Who are the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras?

    Brahmin or Kshatriya or Vaishya or Shudra?

No one can ever be a Brahmin Kshatriya Vaishya and Shudra by birth because Varna System or Caste (European Term) is Work-Based. 

Varna Ashram

At first, I will give the definition of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra very simply-

 1. Brahmins - Those who are engaged in teaching & spreading tranquility, restraint, austerity, purity, patience, integrity, knowledge, wisdom & belief in a hereafter. In other word those who use their brain for livelihood. 

 2. Kshatriyas - Those who are engaged in governing and defending the society/country in any way.

 3. Vaishya - Those engaged in independent profession of serving the society and running economy. 

 4. Shudras - Those whose natural duty is serving through hard work or labor. 

 Now in the verses of Chapter-18 of Bhagwad Gita, Supreme Lord Shri Krishna said:

📖 śhamo damas tapaḥ śhauchaṁ kṣhāntir ārjavam eva cha

jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam ||42||

 -- śhamaḥ—tranquility; damas—restraint; tapaḥ—austerity; śhaucham—purity; kṣhāntiḥ—patience; ārjavam—integrity; eva—certainly; cha—and; jñānam—knowledge; vijñānam—wisdom; āstikyam—belief in a hereafter; brahma—of the priestly class; karma—work; svabhāva-jam—born of one’s intrinsic qualities

Translation:  Tranquility, restraint, austerity, purity, patience, integrity, knowledge, wisdom, and belief in a hereafter—these are the intrinsic qualities of work for Brahmins.

At present, the professions that comes under Brahmanical profession are teachers, gurus, doctors, scientists, lawyers or such professions. Among these are gurus, lawyers, scientists and doctors who are not in government service, are actual Brahmin; Because, they can work independently. But scientists, doctors working in government sector are not perfect Brahmins, as they are doing job as employee (नौकरी) which is the work of a servant (नौकर) aka Shudra.

📖 śhauryaṁ tejo dhṛitir dākṣhyaṁ yuddhe chāpy apalāyanam

dānam īśhvara-bhāvaśh cha kṣhātraṁ karma svabhāva-jam ||43||

 -- śhauryam—valor; tejaḥ—strength; dhṛitiḥ—fortitude; dākṣhyam yuddhe—skill in weaponry; cha—and; api—also; apalāyanam—not fleeing; dānam—large-heartedness; īśhvara—leadership; bhāvaḥ—qualities; cha—and; kṣhātram—of the warrior and administrative class; karma—work; svabhāva-jam—born of one’s intrinsic qualities

Translation:  Valor, strength, fortitude, skill in weaponry, resolve never to retreat from battle, large-heartedness in charity, and leadership abilities, these are the natural qualities of work for Kshatriyas.

According to this source, the occupations of Kshatriyas at present are Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, Politicians and Government Bureaucrats, Administrator. In the era of kings and emperors, the members of the royal family were pure Kshatriyas, while the rest of the soldiers were employees of the royal family, so they were of KSHATRIYA+shudra characters which is also same nowadays. 

But at present, in a democratic country, no one is a pure Kshatriya, as everyone, including the President and the Prime Minister, works for the state.

📖 kṛiṣhi-gau-rakṣhya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśhya-karma svabhāva-jam

paricharyātmakaṁ karma śhūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam ||44||

 

 -- kṛiṣhi—agriculture; gau-rakṣhya—dairy farming; vāṇijyam—commerce; vaiśhya—of the mercantile and farming class; karma—work; svabhāva-jam—born of one’s intrinsic qualities; paricharyā—serving through work; ātmakam—natural; karma—duty; śhūdrasya—of the worker class; api—and; svabhāva-jam—born of one’s intrinsic qualities

Translation:  Agriculture, dairy farming, and commerce are the natural works for those with the qualities of Vaishyas.  Serving through work is the natural duty for those with the qualities of Shudras.

 Although many people do not make a mistake in recognizing Brahmins and Kshatriyas, but make a mistake in recognizing Vaishyas and Shudras, which is why many Vaishyas consider themselves Shudras, and those who are actually Shudras do not know themselves that they are Shudras.

Those who engaged in Agriculture, Dairy Cattle Farming, Commerce, Moneylenders, Accountant, Shopkeeper etc etc are Vaishyas & those who engaged in serving through hard work or labor are Shudras.

 In my simple definition, I have said that those who are engaged in independent profession for running economy are Vaishyas.  At present, any type of trader, a shopkeeper, a supermarketier, a moneylender, a banker, an accountant or a farmer, all comes into the category of Vaishyas because they are not obliged to obey anyone, they will work if they want to, they will not work if they do not want to. But there are some exception like bankers, accountant.

Those who are engaged in working hard or labour for social service are Shudras. At present, shoe maker, carpenter, water carriers, boatman, fisherman, blacksmith skinner, Barber, mason, construction workers, sweeper, yarn makers, ship workers etc etc. 

 Not many, almost everyone, thinks in social reality that caste is the source of birth, but it's wrong; in chapter 18 of Bhagwad Gita, Supreme Lord Shri Krishna said:

brāhmaṇa-kṣhatriya-viśhāṁ śhūdrāṇāṁ cha parantapa

karmāṇi pravibhaktāni svabhāva-prabhavair guṇaiḥ ||41||

 -- brāhmaṇa—of the priestly class; kṣhatriya—the warrior and administrative class; viśhām—the mercantile and farming class; śhūdrāṇām—of the worker class; cha—and; parantapa—Arjun, subduer of the enemies; karmāṇi—duties; pravibhaktāni—distributed; svabhāva-prabhavaiḥ-guṇaiḥ—work based on one’s nature and guṇas

Translation: The duties of the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—are distributed according to their qualities, in accordance with their guṇas (and not by birth).

