Anusthans

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Q.5. Is it possible to have an Anusthan performed by someone else?

 

Ans. To get Jap performed by others on payment on one's behalf amounts to

purchasing labour and deriving advantage out of it. This earns no merit. There

are some important tasks which require to be carried out by one's own self. It

becomes ridiculous if they are got done by others. Can a servant be appointed to

study on one's own behalf ? Can one entrust his sleep to someone else? Nobody

appoints someone else to procreate children on his behalf. How can a disease be

cured if a person other than the patient is paid and asked to take treatment on

behalf of the patient? In the same way devotional worship of God has to be done

in His proximity, attained by the devotee in person. Self-discipline , penance

or endurance are required to be practiced and friendship is nurtured by a person

himself. Physical exercise is also done by a person himself. The same norm

applies to Sadhana.

 

As for as practicable, one should perform his or her own Anusthan, In specific

cases of contingency it can be entrusted to a qualified Brahman. The term

Brahman here needs an elaboration. In ancient times individuals considered

Brahmans were scholars of the science of Brahma. They possessed a high level of

upright character, lived a virtuous life with minimum means of sustenance and

comfort. Now-a- days, it is difficult to find such Brahmans, who besides having

been born in a Brahman family (by caste and heredity) and wearing traditional

costumes of Brahmans of yore also have the credibility of Brahmanism in their

character, behaviour and thoughts. It is very difficult to find a true Brahman

from amongst hordes of hypocrites masquerading as Brahmans. It is, therefore,

recommended that if at all necessary, irrespective of caste and creed, Anusthan

may be entrusted to such an individual of high character who has an infallible

faith in God and is not desirous of any worldly gains of name, fame or material

gain.