Question
What, according to the Dharmashastras, were the ideal occupations for the four varnas? Give one way in which the Brahmanas tried to enforce these norms.
Solution
The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras contained rules about the ideal ‘occupations’ of the four categories or varnas.
(i) Brahmanas were supposed to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices and get sacrifices performed, give and receive gifts.
(ii) Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare, protect people and administer justice and study the Vedas.
(iii)The last three ‘occupations’ were also assigned to the Vaishyas, who were additionally expected to engage in agriculture, pastoralism and trade.
(iv)Shudras were assigned only on occupation that of serving the three ‘higher’ varnas.
(v)The Brahmanas evolved two strategies for enforcing social norms of Varna. One, as we have just seen, was to assert that the varna order was created by the gods. Second, they advised kings to ensure that these norms were followed within their kingdoms. And third, they attempted to convince people that their status was determined by the social category into which they were born. However, convincing men and women was not always easy. So prescriptions were often reinforced by stories told in the Mahabharata and other texts.
