Varna Migration - Few Examples

The concept of Varnas – Shudra, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Brahmin – being merit based and NOT birth based is not merely a theoretical concept. It was practiced in ancient era. In Vedas it is mentioned that Head is Brahmin, Arms is Kshatriya, Stomach is Vaishya and Feet is Shudra. There is no question of any differentiation among them. The body which is having these is Hindu. If you take out any one component body/society cannot survive.

Here are few examples from our ancient history:

1> Aitareya Rishi was son of a Daasa or criminal but became a Brahmin of highest order and wrote Aitareya Brahman and Aitareyopanishad. Aitareya Brahman is considered critical to understand Rigveda.

2> Ailush Rishi was son of a Daasi, gambler and of low character. However he researched on Rigveda and made several discoveries. Not only was he invited by Rishis but also made an Acharya. (Aitareya Brahman 2.19)

3> Satyakaam Jaabaal was son of a prostitute but became a Brahmin.

4> Prishadh was son of King Daksha but became a Shudra. Further he did Tapasya to achieve salvation after repenting. (Vishnu Puran 4.1.14)

5>Vidur was son of a servant but became a Brahmin and minister of Hastinapur empire.

6> Vatsa became a Rishi though born to a Shudra (Aitareya Brahman 2.19)

7> Trishanku was a king but became a Chandal.

8>Dhrist was son of Nabhag (Vaishya) but became Brahmin and his son became Kshatriya (Vishnu Puran 4.2.2)

9>  Nabhag, son of King Nedishtha became Vaishya. Many of his sons again became Kshatriya. (Vishnu Puran 4.1.13)

10> Further in his generation, some became Brahmin again (VP 9.2.23)

11> Sons of Vishwamitra became Shudra. Vishwamitra himself was a Kshatriya who later became a Brahmin.

12> Matanga was son of Chandal but became a Brahmin. (Mahabharat Anushasan Parva Chapter 3)

13>  Shaunak became Brahmin though born in Kshatriya family. (VP 4.8.1). In fact, as per Vayu Puran, Vishnu Puran and Harivansh Puran, sons of Shaunak Rishi belonged to all four Varnas.

14>  As per Bhagvat, Agniveshya became Brahmin though born to a king.

15>  Haarit became Brahmin though born to Kshatriya (VP 4.3.5)

16> Pravriddha was son of Raghu King but became a Rakshas.

17> Raavan was born from Pulatsya Rishi but became a Rakshas.

18> Rathotar born in Kshatriya family became a Brahmin as per Vishnu Puran and Bhagvat.

19>  Many verses of adulterated Manu Smriti (10.43-44) says that certain castes were earlier Kshtariya but became Shudra later. Inspite of the fact that these are adulterated but prove that concept of Varna migration did exist. 

Several gotras are common across Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Dalits implying that all of them hailed from same family but rather got entrapped in the stupid casteism.