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The Ksatriya is the natural "warrior" type who . . . by
Julian Lee. In the Vanaprastha stage
of life a man begins to turn within and enters into
semi-seclusion. He continues to undertake duties, but on selfless
behalf of the group. Men in this stage are the best moral and physical
protectors of the people. Read more about entering the mystical life as
a Vanaprastha in
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. . . protects
society morally and physically.
The ksatriya (k'sha-TREE-yah)
is one of four natural personality types described in the social scheme
of Manu the Lawgiver in the ancient Dharma Manu Shastra of India. The Dharma Manu Sastra was a
seminal influence in the development of Indian society in ancient times. It states that people tend toward
four natural psychological types:
the earthy, materially oriented, who make the best workers (sudra), the
merchant/economic type (vaisya), the warrior and protector type
(ksatriya), and the priestly and spiritual type (brahmin). This later devolved into an
inherited caste system. "The man of the ksatriya
type is "of energetic temperament, is the ruler,
the warrior, the public servant . . . "The ksattriya comes from the arms of Brahma. He serves the state, wields the sceptre of power in defence of the group from external danger and internal disorder and carries on the public administration." From Dharma Manu Sastra, A Sociological and Historical Study by Kewal Motwani, Ganesh & Co. (Madras) 1958, Page 52 "Delight of action, feats of valour, maintenance of
public order and discipline and the joy of living are the marks of the
ksatriya."
Ibid, page 52 "The ksatriya group corresponds to the stage of semi-retirement [the vanaprastha stage] . . . The word ksatriya should be understood to refer to the group of people that is concerned with the political, the administrative and the military affairs of the state. This word has been generally made to stand for the fighting class, but that is not Manu's idea. A ksatriya is mainly concerned with the political life of the group, in any one of the three fields indicated abone. His duties are the protection of the people, charity, sacrifice, study of the Vedas, and non-attachment to objects of the senses. Thus, the spirit of service, efficiency which comes out of study and personal discipline, and freedom from corrupting influences of office, should be the outstanding characteristics of him who would shoulder the responsible task of protecting and serving the people. A ksatriya should be guided by these principles in life. He is very much like the hermit [the fourth class], but with the difference that he is engaged in the arena of political [or social] affairs. He should be ready to lay down his life, if need be, in the service of the group. This is his duty and the path of self-fulfillment." Ibid, page 136 Professions and social roles that are ksatriya-like include: policemen, moral reformers, politicians and government leaders who try to better conditions for people, technical administrators such as those who work for utilities. City planner, traffic planners, and some architects function in a ksatriya role when they try to better conditions for the people. Those who work in various charities are generally playing out a ksatriya role. A union steward is a good symbol of the ksatriya. Mahatma Ghandi could be cited as a well known personality in the ksatriya mold. The Manu Dharma Shastra also outlines four ideal stages or "institutions" of life (asramas) for all types of people. Each corresponding to one of the natural classes. The stage of life corresponding to the Ksatriya is called the "Vanaprastha" asrama of life. Vanaprastha
At the third stage of life a man should ". . . retire from the dust and storm of activity motivated by pleasure [the grahastha, or householder stage] and become something of a suburban recluse. But there should be greater activity, not less than in the previous stage, only without any motive of self-aggrandisement . . . "He may continue to live with the family, but his attachments must cease, the bonds of relationships to persons and property must relax and his mind must now change its direction from a life of pleasure and enjoyment to that of dignified, quiet seclusion, repose and meditation, which also is a form of activity, but on the inner planes. "He may be active in the outside world but only as a guide and advisor of the young, a trusted and loved friend of all, with the welfare of the group at heart. A wise counsellor, rich in life's experiences, he may participate in social life and guide it along wholesome channels. "The group corresponding to this stage of the individual's life is that of the public servant, the statesman, the warrior, ksatriya. . . He must be like the hermit [the fourth stage] . . . [He is] urged to take part in the political affairs of the group's life, but [is] one whose real inclinations tend towards retirement and meditation. It is only this type of selfless worker, non-seeker of personal ends and glory, with aggressive instincts completely subdued and subordinated to the general human welfare, that can be entrusted with the highly responsible task of guiding the group in times of peace and war. Unless men entrusted with these tasks have themselves been tamed into the ways of peace, there can be no hope of peace in the realm of collective life." Ibid, page 59-60 SACRED
WORD TRUST
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