VarnaWordNet Explorer

(Hinduism) the name for the original social division of Vedic people into four groups (which are subdivided into thousands of jatis)

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

a body of religious and philosophical beliefs and cultural practices native to India and based on a caste system; it is characterized by a belief in reincarnation, by a belief in a supreme being of many forms and natures, by the view that opposing theories are aspects of one eternal truth, and by a desire for liberation from earthly evils

(Hinduism) a Hindu caste or distinctive social group of which there are thousands throughout India; a special characteristic is often the exclusive occupation of its male members (such as barber or potter)

the highest of the four varnas: the priestly or sacerdotal category

the second highest of the four varnas: the noble or warrior category

the third of the four varnas: the commoners or yeoman farmers or mercantile and professional category

the lowest of the four varnas: the servants and workers of low status