Bhishma advises Varna and Ashrama to Yudhisthira
After Yudhisthira was crowned as King of Hastinapur, Lord Krishna freed magnificent Bhishma from all his sufferings prior to his death and requested him to alleviate Yudhisthira from mourning over the lifeless Kshatriyas by means of way of advising him on Dharma. Bhishma gladly agreed. Let us know in brief what he defined related to Varna and Ashrama Dharma.
Yudhisthira asked, “Pitamaha! which is the sole Dharma, that is beneficial for all sorts of Varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras)? What are the separate Dharmas of these four Varnas? Please do tell me what are the four religions of the four Ashramas?”
Bhishma answered, ‘In no way getting angry on anyone, truthfulness, forgiveness, sharing the wealth amongst others, having children from own wife, staying pure from outside and inside, by no means betraying anybody, being decent and dealing with the dependable individuals are the nine Dharmas, which are beneficial for all of the Varnas.
Brahmins ought to constantly control their senses and practice Svadhyaya (recitation of Vedas) due to the fact that these bring about the fulfilment of all their works. After righteously earning wealth, he should either get married by it to have his descendants or utilize the same in Sacrifice rituals or Donations. Because of the reality of having Maitri (considering safety, happiness, and welfare of all), he's accordingly regarded as Maitra or friend.
Kshatriyas donate but by no means solicit from others, carry out Yajna however in no way do it for others by becoming a priest, studies but in no way grow to be a Guru. Kshatriya must rule all of the human beings correctly, kill murders and thieves and display heroism on the Warfield. Those kings who aren't only experts in shastras, Vedas, and Yajnas but additionally skilful in war, are seemed like the most beneficent ones. Wise men in no way idolize those Kshatriyas who without damage return from the battlefield. A virtuous king stays prepared for any war and protects his human beings. Deityking Indra is referred to as the lord of the kings or Rajendra for owning immense power amongst all the deities.
Giving alms, studying, doing Yajna, handling with the animals, and spiritually earning money is regarded as the karmas of Vaishyas. Animal husbandry was specially allowed to Vaishyas by way of Prajapati after he created the animals. A Vaishya while managing six cows of anyone including of the King’s for a year, can drink the milk of one cow. If he takes care of a hundred cows or others for a year, then he can ask him to take an ox and a cow as his revenue. At the time he earns money out of selling milk and horns, he can take the seventh part of the earning. But, he can have the sixteenth part of the income in case he got the money out of selling the hoof of the animal. At the same time as guarding the crops and seeds of other people, he can have the seventh part of the yield as his yearly salary. He must in no way question looking after the animals. The master must no longer delegate the task of Vaishyas to others unless he quits by himself.
Shudras are created by way of Prajapati to serve the rest three Varnas: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, therefore, they must act accordingly. They ought to never go after earning wealth, as that would simplest cause them to feel superior to the other greater human beings. A Shudra can perform religious works after taking permission from the king. The other three Varnas should assist the Shudras in the direction of their sustenance. They should donate their umbrella, turban, perfumes, footwear, fans, and old garments to the Shudras, and make preparations to provide them with works. A Shudra has to do Pindadana (offering of Pinda or ball of rice to the manes of ancestors) for his master in case if he's childless, he has to cope with his weak master during his old age and in no way should abandon him. If his owner loses all his wealth, he should serve him along with his ancestors’ remaining wealth due to the fact that his owner has the right over all his wealth. Yajna rituals barring the Vedic mantras Svahakara, Vasatkara are vital for Shudras. Without taking Vedic Vrat, they have to do Pakayajna (oblation to the Viswadevas). A Shudra named Paijavana conducted a grand yajna just like Aindragnayajna and offered as fees to the priests one lakh of gold vessels. Yajnas of Shudras are not to be carried out differently from other Varnas considering the fact that finest Yajna is accomplished with devotion only which makes the individual holy.
Brahmins are regarded as equal to a deity for the sacrifice rituals themselves. Different Varnas help each other within the course of the Yajna at the same time as doing their parts and consequently receives the favoured rewards. Different Varna human beings must act in keeping with the Brahmins. Brahmins are revered as Deities for being an expert in Rig, Yajur and Sama Vedas. Shudras irrespective of being unfamiliar to these Vedas, are referred to as the devotee of Prajapati or ‘Prajapatya’. All of the Varnas have complete rights to the non-secular Yajnas done with commitment and determination in which each even Deities gladly be a part of. In the past, Vaikhanasa has mentioned that “The devotee who does fire sacrifice rituals with holiness earlier than sunrise, within him religion is the primary motive.” There is nothing greater than doing Yajna therefore all four Varnas ought to go for it.’
