THE PRINCIPLE

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

THE PRINCIPLE
Human society is like a huge machine. The individuals and communities are like its parts. If
the parts are weak and broken, the machine will not work. A machine is nothing without its parts.
The human body also can work efficiently if its parts and organs are in sound and strong condition.
If there is pain in any part of the body, if there is disease in any organ or part of the body, this human
machine will go out of order. It will not perform its usual function or work.
So is the case with the human society. Every individual should perform his duties
efficiently. The Hindu Rishis and sages formed an ideal scheme of society and an ideal way of

individual life, which is known by the name Varnasrama Dharma. Hinduism is built on Varnasrama
Dharma. The structure of the Hindu society is based on Varnasrama Dharma. Observance of
Varnasrama Dharma helps one’s growth and self-evolution. It is very indispensable. If the rules are
violated, the society will soon perish.
The aim of Varnasrama Dharma is to promote the development of the universal, eternal
Dharma. If you defend Dharma, it will defend you. If you destroy it, it will destroy you. Therefore,
never destroy your Dharma. This principle holds true of the individual as much as of the nation. It is
Dharma alone which keeps a nation alive. Dharma is the very soul of man. Dharma is the very soul
of a nation also.
In the West and in the whole world also, there is Varnasrama, though it is not rigidly
observed there. Some Western philosophers have made a division of three classes, viz.,
philosophers, warriors and masses. The philosophers correspond to the Brahmanas, warriors to
Kshatriyas and the masses to Vaisyas and Sudras. This system is indispensable to keep the society
in a state of perfect harmony and order.