Ancient wisdom often holds keys to understanding our modern lives. This journey delves into profound insights from the Vedic tradition, particularly drawing from the Puruṣa Sūkta and the Bhagavad Gītā. Through these timeless verses and their contemporary interpretations, we explore how ancient concepts of self, duty, and liberation can illuminate our paths today—whether in our work, our relationships, or our personal growth. We’ll discover that the divisions we perceive in the world, and even within ourselves, ultimately point towards a deeper, unifying truth: The Many are truly aspects of the One.
The Four Roles in a Single Soul
Understanding the Varna System: In its original Vedic conception, the ‘varna’ system (often mistakenly equated with rigid caste) was a recognition of four fundamental societal and individual psychological tendencies or capacities, not a birthright. It described different types of work and contributions necessary for a flourishing society, and importantly, could manifest within any individual. These were roles based on inherent nature, aptitude, and contribution, meant to create harmony and balance, long before later interpretations distorted it into a hierarchical and exploitative social structure. We can understand these as archetypal energies or functions present in every human being.
brāhmaṇo ‘sya mukham āsīd bāhū rājanyaḥ kṛtaḥ
Shloka (From the Puruṣa Sūkta)
ūrū tad asya yad vaiśyaḥ padbhyāṁ śūdro ajāyata
The Scholar’s mind, a calming light,
Seeks the true and shines it bright.
The Ruler’s will, a steady hand,
To guide and protect across the land.
The Artisan’s craft, a creative fire,
Building value from a dream’s desire.
The Guardian’s care, a supportive grace,
In the foundation of every space.
Four different names, a single aim:
To know the Self from which we came.
The Brahmana (The Scholar/Priest)
śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca
jñānaṁ vijñāna m āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam
(Bhagavad Gītā, Chapter 18, Verse 42)
The Scholar’s mind, a calming light,
Seeks the true and shines it bright.
With peace and patience, a steady gaze,
It cuts through the world’s illusory maze.
Austerity and purity mark its way,
To understand the truth at play.
Its sacred work, to know and see,
The One that is, and will ever be.
The Kshatriya (The Ruler/Protector)
śauryaṁ tejo dhṛtir dākṣyaṁ yuddhe cāpy apalāyanam
dānam īśvara-bhāvaś ca kṣātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam
(Bhagavad Gītā, Chapter 18, Verse 43)
The Ruler’s will, a steady hand,
To guide and protect across the land.
With courage, might, and resolute heart,
It plays its own essential part.
A leader’s grace, a generous mind,
To serve the people, all humankind.
Its sacred work, to stand and fight,
For what is just and for what’s right.
The Vaishya (The Artisan/Merchant)
kṛṣi-gaurakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam
(Bhagavad Gītā, Chapter 18, Verse 44)
The Artisan’s craft, a creative fire,
Building value from a dream’s desire.
To till the earth, to trade, to rear,
To nourish life and banish fear.
With skill and care, the world it weaves,
A network of what it gives and receives.
Its sacred work, to create and sustain,
The fertile field, the growing grain.
The Shudra (The Guardian/Helper)
paricaryātmakaṁ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam
(Bhagavad Gītā, Chapter 18, Verse 44)
The Guardian’s care, a supportive grace,
In the foundation of every space.
With dedicated hands and heart,
It offers its essential part.
To serve, to maintain, to make whole,
The silent force that blesses every goal.
Its sacred work, a humble art,
To play its role with loving heart.
yataḥ pravṛttir bhūtānāṁ yena sarvam idaṁ tatam
svakarmaṇā tam abhyarcya siddhiṁ vindati mānavaḥ
(Bhagavad Gītā, Chapter 18, Verse 46)
The One Aim
The morning sun upon the mind,
The Scholar wakes, to seek and find.
Not just for knowledge, but to be free
From the bonds of what it thinks it sees.
Its light, a lamp to burn away
The ignorance of night and day.
This knowing is its sacred rite,
A step from darkness into light.
The world then calls, a task, a plea,
The Ruler stands for all to see.
With willed action, a righteous fight,
It guards the good with all its might.
Not for the power or the praise,
But to dissolve the self that strays.
This courage is its sacred fire,
To burn the shade of low desire.
The Artisan then takes the clay,
And shapes the stuff of common day.
A meal, a trade, a healing art,
It plays its own devoted part.
Not for the wealth the act imparts,
But for the offering of its heart.
This craft becomes its daily grace,
A mindful step in time and space.
And when the day is nearly done,
The Guardian’s humble work’s begun.
To clean, to hold, to simply be
A root of calm stability.
Not as a burden, low or small,
But as an answer to the call.
This service is its gentle key,
To unlock chains and let soul be.
The parent, teacher, friend, and child,
By turn, we’re merciful and wild.
Now Scholar’s thought, now Guardian’s care,
Now Ruler’s charge, now Artisan’s flair.
Four different names, four shifting faces,
In countless, ordinary places.
Each role, a path, a yoga’s way,
To practice Truth within the play.
For Moksha isn’t past the gate,
It’s in the love we cultivate.
It’s in the work we do with soul,
That makes the fragmented parts feel whole.
To act, but not for act’s reward,
Is to be one with the Absolute Lord.
The Many faces we employ
Are for the Single Self’s great joy.
Moon at Half Past Noon 
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