Brahmin qualities and vegetarianism

[Guest guest]

My compliments on Mr. Tatachar's eloquent response to Ashwin Sairam's

question on the definition of a Brahmin. I think it is important to

note that, based on this discusssion, the title of Brahmin should be

based solely on individual character, and not on birthright.

 

I would like to respond the second part of the question by adding

to:

 

--------quote

Lord Krishna in Bhagavadgita defines clearly

the qualities or duties of a Brahmin as per the

Gunas born of their own nature are:

Serenity, self-restraint, austerity, purity,

forgiveness, uprightness, knowledge,

realization, belief in a hereafter.

--------end quote

 

Paraphrasing what I have learned from a recent conversation with Sri

Tridandi SrimanNarayana Ramanuja Jeear, it is to encourage the very

cultivation of the above qualities that one should conform to a

vegetarian diet. The Lord states in the Geetha that certain foods

can influence our gunas (a rather philosophical expansion of the

concept that "you are what you eat.") Conforming to a vegetarian diet

encourages the cultivation of Sattva Guna, which is the essence of

what defines the noble Brahmin qualities, and more importantly,

allows us to realize our true nature as the servants of the servants

of our Lord.

 

It is sadly ironic that more and more Westerners are turning towards

the vegetarian way, for spiritual and health reasons, while many

Asian Indians are going away from it. In my own state of Colorado,

vegetarianism seems to be the "in-thing." One estimate shows that 3 -

4% of the state's population conform to the diet to some extent. I

find it much easier these days to walk into a restaurant and find

something on the menu that I can eat.

 

I commend Mr. Sairam on his efforts.

 

Daasanu Daasan,

 

Mohan

[Guest guest]

LDVR31A (MR MOHAN R SAGAR) on Sun, 22 Sep 1996 03:01:01 says:

>My compliments on Mr. Tatachar's eloquent response to Ashwin Sairam's

>question on the definition of a Brahmin. I think it is important to

>note that, based on this discusssion, the title of Brahmin should be

>based solely on individual character, and not on birthright.

^^^^^^

 

This view is not correct. While character is certainly

important, I am sure it is not stated anywhere that it is

*the sole* criterion. By birth you are eligible, and by

character you become one. The converse is, if one is not

born a brahmin no amount of character will make him one.

There is a story in Mahabharatha to illustrate this.

Viswamithra is the only exception, but then he was intended

to be a brahmin by *birth*, but got switched. The convertion

was simply a matter of correcting the switch, not an outright

change of caste.

 

The term brahmin, or for that matter Kshathriya, or

Vaisya, or Shudra, if used, must be an indication of

responsiblity, not rights or status associated with

"titles".

 

Emphasizing character to become a brahmin is troublesome.

Why can't one become a shudra by exemplary behavior, say

like Vidura, or better yet, Nammaazhvaar. It is this

Shudra's name that all Azhagiya Singars of Sri Ahobila Mutt

adorn in their titles with great pride.

 

Also, we often hear that the ultimate goal of all living

beings is to reach the place from where "shudras" emanated!

(adikkeezh amarndhu pugundhEnE -- nammaazhvaar) Thus, I

don't know why anyone would or should want to strive hard

to become a brahmin!

 

-- Dileepan