varna
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈvɑrnə/
- Indian
- In traditional Hindu society, people are classified into four groups known as varna based on their roles and duties.
- varna category
Examples
-
Caste, of the varna variety, appears in the earliest Indian texts and oral compositions, but jati is a bit different.
Blog text (25) -
This may indicate little concern for caste identities and names, as long as the position of the varna categories is untouched.
Academic text (1994) -
In some cases, there are indications that the varna category has replaced the caste as the endogamous unit.
Academic text (1994) -
It is not always clear what delimits the endogamous unit; whether it is the subcaste, a larger caste category, or the varna category.
Academic text (1994) -
From a low caste perspective that looks, smells, and talks like bullshit (the Golden Temple has symbolically four separate doors for the chatur-varna, none for dalits).
Blog text (26) -
Both Mayer (1967) and Brown (1981) pointed out that the degrees of caste and varna endogamy and hypergamy indicate that there is still some degree of caste division along traditional lines.
Academic text (1994) -
Understanding the concept of varna helps to explain the social structure in ancient India.
-
The system of varna outlines the division of labor among the different social classes in Hinduism.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Varna comes from the Sanskrit word varna, which originally meant 'color' or 'type'. People were once grouped like different colors to show their duties and jobs, so varna came to mean one of the four main social classes in ancient Hindu society.