At first appearance, the Hindu class structure and the social laws pertaining to religious rights based on one’s class seem to be prejudicial, demeaning and exclusive to the point of abuse. The lowest Varna, the Shudra, is not even allowed to hear or study the Vedas based solely on their inescapable station in life as servants to the higher three classes. However, when one looks at their class system from a purely religious standpoint, you discover that the class system is not abusive in itself, and that the abuse that may take place comes from aspects of humanity outside their religious practices.Sanatanadharma breaks down society into four classes (Varnas), and the untouchables. The highest class is the Brahmans, the priestly class. Their Dharma is to study and understand the Vedas, and bring this knowledge to others. The second class is the Kshatriya, the warrior class. The Kshatriya class acts as the protectors of the peace. Vaishya, the producing class, work as business people providing economic stability to the society. The servant class, the Shudra, serves the higher three classes. They are not allowed to read or hear the Vedas, but they are allowed to participate in Bhakti Marga, the path of devotion. It may seem degrading to keep them away from the religious texts that at the same time are keeping them from raising their station in this lifetime, but as a Hindu, they were placed in that class for a reason. Karma, which follows you throughout your many lifetimes, determines which class you will be in for any given lifetime. You may be demoted to an animal, reallocated within the class structure, or even elevated to a deity. Your actions in each lifetime affect your karma, and if a Shudra does his dharma it will have a positive effect on his/her karma, perhaps elevating him/her into a class in which he/she will be allowed to study the Vedas and progress along his/her spiritual path.There are two other section...
