response 13: query of a brahmin

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Divine Ones!

 

Hari Om!

 

Several questions have been asked in this forum. Let's discuss.

 

On Caste System

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Caste in Sanskrit " jAti " . " jAti " comes from " jAta " means birth. Hence

whatever is born has a " jAti " or category. There are infinite varieties

species, matter, species within species, matter within matter etc. The

definition of the manifested as well as unmanifested universe is based on

" jAti " which is continuously on flux. Another name of the world is

" samsAra " . " sam sarati iti " means which changes.

 

That is a broad outlook. Now let's see about " jAti " within human beings.

 

Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita:

 

" chAtuvarNyam mayA srussTam guNa karma bibhAgashah.... " (4:13)

 

He the Universal Lord created 4 varNas or castes on the basis of " guNa " and

" karma " . Again the Blessed Lord says that even though He created it, He is

not touched by it.

 

" guNa " and " karma " are two important things. " guNa " means attribute and

" karma " means acquired instincts which are based on past actions. Just like

an object is identified by its properties; for example a mango has a certain

texture, shape, taste etc. which identify it as mango. A mango is not called

a papaya and vice versa. And these attributes are obtained by the " seed " . In

case of beings it is past actions or " karma " .

 

Now the question is " guNa " and " karma " of what? That is of mind. Whatever is

the mind so is the person. Broadly there are 4 categories.

 

In Chapter 18 from verses 41 to 44 in Srimad Bhagavad Gita the Blessed Lord

describes these categories as BrahmaNa, Khssatriya, Vaishya and Shudra and

attributes assigned to these categories.

 

This classification is for all the human beings not only for Hindus. It is

based on the " classification " of mind. Again it is based on the mix of

" sattwa " (unactivity, calmness.. " , " rajas " (activity) and

" tamas " (inactivity, laziness...). In a brAhmaNa " sattwa " is predominant, in

a kssatriya " rajas " is predominant and " sattwa " follows it closely, in a

vaishya " rajas " is predominat and " tamas " follows it closely and in shudra

" tamas " is predominant.

 

One has to do the " sAdhanA " to elevate to next higher category. The

selfishness and greed of people have brought down this great concept to such

a state where it is hurting in stead of helping. Just like the helpfulness

of fire is based on its use, similarly the sayings of scripture have to be

understood and practiced in right perspective.

 

On Food, Drink etc.

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Food and drink are very important. Body is nourished by it so also the mind.

Purity is very important. Not only the ingredient of food but also the

preaprer and the preparing environment has effect on it. Purer the preaprer,

environment and the ingredient (on the basis of guNa like sattwa, rajas

etc.), better for a " sAdhaka " .

 

One cannot follow the Lord's action in to to. Before following that one has

to understand the context. " shavarI " was a great devotee. Her mind was pure.

Lord Rama accepted her fruit even though she tasted that before. The brAhmin

Srivatsa kicked Lord VissNu on the chest. Yet Lord blessed him and kept his

foot print on His chest for ever. At the same time Lord has punished the

arrogance, haughtiness in many ways e.g. Kamsa, RavaNa etc.

 

A sAdhaka has to be careful about the food and drink which will be good for

body and mind.

 

On Acquiring Wealth

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Wealth has nothing to with spirituality. Lord Rama, Lord Krishna were kings.

So also Janaka. It is dependent on the " trissNA " or thirst. Detachment is

the key. One has to work honestly and sincerely according to " guNa " and

" karma " at the same time remaining compassionately detached.

 

Thank you!

 

humble regards

-manoj panda