In Brahmacharya ashrama, one after his Chudakarana (Mundana
or tonsure) samskara or sacraments and Upanayana (Bratabandha or the thread
rite) attains Dvijatva (twice-born), then get married after Samavartanam (end
of Brahmacharya ashrama) and enters into Grihastha Ashrama. There he
accomplishes Agnihotras, manages over his passion, and thereafter being
grateful, he enters the Vanaprastha ashrama with or without his spouse. In
Vanaprastha ashrama, he studies the Aranyaka Shastra (part of ancient Indian
Vedas concerned with sacrifice rituals) and follows his religion. Later on, he leaves the ashrama at the same time as practising celibacy and takes Sannyasa. That individual after going through Sannyasa acquires indestructible
Brahmabhava (absorption into supreme Lord). If a Brahmin ever desires to
liberate himself from the world through Moksha, then he can straightaway go
to Sannyasa from Brahmacharya Ashrama.
A Sannyasi continuously keep his mind and awareness pure, desires nothing, by no means create any hut for himself, roam around and halt at somewhere in the sunset, sustain at the same time as accepting Prarabdha (past karmas to be experienced by the present body), treats equally to all barring any expectations, stays far from the pleasures and in no way mourn during the sorrows, accordingly he finds Brahma.
A man is stated to be virtuous in the course of the duration of Grihastha, at the time while he completes the study of Vedas and conducts sacred rituals, enjoys the fairly received wealth, and has children from his spouse. He ought to stay dedicated to his spouse only and make love to her during her periods, need to abide by means of the Shastras, stay away from discourtesy and crookedness, eat in a balanced way, pray to God always, be obliged toward helpful human beings, continue to be humble, and forgiving to all. Grihastha man needs to control his senses, obey his seniors, offer Havyakavya (oblation both to deities and dead ancestors) in a proper way to please the deities and Pitras, give food to Brahmins, keep away from jealousy and hatred feelings, feed the rest of the Ashramas, and involve himself in Yajna acts. great sages had once stated that “Grihastha man stays happy on the earth as well as in heaven out of possessing truthfulness, simplicity, hospitality, Dharma, Artha, and affection to his wife. After observing his religion a Grihastha guy gets precise rewards in heaven.
Brahmachari needs to recite the Veda mantras and intended mantras to accomplish a task by himself, serve his Guru even as overlooking any dirt on his very own body, take Diksha while having his passion controlled, complete his duties at the same time whilst staying at his Guru, pray to Guru, avoid Yajan-Yajana, Adhyayana-Adhyapana, Daan, and Pratigraha, avoid unrighteousness acts, no longer make friends with a hateful individual and display his power.’
‘These four Ashramas are specific for Brahmins only considering the reality that Brahmins have been first created. Other Varnas never comply with these Ashramas. There are numerous approaches described for Kshatriyas that lead to Heaven. All of these ways are violent: such as war. However, the Brahmins aren't supposed to do the same. That fool Brahmin who regardless of being Brahmin acts as a Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra are condemned on the earth and consequently go to hell after his demise. Brahmins by performing Yajna, studying Vedas: doing these two for others as properly, taking alms or donating the same, via following the religion of the four Ashramas, having control over his feelings and no longer desire anything, staying pure from inside and outside, practising penance, and being compassionate, turns out to be Imperishable. just like the responsibilities of Vaishyas: taking interest, farming, trading, and ruling people and so forth, sacred studies are important to Brahmins. people reap the fruits of karma according to Prarabdha.
A Grihastha brahmin should no longer do slavery of a king, earn by way of farming, sustain through business, adultery with licentious women, sleeping with any characterless, sinful Shudra ladies, etc. This form of Brahmins no matter doing Svadhyaya are similar to Shudras. Any Brahmins having no dignity, being impious, ruthless, violent, and going in opposition to his religion doesn't deserve to receive any alms or Havyakavya. They should be controlling five senses, mind and intellect, consuming Somaras with the aid of doing Somayoga, courteous, kind, tolerant, generous, mild, compassionate, and forgiving, aside from these others are regarded as no Brahmins. Lord Vishnu manages these Varnas and Ashrama Dharma and without him, these are ruined.
Any Shudra who has served the other three Varnas appropriately has children from his wife, is similar almost with other Varnas associated with virtues and has observed the ten dharmas as in keeping with Manu Prakta, then he can accept any Ashrama except Sannyasa after taking approval of the king. Surviving upon begging are too the principles of these Shudras, Vaishyas, and Kshatriyas. Vaishyas after following his religion devotedly can request King to permit him for adopting Vanaprastha which is suitable to Kshatriyas. Among Kshatriyas, religion as per Kings is regarded as the greatest. According to wise men, Kshatriya dharma gives more good fortune than other religions. The dharmas of all of the Ashramas and Varnas are managed by way of King thru his Kshatriya Dharma and Dand Approach.
Ref: Mahabharata book Shanti Parva
Read about the origin of King from Prithu.