 The duties of the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras—are distributed according to their qualities, in accordance with their guṇas (qualities) not by birth.

Those who discriminate against caste are not really traditional, they are human demons.

 Supreme Lord Shri Krishna said in chapter 18 of Bhagwad Gita:

📖 pṛithaktvena tu yaj jñānaṁ nānā-bhāvān pṛithag-vidhān

vetti sarveṣhu bhūteṣhu taj jñānaṁ viddhi rājasam ||21||

 -- pṛithaktvena—unconnected; tu—however; yat—which; jñānam—knowledge; nānā-bhāvān—manifold entities; pṛithak-vidhān—of diversity; vetti—consider; sarveṣhu—in all; bhūteṣhu—living entities; tat—that; jñānam—knowledge; viddhi—know; rājasam—in the mode of passion

Translation: That knowledge is to be considered in the mode of passion by which one sees the manifold living entities in diverse bodies as individual and unconnected.

In other words, The knowledge by which different types of souls are seen to exist in different animals. That knowledge will be known as rājasam (Rajasik/demon). Who have this kind of knowledge is Rajas (demon) lord. The main purpose of these demonic human demons is to destroy the unity among the Sanatanis by distinguishing the soul from birth and to lead the common people astray from the path of truth.

📖 yayā dharmam adharmaṁ cha kāryaṁ chākāryam eva cha

ayathāvat prajānāti buddhiḥ sā pārtha rājasī ||31||

 -- yayā—by which; dharmam—righteousness; adharmam—unrighteousness; cha—and; kāryam—right conduct; cha—and; akāryam—wrong conduct; eva—certainly; cha—and; ayathā-vat—confused; prajānāti—distinguish; buddhiḥ—intellect; sā—that; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; rājasī—in the mode of passion

Translation: The intellect is considered in the mode of passion (Rajasi/Demon) when it is confused between righteousness and unrighteousness, and cannot distinguish between right and wrong conduct.

Supreme Lord Shri Krishna further said in Chapter 18: 

📖 sarva-bhūteṣhu yenaikaṁ bhāvam avyayam īkṣhate

avibhaktaṁ vibhakteṣhu taj jñānaṁ viddhi sāttvikam ||20||

 -- sarva-bhūteṣhu—within all living beings; yena—by which; ekam—one; bhāvam—nature; avyayam—imperishable; īkṣhate—one sees; avibhaktam—undivided; vibhakteṣhu—in diversity; tat—that; jñānam—knowledge; viddhi—understand; sāttvikam—in the mode of goodness

Translation:  Understand that knowledge to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik) by which a person sees one undivided imperishable reality within all diverse living beings.

Bhagwad Gita, Chapter 5

📖 vidyā-vinaya-sampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini

śhuni chaiva śhva-pāke cha paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśhinaḥ ||18||

 -- vidyā—divine knowledge; vinaya—humbleness; sampanne—equipped with; brāhmaṇe—a Brahmin; gavi—a cow; hastini—an elephant; śhuni—a dog; cha—and; eva—certainly; śhva-pāke—a dog-eater; cha—and; paṇḍitāḥ—the learned; sama-darśhinaḥ—see with equal vision

Translation:  The truly learned, with the eyes of divine knowledge, see with equal vision a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater.

📖 ihaiva tair jitaḥ sargo yeṣhāṁ sāmye sthitaṁ manaḥ

nirdoṣhaṁ hi samaṁ brahma tasmād brahmaṇi te sthitāḥ ||19||

 -- iha eva—in this very life; taiḥ—by them; jitaḥ—conquer; sargaḥ—the creation; yeṣhām—whose; sāmye—in equanimity; sthitam—situated; manaḥ—mind; nirdoṣham—flawless; hi—certainly; samam—in equality; brahma—God; tasmāt—therefore; brahmaṇi—in the Absolute Truth; te—they; sthitāḥ—are seated

Translation:  Those whose minds are established in equality of vision conquer the cycle of birth and death in this very life. They possess the flawless qualities of God, and are therefore seated in the Absolute Truth.

According to RigVeda 10/191/2, 10/191/3, 10/191/4:

📖 saṁ gacchadhvaṁ saṁ vadadhvaṁ saṁ vo manāṁsi jānatām| 

devā bhāgaṁ yathā pūrve saṁjānānā upāsate||

 --(Sam gachchadhvam) O human beings, you should become in harmony with each other, get together as a society, so that (sam vaddhvam) you may communicate, not dispute, so that (vah-manansi) your minds (sam jatanam) may become compatible. - to become one, because (sanjanana: purve devah) the scholars of the past with one mind (as) as (bhagam-upasate) the parts used to consume their rights or benefits, so you can also do. 

Translation:  There should not be separate parties among men, but all should be united in one thread, live together, so that they can communicate with each other, listen to each other's joys and sorrows and thoughts and communicate so that the mind is one of all. One goal should be made and one goal should be made so that just as the best scholars keep on attaining the true happiness of human beings with one mind, so do you too.

📖 samāno mantraḥ samitiḥ samānī samānam manaḥ saha cittam eṣām| 

samānam mantram abhi mantraye vaḥ samānena vo haviṣā juhomi||

-- (Mantrah samanah) your thoughts are the same (samitih samani), the attainment or attitude of action is the same (eshan-samanam manah) They have the same mantra (chittam sah) as well as the same mind (vah samanam mantram). I make (vah) you (samenen havisha) adopt (juhomi) by the same prayer worship.

Translation:  Human beings should have same thoughts, same attitude, same mind and mind and praise, prayer, worship should be same.

📖 samānī va ākūtiḥ samānā hṛdayāni vaḥ|  

samānam astu vo mano yathā vaḥ susahāsati||

 -- (Va) O men! May your (akutih) ego-consciousness (samani) be the same (vah-hridayani) your heart-conceptual circles (samana) be the same (vah-manah). Your (as) whatever (suha-asati) can be of good cooperation, so be it. 

