A question from my reader Amitabh Sharma: “Sir, I have seen lot of Brahmins eat non-vegetarian food. What will happen if a Brahmin eats non-vegetarian?”
“What do you expect to happen? Your stomach has power to digest both. And it is your false belief that Brahmin as a caste don’t eat non-vegetarian”
“Phew…I was relieved. Sir, I thought you were fanatic vegetarian…In fact, I am a Brahmin and have eaten non-veg…Still I can follow Brahmanism, right?”
“Brahmanism has nothing to do with today’s Brahmin caste. If you follow Brahmanism – that is Sattvik way of life – you have to be pure vegetarian.”
“I am confused…”
“Our ancestors strived to be a Brahmin…They knew that Brahmanism is divinely ordained cosmological order. They realized that a human can lead a perfect, peaceful and contented life if he followed Brahmanism…Hence everybody wanted to be Brahmins. They strived to be one….
Sages like Vasishta, Viswamitra, Vyasa, Jambooka rishi, Shrunga muni, Valmiki, Agasthya, Gowtama etc were not born in Brahmin caste. But they gained ultimate knowledge (brahmajnana) and became Brahmins. Sant Namdev, Sant Ravidass, Sant Kabir and Guru Nanak were not caste Brahmins. Puttaparti Sai Baba, Ramalinga Swamigal, Kripananda Variar, Appar Swamigal, Sri Narayana Guru, Shirdi Sai Baba, Mata Amritananda mayi etc were not in Brahmin caste.
All of them evolved to be Brahmin. Ved Vyas, Manu, Vasistha etc upheld the importance of Brahmin. But they were not born in Brahmin caste.
Lord Krishna, who positioned Brahmins as supreme though his Baghvad Gita, was a backward caste Yadav. There is not even single HINDU god who is a Brahmin. But all our ancestors propagated, supported and fought for Brahmanism. However, no Brahmin wrote or said anything in favour of Brahmanism. It was non-Brahmins who upheld the positions of Brahmins seeing them as role models.
Try to figure out why for yourself, rather than swallowing the puked items (information) provided by the missionaries and communists. A Brahmin’s son/daughter cannot be called Brahmin until and unless he/she qualify as so. If that was the case, why don’t you call Ravan a Brahmin? His father Visravas was a famous Brahmin.
Dhrona was a Brahmin, but he became a renowned Kshatriya. Vishwamitra, the son of a Kshatriya grew vigorously with the qualities of a Brahmin.
Just because one is born to a Brahmin family CANNOT be Brahmin. Krishna envisaged Brahmin not as caste or religion. It’s like a profession. How will you address your college professor’s son? Do you call him professor? Just because your classmate’s father is a doctor, will you address her as doctor? The lawyer’s son automatically becomes lawyer? No – they have to be qualified for that.
Our ancestors envisaged that democracy and merit are the foundation of a healthy society, hence never supported the generational dynasties. But that has changed during the last 1000 years.
Our ancestors say Brahmin is a position. It is a status. Not a caste.
“janmana jaayate shudraha. Sanskaaraat dvija uchyate. vedapaati bhavet vipra. brahma jnanathi brahmana.”
“By birth, every man is a Shudra (an ignorant person). Through various types of disciplines (samskaras), he becomes dvija (twice born). Through the studies of Veda, he becomes a vipra (or a wise man). Through realization of supreme spirit (brahmajnana), he becomes a Brahmin.”
He whoever is wise, without a caste, not bound by kama-krodha-lobha-moha-mada-maatsarya (lust, anger, covetousness, delusion, pride, jealousy: These are the six passions of the mind), has realized the ‘Self’ (consciousness), has established himself in Brahman (The cosmos) and the one in him is a Brahmin according to the Vedas.
Two broad territorial divisions exist among the Brahmin: the Panch Gour (Five Northerner) and the Panch Dravida (Five Southerner). Their skin colour can be fair or black. Their races are different. That means, Brahmanism has nothing to do with caste or race – it can only be achieved. The society gave respect to Brahmins not out of fear, but because of great regards and respect they commanded through their Sattvik life style. A Brahmin was considered as the flag-ship of Sanatan Dharma.
To achieve Brahmanism, one has to follow Sattvik life style. They have clearly noted in all scriptures that “Sattvik Lifestyle” is perfect for Ayru-Arogya-Soukhya (longevity, health and happiness). It includes self-discipline, spiritual practices like prayer, yoga and meditation, and cultivating virtuous qualities such as honesty, non-violence, compassion, contentment, selflessness etc.
Satvik food is the foundation of such life. You are not supposed to eat part of dead body. Those who followed Sattvik food and life style were elevated to a position of Brahmin. Hence vegetarianism is the basic foundation of Brahminism. Those who wished their children continue to this life style, adhered to this practice in their families