Response 13: Query of a brahmin

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Ram Ram

 

Please read the explanation of verse 44 in Chapter 18 given in Sadhak

Sanjeevini by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

 

The caste system is for the body, not for the Self. The Self is a part of

God and is equal in all. Do you not 'discriminate' between different parts

of your own body (hands, feet, eyes, sex organs), do you not 'discriminate'

between different members (wife, mother, father, sister) of your own family.

Even if you want to you cannot treat everyone the same. You can see the same

God in them, but you have to treat them differently.

 

Your birth (the body that you have received) is according to your nature

(Guna) and actions (Karma). It is your duty to do as prescribed in the

scriptures. Till your goal is the attainment of worldly pleasures, it is

necessary to discharge your duty according to your caste. If you don't, it

will lead to your downfall. If your goal is only God, then only your

spiritual practice will be of importance to you. There is no importance of

your caste.

 

The caste system is for discharging of your duty. It is to help you in

attaining the goal of human life - in rising above the world. What a brahmin

attains by serenity, control of the senses, austerity, purity, forgiveness,

uprightness, knowledge of the scriptures and belief in God (Gita 18:42), a

Kshatriya attains by heroism, radiance, firmness, resourcefulness

(dexterity), non cowardice (not fleeing from battle), generosity and power

to rule (authoritiveness), a Vaishya attains by agriculture, cattle rearing

(saving the cow) and trade, a Shudra attains by service. So a Brahmin has 9

duties, Kshatriya 7, Vaishya 3 and a Shudra just one. The brahmin is said to

be the mouth, the Kshatriya the hands, the Vaishya the stomach and the

Shudra the feet. They are all part of the same body and all are as important

as the other. It is easiest for the Shudra.

 

Like you love your whole body but treat different parts differently, love

all and do what you should do. No scripture teaches you to hate or hurt

anyone. We should look at our duty - and do what is prescribed in the

scriptures. The discrimination comes only because of selfishness - because

of our selfish interests.

 

A cardinal rule - Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.

You will not go against any religion or scripture

 

Please do not misinterpret what is stated in the scriptures.

 

Ram Ram