DEIVATHIN KURAL # 148 (of Vol 2) Dated 06 Sept 2008

DEIVATHIN KURAL # 148 (of Vol 2) Dated 06 Sept 2008

(These e-mails are translations of talks given by Periyavaal of Kanchi Kamakoti peetam, over a period of some sixty years while he was the pontiff in the earlier part of last century. These have been published in Tamil by Vanadi Padippagam, Chennai, in seven volumes of a thousand pages each, as Deivathin Kural. To day we are proceeding from the middle of page number 992, of volume 2, of the Tamil original. This e-mail is a continuation of Deivathin Kural # 147 (of Vol 2) dated 03 Sept 2008.)

19. These qualities, characteristics and behavior patterns of the individual are hereditary and so are the Guna of the Jaati, for which the Hindu Saastraa-s lay out the duties as Jaati Dharma. There is no apparent or implied contradiction in this. Parasu Rama and Dronaacharya, were Brahmins, with Kshatriya like qualities; Dharmaputra was a Kshatriya with Brahmin like qualities. Viswamitra was a Kshatriya with immense physical capabilities of Rajasa Guna-s but still became a Brhma Rishi of renown. They were all exceptions to the rule, one in a million or more, which only go to prove the rule! So, Sri Krishna’s statement in Bhagawat Gita correctly identifies the fact that, Guna evolves from the Jaati by birth.

20. How is it that the very birth could so organize a person’s character qualities, suitable to his future profession? I would simply put it as his ‘Karma Vinai’ and you may call it fate! Your interpretation of fate has an element of ‘random accidental chance’ in it. When I say ‘Karma Vinai’, it is still fate, but with a perfectly logical, cause-effect relationship, between your actions in your past lives and their net effect in the present one! So, a man’s guna and aptitude, preferences and choices; are already programmed. Modern sciences confirm that, a person’s individuality and heredity are all already programmed in to the genes!

21. So, in our past, before the individuality could develop, having been born in a set of environment of a Brahmin family or that of a carpenter or sculptor; the child simply accepted the family background without any regrets or objections or undue ambitions or disappointments; started learning the ins and outs of that profession. All the tricks of the trade, subtle points and nuances, were learnt without competitiveness and greedy ambition! Even to-day the child will do that, if only you let it happen instead of creating confusion, for whatever personal axes to grind!
22. When people did not have misplaced ambitions, covetousness, they were happy in belonging to their lot while being a part of a homogenous society. There was real unity in diversity! Right from a very young age, there was loyalty towards ones profession and aptitude to learn all the intricacies from may be an uncle or grand father or ones own father! So the Guna automatically developed as befitting the requirements of that profession. I would rather hold my fond view that it was then and only then, that ‘the right peg was in the right hole’ and it is only now that ‘every right peg is in the wrong hole, ‘ad infinitum ad nauseam’! Having ‘put the cart before the horse’, people are blaming the cart or the horse or the driver; any two or all three!

23. What do psychological big-wigs say to-day? They claim that a person’s mental and physical attitude, character and capabilities; are affected and shaped to a large extent, by his heredity and environment! In olden times, each person took to the profession of his forefathers. They all lived in the same village, in Agraharam, Cheri, Senniar Theru, Kammaalar Theru, Pandara Vaadai and so on (all names for the streets in which people of different professions live). The background heredity from the past and the present environment, meshed beautifully, without an element of conflict! These two factors, essentially made his character qualities suitable for his traditional profession. This matter is more acceptable when put in the words of Mahatma Gandhi who says, “ The Gita talks of Varna being according to Guna and Karma, but Guna and Karma are inherited by birth.”
24. So, the fact that there was no contradiction between the policy and practice of Sri Krishna’s words and actions has been certified by Mahatma Gandhi himself, who also happens to be the foremost of all reformists of the Hindu religion and Indian society! I sincerely wish that others who call themselves reformists, would refrain from pulling the Veda Saastraa-s and Sri Krishna Paramatma into the mire of their cerebral and verbal gymnastics!
25. Sri Krishna is not one to worry about other’s opinion about his utterances. He is quite capable of saying, “You better listen to what I have to say”! But when He is giving instructions for people to abide by, instead of simply giving His orders, to emphasize that ‘what Saastraa-s say is the authority’, shows that it remains so forever. A study of Bharata, Bhagawata, Vishnu Purana-s, clearly reveal this fact that the division into various Jaati-s was based on birth only. These so called ‘research’ people always carry out a search, and come out with an illogical explanation for implausible theories of their imagination. That is why I am reiterating that Bharata, Bhagawata, Vishnu Purana-s, leave no chance for a doubt that ‘birth was the basis in deciding the Jaati and Varnashrama Dharma!’ It is here that God clearly states:-“ya : saastra vidhim utsrujya vardhate kaama kaarata : I na sa siddhim avaapnoti na sukham na paraam gatim II Tasmaat saastram pramaanam te karya akarya vyavastitou I gnaatva saastra vidaanoktam karma kartum iha arhasi II
26. Let me translate these last two important slokas number 23 & 24, of Bhagawat Gita, Chapter XVI. ‘He who, having cast aside the ordinances of the scriptures, acts under the impulse of desire, attains not perfection, nor happiness nor the Supreme Goal. Therefore let the scripture be thy authority in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Having known what is said in the ordinance of the scriptures. Thou shouldst act here in this world.’
27. ‘OK. It is alright if Veda-s and Krishna insist on Jaati Dharma by birth. We do not accept that. It is rather unfair. We should be able to see that a person’s profession is more attuned to his aptitude and character qualities that is, Guna and not be based on his Jaati /Caste! We must get rid of this forever!’ This may be the reaction of some people still! Let us see as to what extent, this concept is actually put in practice! On deeper thinking you will find that, this concept is over stated in theory and underplayed in practice!
28. The fact is that, in to-day’s world, people seem to give too much importance to freedom in what ever they say or do. This is because everyone has a huge boosted image about oneself. Who is to decide as to whether their views are useful to the society in the short and long term? Then what happens to the values of humility and humbleness? Let this be on one side. Let us look at whether and to what extent, people are fitted to the right job based on their personal, individual aptitudes, talents and capabilities. I would say, ‘Not Even 10 percent!’
(To be continued.)
Sambhomahadeva.