Chaturvarn

Chaturvarn is the four varnas in Hindu mythology. They are Brahman, Khatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. Krishna says in the Srimad Bhagvad Gita that he has created these varnas according to Guna and Karma (the nature of being and their duties). It has various layers of meaning, one of them is entirely philosophical in Yogashastra which is part of Brahmavidya. However, this meaning has been lost. Rulers of ancient India, particularly in the name of the law giver Manu, distorted the meaning and considered this classification implying the four groups of castes. The Manusmriti (a treatise on law) itself came into existence in southern India in 2nd century BC. However, the classification was already present from the time immemorial. It is believed by some historians that Manu the king was there around 2000 BC, but the reality is that Manu is a mythical personality.

Nearby pages
Chaturved, Chaturyug, Chatushtom, Chatussan, Chatvarvasini, Chaudhri, Chaung-tzu