|| VAJRASUCHIKA UPANISHAD ||

The ideology and institutions of Varna (= caste) and Asrama (=stages of life) are so deeply ingrained in classical Hinduism that our Dharma is often termed as 'Varnashrama Dharma'. This website revolves around the Vajrasuchika Upanishad, which discusses the true basis of one's caste.

The word 'Vajrasuchi' is a compound of two words:
1. Vajra = diamond, hard, thunderbolt
2. Suchi/Suchika = needle
The word ‘Vajrasuchika’ therefore means “A needle that is as hard as a rock/diamond.” In other words, the name indicates that the text expounds a very precious, and a potent doctrine that can lead one to moksha (=salvation). The Upanishad concludes that it is spiritual realization and good conduct alone that determine one’s caste.

The Upanishad is often ascribed to the Brahmin Buddhist scholar Asvaghosa, the celebrated author of the 'Buddhacharita'- a biography on Lord Buddha. Sometimes, it is also ascribed to Bhagvatpada Shankaracharya, the great Advaitin teacher. These ascriptions are impossible to prove. The text has been very popular amongst certain Buddhist circles in the past. However, it also text betrays a clear Hindu ambience throughout and is among the 108 Upanishads enumerated in the list given in the Muktika Upanishad. Although the text is not counted amongst the major Upanishads and is of uncertain date, it is important nevertheless because it expounds certain tenets of other recondite Hindu texts in a lucid manner. All Upanishads are classified under one of the four Vedas, and this Upanishad belongs to the Samaveda. Numerous versions of the text exist, and the shorter one has been adopted here. In future, I propose to add the translation of the extra sections of the longer version as well.

I have added an appendix that collects other passages from the Hindu scriptures that agree with this central tenet of the text under consideration. Another appendix lists the deities, saints and sages who were not born in Brahmin families. A detailed discussion on the origin of the caste system, its transformation with time, and its justifiability (or the opposite) are all beyond the scope of this website.

This appendix is gives a selected anthology of passages from Hindu scriptures whose intent is similar to the ideas of the Vajrasuchika Upanishad.

I am a poet, my father is a doctor, my mother a grinder of corn.
Rigveda, 9.112.3


“From the Supreme Being arise the Holy Sages
From the Supreme Being (arise) these Kshatriyas
From the very same Supreme Being are born the Brahmins
From the Supreme Being (arise) the food producing third caste (Vaishyas).”
“The Supreme Being are indeed these Shudras serving the Kshatriyas,
The Supreme Being are all they who perceive (i.e. all living creatures).
The Supreme Being are all these benevolent officials
The Supreme Being are all these members of the assembly.”
“The Supreme Being are the fishermen,
The Supreme Being are the servants,
The Supreme Being indeed are these gamblers.
Man as well as woman originate from the Supreme Being
Women are God and so are men.”
Atharvaveda (Paippalada Samhita) 8.9.8-10


"I do not know this, Sir, of what family I am. I asked my mother. She answered me: 'In my youth, when I went about a great deal serving as a maid, I got you. So I do not know this, of what family you are. However, I am Jabala by name; you are Satyakama by name.' So I am Satyakama Jabala, sir." To him he then said: "A non-brahmin would not be able to explain thus. Bring the fuel, my dear. I will receive you as a pupil. You have not deviated from the truth."
Chhandogya Upanishad 4.4.1-5


“Listen about caste, Yaksa dear, not study, not learning is the cause of the twice-born status. Conduct is the basis, there is no doubt about it.”
Mahabharata III.312.106

“O King of Serpents! He in whom are manifest truthfulness, charity, forbearance, good conduct, non-injury, austerity and compassion is a Brahmin according to the sacred tradition.”
Mahabharata III.180.20

“O Serpent! He, in whom this conduct is manifest is a Brahmin, he in whom this is absent treat all such as Sudra.”
Mahabharata III.180.27

“The gods consider him a Brahmin (a knower of Brahman) who has no desires, who undertakes no work, who does not salute or praise anybody (with a selfish motive), the fruits of whose deeds have exhausted and who maintains equanimity.”
Mahabharata, XII.269.34

“If one’s birth were to decide one’s caste, then all should be Brahmins because all humans beings have one Father- Prajapati (God, the protector and master of all creatures).”
Shukraniti, Chapter 1

“Vyasa, born of a dancing girl, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Sakti, born of a Chandala woman, became a great Rishi.
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Parasara, born of SwapAki, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Vyasa, born of a fisherwoman, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.”
Note: Tapas = performance of austerities, pious deeds, meditation and adherence to truth.
Srimad Bhagvata Purana

Appendix A: Parallel Passages
This appendix is gives a selected anthology of passages from Hindu scriptures whose intent is similar to the ideas of the Vajrasuchika Upanishad.

