Varnas in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Are Varnas inherited or can they also be acquired?

Krishna says He created the four divisions of the social order, namely ‘Brahmanas’, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. But it is important to understand that these divisions are based on the Gunas namely Sattvika, Rajas, the combination of Rajas and Tamas and of Tamas alone.

Krishna does not belong to any of these divisions because He is Paramaatma, and that is the ultimate stage that a true seeker strives to achieve through Supreme Knowledge. He teaches Arjuna the way to attain His Nature!

नान्यं गुणेभ्यः कर्तारं यदा द्रष्टानुपश्यति |
गुणेभ्यश्च परं वेत्ति मद्भावं सोऽधिगच्छति || १४ १९ ||
naanyam guNe-bhyaha kartaaram
yadaa drashtaanu-pashyati
guNebhyash-cha param vaytti
madbhaavam so’dhigacchati (SBG 14:19)
The one who recognises the Gunas alone as the agent in all actions and treats the Self to be above the Gunas, achieves My Divine Nature.

The four divisions indicate different levels of the orderly development of the Supreme Consciousness, but that which is unperishing in them is the same Paramatma. These Gunas are basically genetically inherited but can be developed by people themselves through knowledge, righteous action, and altering their level of spiritual Consciousness.

The Gunas prevent people from realising their own Divinity. Krishna says in Shloka SBG 2:45 “Vedic literature deals with subjects that fall under the three Gunas. O Arjuna, you should RISE ABOVE THE THREE, be free from the thoughts of acquisition and preservation, always remain in Sattva or goodness, and be established in the Self.”

People who have reached a higher level of consciousness, whichever division of society they may belong to, can evolve to a spiritual position much higher than that of people who are ‘Brahmanas’ by birth but do not have the Sattvika Guna in them. A few examples of great spiritual people who were not born in ‘Brahmana’ families are Valmiki, Vishvamitra, Mahaveera, all the ten human Sikh Gurus, Swami Vivekananda, Saint Meera, Saint Tukaram, Saint Ravidas, and many others.

However, a person who fully understands Krishna is above all the divisions of society.

A person’s inherent qualities or Gunas unveil their natural inclinations. These characteristics are shaped by the amalgamation of genetic information inherited from both parents at the moment of conception. It’s evident that an individual lacking courage and physical strength cannot aspire to become a soldier or a Kshatriya. After all, what value does a Kshatriya hold if they extend an olive branch to a fierce enemy threatening the very land they are meant to defend? Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna did not endorse feeble or cowardly attitudes such as fleeing the battlefield, offering amity to an aggressor, or turning the other cheek when slapped. The concept of ‘turning the other cheek’ is contrary to Dharma. Instead, Krishna urged the Kshatriya in Arjuna to engage in battle with unwavering resolve. This spirit of combat extends beyond facing human adversaries to confronting life’s adversities. It prevents individuals from succumbing to cowardice under the guise of being ‘peaceful’ or adhering to non-violence.

Apart from the perception that those of pure Sattvic Guna are said to be ‘Brahmanas’, the main definition of a ‘Brahmana’ is given in Shloka SBG 2:46, in which Krishna says that the one who has acquired the Knowledge of the Supreme Brahman is a ‘Brahmana’. Even a small element of Rajas Guna in such a person can affect their spiritual status as a ‘Brahmana’. There were great valiant Kshatriyas who changed their Varna by altering their Guna to a Sattvik one and became highly revered sages. Saint Ravidas who was born into a family of cobblers, turned Sattvik and went on to become a renowned sage. Since consuming meat involves killing and blood, it is not considered Sattvic. It is needless to say that a person who consumes meat cannot attain a Sattvik state of consciousness and hence cannot be a ‘Brahmana’. A person who was born to ‘Brahmana’ parents but consumes food such as meat and animal products obtained through acts of violence against innocent living beings, involves himself in brutal acts, does not possess the Sattva Guna, and is hence not a ‘Brahmana’ at all. Due to his Tamasic qualities, he would be considered a Shudra.

Anyone from any kind of family background may work towards comprehending the basic ‘Guna configuration’ they are born with and working on improving or optimising it. Spiritual evolution means rising above Avidya, or ignorance, and not merely engaging in fake religious acts in the name of piety. All acts of violence and damage to nature are done due to ignorance and stupidity. That has nothing to do with the ‘castes’ of the families such perpetrators were born in!