Yudhisthira: A staunch supporter of the Varna System based on Guna and Karma.

Yudhisthira strongly supported Varna system based on guna and Karma, vehemently opposing parents based Varna system. In a discussion with his ancestor Nahusha, Yudhisthira said that determining one's Varna by birth is challenging due to widespread intermingling among people of all Varnas, as people from all backgrounds have children with women of various Varnas. Here we can see that Yudhisthira rejected parents based Varna system by presenting a logical argument. Even crores of Jaativaadi keede together can't refute it.

Reference:- Mahabharat, Critical edition(BORI), Vana parva, chapter-177

Yudhisthira further elaborated that one's Varna is determined by the observance of rituals and conduct, a principle also endorsed by Maharaj Manu. He emphasized that even after the Upanayana ceremony, if a person does not exhibit the conduct and qualities (guna) associated with his Varna, he is a Varn Sankar (mixed race). 
Basically, Yudhisthira wanted to say that a person's Varna is determined by observing which varna's rituals one follows, as well as whether he possesses the conduct/gunas expected of that Varna or not.

Reference:- Mahabharat, Critical edition(BORI), Vana parva, chapter-177

In the same chapter, Yudhisthira had said that if a person does not possess the traits of a Shudra, then he is not a Shudra; similarly, if a Brahmana does not have the traits of a Brahmana, then he is not a Brahmana. One's Varna is determined by the traits they possess.


Reference:- Mahabharat, Critical edition(BORI), Vana parva, chapter-177

In some editions of the Mahabharat, Yudhisthira conveyed similar ideas before his spiritual father, Bhagwan Yama.

In the Gitapress edition, he said that one's lineage (kula) does not confer brahmanatva on anyone. 

Reference:- Mahabharat, Gitapress edition, Vana parva, chapter-313

In the same verses of the KMG edition, he stated that no one becomes a Brahmana by birth. 
Reference:- Mahabharat, KMG edition, Vana parva, chapter-311 ( link )

In the end, he concluded that one who follows the duties of a Brahmana with purity is a Brahmana. His father also agreed with this.

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