Bharata Ganarajya
Bharata Ganarajya is both the monarchal government of Bharatavarsa and an overarching social caste system governing the lives of the Bharata people! It is thanks to this caste system, deeply rooted in Sanatana Dharma, that their government is rarely challenged--the people strive to fulfill their role in society in the hopes of better reincarnation. There are four varnas making up this system, four classes a Sanatanis can fall under as well as a fifth class of outcasts. While ironclad within Bharatavarsa, the varna system is poorly regarded elsewhere in Emynea--seen as exploitative and inhumane akin to the treatment of Haratin in Marrakesh. Meanwhile, the Bharata monarchy claims sovreignty as the divine descendants of Lurstur, who they call Kamadeva.
Maintaining a strict and static class system, there are five varnas in Sanatanis society: brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, shudras and dalits. Leaning on the concepts of reincarnation and dharma, the Bharata people believe they are born into these castes according to their karma and dharma and cannot move between classes within their lifetime. Instead, they devote themselves to their duties within their caste so they might reincarnate better in their next life! The varnas and the unquestioning acceptance of them results in a stable social order. But it also traps many into a lifetime of hardship, poverty and exploitation, to the distaste of their neighbors. |
The Varnas |
When they divided Purusha how many portions did they make?
What do they call his mouth, his arms? What do they call his thighs and feet?
The Brahmin was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rajanya made. His thighs became the Vaishya, from his feet the Shudra was produced.
The five varnas are a hierarchal system which determines the role a Sanatanis is alotted, the expectations they must meet, their occupation and general duties. Highest on the ladder are the brahmins or brahmanas, playing the role of scholars, priests and teachers. As spiritual leaders, brahmins are considere the closest to enlightenment, devoting their lives to guiding spirituality and academia as gurus and rishis. Next are the Kshatriyas or Rajanya, a class of rulers, warriors, government officials and general leaders. They guide society forward with an iron fist, acting as administrators on and off the battlefield--driving economics, politics and even war forward. |
Below the Kshatriyas are the Vaishyas which are farmers, merchants and land-owners. Meanwhile, the lowest position on the accepted social order are the Shudras, consisting of artisans, simple labourers and servants, taking on productive but menial tasks. And lowest of all, so low they aren't considered members of the system, are the Dalits otherwise known as Panchama or Harijans. Considered untouchable outcastes whose title means broken or scattered, Dalits are forced to undertake undesireable occupations involving waste and death. |
Among them, those who did good work in this world attain a good birth accordingly.
They are born as a brahmin, a ksatriya, or a vaisya.
But those who did bad work in this world attain a bad birth accordingly, being born as a dog, a pig, or as a casteless person.
The control of the mind and the senses,
austerity, purity, forbearance, and also uprightness, knowledge, realisation, belief in a hereafter–
These are the duties of the Brahmanas, born of nature.
Brahmin |
Brahmin or brahmana are the caste of priests and scholars, divided up into purohit, pandit or pujari within Sanatanis temples. They lead public religious ceremonies, rites of passage and fascilitate rituals such as weddings. Brahmin might also fill the role of spiritual teachers, serving as gurus or acharyas.
Those born with true magic and those inheriting mental kaithur make up the bulk of this varnas. As for their duties, every Brahmin is responsible for performing all six Vedic duties wheras Kshatriya and Vaishya only need to perform adhyayana, yajana and dana. |
Vedic Duties |
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HyayanaStudy of the Vedah | YajanaRitual Sacrifices | PratigrahaAccepting and Distributing Donations |
DanaDonating to Charity | AdhyapanaTeaching of the Vedahs | YajanaAct as Priest for a Sacrifice |
Kshatriya |
Prowess, boldness, fortitude, dexterity, and also not flying from battle, generosity and sovereigntyare the duties of the Kshatriyas, born of nature.
Kshatriya, also called Rajanya, is either at the top of the social hierarchy or just below religious leaders. These are rulers, politicians and administrators but might also include warriors and soldiers! At the very top of the Kshatriya is the raja, kings of Bharatavarsa--divine descendants of Lurstur or other Devas. Alternately, in more rural locations, a king or samiti (assembly) might be elected to rule or represent their people. Whether born into their role or elected, Kshatriya are responsible for protecting and leading their people, local kshatriya particularly responsible for protecting cattle and upholding social order! While some kshatriyas have mental magics they are most known to have only the most powerful fire and water kaithur! Simultaenously, most kshatriya also have some kind of beast Form! These include the regal draconic Nagas, sturdy vahara boars, fierce kimpurushas lions and imposing riksa sloth-bears.
