Ancient Order, Modern Chaos: Varnashrama as a Model for Society

1. Brahmins — Those Who Illuminate Through Knowledge

Brahmins are not simply those who possess knowledge — they are the ones who seek truth. They are teachers, mentors, researchers, philosophers, spiritual guides. Their power does not come from command, but from understanding. They do not wield weapons or manage finances — they shape meaning.

In Ukraine, you’ll find Brahmins among sincere scholars who are engaged not in academic formalities, but in genuine inquiry. They are professors who shape the worldview of students, public intellectuals who introduce transformative ideas into civic discourse, priests and moral authorities who defend eternal values even in a world obsessed with the temporary.

A Brahmin does not seek power, money, or fame. His role is to offer the light of thought that helps others find their way. If the Kshatriya holds the sword, the Brahmin holds the compass. He doesn’t dictate action — he helps others understand why to act, where to go, and what truly matters.

When Brahmins are silenced or withdraw from their role in society, everything begins to lose direction. And when their role is taken over by Shudras or Vaishyas, knowledge becomes a commodity, and philosophy turns into performance. The Brahmin does not compete, advertise, or market himself — yet without him, the other varnas are blind.

Being a Brahmin is not a title. It is a state of consciousness. And today, Ukraine — like many societies — needs such guides: quiet, deep, and responsible. Not to command, but to guide and awaken.

2. Kshatriyas — Guardians of Justice and Order

Kshatriyas are people of action. Their calling is to protect, implement, and organize. If the Brahmin represents the mind that illuminates the path, the Kshatriya is the hand that clears the way. These are the soldiers, public servants, political leaders, and reformers — those who take responsibility for public order, security, and the long-term stability of the state.

A true Kshatriya does not live for himself. His life is devoted to service. His core values are honesty, courage, discipline, and strategic vision. A Kshatriya may possess strength, but that strength is meaningless without purpose. That’s why the best Kshatriyas are those who consult Brahmins — drawing on their wisdom and moral clarity — and then act decisively based on that guidance.

In modern Ukraine, Kshatriyas are first and foremost the soldiers of the Armed Forces, frontline commanders, volunteers, and defenders. They are also the public administrators and statesmen who resist corruption and instead focus on building resilient institutions. They include logistics-focused volunteers and civil organizers who don’t just help — they take responsibility and build systems.

But the greatest threat to a Kshatriya is to devolve into a Vaishya — to reduce his mission to personal profit. When a public servant or official begins to "cash in" on their position instead of serving the nation, they fall from their dharma. They cease to be a Kshatriya, but they also fail to become a true Vaishya, since they create no value. They become a parasite — taking without serving.

Even worse is when a Shudra takes the role of a Kshatriya. When someone lacking discipline, strategic thinking, and moral backbone acquires power, chaos is inevitable. Decisions are made from emotion, self-interest, or weakness — not from strength and duty.

This is why every Kshatriya needs the moral compass of the Brahmin and a well-developed inner strength. These elements transform him from a mere functionary into a protector, a builder of space where all other varnas can thrive.

3. Vaishyas — Builders of the Economic Foundation

Vaishyas are those whose role is to generate material wealth. Their calling is to organize systems of exchange, trade, production, and distribution. They create the economic foundation of society, sustaining its growth and providing the resources needed for Kshatriyas to act, and for Brahmins and Shudras to function.

In a healthy society, Vaishyas include entrepreneurs, farmers, artisans, business owners, and investors. In today’s world, this also extends to tech innovators, logistics experts, and leaders of creative industries. Their goal is not merely to profit, but to create value that serves others.

Ukrainian Vaishyas are those who, even in the midst of war, open businesses, create jobs, invest in development, and pay taxes. They organize supply chains, export products, and help build the country’s financial resilience.

But there’s a fine line here. When a Vaishya begins to direct society — trying to define its values, moral compass, or ideological course — a crisis of priorities arises. Economics is important, but it should not govern politics or spiritual life. When business becomes the ruling force, it quickly loses its ethical grounding and starts pursuing profit at the expense of the common good. That’s a dangerous path.

The reverse is also true: when a Kshatriya or Brahmin becomes a Vaishya — seeking personal gain rather than service — they degrade their nature. Those called to protect or enlighten cannot thrive for long in the world of profit and trade. They will either burn out or betray themselves.

Vaishyas have the power to build, sustain, and grow. But to do so in a healthy way, they need guidance from above — from Brahmins, and protection from Kshatriyas. Only then can they work ethically, transparently, and for the benefit of society, rather than personal enrichment alone.

