PROUT
PROgressive Utilization Theory
The social cycle
Prout
PROUT stands for Progressive
Utilization Theory.
According to PROUT principles, all the
resources of humanity and the
universe should be utilized for all
round welfare.
The Social Cycle
The social cycle is the succession of the
various human psychologies which
govern social outlook during different
historical periods.
Varnas or Mental Colours
These specific human psychologies are
also called ‘varnas’ (Sanskrit) or mental
colors.
They can also be called ‘social classes’ or
‘psycho-social temperaments’.
.
No discrimination
The concept of varna or mental colour is
based on social science and is not
related to the idea of caste, which is a
dogma created to impose exploitation in
society.
Prout opposes all forms of
discrimination.
Four basic human psychologies
Sanskrit
 Shudra:
 Ksattriya:
 Vipra:
 Vaeshya:
English
Labourer
Warrior
Intellectual
Merchant / Capitalist
Labourer (shudra)



Mental color: Black
Basic psychology: Mind preoccupied
with physical needs.
They survive mainly by their manual
labour.
Shudra
Warrior (ksattriya)



Mental color: Red
Basic psychology: To fight and conquer is
their nature.
Valour and honour has more value to
them than their own existence.
Ksattriya
Intellectual (vipra)



Mental color: White
Basic psychology: Control matter by the
use of their intelligence.
Dominant by intellectual ability.
Vipra
Evolved / insightful intellectuals
Mentally evolved
intellectuals (vipras)
have the capacity to
direct their intellect
towards spiritual
awakening.

Capitalist (vaeshya)



Mental color: Yellow
Basic psychology: Mercantile approach
to life – manage and accumulate
wealth.
Always seeking trade and expansion of
wealth.
Vaeshya
Meta-history
“In the movement of the
social cycle, one class is
always dominant.”
The social cycle
Shudra
- labourer
Vaeshya
- capitalist
Ksattriya
- warrior
Vipra
- intellectual
Viksubdha shudra
- those disgruntled with social conditions / work




Intellectual-minded (vipra) and warrior-minded
(ksattriya) persons relegated to labourer status
(shudra) are the leaders of the proletariat
(shudra) revolution.
viksubdha (Sanskrit) = disgruntled
shudra (Sanskrit) = basic level of existence
They see the exploited social conditions and
work conditions and plan and act to remedy
them.
Sadvipras
- spiritual and moral revolutionaries



Spiritual revolutionaries are those who work
to achieve progressive changes for human
elevation by adhering to moral principles*
(both social and personal ethics/morality).
‘sad’ (Sanskrit) = elevated
‘vipra’ (Sanskrit) = mental ability
* In Yoga called Yama (social) and Niyama (personal).
Social Ethics - Yama

Ahimsa: not inflicting pain or hurt on anybody by thought, word
or action (non-harm).

Satya: proper action of mind and the right use of words with the
spirit of welfare (benevolence in expression).

Asteya: not to take possession of what belongs to others (nonstealing).

Brahmacarya: Cosmic feeling for each and every object
(universal acceptance).

Aparigraha: not indulging in amenities and comforts that are
superfluous for the preservation of life (therefore, right use of food,
clothes, housing and other minimum necessities of life).
Personal Ethics - Niyama

Shaoca: purity of body, mind and environment (internal
and external cleanliness).

Santosa: state of proper ease or containment (being
contentment).

Tapah: shoulder sorrows and miseries of others to make
them happy (going out one’s way to do service).

Svadhyaya: clear understanding of any subtle or spiritual
subject (developing deep understanding).

Iishvara Pranidhana: establishing oneself in the Cosmic
idea (auto-suggestion for developing the inner heart/self).
Sadvipras
- spiritual-moral aspirants

Posses the qualities of all four social
psychologies, plus a spiritual depth of
vision and a willingness to sacrifice for
the good of the whole society.
Turn of the social cycle – historical epoch

In the nucleus of the social cycle,
sadvipras churn, advance and
revitalise the social flow. It is the
spiritual / moral revolutionaries
who ‘make history’.
It is persons who have strong ethics and personal
sacrifice for a greater ideal (sadvipras) who keep the
flow of the social cycle revolving – spiral of elevation
Warrior Ksattriya
Labourer Shudra
Sadvipras
Capitalists Vaeshya
Intellectual Vipra
Evolution


Accelerating the movement of the
social cycle by the application of
force is called evolution.
The subtlest forces are in the
spiritual and psycho-spiritual realms.
Revolution


Accelerating the movement of the
social cycle by the application of
tremendous force is called revolution.
Spiritual transformation within and its
accompanying social impacts produce
the best welfare results.
Counter-evolution

Reversing the movement of the social
cycle by the application of force is
called counter evolution.
Counter-revolution

Reversing the movement of the social
cycle by the application of tremendous
force is called counter-revolution.
Peripheric evolution

A complete rotation of the social cycle
is called peripheric evolution.