Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies, Online ISSN 2278-8808, SJIF 2016 = 6.17, www.srjis.com UGC Approved Sr. No.49366, JAN–FEB, 2018, VOL- 5/43 DALIT SPIRIT IN THE FOLK LITERATURE OF SAURASHTRA
J. K. Khuman, Ph. D. Head, Deptt. of English, Shree Parekh College, Mahuva 4Z
Scholarly Research Journal's is licensed Based on a work at www.srjis.com Men are classified in four classes according to the three ‗Gunas‘ (modes) of nature-
‗Gunakarmavibhagayoh‘ 1- people with ‗satva‘ (goodness) are Brahmins, people with ‗Rajoguna‘ (passion) are Kshtriyas, people with ‗Rajo‘ and ‗Tamo‘ (passion and ignorance) are Vaishyas and people with ‗Tamo‘ (ignorance) are Shudras, and lower than that are Chandal (dog-eaters). In the above cited verse Lord Krishna himself states that there are no differences of classes in devotional service. The people with material involvement may have such wrong notions as high class and low class but for people absorbed in spiritual world every man deserves supreme destination and transcendental bliss. Further the Lord specifies: BrahmanakshatriyavishamShudranam cha Parantapa KarmaniPravibhaktanisvabhavprabhavirgunaih1 [O chastiser of enemies (Arjuna), Brahmanas, Kshtriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras are distinguished by their qualities of work, in accordance with the modes of nature.] Thus, the divisions took place according to man‘s attachment to work and not his birth. But latter people, especially connected with church, the priests made their own interpretation and began to suppress or even depress the lower classes on religious pretext, using their power, and it was the politics of religion rather than that of authority that worsened the condition. And these people suffered for centuries under the wrongly interpreted religious principle. It reached so far that they were considered to be untouchables. With this suppression or oppression the term‗Dalit‘ comes into existence. ‗Dalit‘ means suppressed or oppressed or even depressed. It also means exploited and down trodden. To this light, not only people belonging to the lower strata of society but women in India were also exploited. The aforesaid verse of ‗Gita‘ indicates women also. The slaves of America may also be regarded ‗Dalits‘ and we can see its spirit in Mark Twain‘s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. The same spirit is there in the Copyright © 2018, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies