|| Duties of Brahmins ||
Based on the discourses of Mahaperiyava Swamigal, this thread deals with the duties of Brahmins. The duties propounded in this thread must be practised even by the office-going Brahmins.
Based on the discourses of Mahaperiyava Swamigal, this thread deals with the duties of Brahmins. The duties propounded in this thread must be practised even by the office-going Brahmins.
It is upto Brahmins to take whatever steps they think fit to promote Vedic learning.
Everyday they must perform Brahmayajña (ब्रह्मयज्ञ) which is one of the five great sacrifices (mahayajñas).
Everyday they must perform Brahmayajña (ब्रह्मयज्ञ) which is one of the five great sacrifices (mahayajñas).
The Brahma (ब्रह्म) in Brahmayajña means the Vedas. The power of the mantras must be preserved in us as an eternal reality.
It must burn bright like a lamp that is never extinguished. For this reason it is necessary that we perform Brahmayajña.
It must burn bright like a lamp that is never extinguished. For this reason it is necessary that we perform Brahmayajña.
We must offer oblations to the presiding seers (ऋषि) of our Vedic recension.
Failing that, the least we can do is perform the Gayatri-japa every day.
Failing that, the least we can do is perform the Gayatri-japa every day.
Gayatri is the essence of the Vedas, their substance. To qualify to chant it, you must be initiated into it by a Guru.
The Gayatri you thus learn must be mentally repeated at least a thousand times every day.
The Gayatri you thus learn must be mentally repeated at least a thousand times every day.
Again, the least you can do – and you must do – is to chant the mantra at least ten times in morning, noon and dusk.
Suryadeva is the presiding deity of Gayatri. Sunday, the day of the sun, is a universal holiday. On this day you must get up at 4 am in the morning.
Suryadeva is the presiding deity of Gayatri. Sunday, the day of the sun, is a universal holiday. On this day you must get up at 4 am in the morning.
After getting up, take proper bath, cleanse yourself and after your oblations recite the Gayatri a thousand times.
This will ensure your well-being as well as of all mankind.
This will ensure your well-being as well as of all mankind.
All Brahmins must learn to chant the Purushasukta (पुरुष सूक्त), the Shrisukta (श्री सूक्त), Shri Rudram (श्री रुद्रम्), etc.
This is particularly directed towards the office going Brahmins. Since they will find it difficult to devote themselves fully to Vedic learning.
This is particularly directed towards the office going Brahmins. Since they will find it difficult to devote themselves fully to Vedic learning.
They must try to acquire at least a minimum of scriptural knowledge. But it should be creditable if they accomplish something – in the present case learning the Vedas – in the face of difficulties.
If you start learning the scriptures now, you'll be able to complete your study in a few years.
But you need faith and devotion. The Vedas are a vidya that has come down to us through the millennia. If you study them with determination, you're bound to succeed.
But you need faith and devotion. The Vedas are a vidya that has come down to us through the millennia. If you study them with determination, you're bound to succeed.
Haven't you seen 50 and 60 year old people engaged in research in the hopes of getting a Ph.D. or some other degree?
If you have the will you will have the way to accomplish anything; no matter however difficult it may seem at first.
If you have the will you will have the way to accomplish anything; no matter however difficult it may seem at first.
There are examples of individuals who were in their fourties and totally in dark about the Vedas. The same peope later learned to chant them with ardour.
If they can do it, you can do it too. Ishwara has graced everyone with the same set of capabilities.
If they can do it, you can do it too. Ishwara has graced everyone with the same set of capabilities.
Leave aside the question of Brahmins who are in jobs and are middle aged or older.
Whether or not they themselves can chant the Vedas or want to learn to chant them, they must see to it that their sons at least receive instruction in the scripture.
Whether or not they themselves can chant the Vedas or want to learn to chant them, they must see to it that their sons at least receive instruction in the scripture.
Perhaps the children cannot be sent for a full-time course in the Vedas, but the parents could at least ensure that, after they perfom the upanayana of their sons at the age of eight years, the boys are taught the Vedas for one hour every evening for the period of eight years.
A Vedic tutor may be engaged on a cooperative basis for all children of a locality or village. This should be of help to the children of poor Brahmins.
Above all, efforts must be made to ensure that the existing Vedic schools that are in bad shape are not forced to close down.
Above all, efforts must be made to ensure that the existing Vedic schools that are in bad shape are not forced to close down.
These institutions must be reinvigorated and more and more students must be encouraged to join them.
To accomplish this task, the teachers who teach must be adequately helped with money.
To accomplish this task, the teachers who teach must be adequately helped with money.
Let me repeat that Brahmins ought not be afforded more than the minimum cash or creature comforts. But we see today that there are many lucrative jobs to tempt them.
So there is the danger of them not being fully involved in their swadharma of learning and teaching the Vedas if they are not kept above their wants and desires.
We must provide them with certain facilities so that we are not faced with the unfortunate situation in which +
We must provide them with certain facilities so that we are not faced with the unfortunate situation in which +
+ such Brahmins become more and more scarce. There are new comforts, new Avenue of pleasure, not known in the past.
Which makes us think that, "It is unrealistic to expect a few Brahmins alone to deny themselves all these and adhere to swadharma."
Which makes us think that, "It is unrealistic to expect a few Brahmins alone to deny themselves all these and adhere to swadharma."
If we adopt such an attitude the Vedic Dharma will suffer. So when some Brahmins are engaged exclusively in their dharma, it is obligatory on our part to help them with money and material.
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