[Beerinkol]

I have one quick doubt.. well actually many doubts. In Shanti Parvam, Pitamah Bishma says to Dharman, "4 varnas can learn Vedas". If so, why knowledge is restricted to bramins only? When I read thro' Griffith Translation of

Krishna Yajur Veda 18:48 (Worshipping Agni and Surya)

Give lustre to our holy priests, set lustre in our ruling chiefs
Lustre to Vaisyas, Sûdras: give, through lustre; lustre unto
me.

Book Twenty Verse 17

17 Each fault in village or in wild, company or corporeal sense,
Each sinful act that we have done to Sûdra or Vysyas, or to
either's disadvantage, e’en of that sin thou art the expiation.


Twenty Sixth Book, Verses 1 & 2

1 AGNI and Prithivî, closely connected, may they bring low for
me the boon I mention.

Vâyu and Firmament, closely connected, may they, etc.
Closely connected Dyaus and the Âditya, may they, etc.
Closely connected Varuna and Waters, may they, etc.
Lord of the seven communities and her who forms all beings,
eighth

Make our ways full of pleasantness: may So-and-So and I
agree.

2 That I to all the people may address this salutary speech,
To priest and nobleman, Sûdra and Vysya, to one of our own
kin and to the stranger.

Dear may I be to Gods and guerdon-giver. Fulfilled be this
my hope: be that my portion!

Atharva Veda - Book 18 - Hymn 32 - line 8

Do thou, O Darbha, make me dear to Brāhman and Rājanya,
dear to Sūdra, and to Arya dear,
Yea, dear to every man we love, to every man with eyes to see.


Atharva Veda - Book 19 - Hymn 62 - line 1

Make me beloved among the Gods, beloved among the Princes,
make Me dear to everyone who sees, to Sūdra and to Aryan man.


I think the word Arya refers to Vysya.

So it is clear that, Shudras should not be treatd with contempt. But, during the onset of Kali Yuga (I think Dwapara Yuga itself), caste based discriminations, have started to rise its venomous head.


It is clear from these mantras that a Vedic person:
- seeks to be forgiven for crimes against all including Shudras
- seeks to propagate Vedas to all including Shudras
- considers all Varnas – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra to be equal and respects them equally.

Thus it is clear that as per Vedas, Shudras deserve the same respect as other Varnas and as per Vedic prayer, Shudras are accorded great esteem.

The actual word used for Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra is ‘Varna’ and not Jaati.


Those who choose to be Arya are called ‘Arya Varna’. Those who choose to be Dasyu become ‘Dasyu Varna’. Same for Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.


That is why Vedic Dharma is called ‘Varnashram Dharma’. The word Varna itself implies that this is based on complete freedom of choice and meritocracy.


It is also interesting that in all of these mantras, the word Shudra comes before Vaishya. So one cannot counter-argue that Shudras are given last mention or least preference.


Bheeshma said, "When tere is a conflict between Smriti and The Vedas, the Vedas are to be taken account"

But in many smritis, this is not so. Sudras are treated with contempt. We must reject the Smritis that are not in accordance with Vedas.

Man, we must applaud Ralph Griffith, for his Noble Work. He must be awarded for his work. He might have died, but his laudable works live on.