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When
factories took the place of handicrafts and cottage industries,
the small village communities became urbanised. The needs of
people multiplied, so too the number of occupations. Today when
the old way of life is gone, it seems impossible to revive the
system of hereditary vocations. Is it any longer practicable how
to insist that only Ksatriyas ought to man the defence services,
that only Vaisyas can transact trade and business, that the
members of the fourth varna must continue to remain labourers? Is
it at all possible to revive the old system? I am not unaware of
the state of affairs now prevailing. If so why do I keep extolling
varna dharma? There are two reasons.
Whatever
be the situation today - and whether or not we can return to the
old order - it is not right to claim as people nowadays do that
the old order was utterly unjust, that it was created by the
vested interests for their own good and convenience. We must be
able to convince the critics that the old order was not unjust at
all and that there is nothing like varna dharma to help people to
attain inner purity. They must also be made to realise that this
dharma, apart from helping society to function in a disciplined
and harmonious manner, will bring well-being to all and give an
impetus to culture.
There
is even more important reason. Today the functions of Ksatriyas,
Vaisyas and Sudras have changed and become mixed Even so the work
of the government goes on somehow. Defence, the manufacture of
various articles, trade, labour - all these go on somehow. But,
unlike in the past, there is jealousy as well as rivalry in all
fields. Even so, the duties of the three castes are carried out
despite the fact that varna dharma has broken up. They are a
practical necessity for day-to-day life as well as for the
functioning of the government. So they are performed, albeit
unsatisfactorily.
There
is, however, a function higher than all these. It is that of
taking all of them - all these functions - to their ultimate
point. And this function belongs to the Brahminic way of life and
it has become almost extinct. To teach dharma by precept and
practise, the dharma that is the foundation of all activities, to
invoke the divine powers through the vedic chant for the good of
all mankind, to create high ideals through their own austere
life, to nurture the Atmic strength of the community, to promote
the arts, to nourish culture- these embrace the dharma of
Brahmins and it is now on the verge of extinction.
The
need for the Brahminic dharma is not widely recognised because of
its subtle and intangible character. There is no realisation of
the other three varnas. Indeed, it is this dharma that gives
meaning to life and creates a path for the fulfilment of life. We
ignore it and devote ourselves solely to the functions of the
varnas. If any improvement is made in them we are happy. But what
use is material prosperity without Atmic and cultural
advancement? Material progress is no progress at all. Americans
have realised this truth - we ought also to realise the same. So
however confusedly the functions of other castes are carried out,
the Brahmin must function in the right manner as a pathfinder for
others by living a life of simplicity and sacrifice, performing
Vedic rites and creating worldly and Atmic well-being for
mankind. In this way the soul of India will be kept alive.
If
the Brahmin caste is restored to order, it might well be the
beginning of the end of confused state of the other castes. In
this land alone has there existed - and existed for ages-a jati
for the protection of dharma and the Atmic uplift of all. If this
jati becomes extinct there will be all-round decay. If I have
spoken at length I have this purpose in view, that this jati must
be revived in its true form so as to prevent the general decline
of the nation. The Brahmin jati must not live a life of
self-indulgence. On the contrary it must perform rites all
through the day for the welfare of society. Brahmins must live
austerely, with love for all in their hearts. If they are restored
to their dharma our society in its entirety will be brought to
the path of dharma and will be saved.
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"Hindu Dharma" is a book
which contains English translation of certain invaluable and
engrossing speeches of Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi MahaSwamiji (at
various times during the years 1907 to 1994).
For a general background, please see here
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