Is it justified to keep the shudra caste below all other castes, when all are equal by their profession?

[Ms. Laxmi Thrylokya asked (on phone): The meaning of the word ‘Shuudra’ is said to be weeping (shocati) for materialism. Such word indicates a bad quality only and for this reason, Shuudra is kept below all the castes. Is it not injustice when all castes are said to be equal by their professions?]

Swami replied (on phone): While churning the sea, the Mandhara Mountain along with Adhishesha were above and God Maha Vishnu in the form of tortoise was below the mountain. Do you say that God Maha Vishnu is at a lower state than the mountain and snake? When a list is given, the priority may be in descending order or even in ascending order. In fact, the Shuudra who is an agriculturist producing food for the entire society is the highest among the four castes. If you say that the Shuudra is born from the lowest feet of God, the river Ganga, who is famous as the holiest river destroying all sins is also born from the feet of God only. If the feet are absent, the person cannot walk and if there is no walking, the person will die with illness due to lack of exercise. Can you imagine the horrible life of a person without walking and sitting only! Here, the word ‘Śocati’ means worrying about his/her professional work. The word shocati is used in Gita in the sense of worry only (na tvaṃ śocitu marhasi, mā śucaḥ sampadaṃ daivīm…). Even though Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are also worried about their materialistic professions, the worry of the Shudra for agriculture is the highest because food is the highest important item for life. Agriculture causes a lot of worries due to problems in rains (drought or flood), pests, etc., which are not in the control of the human being.

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