Replies

Thank you for posting the enlightening quotation from the Bhagavad-Gita. It demonstrates how the caste system in India is an accretion, not a foundation, of Hinduism.

In judging other religions one should be careful to criticize the unholy aspects, while recognizing the high-minded Scriptures which should forbid unjust and primitive practices. And one should not forget the caste system of medieval Europe, which remains partially intact to this very day.

It seems that every major civilization goes through a medieval period of caste distinction, probably for practical reasons. But Japan, Europe and even China have rid themselves of it. It is inevitable that India will eventually overcome this. Ghandi and the best representatives of Hindu thought have inveighed strongly against the caste system. We in the USA are still suffering the negative effects of our own caste system - slavery.

I suspect, and hope, that Valmiki is exaggerating the extent of prejudice that remains, but I would never excuse it. It is a blemish on a mostly noble culture. The sacred language of Sanskrit is the mother of most European languages.

Here is an interesting link:
http://www.reformislam.org/
And another:
http://www.yogananda-srf.org/