 Translation:  The ego of human beings should be the same, the behavior determined in the heart should be the same, the mind should be the same, it is necessary in mutual cooperation, it is humanity to live in mutual cooperation of human beings, it should be known 

RigVeda 10/53/6:

📖 tantuṁ tanvan rajaso bhānum anv ihi jyotiṣmataḥ patho rakṣa dhiyā kṛtān | anulbaṇaṁ vayata joguvām apo manur bhava janayā daivyaṁ janam ||

 -- (Tantu Tanvan) O scholar born or mastered in the family of a householder or in a Gurukul! You are expanding or expanding the line of sage (rajaso-bhanum-anu ihi) by performing the rituals of knowledge known from the tradition of manoranjan or aadhyatmaranjan (dhiya kritan), done by action or by intellect (jyotishmaha pathah-raksha). By following very just paths (joguvam-anulbanam-apah-vayat) increase in life the faultless deeds of those who preach the best (manuh-bhava), be contemplative (daivyam janam janaya), by producing one who has transcendental qualities and preparing a disciple.

Translation:  Man should expand the best children and best disciples. While following the righteous paths in his life, be contemplative and try to make a son and disciple with good qualities.

 Jay Shri Ram, Jay Shri Krishna. 🕉🕉🕉

A collected post written by Hon'ble Tapan Ghosh, the last Hindu Leader of West Bengal

Tapan Ghosh; Last Hindu Leader of West Bengal (File Pic.) 

  My gratitude & respect to the Hindus of Bhagalpur

  There was no reaction in West Bengal in 1948 and 1950 when there was horrific oppression of Hindus and massacre of Hindus in East Bengal and East Pakistan.

  Even then, newspapers were not as secular as they are today. So the news of that torture was published. Even so, the Hindus of West Bengal were silent, didn't even take out a procession in protest. They (means our ancestors) were busy with Dol Durgotsab Rabindra-Jayanti etc etc.

  At that time, the Bihari Hindus of Bhagalpur, were surprisingly hurt by the oppression of the Bengali Hindus of East Bengal, the oppression of the Hindu women. They reacted in Bhagalpur & started communal riots which was started by Hindus, naturally led by the Yadavs. Muslims were taught a lesson.

  History testifies that the Bhagalpur riots had a clear role in stopping the riots in East Bengal. So let's thank Bhagalpur. I express my gratitude to the Hindus of Bhagalpur.

  Bhagalpur is always aware. Bhagalpur also responded to the communal attack on the holy Ram Shila Puja in 1969. Even today that memory is bright.

  This Bhagalpur was won by Sushil Modi, the face of the BJP projected by the RSS in Bihar, in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, even during the BJP's worst period across the country (only 116 seats). But then the opportunist Sushil Modi (my former senior colleague), who failed to bring down Lalu-Rabri Raj and left the Assembly to go to the Lok Sabha to drink the honey of power, even from the Bhagalpur seat. As soon as the BJP regained power in a new caste-equation alliance with Nitish Kumar (for addition of kurmi vote), he left the Lok Sabha and became the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.

  After sitting on chair of Dept. C.M., he did two nasty work:

  1) Nominated Molla Shahnawaz as the candidate, in by-election of Bhagalpur Lok Sabha seat. Shahnawaz won the Hindu vote in Bhagalpur.

  2) The riot case of 1969, which (probably in Yadav Favour) Lalu-Rabri had kept hidden for 15 years, was re-opened and 30 persons including Rameshwar Yadav were sentenced to life imprisonment. Then he held a press conference and proudly declared, "Hamne Humare Bhagalpur Ke Musalmano Ko Insaaf Dilaya."

  Bhagalpur Hindus understood the reality this BJP leader Sushil Modi!

  But the winter does not go in one Season! 2014 comes. Lok Sabha elections starts. Strong Modi wind blowing all over the country, even in Bihar. BJP achieve huge victory, even in Bihar. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar has left the BJP alliance. Despite that, Bihar poured out Modi and the BJP. But surprise! In Bhagalpur, BJP lost the traditional seat of BJP, Shahnawaz lost. Bhagalpur taught a lesson to BJP. The burden of Sushil Modi's sin fell on the BJP. Not only that, when Nitish Kumar understood the wind of the country and shook hands again, the BJP-Nitish alliance won again in the 2016 assembly elections but surprisingly, the BJP could not win a single assembly seat in the entire Bhagalpur district, all lost. They will not accept Shahnawaz. They will not accept Sushil Modi's back-stabbing to Hindus.

  But that is not why we are grateful to Bhagalpur. For their sympathy and compassion towards the Hindus of East Bengal in 1947-50.

  I can't stay without saying about a memory in this context.

  October 2001. The results of the general election in Bangladesh came out on October 1. I was then in charge of Bajrang Dal (North India) in Delhi. Terrible news started coming from Bangladesh. After the victory of Begum Khaleda Zia, severe persecution of Hindus has started all over Bangladesh. News is coming that not a single Hindu woman's chastity has saved in Bhola of Barisal. Many temples are being demolished. The atrocities of 1947 and 1992 are being repeated.

  I am sitting in Delhi and fidgeting. I am repeatedly appealing to the leadership of Bishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal in Calcutta, there is so much oppression in Bangladesh, hold a protest procession in Calcutta, give a deputation to Bangladesh High Commission. They are willing to do this but they all told me in a moaning voice that Puja had arrived, everyone is busy shopping at Pujo Bazaar, No one will be available to operate the program at this time. 

  Hatred came upon myself for being a Bengali. I told the boys of Bajrang Dal in Delhi, this torture is happening in Bangladesh, will you do anything?  Everyone said, "Haan Ji, Jarur Karenge".

