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The four Hindu varna roles
This Religion and worldviews video supports teachers delivering a lesson on the Hindu concept of the four varnas – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Shudras – roles that contribute to a soul’s journey toward moksha, or spiritual liberation. Children explore how each varna offers unique life experiences and opportunities for developing wisdom and positive karma. The video introduces the origins of the varnas in a hymn from the Rigveda, where each role is linked to a different part of the cosmic body to show that all are equally important. This understanding helps pupils reflect on how religious roles can be seen as opportunities for learning and growth.
This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Religion and worldviews resources – Hindu. It supports teachers in explaining how the varna system is understood in spiritual terms rather than social status. The video also explains the symbolic colours linked to each varna and how gaining all colours – culminating in orange, which represents spiritual purity – reflects readiness for moksha. Teachers are supported to make clear distinctions between religious beliefs and societal caste systems, and to deliver inclusive, respectful lessons that help children understand this concept in a meaningful and sensitive way.
