For some months now I've been having the urge to visit the Hindu Scriptures and I find it to be a very revealing exercise. I admit it contains certain parts that could explain the tragedies of the Indian sub-continent, perhaps caused by a lopsided reading by certain privileged sections of the society.
Let me cite an instance.
If you happen to have the patience and perseverence to check it out, I invite you to scan through the Book Three (3), Discourse Sixteen (XVI) Verse 9 of Srimad Bhagvata Purana.
(I quote verbatim from 'Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana' Part-1 Rendered into English by C.L. Goswami, M.A., Shastri) Published by The Gita Press, Gorakhpur.)
Here the Lord says:
"The power of my Yogamaya (wonderful divine energy) is infinite and unobstructed, and the water in My feet have been washed (viz. the holy Ganga) quickly sanctifies all the three worlds along with Lord Shiva (who bears on His head). Yet even I bear on My crown the holy dust of the Brahmana's feet! Who would not, under the circustances, bear with them?"
Verse 10 Says:
"The Brahmanas, the cows (that yield materials for sacrificial offerings) and defenceless creatures are My own bodies. The vulture-like messengers of Yama, the god of punishment appointed by Me, who are furious serpents, angrily tear with their bills those who look upon these (My bodies) as distinct from Me, their faculty of judgment having been impaired by that sin."
Verse 11 says:
"On the other hand, they captivate My heart, who with a gladdened heart and with their lotus face enlivened by a nectar-like smile respect the Brahmanas - even though they utter harsh words - looking upon them as My own selves, and pacify them by praising them by loving words even as a son would appease an angry father or as I am pacifying you."
Now whoever of a sane and balanced mind reads verses like these would obviously conclude, and very rightly too, that these words have been concocted by the upper classes to keep the lower classes in slavery. It seems so obviously biased. In fact, Brahmins have been terribly guilty of using the scriptures very selectively for their own advantages. Perhaps even today, not many from the lower classes know Sanskrit, to help them figure out things for themselves. Why! Even I, who is supposed to have studied Sanskrit as a second language till the undergraduate level, remain so grossly ignorant of the language that I cannot make out the meaning of one simple sentence, and frankly I don't know the Sanskrit word for chicken. The language being so esoteric, and in a way inaccessible, people just don't have the opportunity to read the scriptures and find out for themselves.
Brahmins who use the opportunity to use the above verses 9, 10 an 11 of Book 3, Discourse 16, will do well to pause, yes! pause and carefully read the Verse 8, which is mentioned well ahead which says:
Verse 8:
" I do not enjoy the oblations offered by the sacrificer in a sacrifice through the sacrificial fire, which is one of my own mouths, with the same relish as I eat the delicacies overflowing with ghee through the mouth of the Brahmana....."
This seems to again be getting dangerous and nasty, but hold on!
"...who having dedicated the consequences of his actions to Me, is ever satisfied (with his lot) and relishes every morsel he takes."
The words that are italicised are the catch. Do we have Brahmins who are really satisfied with their lot? Do we have Brahmins who truly surrender all their actions to God and are truly not desirous of the fruits? I know from terrible personal experience that the majority would nurse a rather bad grouse if you under tip them! And what about the motives of the so-called sacrificial fires? Once upon a time they were supposed to be done for the good of a tribe or a cow-pen (which is supposed to actually be what is referred to by Gotra). In the present day context, it should be done for the good of the world; or if not that, at least for the good of a nation. But you have Brahmins these days doing these for personal and totally selfish ends.
If such brahmins happen to invite a brahmin like me with the delusion that feeding me as a 'brahmin' is better than conducting a homa, you will only succeed in making me fat!! And worse you won't get any results whatsoever. Rather it's likely that your homa would be confounded. Incidentally, I'm a brahmin, I'm fat, and I frequent homas in Bangalore. Call me to one if you can and oblige.
