Can we follow the sastras?
Brahmins have mostly drifted away from following the rules in the Sastras. Many can question the sastras. They can say that the sastras are not suited to the ‘modern’ age and need not be followed. Sastras themselves do not answer any of these questions. They only say that these are good for you. Not following them, you are going to land in misery. As Great Rishis have formed these sastras, it is our faith that they had long vision and did these for our good. Their idea is spiritual progress of everyone. Material comforts are needed but are not the goal.
These are some of the sastra rules which we have ignored. At least let us know which of these are really impossible to follow and which can still be followed.
1. Crossing the ocean: We are not only crossing the ocean but are settling down in foreign countries, getting foreign citizenship, proud to make our children as foreign born foreign citizens etc. Our main purpose of coming to these Mileccha lands is to earn a lot of money. Are material comforts our only aim? Once we have earned enough to lead a comfortable life in Bharat, should we continue to stay here? Why should we retire and bring up our children here? Can we think of leading a simple life in India?
2. Out of caste marriages, divorces, remarriages etc.: These are irreversible changes which puts Brahmins far from their practices. Should we not inculcate our values among our younger generations? Should we follow the western ways in these matters? If a person is stuck in one of these evils should he start saying that these are all ok for everyone? Should we not try to prevent others from getting into these misery creating practices?
3. Food habits: Now a days, vegetarian food is available in almost all parts of the world. Why should Brahmins eat meat and eggs? Some are proud to call themselves as an eggitarian! Why should they eat from outside their homes even during holidays and vacations? Even in India, Brahmins have started arranging non-Brahmin catering for their functions like upanayanam and marriages. They come with their uniforms with shoes and ties on and start serving food, many times with abundance of onions and Garlic? Is this a needed practice? If Brahmin cooks prepare and serve food wearing Vesty, is it below your prestige? Should the whole family go out and eat in expensive restaurants without any need for it? Is it a way of enjoying life? Eating simple vegetarian food prepared at home is possible to everyone with a family, at least once a day and during weekends.
4. Performing Pitru Karyas: Many have started skipping even shraadhas in their homes. They say- “we have performed in Kashi once, hence we have given it up” or some such unacceptable reason. Instead of doing the shraadha, cooking by themselves, they hire some ‘Brahmin’ women cooks who do not follow the clean practices needed for it. Some even are arranging catering for shraadhas! They want the vadhyar to hurry and finish everything very fast. Can’t they eat late at least on the shraadha day? Some adopt the shortcut of giving rice and green banana (meant for very poor people) even when they are capable of doing a full shraadha. Amavasya, masya and Grahana Tarpanas are almost forgotten practices.
5. Time shortage?: Most have given up Sandya vandana saying that they do not have time for it. Performing a karma late is allowed in sastras by giving prayaschitha argya etc. What prevents them from doing the nitya karmas on weekends? Only if the elders do it, their children will have a motivation to continue. There is no point in blaming the younger generation. They are not interested in learning simple Veda mantras like Sutras, Rudra and Chamaka. What prevents Brahmins from donating to Veda Patasalas and protection agencies?
6. Women’s dharmas starting from dress code, bringing up children, taking care of elders, preparing sattvic and nourishing food, guiding girls etc are mostly ignored as they are in a rush to go for their own jobs.
7. Protecting and welcoming relatives and guests: An atiti is a person who comes to your house without an appointment. We are supposed to welcome them and give them food etc. But today, even with appointment, many do not want any guests or relatives in their houses. Sastra says- take care of your parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and then others. Many have fought with many of their relatives and do not want them at their house. Instead they go to some (may be Christian run) orphanage and donate money! They are ready to have a dog or cat as a pet, but do not want guests or relatives at their home! When will they be able to do this atiti Dharma which is so easy and pleasant?
We can analyse each of our lapse and find out that many of the Sastra rules can still be followed. Many will be ready to give counter arguments for not following sastras. No need to point out some Sastras which we cannot follow today. Sastra itself says that when you are living in a large city, following a small part of the sastras is itself sufficient. We will not be able to comply 100%. But at least we can try to do as much as we can.
