This varṇāśrama-dharma—four varṇas: brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra; and four āśramas, namely brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa—they are meant for this bodily concept of life. Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore said that, "I am neither a brāhmaṇa nor a kṣatriya nor a vaiśya nor a śūdra. Neither I am brahmacārī nor gṛhastha nor vānaprastha nor sannyāsī." He kept Himself nāhaṁ vipro na ca nara-patiḥ (CC Madhya 13.80), kept Himself aloof from this varṇāśrama-dharma.
Of course, this varṇāśrama-dharma is the beginning of human civilization. Unless one comes to this stage, or institution, accepting this varṇāśrama-dharma, he is not to be considered as human being or civilized human being.
- varṇāśramācāravatā
- puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān
- viṣṇur ārādhyate pumsām
- nānyat tat-toṣa-kāraṇam
- (CC Madhya 8.58, Viṣṇu Purāṇa 3.8.9)
Because the whole aim of life is to go back to home, back to Godhead, Viṣṇu. We have forgotten Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, we are loitering in this material world under different species of life in different planetary system. Brahmāṇḍa bhramite (CC Madhya 19.151): we are wandering. Why? Because we have forgotten Viṣṇu. Therefore, this human form of life is meant for realizing Viṣṇu. But we do not know. Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇu (SB 7.5.31). Oṁ tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padaṁ sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ (Ṛg Veda 1.22.20). This is Vedic, Ṛg Veda mantra that, "Those who are sūrayaḥ, advanced, civilized Āryans, they are looking forward to the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu." That is the ultimate goal of life.
But unfortunately, the rascal civilization, they are not teaching. They are not giving the opportunity to the human society to realize the highest goal of life. Such a rascal civilization at the present moment. Misleading.