Digest Number 235

[Guest guest]

Dear Respected Mama and members,

 

I also am very sorry if any of the questions I posed were

hurtful or the discussions I presented were offensive. But dear

Swamy, as you said yourself though, nobody was questioning you in

fact, they were questioning dharmashastras so I am sure you didn't

misunderstand us. I was just hoping someone could come up with

answers to some of my doubts. Basically, it is because I really

value Vaideeka culture and philosophy and would like to see other

people in the world (people of other beliefs and countries) come to

respect it as well, that I posed these questions.

 

But I realise it is a big question, " why did the Lord or the

rushis make dharmashastras like this? " - trying to know the mind of

God or the rushis! Perhaps it was too big a question at this time.

 

What I worry about is that a lot of people settled abroad will

begin to have unhealthy levels of guilt about this, when maybe their

energy could be better directed in helping others, serving God in

their local temples, doing their nityakarmas, and generally being a

good person in society (even if it is not Indian society), instead of

constantly thinking " oh no, I am not in the 'karma-bhoomi', what

should I do? I am lost! " . Therefore, I try and hold to a belief that

Sriman Narayana has put me here for a reason and that I should do

whatever service I can do in this country (which is my home, just

like for many of you India is your home) so ultimately try to " have

faith that BhagavAn will take care of everything " (as per swami

Desikan).

 

Once again apologies for any apachAram committed, and please

dear Mama do return to moderate the list; I am sure everybody values

your input and friendly advice as much as I have done. If the

members want to start any other useful vaideeka related discussion I

shall listen with interest and will try not add too much " ghee " to

the " agnikuNDam " as it were!

 

sarvAparAdhAn kshamasva

namo nArAyaNAya

 

regards,

Ranjan

 

 

vaideekam , " T.V.Padmanabhan " <tvp7> wrote:

> Dear Mama,

> I am at the outset once again sorry if I have hurt your or any

other member's feelings by sending the earlier two messages. I am

now simply quoting hereunder Manu Dharma Sastra from 2.17 onwards

only for the information of the members as I am sure you know that

already. People who read the following extract from the Manu Neethi

may form their own conclusions:

>

> " 2.17. The land created by the gods and lying between the divine

rivers Sarasvati and Drsadvati is called 'Brahmavarta' - the region

of Brahman.

> 2.18 The conduct handed down from generation to generation among

the social classes and the intermediate classes of that land is

called the 'conduct of good people'.

> 2.19 Kurukshetra and the lands of the Matsyas, Panchalas, and

Surasenakas constitute the land of 'Brahmin Seers', which borders on

the Brahmavarta.

> 2.20 All the people on earth should learn their respective

practices from a Brahmin born in that land.

> 2.21 The land between the Himalaya and Vindhya ranges, to the east

of Vinasana and west of Prayaga, is known as the 'Middle Region'.

> 2.22 The land between the same mountain ranges extending from the

eastern to the western sea is what the wise call 'Aryavarta' - the

region of the Aryas.

> 2.23 The natural range of the black buck is to be recognized as

the land fit for sacrifice; beyond that is the land of the foreigners

(mlechcha).

> 2.24 Twice born people should diligently settle in these lands; but

a Sudra, when he is starved for livelihood, may live in any region at

all.

> 2.25 I have described to you above succinctly the source of the law

(prior to 2.17) as also the origin of this whole world (prior to

2.17). Learn now the Laws of the social classes. (from 2.26 onwards. "

>

> My understanding of the above is that the manu shastra from 2.26

onwards applies to the land as defined above. The social classes are

brahmins, kshatriyas, vaisyas and sudras. As the first three have

Poonal, they are called the twice born. Subsequent injunctions deal

with all these elaborately.

>

> The above extract is useful in the discussion 'crossing the ocean'

>

> Mama, I think you should continue to exercise your moderation

functions and not withdraw from those functions.

> Thanks and Regards,

> T.V. Padmanabhan

>

>

> T V Padmanabhan

> Advocate

> A-20 Arcot Terrace

> 160 Arcot Road, Vadapalani

> Chennai 600 026, India

> Tel: 91-44-23650911; 98400 52787

>

>

>

>

>

>