Yesterday we endeavored to explore and go deeper into the, so often wrongly used and misinterpreted, notion of dharma. In the previous post we’ve established the root of the word and its true meaning as not religious but as the natural laws of the universe and the practices that support it. We’ve gone through the ten moral codes that will help you see more clearly and follow your own dharma, fluctuations of which will determine your gunas (tendencies) towards sattva, rajas or tames (to be able to understand please read the previous post named: DHARMA – THE NATURE OF WHEEL IS TO TURN AND MOVE )

As the guans swirl and mix within your own personality there will be a path opening in front of you, the natural road on which you can most truly express your true self and support the community by doing so. We’re all different and specific dharmas for each individual are varied and complex but there are largely 4 loosely defined groups you most likely gravitate towards at a certain point in life. They will serve as guides and point you to the sets of duties to take upon yourself.

Brahmans are the priests among us. Not necessarily priests by calling, these are those people who have strong tendencies towards righteousness and purity, who are sensitive to others spiritual needs. It is their life path to learn and understand the deeper principles while shaping their conduct and lives according to the simple and pure Vedic principles. They are “destined” to teach others all they have learned and spread the insights and knowledge. These people can appear in all shapes and forms, formally dedicated to religion or appearing in teaching professions, social and spiritual sciences, as guides and strongholds for others in their life, as natural nurturers…

Kshatriyas are more attuned to the rajastic tendencies towards action and activity rather than pure contemplation. Those people are traditionally warriors or rulers, military personnel, action takers and doers, very skillful in conflict navigation and awake in interpersonal realities. They are drawn to positions of power and if their tendencies are harnessed for good can make significant improvements in the political realm or will seak professions connected to law. They are high energy and active and their duty is to uphold the rules and protect righteousness through various life paths they will be drawn to.

Vaishyas have a strong mix of sattvic and rajasic tendencies and live in both worlds – in the contemplative one and the one that requires decisive action. This is the most common category that business people, merchants, traders, bankers and investors belong to. They are strongly attuned to understanding value and transactions and their mission is to support the material needs of society and all other groups and do so honesty, rightfully and without overindulging for themselves.

Shudras are our final category of 4 dharma streams. They are the laborers, the custodians, the farmers, those with the patience to wait for the work to bring fruit, those who are willing to put in the work for the good of all and their job is to support and enhance the mission of the previous three branches. As we’ve already said, none of these categories is a fixed thing, they are fluid suggestions of tendencies that can throughout life manifest themselves in a kaleidoscope of decisions, work, service and choices.

As the Rig Veda says, they are all a part of the same thing, none more or less important than the other and all a part of one large cosmic body. People from all 4 categories working together are necessary to make a functional satisfied society and individual. Therefore, the brahmans are the mouth and head because they relay the truth and spread it, kshatriyas are the arms that defend that truth, vaishyas are the thighs symbolizing material wealth and the ability to move, while the shudras are the feet, the grounders that allow the rest of the body to be in balance and thrive. We all have a role to play by being ourselves.