I have seen many posts on this forum in this regard. Let me give you some quotes directly from Gitopanisad to clear this
confusion.
BG 4.13
catur-varnyam maya srstam
guna-karma-vibhagasah
tasya kartaram api mam
viddhy akartaram avyayam
"According to the three modes of material nature and
the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable."
So this three modes of material nature basically are mode of goodness(sattva-guna), passion(rajo-guna) and ignorance(tamo-guna). Each one of us is situated in one of these through our behavior and desires due to our past karmic activity. Brahmanas are situated in mode of goodness, Kshatriyas in mode of passion, Vaishya in Passion+ ignorance and Sudras in ignorance. Now it is clear from the above verse that it is the work that one does, qualifies him to be in a particular varna and
it is not based on birth. This caste system is a rather bastardized version of this actual varna system where one born in a brahmana family automatically becomes a brahmana which is a farce(I am in this category actually
).
Similarly you must have across this verse as well
janmana jayate sudrah
samskarad bhaved dvijah
veda-pathad bhaved vipro
brahma janatiti brahmanah
"By birth one is a sudra (lowest caste), by the purificatory process one becomes a dvija (higher caste), by study of the Vedas one becomes a vipra, and one who knows Brahman is a brahmana."
So the real problem is the twisting of principles to actually suit one's needs and does not reflect the actual Dharmic principles.
In the
18th chapter of Bhagvad Gita, the functions of the varna system are explained
18.41
brahmana-ksatriya-visam
sudranam ca parantapa
karmani pravibhaktani
svabhava-prabhavair gunaih
"Brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras
are distinguished by their qualities of work, O chastiser of the enemy,
in accordance with the modes of nature."
18.42
samo damas tapah saucam
ksantir arjavam eva ca
jnanam vijnanam astikyam
brahma-karma svabhava-jam
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness--these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work."
18.43
sauryam tejo dhrtir daksyam
yuddhe capy apalayanam
danam isvara-bhavas ca
ksatram karma svabhava-jam
"Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership are the qualities of work for the ksatriyas"
krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam
vaisya-karma svabhava-jam
paricaryatmakam karma
sudrasyapi svabhava-jam
"Farming, cow protection and business are the qualities of work for the vaisyas, and for the sudras there is labor and service to others."
The above shows you what varna you are actually in based on your function and qualities. There are many more qualities in 13,14 and 18 chapter, which desribe these varnas in more detail, and you can read them to get a clearer idea. For me, I believe in
"
Kalau Sudra Sambhavah"