The message of Bahagavan Das on the present significance of the Vedic Social Order

individual freedom as we now know it, and therefore in religious ordinances and in the Laws of Manu Order was in a sense being imposed from outside. It was imposed on the people by the lawgiver. This was at the time of Man’s childhood. But Bhagavan Das has shown by his interpretation of the Manu Code into modern expression that the principles embodied in it are equally applicable today. Indeed it is of the essence of organism that there is not any one organ that rules all the others, but that they all function together towards the meaning of the whole. In this sense Social Order means Order achieved by human agreement in accordance with the true meaning and nature of Man.

Now we saw above that the nature of Man, as of Reality altogether, is triune, consisting of thought, feeling and will, or as they are otherwise expressed in Indian wisdom, knowledge, desire and action. Thus in the Social Order of Manu there is a class of persons representing each of these three parts of Man; the Brahmins representing knowledge, the Kshattriyas representing action and the Vaishyas representing desire. In later history we see these three emerging as Priests, Kings and Nobles, and Merchants; and in history each has in turn been dominant.

In the Manu Code one may ina sense say that the Brahmins are dominant in that the final authority rests with them, but it should be noted that this authority rests wholly on their having read and understood the Vedas. It is no sense authority to do what they like or please themselves. A Brahmin who has not read the Vedas is worthless and one who has read without understanding is very little better. To have read the Vedas means essentially to be wise about ultimate reality and about the meaning and purpose of Man’s life. It is the Dharma of the Brahmin to guide society according to his best understanding and wisdom and according to the laws laid down by the sages. The whole authority rests with him and his wisdom, but no military or political power and no wealth.

The Kshattriyas are the kings and nobles and warriors and it is with them that military and political power resides. But this power is not to be used for their own mere gratification. Their function is to protect the people and they must in all things be guided by the Brahmins. The Vaishyas are the only ones whose function in society concerns wealth. They are the merchants and

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