Let’s understand the history of the caste system. It seems that the concept of a caste system didn’t exist; everyone was a Brahmin. Then, over a period of time, due to attacks, they thought they needed warriors, and then that community was called “Kshatriyas,” followed by “Vaishyas” and “Shudras.” Eventually, things got nasty, and we forgot the essence of being human.
Also, the fifth class is women; as they said, women are the lowest of the lowest class. And the patriarchal crimes like sati pratha, where women have to jump into the pyre of their husbands. Then the dowry system, once it was given as a token of a gift out of love, later became an act of exploitation, where greed rose so much that there was harassment and abuse for the demand of money. The Devadasi pratha, where the Shudra women are cajoled by the priests of the temples and taken away in the name of service to the temples, could be the initial reason, followed by sexual exploitation. Also, a girl child is not mature enough or capable enough to make decisions about her life, and there is a patriarchal situation where women are thought of as unwanted and given away just like that by their parents. Hence, no right to education and prohibited from arts like singing, dancing, etc.
Rules are made for us, for our betterment and progress; we are not made for rules—that’s where exploitation starts. There are always loopholes. Everywhere, there could be someone who suppresses the weak. Be it women’s empowerment, gender rights, the caste system, reservations, etc. Hence, we have to remind ourselves again and again that humanity comes first.
A farmer who is working on the farms for our food is equally important as the first citizen of the country, the honorable president. Everyone is equally important because we are all dependent on each other. And everyone has the right to live with dignity.
Given today’s case scenario, where people hardly talk to each other other than on points of interest. Fear is prevalent, as is a lack of integrity. Addictions and extreme lifestyles are leading to mental illness and physical ailments. Empowerment has become a destructive way of self-indulgence, be it soil exploitation due to plastic pollution or modern toxic culture.
Some are waiting for the change to happen from the outside. No, the wave of change happens with me and you. It’s important to teach our children the yogic lifestyle and the importance of Sanatan. Sanatan is scientific; its priority is taking care of nature, our mother earth, and not afflicting people with fear.
When we look today, plastic, pollutants, and other waste are degrading our rivers. In the same river, you will see people washing clothes, bathing, throwing waste, etc. Polluting the air in which we breathe, automobile pollution, and then people burning leaves, plastic, etc. It’s important to opt for eco-friendly options for festivals and domestic purposes. Hence, the yogic lifestyle, the satvic lifestyle, and conscious living come to our rescue.