THE SHUDRAS : SHUDRAS VERSUS ARYANS 83
Be that as it may, there is no doubt that the Varna in the stanza means class and not colour.
In Rig Veda, i.104.2 and Rig Veda, ii.12.4 are the two stanzas in which the word Varna is applied to Dasa. The question is: What does the word Varna mean when applied to Dasa? Does it refer to the colour and complexion of the Dasa, or does it indicate that Dasas formed a separate class? There is no way of arriving at a positive conclusion as to which of the two meanings is correct.
The evidence of the Rig Veda is quite inconclusive. In this connection, it will be of great help to know if the word occurs in the literature of the Indo-Iranians and if so, in what sense. [1]
Fortunately, the word Varna does occur in the Zend Avesta. It takes the form of Varana or Varena. It is used specifically in the sense of “Faith, Religious doctrine, Choice of creed or belief.” It is derived from the root Var which means to put faith in, to believe in. One comes across the word Varana or Varena in the Gathas about six times used in the sense of faith, doctrine, creed or belief.
It occurs in Gatha Ahunavaiti—Yasna Ha 30 Stanza 2 which when translated in English reads as follows :
“Give heed with your ears and contemplate the highest Truth I proclaim; with your illumined mind introspect. Each man for himself must determine his (Avarenao) faith. Before the Great Event, let each individually be awake to the Truth we teach.”
This is one of the most famous strophes of the Gatha where Zarathushtra exhorts each one individually to use reasoning faculty and freedom of choice in the selection of his or her faith. The words occurring here are ‘Avarenao vichithahya,’ Avarenao meaning faith, belief and vichi- thahya meaning ‘of discriminating, of selecting of determining’.
It occurs in Gatha Ahunavati—Yasna Ha 31 Stanza 11. The word used is Vareneng accusative plural of Varena meaning ‘belief, faith.’ In this stanza, Zarathushtra propounds the theory of the creation of man. After speaking about man’s creation being completed, in the last half line Zarathushtra says “voluntary beliefs are given (to man)”
It occurs in Gatha Ushtavaiti— Yasna Ha 45 Stanza 1 in the form of Varena. In the last line of this strophe, Zarathushtra says ‘owing to sinful belief (or evil faith) the wicked is of evil tongue (or invested tongue)’.
1 The information relating to the meaning of the word ‘Varna’ in the Indo-Iranian literature, I owe to my friend Dastur Bode, who is well-versed in it.