Talk:Varṇa Dharma for Universal Well-being:Brahmins are not a Privileged Caste

By Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swami

It is alleged that Brahmins created the dharmaśāstras for their own benefit. You will realise that this charge is utterly baseless if you appreciate the fact that these śāstras impose on them the most stringent rules of life. There is also proof of the impartiality of the dharmaśāstras in that the Brahmin who is expected to be proficient in all the arts and all branches of learning can only give instruction in them but cannot take up any for his livelihood however lucrative it be and however less demanding than the pursuit of the Vedic dharma.

Now it is claimed that all people are equal in all spheres, that all are equal before the law. But members of legislative bodies, judges, etc., enjoy certain privileges and cannot be treated on the same footing as the common man. These privileges have indeed been codified. If anyone criticises a judge he will be charged with contempt of court. Even I may be hauled up for contempt for my remarks. People who call themselves democrats and socialists have managed for themselves special allowances, special railway passes, etc., that the common people are not entitled to. In contrast, the Brahmins who have preserved the dharmaśāstras have bound themselves to vigorous discipline, roasted themselves, as it were, in the oven of ritual practices. If the Brahmin's purity is affected by someone, he punishes himself by bathing and fasting.

The Brahmin must be conversant with the fourteen branches of the Vedic lore. He must be proficient even in Gāndharva-veda or music and must be acquainted with agricultural science, construction of houses, etc. At the same time he must give instructions in these subjects to pupils from the appropriate castes. His own vocation is the study of the Vedas and he must have no other source of income.

Viśvāmitra was the master of Dhanurveda (military science). When he performed sacrifices, the demons Subāhu and Mārīca tried to play havoc with them. Though a great warrior himself he did not try to drive away the demons himself. Instead, he brought Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa for the purpose. Viśvāmitra thereafter gave the instruction to the two in the use of astras and śastras.

If the Brahmin is asked, "Do you know to wield a knife?" he must be able to answer, "Yes, I know." If he is asked, "Do you know to draw and paint?" again he must say, "Yes." But he cannot wield a knife or become an artist to earn his livelihood. All he can do is to learn these arts and teach others the same according to their caste. He is permitted to receive a dakṣiṇā to maintain himself and he must be contented with it however small the sum may be. The Brahmin's speciality, his true vocation, is Vedic learning.

If members of certain castes are seen to enjoy certain privileges there must be some reason for the same. The man selling tickets has a room to himself and those who buy them have to stand outside and cannot complain about it saying that the practice offends against the principle of equality. If everybody gets in on the pretext of equality how can the ticket seller function? Will the man be able to sell the tickets properly? Everybody needs some special convenience to carry out his duties. A member of a joint family who falls ill has to be afforded certain special comforts—other members are not justified in demanding the same. In our religion there are many duties and rites that are common to all. But to carry out one's special duties certain conveniences are needed: as a matter of fact, what are called conveniences are actually not conveniences or privileges, and also they are necessary to carry out the duties of the caste concerned for the welfare of society as a whole.

It is important to accept this truth: the special dharma of any jāti is meant not only for those who constitute that jāti but for society as a whole.

Love must spring from the heart, so too the sense of unity. Unity is not achieved by all jātis becoming one. What do we see in Western countries where intermarriage is not prohibited and where all people mix together? There is much rivalry and jealousy among people there. According to our śāstras, everyone in the past performed his duty and helped others to perform theirs and this was how they remained united.