The Caste System
Few concepts have been as denigrated as the "castes" of India. We are going to try to explain their Vedic origin and their devolution to what has become present-day India.
The Vedic system we are going to describe, called varnashrama, should not be confused with the current caste system that determines social divisions by birth.
In the Bhagavad-gita, considered the essence of the Vedas, it is explained that there are four types of people based on the actions they perform (18.41-45):
Translation - O Arjuna, the activities of the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras are clearly divided according to the inherent qualities of their own nature.
Translation - The actions of a Brahmin arising from his nature are serenity, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge of the Vedas, wisdom, and firm faith.
Translation - The actions of a Kshatriya, arising from his nature, are heroism, exuberance, determination, ingenuity, fearlessness in battle, generosity, and leadership.
Translation - The actions of a Vaishya arising from his own nature are agriculture, protection of cows, and trade. Also, the actions of a Shudra arising from his nature consist of serving the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas.
As can be seen from all the explanations above, there is no trace of the so-called current "caste system," which basically defines a person's caste by birth.
The Bhagavad-gita speaks of Varna as shown above. The focus is that 100% of actions determine Varna, without reference to the factor of birth. And this is the closest that a Vedic scripture speaks that could remotely relate to the caste system. But as for the eradication of all social divisions, that simply is not possible.
The current caste system has arisen because of the false idea that to be a Brahmin, one must be the son of a Brahmin. That is the caste system. But the Bhagavad-gita does not say that. It says "according to qualities and work." It never says "according to birth."
So, this current caste system in India is a false notion of catur-varnyam, the four natural social divisions. In the real system of catur-varnyam, guna-karma-vibhagasah (quality and actions) operate. Temperament and vocation determine the four social divisions.