The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2355 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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). This highest entity, Parabrahman, is personal, described as both ‘perfect’ (
pur
a
) and ‘the best of beings’ (
puru
ottama
) and having qualities such as knowledge (

na
) and activity (
kriy
).
dra
.
Fourth social, or occupational, division (
varna
) in Hinduism. The origin of the word is uncertain. From
g Veda
10. 90. 12, where the hierarchy is
r
janya
(rulers),
br
hma
as
,
vai
yas
, and
dras, it is assumed that they were already menials, though at least included in the Vedic community, even if, as not being ‘twice-born’, not wholly integrated. Their emergence in creation from under the feet of Puru
a summarizes their position in society.

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