Dharma, Karma and Moksha: This Life and the Next
A.
Hinduism is the main religion of India, but it is also a social system—it is the main way that India’s society is
organized. In the Hindu religion, the spiritual and social aspects are equally strong. Throughout 3000 years,
the strength of Hinduism has given India the most unchanging, continuous society in history.
B.
Hindus do not believe in separating everyday life from religion. For most Hindus, the most important part of
life is the fulfillment of one's duties and obligations. Happiness in the next life depends on how an individual
acts in the present life.
C.
Hindu society is highly structured, that is, everyone has their own particular place in Hindu society.
According to the traditional view, each person is a member of one of the four social castes created by the
gods at the beginning of time. In the ancient religious text known as the Rig Veda, the hymn called "Purusha
Sukta" ("Hymn of Man") tells how the gods sacrificed Purusha, a Primeval Person, and then divided his
body into many parts, four of which became the Hindu castes.
D.
From Purusha's mouth came the priests and teachers, known as the Brahmans. Members of this class, the
highest in Hindu society, were the guardians of the Hindu traditions. They performed the religious rituals and
taught the religious texts. Consequently, they were very powerful and greatly respected.
E.
From Purusha's arms came the caste of kings and warriors, known as the Kshatriyas. This class included
generals, political leaders, and heads of state, whose duty was to protect the people in times of war and
peace.
F.
From Purusha's thighs came the merchants, farmers and businessmen, called the Vaishyas. Their tasks
included tending the sacred cattle. Although not on the same level as the Brahmans and Kshatriyas,
members of this group could gain respect by accumulating wealth.
G.
The bottom caste, the Shudras, was created from Purusha's feet. This group included the laborers and
servants. Their duty was to serve their masters. Although the Shudras formed the largest class, they were
considered second­class citizens. No Shudra boy was allowed to participate in the Sacred Thread
ceremony. Since this ritual made an individual a full­fledged member of society, Shudras were permanently
separated from the three higher Hindu castes.
H.
In early times, relations between the castes were governed by strict rules. One could marry only within
one's caste. Eating food with members of a lower class, or even receiving food in their presence, was not
allowed. Each man had to practice the trade assigned to members of his caste. The goal was to keep the
castes unmixed, and pure. However, because of such harsh guidelines, these rules were often broken,
polluting the system.
I.
For over two thousand years, Hindu society has included these four main castes. One reason for this was
the existence of a very complicated network of people within a main caste. When the Portuguese traders
came to India in the sixteenth century, they saw that Hindu communities were divided into thousands of
sub­groups. Hindus called the sub­groups ‘varnas’ (meaning ‘color’), but the Portuguese called the groups
castas, which means "tribal clans" or "families." This name stuck and, with a minor variation in spelling, has
been used by Westerners ever since.
J.
These thousands of subdivisions are most likely the result of invasions over time by many different
foreigners and also the geographic separation of the early natives. Children always belong to their parents'
caste. Today there are more than 3000 Hindu sub­castes, each governed by religious practices, race, and
profession. Belonging to a particular caste provides a sense of security, pride, and respect. To be expelled
from one's caste is like a living death.
K.
The guiding principle in every caste and in every situation is an individual's sense of duty to the rest of Hindu
society. This is called dharma. Each person must choose to act in a manner that is appropriate for his or her
position in society. Harmony results only when a person follows his or her dharma, according to Hindu
belief. Hindu philosophy says this: “it is better to do one’s own duty badly than to do another's duty well”.
L.
It is said that the great god Brahma, the creator of the universe, appointed Manu to be the first king. Manu's
duty was to help guide people toward a life of peacefulness and tranquility. To do this, Manu set up the
codes of duty in the Sacred Law (Manu Smriti).
M.
Performing one's duty properly is very important. Hindus believe in reincarnation, or life after death, and
they believe that their thoughts and actions in the present life affect the type of life into which they will be
reborn. Every good act brings happiness. Every bad one brings sorrow. They call these actions karma. A
person with bad karma can be reborn into a lower caste or life form. Making good karma can improve
one's social standing in the next life.
N.
Total happiness is not achieved in one lifetime. Hindus believe that this takes many lives. For most people,
the cycle of rebirth continues endlessly. It is often compared to a wheel rolling on and on indefinitely. For
some Hindus, the desire for release from this cycle becomes very strong, and they decide to seek salvation,
called moksha. Moksha is achieved only when a person fully understands and becomes one with Brahma,
the Universal Spirit.
[adapted from Hinduism by Christine Marchand, published by: CALLIOPE: World History for Young People vol. 3 #4 1993
Peterborough, NH]