Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c4.19

c4.19

Philosophically, the theory of function, as embodied in caste, rests on a profound belief in heredity. A warrior's boy is best fitted to be a warrior and should marry into a martial family so as to transmit the original stamina to posterity. Priests, traders, artisans, all should observe endogamy and follow their hereditary occupations. Any injustices which the practical working of the system may seem to involve are explained away by the inexorable law of Karma. Matempsychosis which was not a mere theological dogma but which has been a living belief of Hindus for ages lays down that every soul migrates from body to body and is reborn in the environment to which its deeds in past lives entitle it. He who finds himself in the lowest rank of Śûdras has no right to complain. He is merely reaping as he sowed. Now he must in all conscience and diligence perform the task assigned to him in society. That is his duty. If he neglects it, he will fall into yet deeper misery in a future life. If he fulfils his vocation, he may rise higher, and may even become a god, in days to come. So, buttressed by metaphysics on the one hand and by the dogma of heredity on the other, the theory of function, as crystallised in caste, acquired a conspicuous position in Hindu speculation and determined the trend of social literature. Thus the duty of the individual is a social duty; his good is the good of society; his virtue is the virtue of society. The individual and society become one in their moral purpose. This conception of life implies a denial of Natural Rights in the form which the idea assumed in modern Europe. The individual is merged in society against which he can have no rights. All his rights consist in the performance of his function. In the discharge of his duties, he is entitled to protection at the hands of the Government and society in general. But his rights are pre-eminently social rights. The antithesis, man versus state or society, could not have occurred to the Hindu mind.