 

  On 19 October, we staged a Bajrang Dal protest in front of the Bangladesh Embassy in Delhi. Do a Google search, you will get. Then I informed the Hon'ble Ashok Singhal. He spoke to the RSS. On 5th December, under the leadership of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in collaboration with the RSS, a huge demonstration was again held with 5,000 people in Jantar Mantar. Then a delegation of 10 people led by Hon'ble Ashokji went to Parliament and met Prime Minister Vajpayee. I requested him to protect the security of Hindus in Bangladesh.  That's another story.

  So I say, since 1947 till today, the story is same. No matter how much oppression is inflicted on Hindus in Bangladesh; our food, sleep, sex, travel and Rabindra Jayanti will not be disturbed.

  But those (খোট্টা) Biharis will protest and remedy. And we will sit at home with the pride of Bengaliness.

  I express my respect and gratitude to Bhagalpur, to the Hindus of Bhagalpur, from my behalf, not from the behalf of bengalis.

  The Leader aka Guide Hon'ble Tapan Ghosh

  19/09/2019

Today those who are shouting "Bengali" "Bengali" are also requested to read.

Swamiji passed away in 1902 at the age of 39. At Belur Math it was 9:10 pm. At that time there was no electricity in Belur Math or its surrounding villages. But there was facility of telephone☎️, still no news channel came! 

Even the next day no news of Vivekananda's death was published in any news paper of United Bengal, not even a single state leader or any famous Bengali mourned.

Can you imagine??? 

Swami Vivekananda has received many insults and neglects in his short life and has been ignored again and again. After the death of his father, he had to go to court due to his relatives were against him . He has appeared in the court several times. 

In the family of desparetly poor, he used to get up in the morning & go around the Office-Mohalla looking for a job. Day after day, he told his mother that he will go to friend's house tonight to eat,he also used to see for days that there is no rice,pulse,salt,oil in family but 

how will meals of brothers & sisters be gathered?

Borrowing money from grocery store for meals for mother, he used to told his mother not to cook for him because he has invitation at his friend's house... but that was a lie.

Narendranath used to be half-fed & hungry! 

He has dragged his whole life into extreme poverty. At the age of 23, he got a job as a teacher of metropolitan school, whose founder was VidyaSagar & H.M was his son-in-law. The son-in-law did not like Narendranath. 

He told his father-in-law that for the crime of bad teachings,he drove Narendranath out of the school. "Narendranath"; whose knowledge, intellect,wisdom is indisputable, even that time also.

Again Vivekananda became unemployed. 

A Bengali guru preached in abroad about Vivekananda that he is a complete hypocrite & gambler & has several wives & 10/12 children. In our country & abroad, he used to be half-starved or starved day after day. 

He wrote in later:

"Several times I starved day after day, I thought I might die today... Stood up saying jai brahmo... I said I have no fear no death no hunger, I am without thirst. What power in the world that destroy me?" 

When sick vivekananda came to to Calcutta after conquering the world many famous Bengali (names remain unspoken here) did not agree to give him reception party or rejected to come in his reception meeting. 

At last even though PariChand Mitra agreed to came but he said that Vivekananda is not a Brahmin but a Kaiyet, so he cannot be a monk. I will address him on the stage as brother Vivekananda.

Americans overwhelmed by reading his speech & words in foreign paper & what we did! 

In the October of same year Swamiji goes to Dr Rasiklal for medical checkup (chamber-2 sadar Street side Street of Calcutta museum) and Dr. took 40/- for visit and 10/- for medicine from patient Vivekananda. It means, according to 2021's calculation, total 16000/- (approx) taken from the world conquering poor monk suffering from several disease. Swami Brahmananda give this money to famous Bengali(!) Dr Rasiklal, from the fund raised for Belur Moth.

There is more....!!! 

There is no death pictures of Vivekananda, Even no death certificates issued for this great monk but Bally Belur municipality exist at the time & this municipality imposed amusement tax on Belur Moth. 

It was said that the Belur Moth is gossip centre/resort of boys and common man used to call Belur Moth mocking Vivekananda..."Vichitra Anand Dham" or "Biwi Ka Anand Dham" (amusement resort with women/brides). This was the attitude/mentality of so-called bhadralok Bengali at the time. 

That's why, in his last time he says, "Only another Vivekananda will understand what this Vivekananda did."

Reference: "Unrecognised Undiscovered Vivekananda" by Shankar (अपरिचित अनजान विवेकानंद)

Information collected from #SomdattaGoswami of Facebook 

Archeologist on Hinduism

✍ @BharadwajSpeaks from Twitter

How old is Hinduism? 

What does archaeology tell us about it?

Recently, archaeologists discovered "Baghor Shrine". It is a Devi temple with Yantra continuously worshiped by Hindu tribals and their ancestors

Yantra & temple dates back to 11,000 years. It is worshiped even today. 

Jonathan Kenoyer of Harappa Archaeological Research Project (H.A.R.P.) has been the leading archaeologist of Ancient India for 30 years.

He examined Baghor Kali temple and dated the shrine back to 9000 B.C.

He was surprised by "remarkable continuity of religious beliefs in India" 

Baghor shrine is a modest temple that only has a stone platform under Neem tree and a triangular shaped Yantra worshiped as Goddess in the middle of platform.

Yet, it has been worshiped continuously since 11,000 years from Paleolithic hunter gatherers to modern day inhabitants. 

Now, here is my question to all those "experts" who question the antiquity of Hinduism.

Can they name any other currently existing religion in the world which has an active temple that has been continuously worshiped from Paleolithic age? I dare them to give us one example. 

Conversation between Priyanath Singh & Swami Vivekananda

Have you ever wondered what Swami Vivekananda has said about Brahmanism, Brahman etc.?

