Undoing "over-sanctification" : disentangling caste from karma in Hindu theology

Abstract

Caste System in India has been the substructure for most socio-religious interactions for over 3 Millenia. Its continuation despite its discriminatory practices can be theologically attributed to the Theory of Karma. The theory of Karma not only legitimizes Caste through weaving it within the fabric of Hindu theology but also provides it with impunity within the Hindu social life. This study is attempting to disentangle this relationship between Caste and the theory of Karma by pointing out the historical period when these ideas developed a symbiotic coalition. By using Roy Rapaport’s theory of “Over-sanctification”, it has been argued that this entanglement has led to a loss of “meaningfulness” in Hindu theology that can only be restored through the disentanglement of said ideas. This study investigates the beginnings of Hinduism from pre-Vedic period unto the institutionalization of Hinduism in the post- Mauryan period, through both a liturgical as well as Historical analysis and provides a ground map for the perversion of both Caste and theory of Karma as independent ideas through their alliance. Furthermore, this study by focusing on the loss of sacredness and meaning in Hinduism due of this entanglement is attempting to change the discourse on Caste System within Hindu theology. The Caste System continues to reduce individual identity to nothing more than burdens of posterity and by disentangling the idea of karmic rebirth from caste it is possible to dilute this process. By freeing Caste from the law of Karma and its narrow functionality in the social sphere it is possible to restore the sacredness of both ideas within the Hindu spiritual universe where they belong.