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Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00113 Apr 2003

 
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Dear Bhagavatars here is part 2 of the Vajra suchika Upanishad

Then is the body the Brahmin? No, it is not so, because the body which is
composed of the five elements, is the same in all classes of human beings
down to the chandalas (outcastes), etc. And it is also observed that old
age and death, virtue [dharma] and vice [adharma] are found to be common to
all human beings. There is also no absolute distinction (in the complexion
of the four classes) that the Brahmin is of the white complexion, that the
Kshatriya is of the red complexion, that the Vaishya is of the tawny
complexion, that the Sudra is of the dark complexion. [If the body is the
brahmin] the sons and other kinsmen would becoming guilty of the murder of a
Brahmin and other (sins) on cremating the bodies of their fathers and other
kinsmen. Therefore the body is not the Brahmin.

Then is it birth that makes a Brahmin? No, it is not so, for many great
rishis have sprung from other castes and orders of creation. We have heared
that Rishyasrnga was born of a deer, Kaushika of Kusha grass, Jambuka from
a jackal, Valmiki from an ant-hill, Vyasa from a fisher girl, Gautama from
the back of a hare, Vasistha from Urvashi (the celestial nymph), Agastya
from an earthen jar. Among these, many rishis outside of the caste-system
have been accounted as the foremost among the teachers of the Divine Wisdom.
Therefore birth does not (make) a Brahmin.

Then is it knowledge that makes a Brahmin? No, it is not so, because among
Kshatriyas and others there are many who have attained cognition of divine
truth. Therefore knowledge does not make a Brahmin.

Then do actions (karma) make a Brahmin? No, it is not so, since the
prarabdha karma which gives rise to the present birth, sanchita (accrued)
karma, and agami karma ? commenced in the present lifetime which will
fuctify in a future embodiment is common to all mankind; and that people
perform works impelled by their past karma. Therefore actions do not make a
Brahmin. 

Then does the performance of religious duties (dharma) make a Brahmin? No,
it is not so; for there have been many Kshatriyas and others who have given
away gold [in charity]. Therefore the performer of religious duties is not
the Brahmin.  


Adiyen Sri Rama






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