  

Let's hear from Swamiji. 

Priyanath:  People say that Shudras have no right to Pranab, so they are Mlechch; how did you give them Pranab? Pranab has no right to pronounce anyone except Brahmin."

Swamiji:  How did you know that those whom I have given mantras are not Brahmins?

Priyanath:  All countries except India are Javan and Mlechch; Where is the Brahmin among them?

Swamiji:  To whom I have given mantras, they are all Brahmins. That's right, if you are not a Brahmin, you are not entitled to Pranab. It does not mean that the son of a Brahmin will be a Brahmin, very likely to be, but may not be. Aghor Chakraborty's nephew has become a scavenger in Bagbazar, Carries pot of shit on his head. He is also the son of Brahmin.

Priyanath:  Where did you find Brahmins in America and England?

Swamiji:  Brahmin-Community and Brahmin-Quality are two different things. Here brahmins are all in races, but there in quality. You know that there are three qualities like Sattva, Rajah, Tamah; There are also qualities to be considered as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras. The Kshatriya-Quality has almost disappeared in your country. In that country now all are getting Brahminism, from Kshatriyanism. 

Priyanath:  Does that mean you call the sattvic people there,  Brahmins?

Swamiji:  Yes; Sattva, Rajah, Tamah are present in everyone — one of these are more than other qualities in one, so are the qualities of being a Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra in everyone. However, these qualities are more or less from time to time. And from time to time one is revealed. When a man is employed, he gets Shudratva, Vaishyatva when he tries of earning money, and when he fights, etc., Kshatriyatva is revealed inside him. And when he is in the thought of God or in the context of God, then he is a Brahmin. It is normal to change from one race to another. Bishwamitra and Parashuram - How did one become a Brahmin and the other a Kshatriya?

  "Yes, however understand whether they are Brahmins - the great persecution that has taken place in your country. Guruthakur give mantras, that is his business. And how is the Guru-Disciple relation! There is no rice in guru's house. Guru's wife said, Hey, go disciple-house once; Will the dice game satisfy hunger? The Brahmin said, Yes, remind me tomorrow. I have heard that he has been going through a good-time, and he has not been visited for many days. This is your Bengali Guru!"

(Swamiji's Talkings; Conversation with Priyanath Singh,  Swamiji's Memory, Inauguration Office; 1372 page: 131-133)

Was Shri Ram a Vegetarian?

Every time vegetarian people say that Ram was vegetarian. There is no space for Non-Vegetarianism in Sanatan culture. I have given evidence of non vegetarianism in Sanatan culture below from Ramayan and Ved. 

Speaking about the Yajna of Sage Bishwamitra in the Balakanda of Ramayana, Vegetarians said that the demons are desecrating the Yajna-Kunda with blood & flesh, does this prove that there was no provision for non-vegetarian food in the age of Ramayana? 

In AtharvaVeda, it is said that:

राजसूयं वाजपेयमग्निष्टोमस्तदध्वरः |

अर्काश्वमेधावुच्छिष् ट जीबर्बहिभमदिन्तम || ११-६-६

Translation- Rajsuya, Vajpayee, Agnistam these yajnas are non-violent. Orc & Ashwamedha Yajna are situated in the Lord which is the enhancer of the organism & the most joyful. 

It means Rajsuya, Vajpayee, Agnistom these yajnas are non-violent, that is, these yajnas have nothing to do with animal slaughter. 

So even in the yajna of sage Bishwamitra, killing of animals was definitely not an issue, so there was blood & flesh uninvited, that is why the demons were producing annoyance of Bishwamitra by throwing blood & flesh, for which Bishwamitra wanted Rama from Dasaratha. 

So what is the proof all in all - the blood & flesh being thrown by the demons in the yajna of Bishwamitra and eating non-veg is same thing? 

Talking about the diet of ancient times, it is said in the context of the story of sage Basishta & sage Bishwamitra, when Bishwamitra went to the ashram of Basishta, Basishta treated Bishwamitra with fruits. Its quite natural. 

Because nowadays also when guest comes home we first treat him with fruit or sweets, but the next meal is different, which was also in Sage Vashishta's ashram. 

The incident narrated in Bal-Kand like this:

तं दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतो विश्वामित्रो महाबलः |

प्रणतो विनयाद्वीरो वसिष्ठं जपतां वरम् || १-५२-१

स्वागतं तव चेत्युक्तो वसिष्ठेन महात्मना |

आसनं चास्य भगवान् वसिष्ठो व्यादिदेश ह || १-५२-२ 

उपविष्टाय च तदा विश्वामित्राय धीमते |

यथान्यायं मुनिवरः फलमूलमुपाहरत् || १-५२-३

प्रतिगृह्य तु तां पूजां वसिष्ठाद्राजसत्तमः |

तपोऽग्निहोत्रशिष्येषु कुशलं पर्यपृच्छत || १-५२-४

विश्वामित्रो महातेजा वनस्पतिगणे तथा |

सर्वत्र कुशलं चाह वसिष्ठो राजसत्तमः || १-५२-५ 

 सुखोपविष्टं राजानं विश्वामित्रं महातपाः |

पप्रच्छ जपतां श्रेष्ठो वसिष्ठो ब्रह्मणः सुतः || १-५२-६ 

Summary: "Vashishta offers hospitality to Vishvamitra and his armies. Even though the *King Vishvamitra is disinclined to pressurise a hermit with such a burdensome affair of hospitality to hosts, Vashishta entreats the king to accept. Vishvamitra had to oblige the same. Vashishta summons his do-all Divine Sacred Cow, Shabala, also known as Kaamadhenu, requests her to generate heaps of Tasteful Foodstuffs (षड़रस) for a royal banquet as well as for military rations."

