Laws of Man prescribing proper social behavior in India (jan 1, 200 BC – jan 1, 200)
Description:
Caste:
Brahmin - white/spirituality; head of Purusha; priests and teachers
Kshatriya - red/courage; shoulders of Purusha; warriors and rulers
Vaisya - yellow/wealth; thighs of Purusha; farmers, merchants, and artisans
Sudra - black/ignorance; feet of Purusha; labor
UNTOUCHABLES - outside of Varna system thus no color or association with Purusha; polluted labor
Stages of Life and Duties:
Student - Boys live with a teacher (guru) learning Sanskrit, rituals, and Vedas, and practicing obedience, respect, celibacy (abstinence), and nonviolence.
Householder - marriage and family; men practice caste-based career/occupation; women as wives and mother, performing household rituals and sacrifices; actively support children and elders.
Retirement - Both husband and wife withdraw to the forests after the birth of grandchildren; diminished household duties; focus on spiritual practice; sex allowed once per month.
Wandering ascetic - Only men (women to households); rejection of ordinary existence; wandering hermite without shelter or possessions; caste irrelevant; focus on moksha and avoiding further rebirth.
Added to timeline:
World History Periods 1 and 2 (500 BCE - 1500 CE)
Date:
