Swami Dayanand Saraswati QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE FOUR CLASSES Back to contents

"Studying and teaching, performing , Yajna* and assisting others in doing it, giving alms, and receiving gifts - these six are duties of a Braahman." MANU 1: 88. But should be borne in mind that "The receiving of gifts is a mean thing." 1. "Restraining the mind from entertaining sinful thoughts. 2. Keeping the senses from the pursuit of unrighteousness and directing them, instead, in the path of rectitude. 3. Living a pure, chaste life by the practice of lifeBrahmacharya. 4. Attaining purity (of mind and body)**. 5. Having firm faith in the power of truth and righteousness and being perfectly indifferent to the applause or censure of the world, pleasure or pain heat or cold, hunger or thirst, profit and or loss, honor or disgrace, and sorrow or joy, in the discharge of one's duties. 6. Cultivating tender heartedness, humility, straightforwardness and simplicity of character. 7. Acquiring a profound knowledge of the Veda and other Shaastraas, attaining the ability to teach others, the power to discriminate between right and wrong, and the knowledge of all things (animate or inanimate) as they really are. 8. Possessing a perfect knowledge of all entities - from earthly things to God - and

*Yajna is the application of the knowledge of the physical, chemical and physiological and the like
properties of material substances and of psychological ones of mental substances. It, therefore, generally requires the association of men and objects. "The word Yajna which originally indicates any action requiring association of men and objects, productive of beneficial results is always translated by European Scholars, as sacrifice. The notion of sacrifice is a purely Christian notion and has no place in the Vedic philosophy. It is foreign to the genuine religion of India. Hence all translations in which the word sacrifice occurs are to rejected as fallacious." - The terminology fo the Vedaas and European Scholars.

** Manu says: "Water washes off the impurities of the body, truth exalts the mind, knowledge and strict devotion to duty elevate the soul and possession of ideas refines the intellect." PAGE 102 the proper application thereof.

9. Having perfect faith in the Veda,

10. God, 11. and salvation, 12. belief in the past and future life of the soul, 13. love of righteousness and knowledge and 14. association with the good and the learned, 15. always cheerfully serving the father, mother tutor, and the altruistic teachers of humanity and never maligning these.

These fifteen characteristics and accomplishments must be found in a person, before he or she can be called a Braahman or a Braahmani (female)." Bhagvat Gita. 1. "To protect people by the administration of perfect justice without fear or favor, i.e., by showing due respect to the good and punishing the wicked. 2. To spend money in furthering the cause of truth and justice and in advancing knowledge and serving the deserving. 3. To perform Homaand other Yajnaas. 4. T0 study the Veda and other Shaastraas 5. To shun the allurements of sensual gratification by perfect control of the senses and thereby constantly augment the powers of the body and the soul." MANU 1: 89. 6. To be fearless in fighting with enemies though they be in thousands and he be single handed. 7. To be bold, and dignifies and fee from all weakness. 8. To be firm of resolution and cool under difficulties. 9. To be clever in the discharge of public duties and in the pursuit of studies and never to run away as to ensure victory.* 10. To be liberal-minded. 11. To be just in dealings with all and always to keep his word." GITA.

These eleven are the duties and qualifications of a Kshatriya. *If the field could be won by running away or putting the enemy on a false track or through strategem, he
should do so

PAGE 103 1. To keep herds of cattle, breed, improve and multiply them. 2. To spend money, etc., in the advancement of knowledge and truth. 3. To perform Yajnaas, such as Homa. 4. T study the Veda and other Shaastraas 5. To lend money on interest.* 6. To cultivate land,.

These are the duties and qualifications of a Vaishya> "It behoves a Shoodraato earn his living by faithfully serving Braahmans, Kshatriyaas and Vaishyaas, without showing and disrespect, jealousy and conceit. This one thing alone is a Shoodraa's duty and qualification." MANU 1: 91. The duties and qualifications of all the four Classes have thus briefly been described. All individuals should be placed in different Classes according to their qualifications, accomplishments and character. By adopting this system all will advance in every respect, because the higher Classes will be in constant fear of their children being degraded to the Shoodraa Class, if they are not properly educated. The same fear will also make the children acquire knowledge and culture. Whilst the lower Classes will be stimulated to exert themselves for admission into the Classes above them. To recapitulate, the education of the community and the preaching of religion should be entrusted to Braahmaans, because they, being men of profound

learning and exemplary character, can discharge those duties most satisfactory. By entrusting the affairs of the State to Kshatriyas, a country never suffers through misrule or mismanagement. Tending the cattle, business, etc., should be entrusted to Vaishyaas, as they can do this work properly. A Shoodraa is to do menial service, because being ignorant through lack of education, he is fitted for nothing higher, but can minister to the physical requirements of the community. *The rate of interest should range from 3 to 16 per cent, per annum and should never exceed this. When

the debtor has paid back double of what was lent to him, even the principal must be considered as paid off. The debtor should never pay at rates exceeding the above limit. Nor should any one lend money at a higher rate.

PAGE 104 It is the duty of the ruler and other responsible persons to see that all the four Classes discharge their duties faithfully.