Varna According to Bhagvad Gita

 

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Every time I hear Dr. Jaishankar (Hon. External Affairs Minister, India) speak at any forum, I see someone cut out for the job, doing what he loves and making a difference/impact. In other words, a combination of competence, passion doing what is needed/required.

This is exactly how Bhagvad Gita distinguishes Varna, choosing your work (in society) based on your tendencies and skills. 

चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागश: | 4.13

The four categories of occupations were created by Me according to people’s qualities and activities.

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् || 18.47

It is better to do one’s own dharma, even though imperfectly, than to do another’s dharma, even though perfectly. By doing one’s innate duties, a person does not incur sin.

मिथ्यैष व्यवसायस्ते प्रकृतिस्त्वां नियोक्ष्यति || 18.59

Your decision will be in vain. Your own nature will compel you to fight.
 

The advice of Gita is sensible and practical - stick to your core competence.

The word Varna means "colour" and it's not a co-incidence that most popular career advice book of all times is titled: What colour is your parachute?

It's sad and unfortunate that colour/class which was meant to distinguish skills and experience was associated with birth or skin colour at some points in history.  

From a practical standpoint birth can be an advantage but it can't be the sole deciding factor. For ex. Dr. Jaishankar was born into a family of civil servants and that would have given him some advantages which others didn't have. But this in no way means that unless you are born into such a family, you can't be a successful diplomat. Likewise not everyone born in his family is doing what he is doing.

Another very important thing to note is that skills and tendencies are not fixed and can be worked upon and evolved over time.

The principle of Varna applied to organizations means that the people with the right skill set and experience are assigned to the corresponding roles. Not doing that is a violation of Varna dharma.

Creating fiefdoms and playing favorites is a violation of Varna dharma.

Appointing or continuing incompetent leaders in important roles is a violation of Varna dharma.

Throwing people into something for which they lack skills, interest and training is a violation of Varna dharma.

When dharma (principles) is violated, it causes damage and destruction.

When dharma (principles) are upheld, it protects and nurtures.

~S~