What's the Big Deal about Being a Vegetarian?
"What do you expect to happen? Your stomach has the power to digest both. And it is your false
belief that Brahmin as a caste don't eat non-vegetarian.
"Brahmanism" has nothing to do with today's Brahmin caste. If you follow Brahmanism -that is Sattvik way of life-you have to be pure vegetarian. Today's Brahmin caste was popularized by the British as part of their 'divide and rule'agenda.
A Brahmana, meaning the one who realizes the Supreme Spirit (Brahmanjanam). A Brahmana simply means the enlightened one. Buddha referred in Buddhism holds the same definition- the enlightened one.
The definition of Brahmin in Wikipedia defines them as a caste (Varna), a group of people who perform certain occupation (Vedic teachers, Priests,etc). It is silly that we Hindus have bought in to this definition and classify Brahminism as an occupation and only achieved through birth to a Brahmin couple.
A point to note, a Priest who does not follow Vedic and Sattvik lifestyle and who does not abide to Sanathana Dharma is not a Brahmin, and a Brahmin who does not 'work' as a Priest does not disqualify him as a Brahmin as long as he follows Sanathana Dharma and Sattvik lifestyle. Please note, the apostrophes with the word 'work' above. Unfortunately, we have classified Priesthood as an occupation and hence, priests talk about income, earnings and salary (MONEY matters afterall).
Please note Brahmin is a position, not a caste.
janmana jaayate shudrah.Samskaaraat dvijauchyate. veda paathnat bhavet viprah. brahma jnanathi
iti brahmanah.”
Definition: “By birth, every man is a Shudra (an ignorant person).Through various types of disciplines (samskaras),he becomes dvija (twice born). Through the studies of Veda, he becomes a vipra (or a wise man). Through realization of supreme spirit (brahmajnana), he becomes a Brahmin.”
He who ever is wise, without a caste, not bound by kama-krodha-lobha-moha-mada-maatsarya
(lust, anger, covetousness, delusion, pride, jealousy: These are the six passions of the mind), has
realized the 'Self' (consciousness),has established himself in Brahman (The cosmos) and the
one in him is a Brahmin according to the Vedas.
Hence, if one is born to a 'Brahmin' couple, he/she is still a Shudra if he/she does not follow Sanathana Dharma, and does not take on a Sattvik lifestyle. Comparatively, if one is born to 'non Brahmin' couple, he/she, through lifestyle and search of spiritual knowledge, is categorized as a 'Brahmin'.
Here, I apostrophed the word 'Brahmin' and 'Non-Brahmin', simple goes to denote the current classification of it as a caste or Varna.
Our ancestors thrived to be Brahmins. They knew that Brahmanism is divinely ordained
cosmological order. They realized that a human can lead a perfect, peaceful and contented life if
he followed Brahmanism. Hence everybody wanted to be Brahmins. They thrived to be one.
Sages like Vasishta, Viswamitra, Vyasa, Jambooka rishi, Shrunga muni, Valmiki, Agasthya,
Gowtama etc were not born in Brahmin caste. But they gained ultimate knowledge (brahmajnana)
and became Brahmins. Saint Namdev, Saint Ravidass, Sanit Kabirand Guru Nanak were not caste
Brahmins. Puttaparti Sai Baba, Ramalinga Swamigal, Kripananda Variar, Appar Swamigal, Sri
Narayana Guru, Mata Amritanandamayi etc were not in Brahmin caste.
All of them evolved to be Brahmin. VedaVyasa, Manu, Vasistha etc upheld the importance of Brahmin. But they were not born in Brahmin caste.
Lord Krishna, who positioned Brahmins as supreme through his Baghvad Gita, was a backward
caste-Yadava. There is not even a single HINDU god who is a Brahmin. But all our ancestors
propagated, supported and fought for Brahmanism. However, no Brahmin (born to Barahmin parents) wrote or said anything in favor of Brahmanism. It was non-Brahmins who upheld the positions of Brahmins seeing them as role models.
If that was the case,why don't you call Ravana a Brahmin? His father Visravas was a famous
Brahmin.
Dhrona was a Brahmin, but he became a renowned Kshatriya. Vishwamitra, the son of a Kshatriya
grew vigorously with the qualities of a Brahmin. The great Gayathri Mantra was given by Vishwamithra through his wisdom and spiritual knowledge.
Just because one is born to a Brahmin family CANNOT be Brahmin. Krishna envisaged Brahmin
not as caste or religion. It's like a profession. How will you address your college professor's son?
Do you call him professor? Just because your classmate's father is a doctor, will you address her
as doctor? The lawyer's son automatically becomes lawyer? No- they have to be qualified for that.
Our ancestors envisaged that democracy and merit are the foundation of a healthy society, hence
never supported the generational dynasties. But that has changed during the last 1000 years.
Two broad territorial divisions exist among the Brahmin: the Panch Gour (Five Northerner) and
the Panch Dravida (Five Southerner).Their races are different. That means,Brahmanism has
nothing to do with caste or race-it can only be achieved. The society gave respect to Brahmins
not out of fear, but because of great regards and respect they commanded through their Sattvik
lifestyle. A Brahmin was considered as the flag-ship of Sanathana Dharma.
To achieve Brahmanism, one has to follow Sattvik lifestyle. They have clearly noted in all
scriptures that“Sattvik Lifestyle”is perfect for Ayru-Arogya-Soukhya (longevity, health and happiness). It includes self-discipline,spiritual practices (Saadhanas) like prayer, yoga and meditation,and cultivating virtuous qualities such as honesty, non-violence, compassion, contentment, selflessness etc.
Sattvik food is the foundation of such life. Those who followed Sattvik food and lifestyle were
elevated to a position of Brahmin. Hence vegetarianism is the basic foundation of Brahminism.
Those who wished their children continue to this lifestyle, adhered to this practice in their
families. It is normal for a Brahmin to think that his children or Parambara (heritage or succession) to live a life of Brahmin.
One has to be qualified to be one. Hence they have developed communities surrounding temples and continued the Vedic practices and rituals.Children were not allowed to mingle with others because of their selfishness to see coming generations to live a happy and contended life.
The evolved people dreamed that their ancestors follow the Sattvik lifestyle by being vegetarian this slowly developed into a community thinking. Later the public started calling this community
as Brahmin caste.So, it was easier for a child born in Brahmin caste to be a Brahmin than child
born in other castes.
Simply put, a real Brahmin is a vegetarian that doesn't mean every vegetarian is a Brahmin. All
Sattviks are Brahmins, that doesn't mean a person born in Brahmin caste is Sattvik.
When you are born in a Brahmin family, the existence gives you a great opportunity to be
vegetarian hence you can be a Sattvik, following cosmically ordained lifestyle of non-violence.
Also, think about youself inviting miseries for the next generation too. Just look around and see the increasing infertility, genetic disorders and diseases, physical ailments among people due to lack of awareness or knowledge on Sattvik lifestyle.
Focus on Sattvik lifestyle...lead a healthy and happy life...
Comments fly about claiming that vegetarians can consume egg and fish. Follow through my blog for a separate write up on this. meaning ponder upon Ahimsa.
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