Note 218 — Chapter LXIV · THE DESTRUCTION OF THE DEMON PRALAMVA

There are four principal Varnas or castes, the Brāhmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras. The Brāhmanas are said to have sprung from the mouth of Brahma and belong to the sacerdotal class. The Kshatriyas, or the military caste, are said to have arisen from His arms. The Vaisyas or the trading class are said to have sprung from His thighs and the Sudra or the servile class from His feet. The earliest reference to the origin of caste is seen in a hymn of the Rig-Veda called Purusha Sukta. There are various other accounts seen in the various Puranas.