[*King- before being a sage, Vishvamitra was a King.]

Ingredients of a balanced diet are six. Tasteful Foodstuffs or षड़रस means all these six ingredients, of which animal meat is an important ingredient & nowhere in the world there is any evidence that Kings, Princes or King's army ate vegetarian food. 

Even today, no army, air force, police, border guard in any country of the world ever eats vegetarian; Because, the mentality of fighting while eating vegetarian food will no more, despite having the necessary energy in the body. 

So for Vishvamitra's army, sage Vashishta arranged vegetarian food through Kamadhenu, it is only possible to believe in the side of a madman and a fool. 

 In Ayodhya Kand:

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि वत्स्यामि विजने वने |

मधु मूल फलैः जीवन् हित्वा मुनिवद् आमिषम् || २-२०-२९

Summary: "I (Shri Ram ) shall live in a solitary forest like a sage for fourteen years, leaving off meat and living with roots, fruits and honey". 

Check out that Shri Ram says "he shall leaving off meat, while living in forest".

It means Shri Ram used to eat meat while living in the palace of Ayodhya. 

But when he went to the forest and saw that only eating fruit does not fill the stomach and also body does not move also, so he was forced to hunt animals and eat meat & for this reason there are lots of evidence of Rama-Sita-Lakshman eating meat in forest incidents. 

Then in the incident Golden Deer hunting, some people say that Shri Ram chase that deer only to fulfill Devi Sita's wish. But his plan was if it is not a deer but a demon then it must be killed. Thinking this he followed the deer. 

Sri Ram at first tried to catch the deer alive, but the deer made him run after him so much that Ram killed it & when he shot an arrow at him, after shooted by arrow, deer appeared in its original form. It was a magical monster, Maareech. 

 

Before his death, the Maareech shouted "Ha Lakshman, Ha Sita" as per Ravan's plan. Thinking of what they would think if this shout reached Lakshman & Sita, Ram quickly hunted another deer and on taking its flesh, he hurried towards the aashram/janasthaana. 

In Aranya Kanda:

निहत्य पृषतम् च अन्यम् मांसम् आदाय राघवः |

त्वरमाणो जनस्थानम् ससार अभिमुखः तदा || ३-४४-२७

Summary- Raghava then on killing another spotted deer and on taking its flesh, he hurried himself towards Janasthaana. 

If Rama doesn't eat meet then why did he hunt another deer and take its flesh after killing the magical deer maareech? 

When Hanuman goes to Lanka in search of Sita & after finding Sita he says that he was Ram's messenger, there was some conversation between Hanuman & Sita. 

In that conversation, when Sita asked about Ram to Hanuman; Hanuman says:

न मांसं राघवो भुङ्क्ते न चापि मधुसेवते |

वन्यं सुविहितं नित्यं भक्तमश्नाति पञ्चमम् || ५-३६-४१ 

Summary- Rama is not eating meat, nor indulging even in spirituous liquor. Everyday, in the evening, he is eating the food existing in the forest, well arranged for him. 

Depending on the situation Hanuman's statement proves that Ram used to eat meat during his normal life with Sita in jungle. Ram, after Sita's abduction, is no longer eating meat & spirituous liquor in her estrangement and worries, as he was in tension. 

In Ayodhya Kanda, having traveled for a pretty long distance, Rama crossed Vedasruti, Gomati and Syandika rivers. He presses forward in the chariot talking with Sumantra. 

Then Shri Ram asked Sumantra:

कदा अहम् पुनर् आगम्य सरय्वाः पुष्पिते वने |

मृगयाम् पर्याटष्यामि मात्रा पित्रा च सम्गतः || २-४९-१५

Summary- When, coming back and united with my mother and father, shall I roam hunting in the forest, bordering on Sarayu river and laden with blossoms? 

The kings of ancient times only hunted deer, so the word hunting (मृगया) is synonymous with deer(मृग) but hunted other ferocious animals to show their heroism, but hunted the herbivores only for food. So the purpose of Ram's hunting can be understood? 

In Ayodhya Kanda, Sita prays to Ganges River:

सुराघटसहस्रेण मांसभूतोदनेन च |

यक्ष्ये त्वाम् प्रयता देवि पुरीम् पुनरुपागता || २-५२-८९

 Summary- "Oh, goddess! After reaching back the city of Ayodhya, I shall worship you with thousand pots of spirituous liquor & jellied meat with cooked rice well prepared for the solemn rite."

Is it possible for a person, who do not eat meat & liquor, worship goddess with meat and liquor? 

Last two verse of Chapter-52

स लोकपालप्रतिमप्रभाववाम् |

स्तीर्त्वा महात्मा वरदो महानदीम् |

ततः समृद्धान् शुभसस्यमालिनः |

क्रमेण वत्सान् मुदितानुपागमत् || २-५२-१०१ 

तौ तत्र हत्वा चतुरः महा मृगान् |

वराहम् ऋश्यम् पृषतम् महा रुरुम् |

आदाय मेध्यम् त्वरितम् बुभुक्षितौ|

वासाय काले ययतुर् वनः पतिम् || २-५२-१०२

Translation- Having crossed the great river, Rama the high-soled, the bestowal of boons, equal in glory with the guardians of spheres, then reached progressively the prosperous and the happy land of Vatsa; which contained rows of beautiful crops. (2-52-101) 

Translation- Having hunted there four deer, namely Varaaha, Rishya, Prisata; and Mahaaruru (the four principal species of deer) and taking quickly the portions that were pure, being hungry as they were, Rama and Lakshmana reached a tree to take rest in the evening. (2-52-102) 

If Ram-Lakshman-Sita does not eat meat, then why did they kill these animals? 

