Vajrasucika Upanisada
The ideology and institutions of Varna (caste) and Asrama (stages of life) are so deeply ingrained in classical Hinduism that our Dharma is often termed as 'Varnashrama Dharma'. This website revolves around the Vajrasuchika Upanishad, which discusses the true basis of one's caste. The word 'Vajrasuchi' is a compound of two words: Vajra = diamond, hard, thunderbolt, Suchi/Suchika = needle
The word ‘Vajrasuchika’ therefore means “A needle that is as hard as a rock/diamond.” In other words, the name indicates that the text expounds a very precious, and a potent doctrine that can lead one to moksha (salvation). The Upanishad concludes that it is spiritual realization and good conduct alone that determine one’s caste.
The Upanishad is often ascribed to the Brahmin Buddhist scholar Asvaghosa, the celebrated author of the 'Buddhacharita'- a biography on Lord Buddha. Sometimes, it is also ascribed to Bhagvatpada Shankaracharya, the great Advaitin teacher. These ascriptions are impossible to prove. The text has been very popular amongst certain Buddhist circles in the past. However, it also text betrays a clear Hindu ambience throughout and is among the 108 Upanishads enumerated in the list given in the Muktika Upanishad.
