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Line 43: − + + + + + + + − It says, a Brahmana who studies the shastras faithfully, according to the rules, is never tainted by sins arising from thoughts, words or deeds (Manu Smrt. 1.104). While, the one who deflects from his prescribed duties, doesn't obtain the fruit prescribed in the vedas; one who adheres to the code of conduct partakes in the fruit (Manu Smrt. 1.109)<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>इदं शास्त्रम् अधीयानो ब्राह्मणः शंसितव्रतः । मनोवाग्गेहजैर्नित्यं कर्मदोषैर्न लिप्यते ॥ १.१०४ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>आचाराद्विच्युतो विप्रो न वेदफलम् अश्नुते । आचारेण तु संयुक्तः सम्पूर्णफलभाग्भवेत् ॥ १.१०९ ॥<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>idaṁ śāstram adhīyāno brāhmaṇaḥ śaṁsitavrataḥ । manovāggehajairnityaṁ karmadoṣairna lipyate ॥ 1.104 ॥</blockquote><blockquote>ācārādvicyuto vipro na vedaphalam aśnute । ācāreṇa tu saṁyuktaḥ sampūrṇaphalabhāgbhavet ॥ 1.109 ।</blockquote>According to the Bhagavata Purana, means of livelihood for brahmanas is of four types:+ + + Line 49:
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Line 74: + + + + + + + + + + − <blockquote>ऋतामृताभ्यां जीवेत्तु मृतेन प्रमृतेन वा । सत्यानृताभ्यां अपि वा न श्ववृत्त्या कदा चन ॥ ४.४ ॥<ref name=":3">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 4].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>r̥tāmr̥tābhyāṁ jīvettu mr̥tena pramr̥tena vā । satyānr̥tābhyāṁ api vā na śvavr̥ttyā kadā cana ॥ 4.4 ॥</blockquote>+ + + +
Brahmana Dharma (ब्राह्मणधर्मः) (view source)
Revision as of 14:44, 17 January 2022
, 14:44, 17 January 2022→Modes of Subsistence: Adding content with reference - to be edited
यजनं याजनं दानं वेदाद्यध्यापनक्रिया ॥१५१.६॥ प्रतिग्रहञ्चाध्ययनं विप्रकर्माणि निर्दिशेत् ।१५१.७<ref>Agni Purana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 151]</ref>
यजनं याजनं दानं वेदाद्यध्यापनक्रिया ॥१५१.६॥ प्रतिग्रहञ्चाध्ययनं विप्रकर्माणि निर्दिशेत् ।१५१.७<ref>Agni Purana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 151]</ref>
Meaning: The duties of a brahmana should be pointed out as performing religious rites, officiating as priests at yajnas, munificence, imparting vedic knowledge, accepting gifts and engaging in study.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/AgniPuranaUnabridgedEnglishMotilal/page/n441/mode/2up?view=theater The Agni Purana (Part 2)], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>
Meaning: The duties of a brahmana should be pointed out as performing religious rites, officiating as priests at yajnas, munificence, imparting vedic knowledge, accepting gifts and engaging in study.<ref name=":5">[https://archive.org/details/AgniPuranaUnabridgedEnglishMotilal/page/n441/mode/2up?view=theater The Agni Purana (Part 2)], Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>
=== ब्राह्मणलक्षणम् ॥ Nature of a Brahmana ===
=== ब्राह्मणलक्षणम् ॥ Nature of a Brahmana ===
===Modes of Subsistence===
===Modes of Subsistence===
The Manusmrti elaborates on the modes of subsistence prescribed for a brahmana stepping into the second phase of life - the Grhasthashrama as follows: <blockquote>अध्यापनम् अध्ययनं यजनं याजनं तथा । दानं प्रतिग्रहं चैव ब्राह्मणानाम् अकल्पयत् ॥ १.८८ ॥<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>adhyāpanam adhyayanaṁ yajanaṁ yājanaṁ tathā । dānaṁ pratigrahaṁ caiva brāhmaṇānām akalpayat ॥ 1.88 ॥</blockquote>Meaning: Studying, teaching, performing a sacrifice (either for oneself or for others), giving and accepting charity; these six are the responsibilities assigned to brahmanas (Manu Smrt. 1.88)<ref name=":12">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.8241/page/n5 Vol.3]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>
The Manusmrti elaborates on the modes of subsistence prescribed for a brahmana stepping into the second phase of life - the Grhasthashrama as follows: <blockquote>अध्यापनम् अध्ययनं यजनं याजनं तथा । दानं प्रतिग्रहं चैव ब्राह्मणानाम् अकल्पयत् ॥ १.८८ ॥<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1]</ref>
