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The Races of Ancient India

Translation/ by Charles Johnston, Oriental Department Papers, June, 1895

Of the Brahmans, white is the color; of the Kshattriyas, red; of the Vaishyas, yellow is the color; of the Shudras, black.

There was no difference of colors; formerly all this world was put forth divine by the Evolver; it came to be colored through works.

They who were fond of love and feasts, fiery, warlike, fierce, undutiful, red-limbed,— these twice-born became Kshattriyas.

Those who relied on cattle for a livelihood, who were yellow, who lived by ploughing, who were undutiful,—these twice-born became Vaishyas.

Those who were fond of injury and unrighteousness, greedy, living by any work, black, fallen from purity,—these twice-born became Shudras.


Duty, in these verses, means the station in life to which it pleased the Brahmanical hierarchy to call the other classes.