Just for Analysis and Study

[Guest guest]

Dear respected members,

I am reproducing an article appeared in the Times Newswork, appeared in another

group. I am not doing it to hurt the feelings of anyone, but to analyse and see

the factual position now prevailing. I know it has nothing to do with Advaita or

those who are trying to appreciate and bring Advaita Bhava in their lives.

--\

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Where have all Brahmin godmen gone?

T S SREENIVASA RAGHAVAN

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 11:45:08 PM ]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1227589,curpg-2,fright-0,rig\

ht-0.cms

 

NEW DELHI: Prince Siddhartha who deserted his wife when she was not looking,

made a confession years later. "I stealthily slipped out of the bedroom that

night. I thought she was an obstacle in my spiritual pursuit. But looking back,

I realise, it was a mistake. For a person who has his goals fixed, obstacles

never happen."He was implying that for the bliss of salvation, one need not run

away from the material world and its most slandered component — the wife.

 

Yet the charm of an ashram and the draw of a mutt has been compelling in this

country. And for centuries, Brahmin orders have been the greatest beneficiaries

of this nation's obsession with mediating mediums. But now, the financial and

social clout of Brahmin spirituality has been dwarfed by the rise of Dravidians

and other non-Brahmins. Hinduism is certainly not in the peril anymore of being

considered a Brahmin idea but the cream caste's spiritual heads have lost so

much mass support that the outcry after the arrest of Kanchi Acharya (often

described as the spiritual head of the Hindus) was essentially a Brahmin anger.

 

The mutts promoted by Mata Amritanandamayi, Kalki Bhagawan, Bangaru Adigal,

Vethathiri Maharishi, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and others in a growing list, are

enjoying unprecedented influence today. Meanwhile, the number of mutts promoted

by Brahmins since the time of Adi Sankara is more or less the same.

 

The recent rise in mutts promoted by non-Brahmins does not reflect any

decimation in the innate spiritual tendencies of Brahmins. But, it does indicate

there is something about the model of non-Brahmin mutts that makes them click.

 

There are significant differences between, say, Kanchi and Puttaparthi. The most

defining difference is the extent of social commitment and the associated

visibility of non-Brahmin mutts, particularly Sai Baba’s and Mata

Amritanandamayi’s. Sai Baba, while producing holy ashes and gold chains, also

created unique drinking water projects, hospitals and educational institutions

for the poor.

 

Mata Amritanandamayi’s social contribution in Kerala and other parts of the

country is enormous. Brahmin mutts have not built such enduring visible

monuments for the poor but have poured plenty into dressing up or washing the

gods. The Seer of Kanchi recently gifted a diamond studded crown to a temple.

Grand, captivating events, but transient and forgettable unlike huge modern

hospitals and colleges.

 

There is also another crucial difference between the two orders of mutts.

Non-Brahmin godpeople touch their devotees. While the seer of Kanchi keeps a

safe distance from his folk, Mata Amritanandamayi has marathon hugging sessions

so long that they could be construed as a miracle by a woman who insists that

she performs no miracles.

 

These differences between the mutts and the seers also imply that they have very

disparate followings. Ninety per cent devotees of Kanchi Acharya are from the

Brahmin community. It’s a similar ratio with non-Brahmin spiritual gurus too,

who command an overwhelming majority of their devotees from other castes. While

the schism is evident, there is a migration underway. A one-way migration. An

increasing number of Brahmins are seeking the reassurances of non-Brahmin seers.

It’s a consequence of an old Brahmin mentality to embrace a phenomenon once it

establishes itself as a vital development worthy of their respect. However, it

must be said that for many orthodox Brahmins, 'lesser form' spirituality is

still a taboo. Many of them can’t even conceive a non-Brahmin becoming

spiritual. It happened with Buddha too (nee Prince Siddharta), who was a

kshathriya by birth.

 

Once as he passed through a Brahmin-dominated village, he was subjected to their

abuse. Despite the verbal attack, when Buddha didn’t respond, one Brahmin asked

him, "Why are you not reacting?" Buddha replied, "Sometime ago, I was in another

village. People greeted me with flowers and fruits. I accepted the flowers, but

turned down the fruits. What do you think the villagers would’ve done with those

fruits?"

