Aham Brahmanosmi
Courtesy: I was
inspired by Mr Rahul Gandhi to think about this and hence this piece
Verse no 42
Chapter 18 of Srimad BhagawadGita –
Sermon of the Lord:
Shamo damastapah
shaucham Kshantirarjavameva cha|
Jnanam
vijnanamastikyam brahmakarma swabhavajam||
Shamah –Control
of mind
Damah- Control
of the senses
Tapah- Austerity
Shaucham-Purity
Kshantih-Forbearance
Aarjavam-Uprightness
Jnanam-Knowledge
Vijnanam-Realistion
Aastikyam-Belief
in Hereafter
Eva-also
cha-and
Swabhavaja-Born of
the nature
Brahmakarma-are
the duties of the Brahmanas
Summary
transliteration: Subjugation of the mind and senses, enduring hardships for the
discharge of one’s obligations, external and internal purity, forgiving the
faults of others, straightness of mind,
senses, and behavior, belief in Vedas and other scriptures, and realization of
TRUTH relating to God- all these constitute the natural duties of a Brahmana.
I have to
confess that my knowledge of Sanskrit is limited to what I studied in school 50
years ago. I have taken the verse and translation from ‘Srimad
Bhagavadgita’ a publication by Gita
Press, Gorakhpur and a publication of work by Swami Swarupananda of Advaita
Ashrama.
I profusely
thank Rahulbaba for rekindling my interest in Sanskrit and Srimad Bhagvad Gita,
by his averment “I am a Brahmin”. I leave it to him and the readers if any of
this piece, to self assess about being a
Brahmin. Of course Bharatiyas of all Varnas have a right to assess him if
Rahulbaba is a Brahmin, from his actions, statements, leanings, conduct,
behavior etc. and whatever information
available in public domain. Certainly, it is common belief that we attain varna
by our birth and swear by it for nefarious advantage, caste based vote bank and
the sops offered. I am a Brahmin by birth and do not conform 100% to the
qualities of a Brahmin.
Politicians who
want to rule over anything and everything have to conform to the qualities of a Kshatriya. Verse No 43 of
Gita is given below:
Shauryam tejo
dhrutirdyaksham yuddhe chapyapalayanam |
Daanamishvarabhaavascha
Kshatram karma swabhavajam||
Shauryam-
Prowess
Tejah-Boldness
Dhrutih-Fortitude
Dakshyam-Dexterity
Yuddhe-In the
battle
Cha- and
api-also
Apalaayanam- Not
flyinDaanam-Generosity
Eshwarabhavah-Sovereignty
Kshatram-Of kshatriyas
Heroism, majesty,
firmness, diligence and dauntlessness in battle, bestowing gifts, and
lordliness – all these constitute the natural duty of a Kshatriya.
Verse No 44 –
Duties of Vaishya and shudras:
Krshigaurakshyavaanijyam
vaishyakarma Swabhavajam|
Paricharyatmakam
karma shudrasyapi swabhavajam||
Krshigaurakshyavanijyam-
Agriculture, cattle-rearing, and trade
Swabhavajam
vaishyakarma- the duties of a vaishya
Paricharyatmakam-
consisting of service
Shudrasyaapi-
also of a shudra
Agriculture, rearing
of cows and honest exchange of merchandise – these constitute the duties of a
vaishya and service of other classes is the natural duty of a shudra (member of
a labouring class) .
I wish to end this presentation of mine by
stating that, some of us who are Hindus and who wish to live by Varna
classification, better choose your profession and tailor your actions
accordingly. Since I have taken to self-employment I can be at the best, a
vaishya with leaning towards being a
Brahmana. I can’t be a kshatriya
Jai Bharat
