As a group, Tamil Brahmins claim that they have achieved in many areas right from using the intellect to making money in billions of dollars. But what is the mark of identity of this group? At present, almost nothing except the claim that our forefathers lived a brahminical life hundreds of years ago and the fact that still majority of the group does not eat meat as a regular diet. we have our own religious practices like Upakarma and take pride in going on street bare bodied and showing the sacred thread perhaps wearing it on such occasions only. What about our daily life?
Brahmins' main activity is protection of Vedas and Dharma Sastras. What do we do in these areas? How many of us still do Sandhyavandanam at least once a day? Do we remember Gayatri mantra which is the minimum requirement to retain bramhanya? Individually are we not afraid of showing our identity in the society including wearing tilak on the forehead? If we claim that as a social group we are far ahead of others why this fear and apathy to adherence to Vedic traditions at least in a limited way? It is time for the community to introspect and see genuine ways to retain the identity as brahmins instead of just being proud of being the great great grandson of so and so Dikshitar. Please share your views.
Brahmins' main activity is protection of Vedas and Dharma Sastras. What do we do in these areas? How many of us still do Sandhyavandanam at least once a day? Do we remember Gayatri mantra which is the minimum requirement to retain bramhanya? Individually are we not afraid of showing our identity in the society including wearing tilak on the forehead? If we claim that as a social group we are far ahead of others why this fear and apathy to adherence to Vedic traditions at least in a limited way? It is time for the community to introspect and see genuine ways to retain the identity as brahmins instead of just being proud of being the great great grandson of so and so Dikshitar. Please share your views.
