Castes have no superiority or inferiority according to the Vedas. A sugar doll is all sugar. The hymn of Purusha Sukta speaks of the four castes having come from four parts of His Body. The meaning is that all are equally high born and equally important. The mouth cannot walk nor can the feet talk. It is the voice that is obeyed and the arm that protects. Well, all those who felt (and follow the feeling) that fighting is their righteous duty are Kshatriyas; all those who feel it their duty to study the Vedas and the Shastras are Brahmins---not those who feel it as their right! (SSS Vol.2)
(Four Castes)
The four castes are only limbs of one body. They are not separate entities. There is no basis to consider that one is superior and another, inferior. Each performs its function so that the body can be healthy and happy, so that each can win the highest state of consciousness, from its own role. So the ancient Vedic Varna organisation based on such broad ideals was taken to be the Divine Plan. The Plan witnessed the truth that the four castes were the four limbs of the one Divine Cosmic Person or Purusha.
This truth becomes clear when we consider the Divine statement in Purusha Sukta found in the Rig Veda.
‘Braahmano Asya mukham aaseet,
baahoo raajanya kritah,
uroo tadasya yad vaishyah,
padmyaakum shoodro ajaayata’,
In this declaration, those with pure Sattvika nature and established in higher knowledge or wisdom, that is to say, the Brahmins, are declared as the face of the Cosmic Person. Those who are predominantly courageous, physically strong, having in their nature Sattvika and Rajasika qualities, the Kshatriyas, as the arms of the Cosmic Person. Those who have Rajasika nature mixed with Tamas and are efficient in the arts of commerce, the Vaishyas, as the thighs of the Cosmic Person; those who are active and engaged in physical labour, those endowed with Tamas, the Shudras, as the feet of the Cosmic Person. The Lord is thus described in the Rg Veda as the wondrous and splendorous embodiment of such components. (SV, pp. 215-216)
Caste is the Cosmic Person Himself manifesting as Human Society. It is the visible form of the Lord, charming in every limb. (SV, p. 219)
The Pancha bhutas are in every human being. They are Ether (sky), Air, Fire, Water and Earth. They have no caste, colour or creed. For you, who are enjoying all these, how can you belong to any caste! There is only one caste that of humanity. This is the truth that we may have to put into practice, propagate so that we may live happily and peacefully. (E.H.M)
‘To which class did Valmiki belong? In which caste was born Nandanar? What was the age of Dhruva? What power and pelf did Shabari possess? What was the status of Vidura? Did Kannappa possess any intelligence?’ ‘Neither class nor caste nor age nor power nor status nor intelligence will earn God’s Grace. Only devotion and dedication can earn for one Lord’s grace.’ ‘Know ye all of you that, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras are born of one Mother. Brahmins are elder brothers, the rest the younger ones. That which should bind them all together is love. Castes are based on the natural attributes-gunas in people. Importance is attached only to virtuous behaviour and conduct. A wicked Brahmin is veritably a Shudra. A virtuous Shudra is veritably a Brahmin. Why observe these distinctions amongst the children of one Mother. Foster unity and progress. Set aside all differences. Then only the nation can progress’. (Glory OB, p. 126)