RLG205H5 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Shvetashvatara Upanishad, Neti Neti, Mandukya Upanishad
Document Summary
The aryan varna class system began from 1500 bce till 200 bce at which point the untouchables were added into the system and it conformed into the jati caste system which had. The varna class system is based on colour as the jati system is based on cleanliness. The aryans were the lighter-skinned as the aboriginals were the darker skinned. The varna class system: brahmans/brahmins (sattva or goodness") consist of priests, religious elites, learned class, culture bearers. They study and teach the veda and smriti and must sacrifice both for himself and others. They are the highest tier and are not twice born. They must instruct the other two twice born tiers in vedic lore, but on no account should instruction be givien to a shudra. This would be a sin and punishment is in the pains of hell: the kshyatriyas (rajas or energy") are the warriors and rulers among whom were included the.
