Maharishi Yajnavalkya: Proponent of Equality and Supporter of Guna-Based Varna System

According to Maharishi Yajnavalkya, all varnas (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) are Brahmanas. He further emphasized that acquiring knowledge is open to individuals of all varnas. Everyone should focus to obtain knowledge because it is the one and only path to moksha.
Reference:- Mahabharat, Critical Edition(BORI), Shanti parva-306

The conclusions we derived from Maharishi Yajnavalkya’s teachings are as follows:-

1) All people are Brahmanas. 

2) If all are Brahmanas, but at the same time, the existence of the four varnas prove that they(Varnas) are based on guna and karma.... Otherwise, we would all belong to the same varna.

3) Knowledge is open to all people in every way, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity in society.

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