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SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00123 Feb 2003

 
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--- Mugundhan Varadanarayanan <mugundv@xxxx> wrote:

> My point is we in our professions must follow whatever is the
> duties of> the profession and it is as much as virtue as following
our job> duties> as much as we follow the Vedic rituals, 

************************

Dear Sir,

You make a good point but I think you can find the answer to your
question in the Kanchi AchArya's own quote (probably you might have
missed it while reading the quote y/day for the first time):

QUOTE:
> > ?The brahmin, if he is true to his dharma, HAS to spend all his
> time> > in learning and chanting the vedas, in performing
sacrifices, in> > preserving the sAstrA etc. What will he do for a
living? If he
> goes> > in search of money or material he WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
ATTEND TO> HIS
> > LIFETIME MISSION?. and this mission IS NOT ACCOMPLISHED ON A
> > PART-TIME BASIS. And if he takes up some other work for his
> > livelihood, he is likely to become lax in the pursuit of his
> dharma.
> > It would be like taking medicine without the necessary diet
> regimen:> > the benign power gained by the brahmin from his vedic
learning> will be reduced and there will be a corresponding
dimunition in the good accruing to mankind from his work.?
UNQUOTE


Sir, I think the key words in the Kanchi achArya's quote is "good
accruing to mankind from his (the brahmin's) work".

In Indian society the work of brahmins dedicated solely to Vedic
pursuits used to be greatly valued by members of other
classes/communities. The work done by "full-time", dedicated
Vedaviths was seen to be important (though not always well
compensated, but that's a different matter altogether) since it
contributed greatly to the spiritual upliftment and well-being of
society as a whole. It is only when brahmins started taking a casual,
"part-time" approach to their Vedic life-mission that they rapidly
lost their credibility and respect in the eyes of the rest of
society. Nobody takes a "part-time" carpenter or plumber seriously.
So why would they take a "part-time" Vedavith seriously?

Please allow me to paraphrase for you the 'key' point that the Kanchi
achArya was making so that you can reflect upon it more deeply: 

Society's conviction that there is enduring value in Vedic and
spiritual pursuit has to be at all times firm. If that conviction is
weakened, and nobody believes any longer there is any worth in such
activity, then the Vedic ethos and legacy will simply wither away to
the lasting detriment of Indian society. Now, who but brahmins
themselves -- and I mean credible "full-time brahmins" here -- who
can alone affirm society's conviction in the Vedas? 

Please give this important matter some genuine thought (and not just
for sake of academic discussion on cyber-groups) and revert with
comments, if any. I appeal to bright young people like you to take
this matter seriously and do something about it in their lifetimes
for the sake of the Vedas. If this thread of discussion is not
welcome on this list you and others interested are welcome to
continue it on Tiruvengadam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Regards,

dAsan,
Sudarshan






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