I am a poet, my father is a doctor, my mother a grinder of corn.
Rigveda, 9.112.3


“From the Supreme Being arise the Holy Sages
From the Supreme Being (arise) these Kshatriyas
From the very same Supreme Being are born the Brahmins
From the Supreme Being (arise) the food producing third caste (Vaishyas).”
“The Supreme Being are indeed these Shudras serving the Kshatriyas,
The Supreme Being are all they who perceive (i.e. all living creatures).
The Supreme Being are all these benevolent officials
The Supreme Being are all these members of the assembly.”
“The Supreme Being are the fishermen,
The Supreme Being are the servants,
The Supreme Being indeed are these gamblers.
Man as well as woman originate from the Supreme Being
Women are God and so are men.”
Atharvaveda (Paippalada Samhita) 8.9.8-10


"I do not know this, Sir, of what family I am. I asked my mother. She answered me: 'In my youth, when I went about a great deal serving as a maid, I got you. So I do not know this, of what family you are. However, I am Jabala by name; you are Satyakama by name.' So I am Satyakama Jabala, sir." To him he then said: "A non-brahmin would not be able to explain thus. Bring the fuel, my dear. I will receive you as a pupil. You have not deviated from the truth."
Chhandogya Upanishad 4.4.1-5


“Listen about caste, Yaksa dear, not study, not learning is the cause of the twice-born status. Conduct is the basis, there is no doubt about it.”
Mahabharata III.312.106

“O King of Serpents! He in whom are manifest truthfulness, charity, forbearance, good conduct, non-injury, austerity and compassion is a Brahmin according to the sacred tradition.”
Mahabharata III.180.20

“O Serpent! He, in whom this conduct is manifest is a Brahmin, he in whom this is absent treat all such as Sudra.”
Mahabharata III.180.27

“The gods consider him a Brahmin (a knower of Brahman) who has no desires, who undertakes no work, who does not salute or praise anybody (with a selfish motive), the fruits of whose deeds have exhausted and who maintains equanimity.”
Mahabharata, XII.269.34

“If one’s birth were to decide one’s caste, then all should be Brahmins because all humans beings have one Father- Prajapati (God, the protector and master of all creatures).”
Shukraniti, Chapter 1