After that, in Ayodhya-Kand:

क्रोशमात्रम् ततो गत्वा भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मनौ || २-५५-३३

बहून्मेध्यान् मृगान् हत्वा चेरतुर्यमुनावने | २-५५-३४

Summary-Thereafter having travelled only a couple of miles the two brothers Rama and Lakshmana killed many consecrated deer and ate in the river-forest of Yamuna. [2-55-33(b), 2-55-34(a)]

Then, Shri Ram said to Laksham:

तम् तु पक्वम् समाज्ञाय निष्टप्तम् चिन्न शोणितम् |

लक्ष्मणः पुरुष व्याघ्रम् अथ राघवम् अब्रवीत् || २-५६-२७

अयम् कृष्णः समाप्त अन्गः शृतः कृष्ण मृगो यथा |

देवता देव सम्काश यजस्व कुशलो हि असि || २-५६-२८

Translation- Feeling certain that it is cooked and heated thoroughly with no blood remaining, Lakshmana spoke to Rama the lion among man as follows: (2-53-27) 

 

Translation- "This black antelope, with its complete limbs, has been cooked completely by me. Oh, Rama resembling God! Worship the concerned deity, as you are skilled in that act." (2-53-28) 

Not only does Ram-Lakshman-Sita ate meat but also Bharat. Reference is:

इति उक्त्वा उपायनम् गृह्य मत्स्य मांस मधूनि च |

अभिचक्राम भरतम् निषाद अधिपतिर् गुहः || २-८४-१०

Translation- After uttering thus, Guha the king of Nishadas took fish, meat and honey as an offering and approached Bharata. 

If Bharat does not eat these food, then why those foods were taken as gift? 

After the acceptance of hospitality from Nishadraj Guha, Bharat with his Army goes to the Ashram of sage Bharadwaj, where all the soldiers of Bharat were told:

सुराम् सुरापाः पिबत पायसम् च बुभुक्षिताः | 

मांसनि च सुमेध्यानि भक्ष्यन्ताम् यावद् इग्च्छथ ||२-९१-५१

Translation- "O, wine-bibbers! Drink the wine, however much you desire! O troops stricken with hunger! Let milk thickened with rice and the meats which are very much fresh, be eaten (as you will)." 

After that soldiers of Bharat treated like this:

उत्साद्य स्नापयन्ति स्म नदी तीरेषु वल्गुषु |

अप्य् एकम् एकम् पुरुषम् प्रमदाः सत्प च अष्ट च || २-९१-५२

Translation- Seven or eight young women bathed every single man on the beautiful river-banks, after massaging their body with oil. 

सम्वहन्त्यः समापेतुर् नार्यो रुचिर लोचनाः |

परिमृज्य तथा न्यायम् पाययन्ति वर अन्गनाः || २-९१-५३

 

Translation- Women with charming eyes came running and shampooed their limbs. Lovely women likewise wiped off the moisture on their body with towels and gave them beverages to drink, mutually sharing them among each other. 

आजैः च अपि च वाराहैर् निष्टान वर संचयैः |

फल निर्यूह संसिद्धैः सूपैर् गन्ध रस अन्वितैः || २-९१-६६

पुष्प ध्वजवतीः पूर्णाः शुक्लस्य अन्नस्य च अभितः |

ददृशुर् विस्मिताः तत्र नरा लौहीः सहस्रशः || २-९१-६७

Translation- Dishes of goat & boar with delicious sauces were there & condiments that were spicy, fragrant & succulent, cooked in fruit juices; 

Translation- vessels of rare metals filled with rice, decorated with flowers, were offered in thousands to those soldiers there. The soldiers saw them with wonder on all sides. 

बभूवुर् वन पार्श्वेषु कूपाः पायस कर्दमाः |

ताः च कामदुघा गावो द्रुमाः च आसन् मधुश्च्युतः || २-९१-६८

Translation- The wells in various sides of the forest (surrounding Bharadwaja's hermitage) have their mud transformed into milk in which rice was cooked. The cows in the region were transformed into cows of plenty and the trees dripped honey. 

वाप्यो मैरेय पूर्णाः च मृष्ट मांस चयैर् वृताः |

प्रतप्त पिठरैः च अपि मार्ग मायूर कौक्कुटैः || २-९१-६९ 

Translation- Some ponds there were endowed with full of wine and some were filled with assortment of various dressed meats pertaining to deer, peacocks and wild cocks; cooked in hot pans. 

From this information it is clear that in the ancient days sages also ate meat, no one was a vegetarian. 

For your information , in Aranya Kand, "Maya Mriga & Maareech Vadh", in which Sita saw a beautiful deer & asked Ram to catch the deer. The deer was actually a Maya deer, but not the GOLDEN DEER as per the conventional notion. Maareech took the guise of deer, to confuse Ram. 

Not only that when Ravan goes in disguise of Traveller to kidnap Sita, unable to recognise Ravan, Sita said:

समाश्वस मुहूर्तम् तु शक्यम् वस्तुम् इह त्वया || ३-४७-२२

आगमिष्यति मे भर्ता वन्यम् आदाय पुष्कलम् |

रुरून् गोधान् वराहान् च हत्वा आदाय अमिषान् बहु || ३-४७-२३ 

 

Translation- "Be comfortable for a moment, here it is possible for you to make a sojourn, and soon my husband will be coming on taking plentiful forest produce, and on killing stags, mongooses, wild boars he fetches meat, aplenty". [3-47-22(b), 3-47-23] 

If Ram-Lakshman-Sita does not eat meat then why would Ram hunt these animals and why would Sita tell a guest to eat meat?

Hopefully, it has become clear to everyone that Ram-Lakshman-Sita was not a vegetarian, even the sages of ancient time were also not vegetarian. 

Special Note:

Everyone knows that Sanatan Dharma forbids eating buffalos & cow, so no Sanatani eats the meat of these animals. But are these provisions enough to persuade people to be vegetarians? 

