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Glimpses of World Religions
constantly the holiness contained in them. About the number of Samskaras, they differ from twelve, sixteen, forty, etc. - these are specially known as “Shodas Samskaras”. Four Varnas and four Ashramas
Varna means colour, i.e. according to the colours of the jobs, four Varnas are enumerated in the society. The Hindu Pandits have mentioned (1) Brahman (2) Kshatriya (or the warrior class), (3) Vaishya and (4) Shudra. The jobs of the Brahmans are to get knowledge and to teach it, to do one's duty and to give sermons. The duty of the Kshatriya is to prevent the internal and external enemies of the society doing harm and to take the public on the path of happiness and welfare, as well as to protect the subject. At every step, money is required for the general happiness of the whole society. The oreator and the provider of the money is Vaishya class. The Vaishyas help the king by doing agriculture etc. and by paying the taxes. The Shudra is the class which does physical labour. These four Varnas have been established in the times of the Rigveda Samhitas. There is no intention or aim to contempt other Varnas, considering a particular Varna either high or low. The main aim is the social organisation. The four Ashramas
Keeping in view the welfare of the whole society, the authors of scriptures have decided the order of four Ashramas with a purpose that every man can achieve his 'good' in his life. They have propounded this order. The Ashramas means Rest. Just as a traveller, continuing to take rest on his way, reaches his ultimate target, a human being can reach his ‘Param? aim by taking help of these four Ashramas. These are the best steps, phases for living a systematic life, a holy life even by remaining in the worldly life. Hoping for a span of hundred years of man's life, it is divided into four equal years in each Ashrama.
