THE REAL BRAHMIN

THE REAL BRAHMIN

The word Brahmin has totally lost its original and main significance! The class of Brahmins today are far removed from the qualities and virtues of the Brahmins of the previous eras like the Vedic period. Time has ravaged various civilizations as well as many institutions including the nature and quality of the Brahmin class of society. Today we have Brahmins only for namesake, divested of almost all qualities and virtues of the earlier generation! It is very sad to see the downfall and decline of the idealism and spirituality of the Brahmin class in the present. They have lost their preminence and say in society. They are a minority now in the country and fighting for their rights and privileges in society! The caste system of ancient ages has played a havoc in the lives of the Brahmins today! They are looked down upon by the political class and the reservation system has virtually eliminated the Brahmin from almost all avenues of employment and other opportunities! What were the qualities of the Brahmins of yore? Why was he considerd important to society? Let us see what the Sasthras say about this.

Brahmins were generally considered as priests, teachers and protectors of sacred learning.

The earliest reference is from the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda where the Brahmins are represented as the face of the Viratpurusha or the Cosmic Being. The Kshatriyas represent the shoulders, the Vaisyas form the thighs and the Sudras the feet of of the Purusha! This is called “ chaturvarna “-division into four classes of society. It was only a broad demarcation and no superiority or inferiority was contemplated! Every section of society is as important as the other and complementary to the other. Brahmin was thought as an advisor and an intellectual, the Kshatriya as a protector, the Vaisyas as a trader and merchant while the Sudras the helper to the other three. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna speaks of the creation of the four  ‘varnas’ Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra according to their qualities and actions?!. No higher or lower status was given to them. Birth in the family cannot determine if the person is a Brahmin or otherwise. It is his conduct and character and actions that decide his class. “ Chatur varnam maya srustwa Guna karma vibhagasaha” There is needless confusion and controversy over these statements in the present day politics. Brahmin community today is more sinned against the sinning.

According to Gautama Dharma Sastras, every Brahmin should possess eight virtues like truthfulness, teaching the virtuous, following the rules of rituals, studying the Vedas, gentleness and nonviolence, self control and kindness and others. Baudhayana Dharma Sutras require a Brahmin to refrain from anger. He should never be arrogant. Vasishta Dharma Sutras insist on austerity, self control, purity, compassion, erudition, intelligence and religious faith. According  to Manu Smriti, “ A well disciplined Brahmin although he knows just the Savitri verse is far better than an undisciplined one who eats all types of food and deals in all types of merchandise though he may know all three Vedas” ( Manu Smriti 2.118) A Brahmin can engage himself in agriculture, trade, lend money on interest, become a warrior in times of adversity and take up any occupation to sustain himself according to Gautama Dharma Sutras!

Manu Smriti forbids Brahmins from producing or trading in poison, weapons, meat, trapping birds and others, Six duties are prescribed for the Brahmin. He has to study the Vedas which is called ‘ adhyayana’. He should teach and instruct the students in the Vedas called as‘ adhyapana’.He should perform yagna or sacrifices for the welfare of society. This is called ‘ yajana’. He should get the sacrifices performed by others which is termed ‘ yaajana’. He should offer alms to others and this is called ‘ dana’. He should also receive alms from others which is termed ‘ prarigraha’. How many of us, today, follow at least a few of the principles prescribed by these Dharma Sutras? We don’t know even the names of these Sastras and Sutras! We are ignorant of the lineage of our ancestors --gotras and the hoary past to which we belong

“ One becomes a Brahmin not by birth but only when one realizes the Supreme Brahman” declares Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba. Unfortunately we gloat ourselves as Brahmins only by our birth in those families.We don't bother about the very normal and ordinary duties of a Brahmin like performing ‘ Sandhya vandana ‘ at least once a day. We have become victims of social transformation and carried away by a directionless society that has lost its values and principles. We take nonvegetarian food and take to drinking. We have taken professions forbidden and even question the very rules and principles laid down by our ancestors.Morality and faith have given place to immorality and loss of faith and atheism. There is no fear for sin and heinous crimes are the regular order of the day! In the remorseless current of time the Brahmin has lost himself instead of defending or saving himself. He has become a laughing stock and the butt end of ridicule for other communities who have gained the upper hand in society! He has forgotten his ‘Swadharma’ and followed ‘ Paradharma’ which is the reason for his fall. There is a purpose in the creation of man. He is expected to know his real Self. He should realize that the body is separate from the eternal Soul or Spirit that is embedded in the innermost recess of his heart!  This is termed as Self Realization or realizing the Supreme Brahman! Then he can call himself a Brahmin, not otherwise.