musings 86

the Vedas and Smritis were very strict about the precise methodology to be followed while performing rituals because that way,there will be more order and uniformity. and a sense of pride for the performers..

A work well executed is a connoisseurs beauty for ever .

It would also create a sort of sincerity and sense of fulfillment to the performers..

In Yajnas everything from the size of a brick or the size of a wooden ladle and the height of a flagstaff, all had exact dimensions prescribed in Vedas especially the Yajurvedam..

Brahmanas and Karikas were written and memorized with utmost sincerity so that the procedure never went off the rails.

People of one community were just setting aside their own lives and the lives of generations to keep the system perfect..

Definitely It was not exploitation by that community but sacrifice..

At the end of every Yagam the entire land of the kingdom and all the wealth possessed by king the yajamana (the person in whose name the yajna is performed) were offered as presents to the people who officiated in the sacrifice.

But such offer was accepted only in token by the adhvaryus etc and they returned the entire thing for running of the Kingdom, back to the king..

Many of these priests lived frugal lives and there is no history of amassing wealth by them..

By way of performing rituals in form but not in spirit, a friend mentioned about Gajasnanam.. bath of an elephant .. the elephant after taking bath just pours dust over himself.. that is what is implied..

But the show was necessary to keep the average people in line..

Every citizen was not a sage or philosopher at any time of history..

There were ordinary people, lustful people, thieves, burglars, liars, debauches all in the society in those times too..

So strict directions only could keep people focussed..

At present what happened to the same set of scholars is that they have lost their grip.. with reference to others and with reference to themselves too..

Lack of will, and lack of devotions are surely factors which has led them to this stage ..

Even in the times of Mahabharatham, Kripa , Drona and Ashvathaama were Maharathas and more.. they were militiary commanders..

but that did not detract them from performing their duties of their community.. as brahmins..

Now we just make the excuse that our jobs and means of livelihood tears us asunder..

But how many of us have seriously thought in terms of following Swadharma at least to a little extent..?

It is easy to find excuses, and when the community rules have become very loose and without any force, we can make a lot of loud announcements and get away with it..

But if such statements are made after all possible attempts are made to follow the rituals at least to a limited extent, we can understand it..

Now the ethos of our dharmas are looted and gutted just like people doing looting and stealing when a flood or arson happens..

I am posting this with sadness seeing our own plight and not to impress people with my linguistic talents..