Varnas

Varnas — evolutionary stages of man�s development that are corresponded by his social role: shudras � servants, vaishyas � merchants, peasants, craftsmen, kshatriyas � leaders, warriors, brahmans � in the original meaning of the word � those who have attained the state of Brahman.

In India and in a number of other countries the varna membership became inherited by birth. This rule has been disputed by many thinkers and is denied by God.