Brahman Welfare is Bliss
to Supreme Being
Vanam Jwala
Narasimha Rao
The
first ever Brahman Welfare meeting anywhere in the country chaired by a Chief
Minister of the state and attended by more than 80 from a cross section of the
community was held on Sunday the 26th of October in Hyderabad. Chief
Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao spoke eloquently on various hardships, issues and
problems faced by Brahman Community. In this context, KCR suggested that a well
conceived strategy and comprehensive plan of action should be evolved for the
overall well being of Brahmins in Telangana State. To begin with, CM suggested
that a building complex to be known as Brahman Sadan with all facilities would be
built in Hyderabad by Government. A Board of Trustees will oversee the
administration and management of the complex. All the traditional ceremonies,
celebrations and other community activities of the Brahmans should be held
under one roof, suggested CM.
The
meeting observed that Brahmans primarily are engaged in the service to
humanity, from helping the individuals to get over their day-to-day obstacles
through offering Vedic remedies and performing rituals and ceremonies from
birth to death. They have been also rendering help to spread the ancient
wisdom, spiritual teachings and imparting Vedic knowledge.
During
the discussion, several interesting points emerged about the origin of the Brahminical
traditions from the beginning of the civilization. It was pointed out that there
is an underlying relationship between Srushti-the Creation of universe and
Brahmans. Telangana State Vigilance Commissioner K R Nandan who participated in
the meeting, made several interesting observations which gives a clue about the
genesis, origins, need, evolution and ever-changing role and status of Brahman
community.
If
we analyze the invasions that took place thousands of years ago all over the
World, we will come to know that the Invaders not only looted the natives but
also replaced the existing native culture, religion, traditions and customs
with that of the Invaders’. For instance, Persia (now Iran), Turkey, Egypt
which were non-Islamic countries have become Islamic after the invasions.
Historically, it took them little time for the Invaders to change the culture,
religion and customs of these countries. Persia (Iran) where people used to
worship the Fire God (Zoroastrians) was turned into an Islamic country within
two decades and so also Turkey and Egypt.
But,
as far as India was concerned, despite the rule by Moguls for over 800 years
and the British Colonial rule of about 200 years, none could dare change the
religion, culture, traditions, Santhana Dharma till date. The entire credit for
protecting, preserving and defending the Santhana Hindu Dharma, its traditions
and customs goes entirely to the Brahman community who could withstand the
might of the invaders! More over our Santhana Hindu Dharma is all-encompassing inclusive
in its nature and that of the invaders was restricted exclusive one!
Thus
the Indic culture has been passed on by Brahmans to the generations after
generation to come. Our ancient culture and wisdom have given equal importance
to the values, ethics, and organized life not only to the individuals but also to
the entire society, where as other religions like the Christian, Islam as well
as political philosophies like Communism was either Individual centric or Society
centric but not both. Our tradition, culture and value system are all aimed at
universal welfare. Ancient Great Rishis enabled the Brahmans in acquiring this
knowledge of the ancient wisdom and to keep it under their protection. These Great
Rishis were called “Karya Brahmas”. The four headed-faced Brahma is also known
as “Karana Brahma” (Brahma of Reason) created and appointed Karya Brahmas. He
made the blue print of the creation and the Karya Brahmas-the Rishis were given
the task of implementing it. The God Almighty-the Supreme Being or the Lord
Vishnu is known as Karana-Karana Brahma who is all in all.
The
Rishis living in Tapolokams just below the Trimurthy mandals in the Universe were
created by the Brahma even before the Devatas. One of the Karya Brahms is
Maricha and he had a son called Kashyap Rishi. His children are Devas-Gods and
Asuras-demons. The children of Rishi Kashyap and one wife Diti are called Devatas
and the children of Rishi Kashyap with his another wife Aditi are called Asuras.
Rishi Kashyap was appointed as Prajapati and it was he who created the earth.
Hence it was called Kasyapi, daughter of Rishi Kashyap. After the Earth, Rishi
Kashyap created people. On the instructions of The Supreme Being Rishis living
in Tapolokams were asked to take birth on the Earth to guide people to live in
a righteous way. They were told to teach the human beings about the Atman, Jeevatma,
and Paramatma, the importance of the human form, Creation, the essence of life
and the cycle of existence. Accordingly, the Rishis took birth here, married
human beings, gave birth to children and completed their tasks and then left for
the Tapolokams-the original abode of them.
The
Rishis, while on earth, did penance and established the culture and traditions,
which are called Rishi Proktam or the Arsha Samskruthi. They have also left behind
a rich wisdom through the literary wealth preserved in several scriptures, traditions
and customs. The Rishis passed on their knowledge, wisdom to Brahmans to
protect, preserve, defend and propagate to generations after generations to
come by. Thus the descents of these great Rishis are the Brahmans in this land.
The Brahmans as teachers, Gurus, Purohits are acting as the guardians of the
ancient wisdom and transmitting it through the ages till date.
The
life of a Brahman is full of sacrifices and selfless in all aspects. Take for
instance the life of Sage Agatsya. He had sacrificed his entire Tapo Shakhty
that he had accumulated for over hundreds of years to eradicate famine from a
kingdom! Having offered his entire Tapo Shakhty, Sage Agatsya went back to
forest to start his Tapas right from the scratch! The same sage Agatsya for his
own daughter’s marriage did not use his Tapo Shakhty to get the expenses
covered. He went on begging to collect money for his daughter’s marriage. This
is called “Voluntary Poverty”. This is what Brahmans of all the ages have been
doing till date.
Leading
a life with voluntary poverty, a Brahman would never sell his knowledge. He
would lead an austere life often end up in begging. Saint-Composer Tyaga Raja
did the same two hundred years ago while rejecting riches from the King. The
Brahmans are expected to lead the society in a selfless manner without
expecting anything.
The
imitative taken by CM KCR had brought to light the true essence of Brahmans
existence and the need of the society to preserve and protect them for the
larger interest of the society in general, country in particular. The meeting
chaired by him paves way for their welfare and for drawing a strategy for it.
It also leads to encouragement to Vedic studies, financial assistance to
spiritual thinkers, provision for education, health, skill development,
encouragement to entrepreneurs etc. The Complex that is being planned in
Hyderabad will be a platform for development of Brahman community and provides
for a traditional accommodation to Peetaadhipathis and scholars coming from
outside. This is in way an all-round development plan of the Brahman community.
Welfare
of this nature of Brahmans will be bliss to the Supreme Being.
(M)
8008137012….jwala99@gmail.com
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