PARASARA SMRITI

Parasara Gita, otherwise called Parasara Smriti or Parasara Dharma Samhita is a code of laws intended for Kaliyuga! It is similar to Manu Smriti that lays down rules for every section of society in their day to day life. Maharshi Parasara is the author of many ancient texts and considered as the author of the first Vishnu Purana before Sage Vyasa wrote it in the present form! He was the grandson of sage Vasishta whose son Shakti Maharshi, father of sage Vyasa, died young. “ Vyasam Vasishta naphtaram Sakthe putra makalmasham parasaratmajam Vande Suka tatam taponidhim” Sage Parasura is the great grandfather of both the warring factions of the Kaurava and Pandavas. In the ‘ Moksha Dharma Parva of Santi Parva, of the Mahabharata, Bhishma narrates what the great sage Parasara said about the duties or Dharma of the various classes of society. Dharmaraja the eldest of the Pandavas expresses a desire to know the  ‘Varnasrama Dharma’-the duties of every cross section of society viz Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra and how they came into existence. As we read the laws of Parasara we are amazed at the great unbridgeable gulf between those days and the present practices of various sections of society!

A Brahmin is prohibited from eating all types of food. He Should not eat the same type of food all through the year. There is a provision that certain types of food should be taken on such and such days. He is not a brahmin who eats all varieties of food uninhibited.He should not cook only for himself. He can eat raw materials and fruits without offering to others. But he must share cooked food with unexpected guests (atithi). The money the brahmin earns through alms, the Kshatriya by winning a war, the Vysya through lawful means, the Sudra by serving the community is praiseworthy though that may be small. If a Brahmin follows the Dharma of a kshatriya to make both ends meet, he doesn't fall from Dharma!  But if he follows the path of a Sudra he becomes unrighteous. If it is not possible to serve others, a Sudra can take up business, cattle rearing, artistic activities. “ How did these differences in ‘Varnas’- classes of society originate?” King Janaka questioned the Sage Parasura. According to the Vedas one born to a Brahmin becomes a Brahmin. As every one was created by Brahma they should all be Brahmins! How is it that those born of Brahmins take to duties not belonging to Brahmins?

While accepting King Janaka's contention, Sage Parasara says that it is because the Brahmins fell from their tapas or penance! If the field is fertile and the seed too is energetic the offspring  shall be good. Otherwise it will be just ordinary or below average. Those born from the face of Prajapati were Brahmins, those from the shoulders were called Kshatriyas, those from the lap became Vaisyas and those from the feet were the Sudras! These were the original classes of society. When these classes mixed and mingled with one another,m different clans and classes came into being! King Janaka asked how the people of other castes became Brahmins.  Parasara replies that it was because of their tapas and purity of heart. Sages like Vasishtha, Rishyasringa,  Kasyapa, Drona, Matanga became great because of their penance! The original gotras were Angirasa, Kasyapa, Kanisha and Bhrigu. Janaka wanted to know the special duties of Brahmins. Accepting Dana or alms, getting yajnas performed by others, educating others in Vedas, are the distinct duties of Brahmins. Protecting the people, Parasara says is the duty of a Kshatriya. Agriculture, cattle rearing, and business and trade are the duties of Vaisyas.  Sudra Dharma is to serve the other three classes of society. The common duties for all the classes of society consist in nonviolence, alertness, sharing food with others, performing sraddhas to ancestors, hospitality to unexpected guests, absence of anger, satisfaction with one’s own wife,  cleanliness, absence of envy or jealousy and self Realization

The first three classes are called ‘dwijas’. They are expected to follow the same duties. If they fail to do so they fall. Hence every class should follow the duties fixed for them. The fourth class is an exception! The duties prescribed for other classes do not apply to him. A Sudra who follows the path of righteousness is considered as a Brahmin! Parasara points out that he considers such a person as Lord Vishnu himself! By treading this Dharma they shall be happy and blissful in this and the other world! King Janaka questions Sage Parasara whether man is spoiled by his karma-action or his caste or clan. The Sage replies that both are bad. One belonging to a low caste, despite his caste, will not commit sin. He becomes ideal by his activities. But a high caste person, if he does not perform the prescribed actions becomes polluted! Between caste and Karma or actions, it is one’s actions that pollute the Individual! Finally king Janaka wants to know by which actions man can proceed without hurting other beings or creatures. Unattached people, who do not associate with all, are calm and free from sudden emotional reactions. Through Yoga, they elevate themselves step by step and finally attain Mukti or salvation. All classes, by performing charitable deeds and treading the righteous path can reach heaven without any doubt!

As Lord Krishna declares in the Bhagavad-Gita, the classes were created according to their  ‘guna’-character and ‘Karma’-deeds! “ Chatur varnyam maya srushtya guna karma vibhagasaha”. Mere birth in brahmin family cannot make one a Brahmin if he falls into evil ways and does deeds not prescribed for Brahmins. In the same manner one of a low caste by following and practicing the ways of Brahmins and righteous ways can be declared a Brahmin! Hence caste is not  important but deeds are!  Most of the Azhwars and Nayanmars that we worship today were not Brahmins!  That is why we say that we should not delve into the roots of rishi's and rivers!