Prafulla: Please forward me the book Veda – Divya Gnana (in Kannada). Thanks.
Swami Ram Swarup: Book is being sent to you. You may also contact Shri Guru Prasad
of Bangalore.
Ayesha: If one believe in vedas & Om but during marriage ceremony if pandit tell to repeat ganesh mantra or any other mantra in front of all family members which is against vedas then what should one do?
Swami Ram Swarup: In case of Vedas, there is no question of presence of family members etc. In all circumstances, we’ve only to follow Vedas. Why? because in Vedas God Himself preaches to obey Vedas, whereas pandit and any sant who advise to follow matter against the Vedas is never accepted by learneds, being sin. In short, to follow Vedas is pious deed and to go against the Vedas is sin. In Vedas, there is only one eternal, unchangeable Almighty, Omnipresent God to worship, Who creates, nurses and destroys the universe. Whereas, your panditji is insisting to do the jaap of Ganesh mantra which does not exist in Vedas. You’ve to decide the truth yourself. However, formality sake and in the marriage function, you may utter Ganesh mantra, then and there only which still involves fundamental law of going against the Vedas. But, at that time, you or anyone is helpless. Otherwise, performance of marriage is also held according to Vedas, which is called- Vivah Sanskar and due to our bad luck, the same is mostly not been performed nowadays.
Sohit: My query: is that I am brahmin ,and what is the duty of brahmin in life according to Ved. And what ved say?
Swami Ram Swarup: Duties of Brahmin are as follows:-
Who is Brahmin?
According to Vedas, he is the Brahmin who knows four Vedas and ashtang yoga philosophy, mentioned therein; who has controlled his senses and perceptions; who loves everyone, who never does any favourism; who does daily havan with ved mantras, both times etc. Secondly, “Vidya Dadaati Vinayam” i.e., the spiritual education enables a man to become humble. From the above, it is clear that the Brahmin who has achieved the said education, public will automatically bow before him, owing to his divine qualities and in turn he will also be humble with everyone. Another point is that if a person is a Brahmin by birth, yet he should learn the said education whether he is student, business man or in service etc.
Literal meaning of pandit is “a learned person” i.e., learned of Vedas. Yajurveda mantra 31/11 states “BRAHMANNAHA (who knows Vedas and Almighty, formless God) MUKHAM ASEET i.e., Brahmin is the most superior, most honourable in the world. So a pandit is synonymous to Brahmin. Such dignitary is also called “NARASHANSHAHA”, in Vedas. Narashansha means “he who is adorable amongst human beings.” But the greatest quality of pandit/Brahmin is that he is a learned of Vedas and yoga philosophy which is integral part of Vedas. Learned of Vedas means, that all the three education, i.e., knowledge, deeds and worship, have been learnt and are in action of the Brahmin because mere study does not serve the purpose.
So Brahmin is a pandit, Yogi, saint, Narashansha, priest, rishi, muni, Tapsvi etc. He has done hard study of Vedas and shastras, Upanishads etc., has practised yoga philosophy and has control on five senses, five perceptions and mind. Yajurveda mantra 33/78 states that such pandit/Brahmin desires that the public must be rich and happy. He preaches Vedas and makes the aspirants able to do havan to get peace. Yajurveda mantra 27/43 states that the said Brahmin/pandit protects the public to remain away from the sins and to achieve the target of human life i.e., to attain Arth, dharma, Kaam, Moksh, by preaching Vedas. Yajurveda mantra 27/39 states that such Brahmin pandit has
wonderful qualities, deeds and wonderful nature. He is a real friend of public. He keeps away all the aspirants from bad deeds/sins and makes them able to do only pious deeds. He is most respectful.
So there are several qualities of Brahmin/pandit elaborated in Vedas which cannot be mentioned here, being lengthy. Manusmriti shloka 1/88 also states that the duties of Brahmin/pandit is to do hard study of Vedas, to perform Yajyen and enable the public to do Yajyen and thus to donate the education.
Such tapsvees i.e., Brahmin/pandit never become greedy and they cannot be professional. Due to the effect of Vedas, study and ashtang yoga practice and control on senses, perceptions and mind. Real religion is to know the Vedas and thereafter to discharge duties towards family, society and nation faithfully.
Duties of all human beings like parents, son, daughter, politician, agriculturist, I mean to say, all types of duties are preached by God, in Vedas. Vedas are our self-proof. Every truth is established when it tallied with Vedas. Because the eternal knowledge of Vedas emanates directly from Almighty God, in the beginning of every earth and it is a fundamental law that unless knowledge is given by someone, it cannot be achieved by anyone. Because in the beginning of creation, the
non-sexual public is ignorant. Therefore first knowledge in the shape of Vedas is given by Almighty God to four Rishis and further is spread by Rishis. So, Like God Vedas are also immortal, eternal, everlasting. It is sad that now people are not taking interest to study Vedas and follow its preaching, as was in the ancient times, upto Mahabharat war, hence the problem. Problem is this that man-made religious path, which are oftenly against the Vedas are being followed and as a result, peace, brotherhood, live and let live etc., matters have vanished away and corruption, blind faith, illusion, dishonor of women, injustice, casteism, like wise several mal practices have taken place in the society and as a result everywhere sorrows, problems, tensions unnecessary wars, diseases, early deaths etc., are being seen everywhere. I mean to say that duty of Brahmin, Kshatriya, vaishya
etc., are also preached in Vedas. After studying Vedas, Rishis have further written shastras, upnishads, Manusmriti etc. we must follow Vedas and holy books written by Rishis. So duty of Brahmin was first preached by God in Yajurveda mantra 31/11 that he is Brahmin who know
Vedas etc., and based on Vedas, Manu Bhagwan also briefed the said duties in Manusmriti.
Jagdeesh: Thanks and Regards, SWAMI JI
Swami Ram Swarup: You are welcome, please.