Coustery :Sri.V.Muralidharan.Iyer123
Brahmins have mostly drifted away from following the rules in the Sastras. Many can question the sastras. They can say that the sastras are not suited to the ‘modern’ age and need not be followed. Sastras themselves do not answer any of these questions. They only say that these are good for you. Not following them, you are going to land in misery. As Great Rishis have formed these sastras, it is our faith that they had long vision and did these for our good. Their idea is spiritual progress of everyone. Material comforts are needed but are not the goal.
These are some of the sastra rules which we have ignored. At least let us know which of these are really impossible to follow and which can still be followed.
1. Crossing the ocean: We are not only crossing the ocean but are settling down in foreign countries, getting foreign citizenship, proud to make our children as foreign born foreign citizens etc. Our main purpose of coming to these Mileccha lands is to earn a lot of money. Are material comforts our only aim? Once we have earned enough to lead a comfortable life in Bharat, should we continue to stay here? Why should we retire and bring up our children here? Can we think of leading a simple life in India?
2. Out of caste marriages, divorces, remarriages etc.: These are irreversible changes which puts Brahmins far from their practices. Should we not inculcate our values among our younger generations? Should we follow the western ways in these matters? If a person is stuck in one of these evils should he start saying that these are all ok for everyone? Should we not try to prevent others from getting into these misery creating practices?
3. Food habits: Now a days, vegetarian food is available in almost all parts of the world. Why should Brahmins eat meat and eggs? Some are proud to call themselves as an eggitarian! Why should they eat from outside their homes even during holidays and vacations? Even in India, Brahmins have started arranging non-Brahmin catering for their functions like upanayanam and marriages. They come with their uniforms with shoes and ties on and start serving food, many times with abundance of onions and Garlic? Is this a needed practice? If Brahmin cooks prepare and serve food wearing Vesty, is it below your prestige? Should the whole family go out and eat in expensive restaurants without any need for it? Is it a way of enjoying life? Eating simple vegetarian food prepared at home is possible to everyone with a family, at least once a day and during weekends.
4. Performing Pitru Karyas: Many have started skipping even shraadhas in their homes. They say- “we have performed in Kashi once, hence we have given it up” or some such unacceptable reason. Instead of doing the shraadha, cooking by themselves, they hire some ‘Brahmin’ women cooks who do not follow the clean practices needed for it. Some even are arranging catering for shraadhas! They want the vadhyar to hurry and finish everything very fast. Can’t they eat late at least on the shraadha day? Some adopt the shortcut of giving rice and green banana (meant for very poor people) even when they are capable of doing a full shraadha. Amavasya, masya and Grahana Tarpanas are almost forgotten practices.
5. Time shortage?: Most have given up Sandya vandana saying that they do not have time for it. Performing a karma late is allowed in sastras by giving prayaschitha argya etc. What prevents them from doing the nitya karmas on weekends? Only if the elders do it, their children will have a motivation to continue. There is no point in blaming the younger generation. They are not interested in learning simple Veda mantras like Sutras, Rudra and Chamaka. What prevents Brahmins from donating to Veda Patasalas and protection agencies?
6. Women’s dharmas starting from dress code, bringing up children, taking care of elders, preparing sattvic and nourishing food, guiding girls etc are mostly ignored as they are in a rush to go for their own jobs.
7. Protecting and welcoming relatives and guests: An atiti is a person who comes to your house without an appointment. We are supposed to welcome them and give them food etc. But today, even with appointment, many do not want any guests or relatives in their houses. Sastra says- take care of your parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and then others. Many have fought with many of their relatives and do not want them at their house. Instead they go to some (may be Christian run) orphanage and donate money! They are ready to have a dog or cat as a pet, but do not want guests or relatives at their home! When will they be able to do this atiti Dharma which is so easy and pleasant?
We can analyse each of our lapse and find out that many of the Sastra rules can still be followed. Many will be ready to give counter arguments for not following sastras. No need to point out some Sastras which we cannot follow today. Sastra itself says that when you are living in a large city, following a small part of the sastras is itself sufficient. We will not be able to comply 100%. But at least we can try to do as much as we can.
Coustery :Sri.V.Muralidharan.Iyer123
