins. However, when the steward couldn’t find,
Janasruti immediately asks him to find in non-Brahmin community indicating that the attribute
of Raikva could be like of paramhamsa, that is although very learned they don’t follow the
norms of the society.
On finding Raikva, Janasruti offers gifts and asks for taking lessons. However, Raikva calls
Janasruti a ‘sudra’ and asks him to leave immediately. It is quite interesting to note that we
don’t find any immediate negative response from Janasruti on being called sudra. Janasruti
being a king is expected to be a Ksatriya and when called sudra would generally be offended
and could rebuke. Instead, he brings more offerings to please Raikva. This brings for the aspect
of clear divisions in the society based on the caste system.
Guru - Sisya Dynamics
In the stories of Raikva – Janasruti, Satyakama-Upakosala and Gautama-Satyakama mentioned
in the fourth chapter of Chandogya Upanisad, one can find interesting dynamics between the
relationships of the teacher and pupil.
In first case of Raikva and Janasruti, even though Janasruti in some sense was insulted by Raikva
by being called a sudra, it appears that Janasruti ignored (perhaps demonstrating submission)
and importantly increased his service to Raikva by offering more gifts. As mentioned in
Svetasvatara Upanisad (6.23), Janasruti is demonstrating immense faith in his teacher to
acquire the knowledge possessed by Raikva.
yasya deve parā bhaktir
yathā deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ
prakāśante mahātmanaḥ (SU 6.23)
"Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the
spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed
In the case of Gautama – Satyakama, one can find that even though Satyakama received lessons
from fire, bull, wild geese, waterbird various subjects of the brahman, however, eventually he
asks Gautama to explain the goal of knowledge. This brings an important concept in the Vedic
tradition which is about Siksa and Diksha guru, that is there can be many siksa gurus or teachers
instructing on the principles of the absolute. However, there can be one Diksha guru or the one
who initiates into the ultimate goal of life and all knowledge.
Secondly, it is interesting to find that Gautama tries to understand the lineage of Satyakama
before accepting him as a disciple. This wonderful example suggests the necessity to acquire
the qualifications of a brahmana which need not to be based on birth but by quality. Then one
can start the process to realize and understand the process of brahman realization.

Clearly, this Upanisad tend to give more insights in the prevailing teacher-student relationship
and also appears to throw some light on the caste system dynamics during the period.