“Vyasa, born of a dancing girl, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Sakti, born of a Chandala woman, became a great Rishi.
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Parasara, born of SwapAki, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.
Vyasa, born of a fisherwoman, became a great Rishi;
Hence, it is tapas that makes one a Brahmin, and not his birth.”
Note: Tapas = performance of austerities, pious deeds, meditation and adherence to truth.
Srimad Bhagvata Purana
Appendix B: Hindu Deities, Sages and Saints Who were not Brahmins
“The origin of Sages, Truth and Rivers are unkown”—Mahabharata
This appendix lists some non-Brahmin or mixed caste great Deities, Saints and Sages of Hinduism. It will be apparent that these great men and women are responsible to a great extent for the development of Hinduism and that the title ‘Brahminism’ is rather a misnomer for our Dharma.
1. Sri Rama: He was a Kshatriya belonging to the Suryavamsa. His life is the theme of the popular Hindu epic Ramayana. He is considered the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who in turn represents the ‘Preserver’ aspect of God. He is considered an ideal son, an ideal king and so on. Hindu Utopia is often called ‘Ramarajya’, i.e., ‘the kingdom of Sri Rama’.
2. Sri Krishna: He to the belonged to the Yadava sub-caste. The Yadavas are currently enumerated amongst the ‘Other Backward Castes’ (OBC’s) in India. He is considered the most popular deity of Hindus, and revealed the ‘Bhagavad Gita’, which is the bedrock of modern Hinduism, and summarizes the philosophical teachings of all Hindu scriptures in a masterful manner. He is considered as the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
3. Lord Shiva: He is often termed as a ‘Kirata’ in the Puranas. The Kiratas would currently fall in the ‘Scheduled Tribes’ (ST) category in modern India. He is considered as a representation of the ‘Destroyer’ aspect of God and is one of the chief Hindu deities. He is the chief subject of numerous Hindu scriptures like the Shiva Purana, the Kurma Purana and so on.
4. Maharshi Aitreya Mahidasa: According to tradition, his mother was a maid named ‘Itara’. This Rishi is credited with the compilation of the Aitreya Brahmana and sections 1-3 of the Aitreya Aranyaka (the latter contains the Aitreya Upanishad- one of the 10 canonical Upanishads for Hindus) belonging to the Rigveda.
5. Rishika Lopamudra: She was a Kshatriya princess from Vidarbha, who married Maharshi Agastya. She is the Seer of some verses of the Rigveda. Several edifying dialogs between her and Sage Agastya are recorded in the Puranas.
6. Maharshi Vishwamitra: He was originally a Kshatriya named ‘Vishwaratha’. He is credited with revealing the ‘Gayatri Mantra’, the Hindu prayer par-excellence. He was elevated to Brahminhood because of his spiritual luster.
7. Maharshi Veda Vyasa: He was the son of a fisher-woman named Satyavati, from Rishi Parashara. Considered the greatest Rishi of classical Hinduism, he is believed to have give the 4 Vedas ( = the most authoritative scriptures of Hindus) their present form. He also compiled the Mahabharata and the Puranas, which are the mainstay of popular Hinduism. He also authored the Brahmasutras- a text considered as one of the triple canon of Vedantic Hinduism (the other two being the Gita and the Upanishads). His birthday is celebrated as ‘Guru-Poornima’ by Hindu monks every year. All Hindu monastic orders trace their lineage from him and a popular saying goes: “vyasocchishtam jagatsarvam” meaning that so great was the learning Rishi Veda Vyasa, that even his voluminous writings represent only the periphery of his knowledge.
8. Maharshi Matanga: He was the son of a Shudra mother and a Vaishya father. In fact, Chandalas are often addressed as ‘Matanga ’in passages like Varaha Purana 1.139.91
9. Maharshi Valmiki: He was descendant from Sages but had become a chandaala (= an outcaste) named Ratnakara, because he took to murder and highway robbery. He was reformed by Prajapati Brahma and was inspired by the divine Sage Narada to compose the Hindu epic par excellence- the Ramayana.
10. Rishika Sulabhaa Maitreyi: She was a Kshatriya lady who promulgated the Saulabha Shakha of the Rigveda. She is counted among the revered teachers of Rigveda to whom respects are offered in texts like the Kausitaki Brahmana. The Saulabha Brahmana is now lost but is mentioned in the Kashika- a commentary on the grammatical text named Ashtadhyayi. A dialog of Rishika SulabhA with King Janaka of Videha on spirituality is recorded in the Shanti Parvan (12th book) of the Mahabharata.
11. Mahatma Vidura: He was the son of Maharshi Veda Vyasa and a maid of King Dhritrashtra (the father of Kauravas in the Mahabharata). He is a wise man in the Mahabharata and counseled many towards truth. His teachings are collected in the ‘Viduraprajagar’ section of the Udyog Parvan (5th book) of Mahabharata.
12. Gautama Buddha: The founder of Buddhism belonged to a marginal Kshatriya tribe called Shakya. He lived and died as a Hindu, although his followers founded a new religion in his name. He advocated the supremacy of good ethics and morality over philosophical speculation and ritualism. He is considered the 9th incarnation of Lord Vishnu by devout Hindus.
13. Mahavira: The 24th and the last great Teacher of Jainism. He belonged to the Kshatriya Licchivi tribe of Bihar. He advocated vegetarianism and the centrality of compassion in Dharma.
14. Bhakta Nammalvar: The foremost of the Alvar Vaishnava saints, he was a Shudra by birth. His composition ‘Tiruvayamoli’, which is in the Tamil language, is considered at par with the Vedas by the Sri Vaishnava Hindus.
15. Sikh Gurus: All the Sikh Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, were Kshatriyas. The teachings of the first 5 and the 9th Guru are compiled in the Adi Granth- the Sikh scripture. In the face of Islamic persecutions, they revitalized the Hindu community of what is now Pakistan and parts of Northern India and preached the simple path of performance of good deeds, devotion to God by recitations of His names and singing of His glory and sharing of one another’s joys and sorrows without regard to caste.
16. Saint Kabir: He was brought-up by ‘Julaha’ couple. Julahas are a Muslim caste of weavers. He preached in the language of the masses and many of his verses are common proverbs in North India.
17. Narsi Mehta: He was born in a Vaishya family is a renowned Vaishnava saint of Gujarat. One of his compositions- “Vaishnava Jana” was a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi. According to some however, he was a Brahmin.
18. Saint Tukarama: He was a Vaishya who composed touching poems called the ‘Abahngas’ on devotion to God. These compositions are recited with great fervor by numerous Hindus, especially in Maharashtra by the members of the Warakari community.
19. Saint Ravidas: He was a cobbler, and therefore of Shudra origin. He advocated Bhakti and 16 of his compositions were incorporated in the Adi Granth- the Sikh scripture.
20. Saint Mira: She was a Rajput Kshatriya princess of Mewar and devoted her life to the service of Lord Krishna. Her beautiful poetical compositions addressed to Lord Krishna are recited with great fervor by Hindus down to this day.
21. Swami Vivekananda: One of the foremost reformers and teachers of modern Hinduism, he was of Kayastha subcaste of Bengal. He spread the message of Vedanta in the United States and Europe and his writings and speeches are contained in “The Collected Writings of Swami Vivekanand.” He founded the Ramakrishna Mission- a religious organization to propagate the teachings of his Guru Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. In Bengal, Kayasthas are considered as Shudras.
22. Vatsa, a descendant of Kanva RV 6.1; 8.8 etc; was called a Shudra-putra (Panchavimsha Brahman 14.66).
23. Kakshivat, a Brahmavadin, was the son of Dirghatamas by a Shudra maid servant (Brihaddevata 4.24-25).
24. According to Mahabharata (Anushasana Parvan 53.13-19), Sage Kapinjalada was a Chandala and Sage Madanapala was the son of a boatwoman.
25. According to Mahabharata Shanti Parvan, King Sudas was also a Shudra. Sudas is one of the most celebrated kings of the Rigveda, being the hero of the Dasarajna war.

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____________(RK)___________