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Vaishya are third in the social order, running farms and businesses, acting as traders, bankers and merchants. They manipulate and control the overall economy of Bharatavarsa, owning all land and properties. They organize and provide food and supplies for the higher classes and employ the Shudras and Dalits. After all, Vaishyas rarely work their own land, leaving physical labor to the lower castes. It is also their responsibility to exemplify good and moral behavior while travelling in foreign lands, having the most contact with Wastelanders and their Huaren nieghbors. Vaishyas are known to be vegetarian, forbidden from killing animals. After all, nearly every single one of them has a beastial Form from amid the semi-human races in Sanatanis mythology! These usually include the avian kinnaras, ape vanaras, bovine pasu and deer-like harina. The vidyadhara are also among this class, able to see into or access Elemental Planes. |
Vaishya |
Agriculture, cattle-rearing and tradeare the duties of the Vaishyas, born of nature
Shudras |
Action consisting of serviceis the duty of the Sudras, born of nature.
The lowest accepted rung of the varnas are the Shudra, workers, artisans and menial labourers. Those who actually produce and provide are Shudra including farmhands, blacksmiths, artists, musicians, servants and peasants. The tools, land and ultimate possession of the fruit of their labor is owned by vaishya, Shudras themselves not owning property. Unlike the higher casts, these people are not dvija, twice born, which means they are not permitted an array of rights. Some of the more common Bharata kaithur belong to this caste, as it is the largest. The majority of Bharata has basic manifestations of Ithisda, Lishil or Ithgalem magic, enabling them to reside underwater! Other related forms include those of the goat-legged Aja, adaptable reptilian Uragas, fishy matsyangana, ape-like vanaras, strong and sturdy vaharas and dwarven kumbhanda. |
Social Restrictions |
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Cannot read or listen to the Vedahs, except for the Itihasas and Puranas (myths and legends) |
Cannot learn to read or access education, only able to learn trade skills of an artisan or farmer |
Cannot perform rituals except for sraddha, the five daily mahayanjnas and the purta-dharma (construction) |
Barred from all samskaras sacraments except for childhood rites and marriage |
More severe punishments for adultery, rape, slander or libel of a higher varna |
Cannot perform sacrifices or access sacred fires |
Punishments for killing a Shruda are less severe |
Cannot give food to Brahmins unless employed by them |
Cannot touch a Brahmin but if they do, the Brahmin must ritually atone |
Cannot give gifts or donations to a Brahmin |
Cannot become a judge |
Social Restrictions |
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Cannot eat in the company of other varnas |
Must use separate cups and utensils from other varnas |
Segregrated seating in restaurants, public functions and festivals |
Cannot enterr temples or other sacred places |
Cannot wear sandals in front of higher varnas |
Cannot enter the homes of other varnas |
Cannot use main roads or pathways of cities and villages |
Separate cremation sites and grarveyards |
Cannot use public resources like wells, ponds and temples |
Restricted to unclean labor and required to enter into indentured servitude |
Dalit |
The texts which elaborate on the varnas the most are the dharma-shastras, dividing up society into these four classes. And for those who resist this system, a position lower than even the Shudras awaits--outcastes and untouchables who are ostracised from the entire system. These people are called either Dalits or Harijans. One can find themselves in this position either through terrible crimes or sins but barbarians and those considered unethical might also become a Dalit. These are fallen people which were of a higher varna but have become impure, not by birth but through immoral behavior. However, most Dalits are those whose family performs roles which are considered unclean. These occupations includes those who dispose of human or animal waste, those cleaning the streets and cities, coroners, leatherworkers, cobblers, butchers, scavengers and garbage collectors --any job considered dirty or unwanted! The most common Kaithur for the Dalits is decay magic from Dalyeric which are associated with the vulture-like Grdha. But since anyone can become a Dalit, their abilities may be totally unpredictable! |
Unfortunately, Dalits are treated as if they are somehow contaminated, whether spiritually or physically, enduring ostracization, segregation, poor housing, no education and a lack of basic human rights! They are not permitted to share the same public resources as higher varnas, believed to taint public wells and temples. As a result, many Dalits have poor health and suffer a short lifespan, drinking dirty water, residing in squalid housing and working in close proximity to disease. Even on a social level, they face harsh discrimination and humiliation, excluded from society but exploited for the worst of tasks! These discriminations are harshly reviled by neighbors of Bharatavarsa, particularly in Bod, Mongol Uls and parts of the Frozen Wastes and more recently the Kingdom of Accia.
Within Bharatavarsa, other varnas will have little to nothing to do with the Dalits, considering them untouchable. Mixing of varnas is not accepted, especially in regards to marriage--other Bharata people won't interact with them at all besides what is necessary. Even the presence of a Dalit is considered impure, considered to polute other varnas. And even when they manage to scrounge together any resources or make themselve a home, higher varnas often take it all from them, driving them out if not murdering Dalits for the land they aren't even permitted to own! Indeed, Dalits can be killed for little to no reason--a passing whim of higher varnas. And in the darkest eras of Bharatavarsa, Dalits were most often used for human sacrifices. And to assure their continued subjugation, many laws are in place which keep Dalits in their disadvantaged position, allowing no social mobility or even escape! But now, with the take-over by the Kingdom of Accia and their disapproval of the varnas... a fresh but frightening uncertainty lies before of this ancient system. |
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