 

"They must have distributed them amongst themselves," came the Brahmin’s reply.

"Do the same with your abuses," he said.

 

This recorded dialogue, despite its humbler status as folklore than history,

reflects a Brahmin’s displeasure at a kshatriya’s inner peace proposal that did

not come with a new competing god. Even today, orthodox Brahmins claim to

worship only higher forms of god. Lakshman Singh, an ardent follower of Bangaru

Adigal the head of Melmaruvathur Mutt, says: "Non-Brahmin worship is different

from Brahmin cult. Brahmins worship the higher form of Shiva and Parvati.

Non-Brahmins worship them in the lower form of Muneeswaran and Kali.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Dear Maniji,

 

This is the type of mail I am being pounded with day in and day out

by a self-proclaimed frustrated Hindu. I am, therefore, surprised to

see it appearing again here from you.

 

Well, I should admit that the article is more or less factual.

However, I don't know whether it is a situation to be regretted or

not. History has always been like this.

 

The so-called non-Brahmin movements are more fascinating to the

common man not because of the social work they are doing. It is the

populist element in them coupled with the promise of being in the

midst of miracles close to godhood that really clicks and kicks.

 

The current crop of triumphant movements may not, therefore, stand

the test of time. However, vedanta will definitely do, as it has

always done for centuries, although its takers will ever remain few

in numbers. It is, therefore, a question of quality vs. number, not

Bhrahin vs. Non-Brahmin. We, therefore, ought to go back to the real

meaning of the name 'Brahmin' and not count sacred threads. It is

only quality that can triumph over time. The numbers will be crushed

in the mill of time as history has always proved, be they of Brahmin

or non-Brahimin systems.

 

Am not comparing Kanchi with the Ammas or Babas. Am only looking at

the Truth beyond both the sides and seeking solace in It as the

Brahmin vs. Non-Brahmin drama winds its way to the all-devouring

mouth of history. To the vedantin, it is, therefore, not Kanchi or

the Mata that matters. It is where Truth is. Where is it?

 

All said and done, I still can't figure out why the article begins

with a reference to poor Siddharta. I am sure he regretted his

having deserted his wife and family. But,what has it got to do with

Brahmin and non-Brahmin movements?

 

PraNAms and regards.

 

Madathil Nair

_______________

 

advaitin, "R.S.MANI" <r_s_mani> wrote:

> I am reproducing an article appeared in the Times Newswork,

appeared in another group. I am not doing it to hurt the feelings of

anyone, but to analyse and see the factual position now prevailing. I

know it has nothing to do with Advaita or those who are trying to

appreciate and bring Advaita Bhava in their lives.

> --

--

> Where have all Brahmin godmen gone?

> T S SREENIVASA RAGHAVAN

> TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 11:45:08 PM ]

> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1227589,curpg-

2,fright-0,right-0.cms

>

> NEW DELHI: Prince Siddhartha who deserted his wife when she was not

looking, made a confession years later. .....

[Guest guest]

> NEW DELHI: Prince Siddhartha who deserted his wife when she was not

looking, made a confession years later. .....

 

On a lighter note, no one can be sure if there would've been a Buddha

without Siddhartha leaving home (wife being just one part of home)!

 

buddham sharaNam gacchaami,

--praveeN

[Guest guest]

It is in the nature of human mind to simplify things and put them in

neat categories when faced with complexities. Dividing hinduism in

"barahmanical" and "non-brahmanical" categories is another such

attempt in over-simplification. It overlooks the fact that the most

worshipped avatars of hindus-- by brahmins and non-brahmins alike--

were born as non-brahmins. Rama was born a kshatriya and Krishna was

born -- in contemporary parlance-- as OBC (otherwise backward caste).

Then again the most celebrated (and hated) "brahmanical" smr^tikAra

--Manu-- was also a non-brahmin.

 

On a different note, existence of a variety of mutts and ashrams

should be taken as strength of hinduism. Not everyone starts with the

desire of understanding the nature of attributeless reality when

taking up the path of spirituality. For them, doors of spirituality

are not closed. They simply have other alternatives. It is not a

one-size-fits solution to all. It is a different solution for

different existential problems faced by different individuals.

 

praNAm