True and Fake Brahmanas as per Hindu Dharmashastras

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The Brahmana was the ideal, perfect individual in the ancient Hindu society

who served as a role model for others, who was respected and worshipped by

all other varnas of the society, and who was a repository of all spiritual

and temporal learning and wisdom.The Brahmana was supposed to be devoted

only to virtues, to spirituality and to teaching and guiding others in his

community.The true Brahmana was considered the best of all human beings, the

leader of the society,and a representative of Devas on this earth. What were

the attributes of a true Brahmana that made him so respectable and exalted?

 

Hindu scriptures list the following characteristics of such a true Brahmana

-

 

He who befriends all creatures is considered a true Brahmana. -- Manu Smriti

2.87b

 

Devatas consider him alone a Brahmin, who is fearful of quarrels as he would

be of a snake; who is afraid of honor as if it were death; and who is afraid

of (sexual relations with) women (other than his wife), i.e., is celibate,

as he would shun a corpse. -- Vaadhûla Smriti, verse 199

 

I consider such a person alone as a Brahmin, who is of a peaceful

nature,gentle,who has conquered anger, who has conquered his soul and who

has conquered his sense organs. All others are but Shûdras.-- Vaadhûla

Smriti, verse 200

 

The body of a Brahmin is not meant for enjoyment of pleasures. It is meant

to forbear great austerities in this life, so that infinite bliss (of moksa

or salvation) may result upon death. -- Vaadhuula Smriti, verse 201

 

Purity (external and internal), performance of virtuous deeds, abstaining

from actions that hurt one's body excessively, absence of ill-will towards

everyone,

absence of hatred, control of senses, charity and compassion – these are the

characteristics of a Brahmana. -- Atri Samhita 1.33

 

A Brahmana who studies the Vedanta everyday, who has abandoned all worldly

ties and who is knowledgeable in Samkhya and Yoga is called a Twice Born.--

Atri Samhita 1.374

 

Dishonor increase austerity or spiritual splendor (tapa), whereas honor

destroys austerity. A Brahmana who gets much honor and worship sinks, just

like a cow that is milked everyday withers away. -- Apastamba Smriti 10.9

 

But just as that same cow becomes strong and healthy by eating grass grown

with ample water, likewise a Brahmana who performs japa, homa and other

virtuous deeds progresses greatly (in Dharma and Moksha). -- Apastamba

Smriti 10.10

 

The Pseudo-Brahmana

 

Needless to say however, every society has phony people who do not live up

to the standards expected of them, but want to enjoy all the privileges that

the society grants to them. Hindu scriptures too warn us against such fake

Brahmanas in very harsh terms as the following quotations will show -

 

A Brahmana who sells salt, lacquer, kusumbha, Ghee, sweets, milk and meat is

called Shudra. -- Atri Samhita 1.377

 

A Brahmana who is a thief, a smuggler, giver of harmful advice, harsh

tongued and is always hankering after fish and meat is called a Nishaada.--

Atri Samhita 1.378

 

A Brahmana who is ignorant of the Vedas and has no knowledge of God but goes

about arrogantly as a Brahmana sporting his sacred thread is a sinner and is

called an Animal. -- Atri Samhita 1.379

--

Om namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram

 

 

 

--

Om namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Prasanth Jalasutram