The third caste Vaishyas, should practice farming (Krushi) in accordance with Parashar’s laws. They should also practice money lending (Kushid) with the collection of interest in accordance with Vyavaharadyaya. Vanaparva of Mahabharat explains, ‘Those who have to live off cooked vegetables every five or six days but who are still not in debt and who do not go overseas for livelihood are happy.’
Shudras, the fourth caste, are to serve the other caste members. Anushasan Parva explains: Dwijsushrushaya Shudraha Param Shreyoadigachati - ‘Service of the Dwijas by a Shudra leads to prosperity and greatness.’ Dwijasevadi - the use of ‘adi’ includes service to one’s parents. ‘Cha’ includes the practice or Dharma such as Ahimsa (non-violence) etc.
Yagnavalkya explains the ordinary or basic Dharmas for all four castes, ‘Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteyam (refraining from thievery), Saucha (purity), Indriya Nigraha (withdrawal of senses), Daan (charity), Dama (control of the mind), Daya (compassion) and Kshanti (forgiveness) are the essence of Dharma.’
Shatanand concludes by saying that he has not gone into further detail here. However one should derive the deeper meaning of Dharma from other Dharma-Shastras.
The West often look at the Indian Caste System as unfair and unjust. They bring up arguments of ‘freedom of action’ and ‘equal rights’. However these arguments in my opinion are accrued from the ignorance of understanding the true nature and purpose of the caste system.
The caste system isn’t a way of separating or restricting people. The Caste system was designed for effective organisation and management of society. It provides a distribution of manpower for various necessary jobs. Do we not have a White collar/Blue collar separation of the work force in the West? This is simple basis of the Caste system, except it is enforced by birth in India’s Caste system.
‘Enforced by birth’ serves two purposes here which are dominant (i) as a result of one’s past Karmas, he is born to endure the miseries or pleasures arising from a particular caste and (ii) being born a particular caste and performing actions accordingly will lead to greater effectiveness (it is believed for example that the learning capacity of a Brahmin is greater than that of another caste), hence the caste system is designed to make an organisation of people more productive.
The caste system is a means of integration of society. It aims to provide for each other. In any society teachers, government officers, workers and traders are needed for effective running of a society - the caste system is simply that. The specific roles make for a brilliant formula to the organisation of society. If the caste system and the duties for each caste were followed then there is no doubt that we could return to the former glory of ‘Rama Rajya’.
The caste system is in no way a burden and needs to be preserved. The system does not aim to outcast any group. There is no mention of untouchability etc. of Shudras - they are Harijans (Devotees of god) and so can in no way be considered as outcasts.