The Truth Beyond Caste

 

Many people in India today are confused about the real meanings of Dharm, Varn, and Jati. MP Sudhanshu Trivedi has explained these important words many times. He says what we today call "religion" or "caste" is very different from what our ancient Indian traditions actually taught.

 

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Dharm is Not Religion

Trivedi says clearly – Dharm is not equal to religion. In fact there is no word for Dharm in english dictionary.

He explains that in most world religions, people follow one god, one book, and one fixed way of living. Sanatan doesn't qualify any of these parameters. Sanatan is flexible, deep, and allows many paths and ideas. It allows you to make your own god. In India, religion is called Panth, Mat, or Sampraday – these are like different traditions or ways.

 

What does Dharm really mean?

 

He says that the word Dharm comes from the Sanskrit root "Dh", which means "to hold" or "to support" – just like Dharti (Earth) supports all life.

Dharm means doing the right thing, according to one’s nature and duties. It is not about rituals or worship. It is about your way of life.

For example:

• The Dharm of the Sun is to give light.
• The Dharm of Wind is to blow.
• The Dharm of a father or mother is to protect and nurture their family.
• The Dharm of a child is to learn and respect.

 

So, Sanatan Dharm is the eternal way of living rightly. Not a fixed religion. According to Trivedi: “India has Sanatan Dharm. Others are Panth, Mat, or Sampraday.”

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🧠 Varn Means Qualities, Jati Means Work

Trivedi also explains that the terms Varn and Jati are often misunderstood and wrongly linked with the idea of caste.

So, what is Varn?

Varn means your inner nature or qualities. Some people are wise and peaceful (Brahman quality), some are brave and protective (Kshatriy), some are business-minded (Vaishy), and some are service-minded (Shudr). It depends on your personality – not birth.

What is Jati?

Jati simply means your profession or job. For example:

• बढ़ई (Carpenter)
• लोहार (Blacksmith)
• सोनार (Goldsmith)
• तेली (Oil presser)

 

He asks, “Who decided which work is big and which is small?”

He also says, "Can you show even one ancient Sanatan scripture that says there are 4000 or 6000 Jatis?" No such number is found in our old scriptures. This shows that the complex caste system we see today came later – it was not there in Sanatan times.

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⚠️ Where Did Caste Come From?

Trivedi shares a very important fact – the word “Caste” is not Indian at all. It comes from the Portuguese word ‘Casta’, which means group or breed.

He says that this idea of dividing people into fixed caste boxes started during the British rule. In 1861, a British officer named Herbert Risley, who was the Census Commissioner, began the caste-based survey in India.

This survey started the division of people into “high” and “low” castes – something that never existed in Sanatan Dharm.

 

🔚 Conclusion: Know the Truth of Sanatan

Let’s remember these simple truths:

Dharm = Your natural way of living and doing right

Varn = Your personal qualities

Jati = Your work or skill

Caste = A foreign idea brought by the British

Casteism is not Sanatan. It is a colonial lie. Let us return to our real roots – the path of Sanatan Dharm.

 

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🎙️ Want to Listen More?

Trivedi shared these ideas in many speeches and also in a detailed interview on the ANI Podcast. You can hear him explain:

• About Dharm: between 00:49:00 – 01:00:00
• About Varn and Jati: between 01:11:15 – 01:12:55

Watch here 👉 Sudhanshu Trivedi on ANI Podcast

 

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