4. Shudras — Those Who Sustain and Enliven the Space

Shudras are those whose nature lies in service, craftsmanship, emotional expression, and atmosphere. They do not lead or strategize — they execute, create, maintain. And it is precisely thanks to Shudras that life becomes vibrant, colorful, and emotionally rich. Their role is no less important than that of other varnas — simply different.

Shudras include workers, craftsmen, cooks, drivers, technicians, as well as artists, musicians, actors, presenters, bloggers, TikTokers, and influencers. These are people who engage with the world through their hands, their bodies, and their emotions. They serve others, create beauty, precision, and inspiration.

Within their own dharma, the Shudra is irreplaceable. But problems arise when a Shudra begins to play the role of a Kshatriya or Brahmin. When a blogger tries to become an ideologue, an actor steps into political leadership, or a singer takes on the role of a spiritual guide — we end up with illusion instead of substance. The Shudra may have emotion, but lacks depth. Talent, but not structure. Charisma, but not responsibility.

This is why societies where Shudras take over the roles of Kshatriyas or Brahmins are destined for chaos and moral disorientation. Law becomes spectacle, spirituality becomes branding, and governance turns into a meme. Everything becomes a form without content.

And yet, when Shudras fulfill their true function, they revitalize and uphold the society. They bring beauty, lightness, and joy. They help the other varnas avoid burnout. Their power lies in dedication, humility, and the ability to serve with love.

In a properly ordered society, the Shudra is not demeaned — he is exactly where he is meant to be. Because service is not humiliation — it is a path to realization. When a Shudra understands his dignity and purpose, he creates a world that others want to live in.

5. When the Varnas Are Mixed: Distortion, Chaos, and Decline

The essence of Varnashrama is not in separating people by status, but in aligning inner nature with outer function. When this alignment is lost, society begins to unravel — it loses its integrity, harmony, and sense of direction.

When a Kshatriya Becomes a Vaishya

This is one of the most common scenarios in modern Ukraine. A politician or government official, instead of serving the people, begins to accumulate wealth, abuse power, and “make money” off the state. He no longer protects — he appropriates. Yet he doesn’t create anything new, as a true Vaishya would.

Consequence: Functional decline, loss of public trust, growth of corruption, and the erosion of institutions.

When a Shudra Becomes a Kshatriya or Brahmin

This is even more dangerous. A person lacking the discipline of a Kshatriya or the depth of a Brahmin, but possessing emotional charisma or popularity, begins to dictate how society should live, think, and vote.

Consequence: Superficiality, populism, absence of strategic thinking, and the collapse of true authority. Society lives on hype instead of lasting values.

When a Brahmin Enters Business or Politics

When a person with a contemplative, truth-seeking mind gives in to the lure of money or power, they betray their own nature. Such a person begins to manipulate knowledge, serving worldly interests rather than truth.

Consequence: The profanation of science, spiritual decline, and moral confusion. The Brahmin becomes a cunning advisor rather than a guiding light.

When a Vaishya Tries to Shape Ideology

A businessman or economist who attempts to define a society’s values — without spiritual authority or long-range vision — ends up replacing meaning with efficiency.

Consequence: Society begins to think in terms of profit, not service. Wealth becomes the standard of truth. Morality is replaced by convenience.

All of this stems from role confusion. When people act outside their true nature, they not only fail to realize themselves — they also undermine the order around them. It’s like trying to build a house where the cook leads the architects, the actor commands the army, and the businessman replaces the spiritual teacher.

The path to renewal begins with self-awareness and a voluntary embrace of responsibility. When each person knows who they are and lives accordingly — the foundation for true harmony is restored.

6. Harmony Happens When Everyone Is in Their Rightful Place

In a world where everything feels blurred and meanings are easily lost, it is more important than ever to recover our ability to see order in the natural placement of things. The Varnashrama Dharma system is not about division, hierarchy, or oppression. It is about understanding your essence — and living in alignment with it.

The Brahmin is meant to seek truth and provide moral direction. The Kshatriya is meant to protect, organize, and serve justice. The Vaishya is meant to build the economic foundation and generate well-being. The Shudra is meant to enrich life through support, service, and creative energy.

Each varna is essential. And only when they interact properly — when each fulfills their own function rather than trying to take someone else’s place — does society come alive. That’s when we find harmony, effectiveness, dignity, and strength.

When a person occupies their true place, they do not suffer, envy, or burn out. They thrive. They experience a sense of purpose. And in doing so, they serve the whole society — often without even realizing it. Because living your dharma always benefits others, not just yourself.

Today, Ukraine faces the challenge of rediscovering its own inner order. That order begins with one simple but profound question: Who am I? What is my nature? And what is my rightful place within this vast, complex, beautiful community we call a nation?

The Four Varnas: Qualities and Social Roles in Contemporary Application