Relevansi Ajaran Catur Varna Terhadap Struktur Sosial Masyarakat Hindu Kontemporer
Abstract
Abstract
The doctrine of Catur Varna is a key concept in Hinduism that structures social roles based on inner qualities, work tendencies, and spiritual–ethical values. Consisting of Brahmana, Ksatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra, each Varna carries specific responsibilities aimed at sustaining social harmony. In modern contexts shaped by globalization, industrialization, and evolving religious practices, the interpretation of Catur Varna has shifted significantly. This article examines its contemporary relevance by analyzing socio-cultural changes, transformations in social structure, and the rise of more egalitarian theological interpretations.
Using a qualitative literature review, the study draws on Hindu scriptures—such as the Vedas, Bhagavadgita, and Smrti—along with sociological theories and empirical research on Hindu communities in India, Bali, and the diaspora. The findings reveal that Catur Varna remains relevant when viewed as an ethical and professional framework based on guna and karma (aptitude and action), rather than as a hierarchical system that fosters discrimination.
In Bali, Varna is increasingly interpreted as part of dharmic values guiding individuals to fulfill their swadharma according to competence and vocation. Globally, it functions as a universal ethical principle applicable to leadership, organizational governance, character education, and professional ethics. The study concludes that Catur Varna, when reinterpreted through the Bhagavadgita’s emphasis on spiritual equality, serves as a philosophical foundation for a just and harmonious modern society.
Keywords: Catur Varna, swadharma, social structure, guna-karma, modern Hindu society.
Downloads
References
Bayly, S. (1999). Caste, society and politics in India from the eighteenth century to the modern age. Cambridge University Press.
Bhattacharya, N. (2001). The Mahabharata and the ethics of leadership. Oxford University Press.
Brockington, J. (1998). The Sanskrit epics. Brill.
Carroll, A. B. (1999). Corporate social responsibility: Evolution of a definitional construct. Business & Society, 38(3), 268–295.
Ciulla, J. B. (2020). Ethics: The heart of leadership. Praeger.
Clooney, F. X. (2015). Comparative theology: Deep learning across religious borders. Wiley-Blackwell.
Doniger, W. (1991). The laws of Manu. Penguin Classics.
Doniger, W. (2010). The Hindus: An alternative history. Penguin Books.
Doniger, W. (2014). The Hindus: An alternative history. Penguin Books.
Doniger, W. (2014). On Hinduism. Oxford University Press.
Doniger, W. (2020). The implied spider: Politics and theology in myth. Columbia University Press.
Dumont, L. (1970). Homo Hierarchicus: The caste system and its implications. University of Chicago Press.
Elkington, J. (1997). Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st century business. Capstone.
Flood, G. (1996). An introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press.
Flood, G. (2013). The truth within: A history of inwardness in Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Oxford University Press.
Geertz, C. (1980). Negara: The theatre state in nineteenth-century Bali. Princeton University Press.
Geertz, C. (1981). Negara: The theatre state in nineteenth-century Bali. Princeton University Press.
Ghurye, G. S. (1969). Caste and race in India. Popular Prakashan.
Hauser-Schäublin, B. (2013). Adat and indigeneity in Indonesia. Routledge.
Hiltebeitel, A. (2011). Dharma: Its early history in law, religion, and narrative. Oxford University Press.
Hinzler, H. I. R. (1993). Balinese narratives. In A. V. M. Bianchi (Ed.), Indonesian heritage series. Archipelago Press.
Inden, R. (2000). Imagining India. Hurst & Company.
Kidder, R. (2005). Moral courage. HarperCollins.
Klostermaier, K. (2007). A survey of Hinduism (3rd ed.). SUNY Press.
Kurien, P. (2007). A place at the multicultural table: The development of an American Hinduism. Rutgers University Press.
Nussbaum, M. (2011). Creating capabilities: The human development approach. Harvard University Press.
Olivelle, P. (1998). The early Upanishads: Annotated text and translation. Oxford University Press.
Olivelle, P. (2004). Manu’s code of law: A critical edition and translation. Oxford University Press.
Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta. (2008). Bhagavad-gītā as it is. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.
Radhakrishnan, S. (1993). Indian philosophy (Vols. 1–2). Oxford University Press.
Radhakrishnan, S. (1993). The Bhagavadgita. HarperCollins.
Radhakrishnan, S. (1994). The principal Upanishads. HarperCollins.
Radhakrishnan, S. (1999). The Bhagavadgita. HarperCollins.
Resnik, D. (2020). The ethics of science: An introduction. Routledge.
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. (2019). Organizational behavior (18th ed.). Pearson.
Saraswati, S. (2001). The science of yoga. Yoga Publications Trust.
Schulte Nordholt, H. (1991). The spell of power: A history of Balinese politics, 1650–1940. KITLV Press.
Sen, A. (1977). Rational fools: A critique of the behavioral foundations of economic theory. Philosophy & Public Affairs, 6(4), 317–344.
Sen, A. (2019). Development as freedom. Anchor Books.
Sennett, R. (2008). The craftsman. Yale University Press.
Sharma, A. (1994). Hinduism and caste. In The encyclopedia of religion. Macmillan.
Sharma, A. (2000). Classical Hindu thought. Oxford University Press.
Sharma, A. (2012). Hinduism as a missionary religion. State University of New York Press.
Sharma, R. S. (1990). Śūdras in ancient India: A social history. Motilal Banarsidass.
Steneck, N. (2006). Introduction to the responsible conduct of research. U.S. Government Printing Office.
Tilak, S. (2007). The myth of the Aryan invasion of India. iUniverse.
Vertovec, S. (2000). The Hindu diaspora: Comparative patterns. Routledge.
Vivekananda, S. (2007). The complete works of Swami Vivekananda (Vols. 1–9). Advaita Ashrama.
Warren, C. (1993). Adat and Dinas: Balinese communities in the Indonesian state. Oxford University Press.
Zaehner, R. C. (1966). The Bhagavad-Gita. Oxford University Press.
Zelliot, E. (2005). From untouchable to Dalit: Essays on the Ambedkar movement. Manohar Publishers.
Zeithaml, V. A., Bitner, M. J., & Gremler, D. D. (2006). Services marketing: Integrating customer focus across the firm. McGraw-Hill.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ni Made Rahayu Widyani
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
