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Written by Sri Swami Chandrashekarendra
Saraswati |
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When factories took the place of handicrafts and cottage industries, the
small village communities became urbanised. The needs of people
multiplied, so too the number of occupations. Today when the old way of
life is gone, it seems impossible to revive the system of hereditary
vocations. Is it any longer practicable how to insist that only
Ksatriyas
ought to man the defence services, that only Vaisyas can transact trade
and business, that the members of the fourth varna must continue to
remain labourers? Is it at all possible to revive the old system? I am
not
unaware of the state of affairs now prevailing. If so why do I keep
extolling varna dharma? There are two reasons.
Whatever be the situation today - and whether or not we can return to
the old order - it is not right to claim as people nowadays do that the
old
order was utterly unjust, that it was created by the vested interests
for
their own good and convenience. We must be able to convince the critics
that the old order was not unjust at all and that there is nothing like
varna dharma to help people to attain inner purity. They must also be
made to realise that this dharma, apart from helping society to function
in a disciplined and harmonious manner, will bring well-being to all and
give an impetus to culture.
There is even more important reason. Today the functions of Ksatriyas,
Vaisyas and Sudras have changed and become mixed Even so the work of
the government goes on somehow. Defence, the manufacture of various
articles, trade, and labour - all these go on somehow. But, unlike in
the
past, there is jealousy as well as rivalry in all fields. Even so, the
duties of
the three castes are carried out despite the fact that varna dharma has
broken up. They are a practical necessity for day-to-day life as well as
for
the functioning of the government. So they are performed, albeit
unsatisfactorily.
There is, however, a function higher than all these. It is that of
taking all
of them - all these functions - to their ultimate point. And this
function
belongs to the Brahminic way of life and it has become almost extinct.
To
teach dharma by precept and practise, the dharma that is the foundation
of all activities, to invoke the divine powers through the vedic chant
for
the good of all mankind, to create high ideals through their own austere
life, to nurture the Atmic strength of the community, to promote the
arts,
to nourish culture-these embrace the dharma of Brahmins and it is now
on the verge of extinction.
The need for the Brahminic dharma is not widely recognised because of
its subtle and intangible character. There is no realisation of the
other
three varnas. Indeed, it is this dharma that gives meaning to life and
creates a path for the fulfilment of life. We ignore it and devote
ourselves
solely to the functions of the varnas. If any improvement is made in
them
we are happy. But what use is material prosperity without Atmic and
cultural advancement? Material progress is no progress at all. Americans
have realised this truth - we ought also to realise the same. So however
confusedly the functions of other castes are carried out, the Brahmin
must function in the right manner as a pathfinder for others by living a
life of simplicity and sacrifice, performing Vedic rites and creating
worldly
and Atmic well-being for mankind. In this way the soul of India will be
kept alive.
If the Brahmin caste is restored to order, it might well be the
beginning of
the end of confused state of the other castes. In this land alone has
there
existed - and existed for ages-a jati for the protection of dharma and
the
Atmic uplift of all. If this jati becomes extinct there will be
all-round
decay. If I have spoken at length I have this purpose in view, that this
jati
must be revived in its true form so as to prevent the general decline of
the nation. The Brahmin jati must not live a life of self-indulgence. On
the
contrary it must perform rites all through the day for the welfare of
society. Brahmins must live austerely, with love for all in their
hearts. If
they are restored to their dharma our society in its entirety will be
brought to the path of dharma and will be saved. |
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