IMPORTANT AND ROLE OF BRAHMINS IN ANCIENT INDIAN CULTURE
The culture of India is an ancient
culture and the tradition which are going on till date are the ancient
tradition which are derived from so many thousand years. Sanatan dharma is the
only one and ancient religion in the world which is continuing from the
creation of the world (as per myth).
The Indian culture is continuing the
traditions which are described by the ancient script and basing on mythology.
The thinking, trust and tradition of Hinduism are based on mythology. This
thinking is ruling the Indian culture till yet.
The ancient sages divided the people /
society into four separate castes. Such castes are based on their work profile
for the benefits of the society. The channel of time, these castes got of
discrepancy due to their duties which they are / were performed. The following
castes are divided by ancient sages:-i) Brahmins (Priests), ii)Kshatriyas
(Warriors & Kings), iii) Vaishyas (Merchants, Traders & Farmers) and
iv) Sudras (Servants or the work which are left by above three castes).
Brahmins
BRAHMINS:-
Brahmins are the superior and powerful
class among all other castes. The duty of the Brahmins are only to performed
Rites and Rituals, acted as Temple Priests and spent their lives in pursuing
divine knowledge and acted as adviser to all the other three castes of the Indian
Culture.
In ancient kingdoms, although the King
ruled his kingdom, on followed the guidance and instructions given by a Brahmin
who was appointed by the King and given the designation of "Rajguru"
(The Royal Adviser). All the Kings used to follow the advice of Rajguru with
full Obedience and Modesty before making any prominent proceeding. It was the
responsibility of the Rajguru to see that the religion is followed properly
according to the norms scripted in ancient Vedas in the whole kingdom.
As per Vedic Sanatan dharma
principles, the Brahmin (varna) is considered as the mouth of Lord Vishnu. It
is believed that feeding the Brahmins is equivalent to feed Lord Vishnu and in
name of lord Brahma, they are named as Brahmins.
CONSIDERED AS HIGHER CLASS THEN OTHERS
The Brahmins are considered as higher
and top class in the list of caste. The Brahmins were the person who only learn
in every books/ every field. After the completion of education life, they
taught what he learned to other ( Brahmins / Kshatriyas).
The Brahmins held
the most power person in Hindu society. They were / are priests and also known
as the spiritual and intellectual person of the society. They spend their time in
studying, teaching, performing and officiating rituals.
The mythology says that from the date
of beginning of human life, Lord Brahma create Brahmans and thereafter other
castes. Lord Brahma is the spiritual father
of whole universe. Everything in the universe, including the Hindu/ Muslim/
Christian gods and from a air to big
ship are a materialization of Lord Brahma. Lord
Brahman is of the nature of truth, knowledge and infinity
(everything).
Lord Brahma when
create the universe and create Brahmins first, he given responsibility to take
part for the discipline and healthy society. From that reason, Lord Brahma
given all knowledge. For the gain of knowledge, Brahmins were study heard,
mediation to get God, enlightenment.
The people respect
such person who enlighten the society not to the body / face of the person.
In Indian Culture, there were many
Brahmins who sacrifice their life in books and discovery of many concept. Such
new concepts are follows:-
Sushruta- Father of Indian
Surgery and ophthalmology
Acharya Charak- Father of science of Ayurveda, medicine.
Parasara Muni- Father
of Vedic astrology
Varahamihira- Father
of mathematical work included the discovery of the
trigonometric formulas
Aryabhata- Father
of ZERO (“0”)
Chanakya- Father of Economic
And many more.....
AIM AND WORK OF BRAHMANS
The Brahmins
perform their duty like as worship God by performing the “HOMA”, enlighten the
society by way of teacher. Homa is one
type of rituals in Hindu script to
worship the Gods. In such type of worship, the atmosphere be cleaned and
healthy.
The
Brahmins have one duty i.e. to enlighten the society. the Brahmins taught other
respected castes and taught what they have gain from past life.
According
to Vedic period, Lord Rama had three Gurus (Teacher)i.e. Vasishta, Viswamitra and
Agastya, Sandipani Muni (Sag) was the Guru (teacher) of Lord Krishna, Brihaspati
was the guru of Ravana. In the history
of India, Ravana was the first Brahmin person who ruled. During his period,
Lanka was build with gold (Swarna Lanka).
The King
ruled his kingdom, on followed the guidance and instructions given by a Brahmin
who was appointed by the King and given the designation of "Rajguru"
(The Royal Adviser). All the Kings used to follow the advice of Rajguru with
full Obedience and Modesty before making any prominent proceeding.
Brahmin can be a good ruler but
good ruler cannot be a Brahmin
The roles of
Brahmins were very important in the late medieval period in India. They
dominated the entire Indian culture and created or started many new traditions
which were not in the part of Vedic. During this period, they mislead the
people and taken the advantage of Muslim rulers for their own benefits.
CONCLUSION
The Brahmins were
followed the Veda and did they all work as per Veda. During Vedic period, there are four
ashramas (stage of human being) 1. Brahmacharya (student), 2.
Grihastha (to enjoy family life), 3.Vanaprastha (to leave family
life) and 4.Sannyasa ( to teach other and who get the Moksa). These
ashramas were very important for the Brahmins and for them this ashramas continued.
The Brahmins have no source of income
except during Brahmacharya and Grihastha, they begged door to door and offer by
the king and parents of the students/ pupils during Vanaprastha and
Sannyasa.
After independent,
the ancient culture has been totally changed. New tradition replace during the
British ruling period. And at present scenario everybody knows that what are
happing. In this new tradition, the Brahmins are bound to do some work for
fulfilment of their stomach.
The society only
recall the Brahmins during Puja/ worship/ Homa time and the important of
priests is very limited.
