The four social classes of traditional Hindu society: brahmin, kṣatriya, vaiśya, and śūdra.

The Sanskrit term literally means “color” or “complexion,” and is used broadly in this sūtra to describe the various appearances of buddhas or persons. In this instance, though, the term varṇa seems to refer more specifically to the categories of person and group, such as the brahmin caste or the kṣatriya caste, which contribute to the formation of the elaborate social fabric of traditional Indian society. “Social class” is a possible alternative translation.

The Sanskrit varṇa literally means “color” and in origin seems to have been used in reference to complexion and skin color. In the brahmanical caste system the term is used to classify human society into four main categories of caste: the priestly caste of brahmins, the warrior caste of kṣatriyas, the commoner caste of vaiśyas, and the servant caste of śūdras. Brahmins were historically the arbiters to decide which family group or “caste” (jāti) falls within which caste category. Outcastes were considered to fall outside and below this fourfold caste system.