Hinduism Internal Contradiction

Origin of Caste

Scriptures differ on whether caste is determined by birth or by conduct.

Rig Veda 10.90

"The Brahmin was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rajanya made... (Caste by divine birth)."

Mahabharata 3.180

"A man is not a Brahmin by reason of his family or birth... but by his conduct."

Analysis

The Rig Veda establishes a rigid, divine hierarchy of birth. Later texts (and parts of the Mahabharata) attempt to reform this by tying status to virtue/conduct.

Metadata

Source

Hinduism