Select the strategies adopted by Brahmanas to enforce the norm of 'right occupation':

(A) They asserted through hymns in Rigveda that Varna was of divine origin.
(B) They advised kings to ensure that these norms were followed within their kingdoms.
(C) They attempted to persuade people that their status was determined by their merit.
(D) They never attempted to enforce anything, it was just that people chose their occupation.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A) and (B)

The correct answer is Option (4) → (A) and (B)

Given statements:

(A) They asserted through hymns in Rigveda that Varna was of divine origin. (Correct)
(B) They advised kings to ensure that these norms were followed within their kingdom.(Correct)
(C) They attempted to persuade people that their status was determined by their merit.
(D) They never attempted to enforce anything, it was just that people chose their occupation.

The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras also contained rules about the ideal “occupations” of the four categories or varnas. Brahmanas were supposed to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices and get sacrifices performed, and give and receive gifts. Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare, protect people and administer justice, study the Vedas, get sacrifices performed, and make gifts. The last three “occupations” were also assigned to the Vaishyas, who were in addition expected to engage in agriculture, pastoralism and trade. Shudras were assigned only one occupation – that of serving the three “higher” varnas. The Brahmanas evolved two or three strategies for enforcing these norms. One, as we have just seen, was to assert that the varna order was of divine origin. Second, they advised kings to ensure that these norms were followed within their kingdoms. And third, they attempted to persuade people that their status was determined by birth. However, this was not always easy. So prescriptions were often reinforced by stories told in the Mahabharata and other texts.

To justify their claims, Brahmanas often cited a verse from a hymn in the Rigveda known as the Purusha sukta, describing the sacrifice of Purusha, the primeval man. All the elements of the universe, including the four social categories, were supposed to have emanated from his body: The Brahmana was his mouth, of his arms was made the Kshatriya. His thighs became the Vaishya, of his feet the Shudra was born.