Infinite Castes and sub – Castes:
According to a survey undertaken by the Anthropological Survey of India during 1985-92, those who are called Hindu are divided among 2,800 unique communities. The so-called low-caste Hindus are officially divided into three broad groups, namely Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. According to this survey, these groups are subdivided into 450, 461, and 766 distinct communities respectively.
The great distinctions of caste are to be maintained not only in the earthly life, but also after death. According to Markandeya Purana, after death, the virtuous Brahman goes to the abode of Brahma, the good Kshatriya to that of Indra, the worthy Vashya to that of the Maruts, and the dutiful Sudra to that of the Gandharvas. Apparently, the Untouchable (Dalit) does not deserve any place in any heaven, may be because of his untouchability.
Caste Determines Duty:
In Hindu community, the basic duty of every individual is determined by his caste. The Brahman is the rightful possessor of the Veda and is the chief of the whole creation. He has the exclusive right to become a priest. It is through his benevolence that other mortals enjoy life.
It is clearly mentioned in the Gita, as quoted under the topic, Gita. We will now see what the Hindu Book of Law, the Manu Smriti, has to say about the duties based upon castes.
Manu Smriti says in Ch.1 Vv. 88-91
The six duties of a Brahmin are : Study, teach, performing ritual *Yagna for self and for others (mind you, they make fortunes out of it!), giving and accepting alms.
**The duties of a Kshatriya are **: Study during *Brahmacharya *(bachelorhood), perform rituals like Yagna give charity, rule efficiently, maintain good conduct and abstain from intoxicants.
The duties of a vaishya are: Study Vedas, perform rituals like, Yagna, give charity, maintain cattle, sell milk and other products, carry out agriculture, take usury, on loans.
The duties of the Sudra are: The Lord orders that a Sudra has to simply obey and serve the above three castes without any feeling of resentment.” EXPRESSED IN THE SIMPLEST MANNER! ISN’T IT?
And be not surprised to see that a Brahmin is being ordered to give something, instead of taking something. As a matter of fact, the same Manu Smriti mentions in Chapter 11 that **‘Only a Brahmin is entitled to accept the alms!’ **That means, the wealth of a Brahmin can never reach a non – Brahmin but, the wealth of the non – Brahmins can always reach a Brahmin.
However, the Brahmins have been generous in exempting a Sudra from giving alms. This is due to the sympathy that a Sudra however, can possess NOTHING!
The Khsatriya is described as the dispenser of justice, particularly as the one whose duty it is to punish law-breakers; he exercises the civil power and to his tender mercies the Brahmans could hand over law- breakers. He has to see that the various castes attend to their prescribed duties; but in doing this work he must abide by the decisions of the Brahmans.
**The Vaishya **comprises the merchant, the agriculturist, and the keeper of cattle. His chief work is keeping cattle and lending money on interest.
The Sudra has been created to serve the other three castes (i.e., the fair-skinned Aryans). He is spoken of as a slave, his property, as well as his person, being at the disposal of his master.
The Dalit is to perform the most unpleasant tasks: cleaning lavatories, carrying night soil, skinning carcasses, blacksmithes and making footwear.