Whether one is vegetarian or non-vegetarian, it is proved by eating onions, garlic & meat. Although onion, garlic are just vegetables, even though vegetarians have eye pain on onion, garlic; So nowadays it is a standard that a person who eats onion, garlic is not a vegetarian. 

What Sanatani eat, such as goats, sheep, pig, ducks, chickens, fish; give references against not eating these animals, if a vegetarian can & also give references where non-vegetarians are condemned in the Vedas. 

Then Vegetarians also says that it is the duty of the Aryans/Sanatanis to protect innocent animals.

Sanatanis kept Cows for nutritious milk, food, Ox for farming, Camels & *Horses for fighting & defending themselves... 

But for *Horses, sometimes it was different because of Ashwamedh Yajna (for Kshatriya only) 

In the Bal-Kand, Chapter - 14

शामित्रे तु हयस्तत्र तथा जलचराश्च ये |

ऋषिभिः सर्वमेवैतन्नियुक्तं शास्त्रतस्तदा || १-१४-३१

पशूनां त्रिशतं तत्र यूपेषु नियतं तदा |

अश्वरत्नोत्तमं तस्य राज्ञो दशरथस्य च || १-१४-३२

कौसल्या तं हयं तत्र परिचर्य समंततः |

कृपाणैर्विशशासैनं त्रिभिः परमया मुदा || १-१४-३३

पतत्रिणा तदा सार्धं सुस्थितेन च चेतसा |

अवसद्रजनीमेकां कौसल्या धर्मकाम्यया || १-१४-३४

होताध्वर्युस्तथोद्गाता हस्तेन समयोजयन् |

महिष्या परिवृत्त्या च वावातामपरां तथा || १-१४-३५

Translation:  The sages have arranged those animals that are to be there in animal sacrifices, like horse and other aquatic animals, in that ritual according to scriptures. [1-14-31]

Three hundred animals are tied to the ritual posts, along with the gemlike best ritual horse of that King Dasharatha. [1-14-32]

With great delight coming on her Queen Kausalya reverently made circumambulations to the horse, and symbolically killed the horse with three knives. [1-14-33]

Queen Kausalya desiring the results of ritual disconcertedly resided one night with that horse that flew away like a bird. [1-14-34]

Thus, the officiating priests of the ritual, namely hotaa adhwaryu and udgaataa have received in their hand the Crowned Queen, the neglected wife, and a concubine of the king, next as a symbolic donation in the ritual by the performer, the king. [1-14-35]

If it seems unbelievable for some people, then let's check the RigVeda 1 Mandal, 162 & 163 Sukta, it's on "Horse Sacrifice". I am giving some reference below :-

एष च्छाग: पुरो अश्वेन वाजिना पूष्णो भागो नीयते विश्वदेव्यः। 

अभिप्रियं यत्पुरोळाशमर्वता त्वष्टेदेनं सौश्रवसाय जिन्वति॥ (१/१६२/३) 1.162.3

  - suitable goat of all the gods falls in the category of pusara, it is being brought forward with the speedy horse. Therefore, for the enjoyment of the gods of Tvastha, prepare a delicious meal from that day with the goat.

यदश्वस्य क्रविषो मक्षिकाश यद्वा स्वरौ स्वधितौ रिप्तमस्ति। 

यद्धस्तयोः शमितुर्यन्नखेषु सर्वा ता ते अपि देवेष्वस्तु॥ (१/१६२/९) 1.162.9

  -The part of the unripe flesh of the horse that the bee eats, whatever is stuck in the intestine during cutting or cleaning, and whatever is stuck in the hands and nails of the cutter should go to the gods.

यदूवध्यमुदरस्यापवाति य आमस्य क्रविषो गन्धो अस्ति। 

सुकृता तच्छमितार: कृण्वन्तूत मेधं शृतपाकं पचन्तु॥ (१/१६२/१०) 1.162.10

  -The indigestible grass that come out of the belly, should not be remain in the unripe flesh, the cutter pure that, and cook the holy flesh, suitable for the gods.

यत्ते गात्रादग्निना पच्यमानादभि शूलं निहतस्यावधावति। मा तद्भूम्यामा श्रिषन्मा तृणेषु देवेभ्यस्तदुशद्भ्यो रातमस्तु॥ (१/१६२/११) 1.162.11

  -O horse! When cooking in the fire, the juice that comes out of your body, and the part that is stuck in the crucifix, should not fall to the ground, and should not be mixed with grass. The gods are greedy, let everything be given to them.

न वा उ एतन्म्रियसे न रिष्यसि देवाँ इदेषि पथिभि: सुगेभि:। 

हरी ते युञ्जा पृषती अभूतामुपास्थाद्वाजी धुरि रासभस्य॥ (१/१६२/२१) 1.162.21

  -O horse! You are not dying; Or people are not killing of you; You are going to the gods in a good way. Indra's two horses named Hari, and the two carriers named Prisati of the Maruts will be attached to your chariot. A speeding horse will be attached to your chariot instead of Rasav, the vehicle of the two horses.

उप प्रागाच्छसनं वाज्यर्वा देवद्रीचा मनसा दीध्यानः। 

अजः पुरो नीयते नाभिरस्यानु पश्चात्कवयो यन्ति रेभाः॥ (१/१६३/१२) 1.163.12

   -This speeding horse is going to the slaughterhouse, meditating with devotion to the gods. His friendly goat is being carried in front of him; Poet while reciting hymns are going after them.

That is why Sanatan Dharma forbids killing cows, horses (except for Ashwamedha yajna) camel. But why would humans keep other domesticated animals such as goats, pigs, sheep, ducks, Hen; if their meat could not be eaten? Did humans have a responsibility to protect and care for those animals without benefit?