I am not writing this article to criticise the Brahmins or the present-day Brahmins’ modern style of living! Being a Brahmin myself, I want to say something about the fast disappearance of Brahminism in the present-day so-called sophisticated modern world! Since some of my friends, readers, and well-wishers have asked me to write an article about the condition of some present-day Brahmins, I am writing this.
Once again, I want to tell the readers that I am not trying to hurt the religious sentiments or feelings of the Brahmins, but at the same time, I want to make them feel that they are the “TRUE BRAHMINS”! Simply wearing the sacred thread but not following religious practices is of no use. The present trend is that due to the fast hi-fi lifestyle, some Brahmins are finding it difficult to follow the ancient traditions and Vedic Shastras of our Hindu Dharma.
Today (14.05.2024), I went to Thiruvisainallur Ayyaval Temple. There, I met one of the office staff, and we discussed the lifestyle of present-day Brahmins. That gentleman smiled and gave me a detailed speech: “Sir, during ancient times, Brahmins were even able to get the divine vision of the deities and saints since they lived an orthodox life and lived like Rishis by fully following the principles of HINDU DHARMA.”
They used to do Sandhyavandanam thrice a day, used to perform meditation, Yagnas and also used to provide food to the poor people at their homes. But in the present day, most of these things are found to be missing! Yagnas are being done only in the temples, Sandhyavandanam is being done three times a day only by a few Brahmins, and even some Brahmins are interested in eating non-vegetarian food! And if it goes on like that, then how would the deities or saints appear before them”!
Likewise, even I have come across a few Brahmins who used to even eat ‘BEEF’, without knowing that, sometimes in that food, cow’s meat also would be included! While I was working in one tyre company, some Brahmins used to eat a lot of non-vegetarian food, and when I questioned them, they used to tell me, “Hey Shankar, see since you are not eating this strong food (Non-Veg food), you look very weak, see how we are! One Brahmin friend told me that previously, when he worked in one company, seeing his weak body, the management dismissed him, saying, “Hey man, you look very weak, and that’s why you are not able to cope with us!” After that, my friend began eating non-veg and now he says, that he appears very strong! I didn’t want to debate with him since debating with others would take up our precious time!
Some people question why the avatars of the Hindu deities, like Sri Rama and Sri Krishna, eat non-veg food while they wear the sacred thread! Some used to ask me whether Puranas or any other ancient Hindu texts mention the prohibition of eating non-veg food! But I would never reply since if I gave them a single answer, then they would again generate a large number of questions about that!
As per our ancient Hindu Shastras, Brahmins must try to avoid visiting foreign countries. The reason for that is simple: The Brahmins must do the daily religious routine work only from their own land! Nowadays, some Brahmins marry other castes or other religious people, and mostly, it happens due to love!
In some of our ancient religious texts, it was mentioned that those who marry a non-brahmin girl, and those who perform the yearly ceremonies for their departed parents, with the help of their consorts, would not give proper results, even if they chant the Mantras and do the ceremonies in a proper manner. But according to me it all depends on the good nature and the good Karmas of the people, and at the same time, I highly welcome inter-caste marriages (Since sometimes, inter-caste marriages prove to be more fruitful, than marriages within one’s own castes/sects), provided if the couples, wilfully follow our religious traditions and ancient practices properly.
I am not advising anyone to follow this or that; I am just quoting some of the things from our Puranas. I want everyone to be true Brahmins, and at the same time, I want to be a perfect ‘BRAHMIN’ since advising others is the easiest task, but following them is a difficult one!
And finally, I also want to give a small piece of advice to newly married couples who belong to any other religion. Please adopt, give and take policy between both, please smile pleasantly even if your companion fights with you, please adjust, and be just to your life partner, show your true love by considering him/her as your best friend, realise that he/she is the gift given by the god, don’t compare your life partner with others, since at some point of time, you would realise that he/she is brighter than others.
Last but not least, life is too short, so let us try to make it as ‘SMART’ as we can.
“OM SRI BRAHMA MOORTHIYE SARANAM, SARANAM”
(This article has been contributed by R. HARISHANKAR and views expressed in it are those of the author)
(Featured Image Source: Quora)
