[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c4.2582 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.2582 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c4.2582 - **Language:** English ### [c4.2582](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.2582) (1) Origin. Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras are the caturvarṇas or the four castes. The Purāṇas say that the four castes originated from different parts of the body of Brahmā. See Manusmṛti, Chapter 1, Stanza 87 - [Previous: c4.2581](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.2581) - [Next: c4.2583](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.2583) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4) ## Cites (1) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.1.87) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.2582](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.2582) · Pramāṇa