SHUDRA AND INDEPENDENCE

The greatest gift nature has provided to humanity is "Independence".  Freedom is an asset and treasure that even the Devatas avoid infringing upon.  

One of the most misunderstood concepts in Dharmik scriptures is in regards to Shudras. Apparently, Shudras had no independence. Many places in the Dharmik scriptures suggest that Shudras obliged to working for the other three Varnas; namely the Brahmans, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. Seemingly, there was clear abuse towards the Shudras from the opinion makers and other Varnas. Yet, how accurate was this in reality – even just 100 years ago?

Shudras represented many professions that were crucial for daily functionalities in society. However, while they did fulfill basic needs for people of all three communities, they were never hired as full time workers; they were never forced to live away from their families. A barber would never work as a labourer for one specific person, but his labour was used by all the Varnas; no one employer owned him. Similarly, blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, snake charmers, tailors, potters and scavengers, all provided their skills to society, but not as full time workers. Even today, if we observe traditionally operating villages, we find the same phenomena existing for most skilled workers. They work, but not at the cost of freedom.

Contrarily, it is actually modern society that has created an engulfing phenomenon of the ever entangling rat race. Countless full time workers are busy being dictated by their employers. Intellectuals are obligated to form opinions that are against the very core of the beliefs and experiences. People are employed to shamelessly spread slanderous lies and one sided stories while denying the truth.

Therefore, Dharmik scriptures prescribe to protect one’s independence even if that means having fewer resources – as independence is the greatest resource and should be treasured at any cost. That is why prior to the battle of Kurukshetra, Yudhisthira Maharaja offered his warriors the opportunity to switch sides and fight for the opposing army or to even quit the battle. He gave them that choice to follow their desires because forcing people to fight against their will was as harmful as Duryodhana’s sin of controlling them by buying and enslaving them.

Independence was so vital and valuable that even the so called “ordinary” people never became full time workers; they rather chose to work individualistically using their talents to earn their livelihoods.

Independence – do we have it?