adhyāpanam adhyayanaṁ yajanaṁ yājanaṁ tathā । dānaṁ pratigrahaṁ caiva brāhmaṇānām akalpayat ॥ 1.88 ॥</blockquote>Meaning: Studying, teaching, performing a sacrifice (either for oneself or for others), giving and accepting charity; these six are the responsibilities assigned to brahmanas (Manu Smrt. 1.88)<ref name=":12">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.8241/page/n5 Vol.3]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>
Mahabharata
Mahabharata
तानि यः संप्रजानाति ज्ञाननिश्चयनिश्चितः। द्विजातिः श्रद्धयोपेतः स यष्टुं पुरुषोऽर्हति।। 12.59.54 (60.51)<ref name=":4" />
तानि यः संप्रजानाति ज्ञाननिश्चयनिश्चितः। द्विजातिः श्रद्धयोपेतः स यष्टुं पुरुषोऽर्हति।। 12.59.54 (60.51)<ref name=":4" />
Talking of the importance of adhering to the Brahmana varna dharma, Manusmrti says,<blockquote>आचारः परमो धर्मः श्रुत्युक्तः स्मार्त एव च । तस्मादस्मिन्सदा युक्तो नित्यं स्यादात्मवान्द्विजः ॥ १.१०८ ॥<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>ācāraḥ paramo dharmaḥ śrutyuktaḥ smārta eva ca । tasmādasminsadā yukto nityaṁ syādātmavāndvijaḥ ॥ 1.108 ॥</blockquote>Meaning: The Shrutis and Smrtis say that code of conduct is the highest duty; hence brahmanas must always be ready in adhering to it (Manu Smrt. 1.108)<ref name=":12" />
Talking of the importance of adhering to the Brahmana varna dharma, Manusmrti says,<blockquote>आचारः परमो धर्मः श्रुत्युक्तः स्मार्त एव च । तस्मादस्मिन्सदा युक्तो नित्यं स्यादात्मवान्द्विजः ॥ १.१०८ ॥<ref name=":0" />
ācāraḥ paramo dharmaḥ śrutyuktaḥ smārta eva ca । tasmādasminsadā yukto nityaṁ syādātmavāndvijaḥ ॥ 1.108 ॥</blockquote>Meaning: The Shrutis and Smrtis say that code of conduct is the highest duty; hence brahmanas must always be ready in adhering to it (Manu Smrt. 1.108)<ref name=":12" />
It says, a Brahmana who studies the shastras faithfully, according to the rules, is never tainted by sins arising from thoughts, words or deeds (Manu Smrt. 1.104). While, the one who deflects from his prescribed duties, doesn't obtain the fruit prescribed in the vedas; one who adheres to the code of conduct partakes in the fruit (Manu Smrt. 1.109)<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>इदं शास्त्रम् अधीयानो ब्राह्मणः शंसितव्रतः । मनोवाग्गेहजैर्नित्यं कर्मदोषैर्न लिप्यते ॥ १.१०४ ॥
आचाराद्विच्युतो विप्रो न वेदफलम् अश्नुते । आचारेण तु संयुक्तः सम्पूर्णफलभाग्भवेत् ॥ १.१०९ ॥<ref name=":0" />
idaṁ śāstram adhīyāno brāhmaṇaḥ śaṁsitavrataḥ । manovāggehajairnityaṁ karmadoṣairna lipyate ॥ 1.104 ॥
ācārādvicyuto vipro na vedaphalam aśnute । ācāreṇa tu saṁyuktaḥ sampūrṇaphalabhāgbhavet ॥ 1.109 ।</blockquote>According to the Bhagavata Purana, means of livelihood for brahmanas is of four types:
#Various occupations (eg. agriculture, cattle breeding)
#Various occupations (eg. agriculture, cattle breeding)
#Acceptance of articles modestly (without asking anyone for anything)
#Acceptance of articles modestly (without asking anyone for anything)
#Gleaning grains of corn from leftover of the threshing floor in the field (sila) or of the market place (uncha) - and these types are in the ascending order of preference.<ref name=":1" />
#Gleaning grains of corn from leftover of the threshing floor in the field (sila) or of the market place (uncha) - and these types are in the ascending order of preference.<ref name=":1" />
<blockquote>वार्ता विचित्रा शालीनयायावरशिलोञ्छनम् । विप्रवृत्तिश्चतुर्धेयं श्रेयसी चोत्तरोत्तरा ॥ १६॥ (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.16) <ref name=":13" /></blockquote><blockquote>vārtā vicitrā śālīnayāyāvaraśiloñchanam । vipravr̥ttiścaturdheyaṁ śreyasī cottarottarā ॥ 16॥ (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.16)</blockquote>Mahabharata
<blockquote>वार्ता विचित्रा शालीनयायावरशिलोञ्छनम् । विप्रवृत्तिश्चतुर्धेयं श्रेयसी चोत्तरोत्तरा ॥ १६॥ (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.16) <ref name=":13" />
vārtā vicitrā śālīnayāyāvaraśiloñchanam । vipravr̥ttiścaturdheyaṁ śreyasī cottarottarā ॥ 16॥ (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.16)</blockquote>Mahabharata
दममेव महाराज धर्ममाहुः पुरातनम्। स्वाध्यायोऽध्यापनं चैव तत्र कर्म समाप्यते।। 12.59.11 (60.9)<ref name=":4">Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-059 Adhyaya 59]</ref>
दममेव महाराज धर्ममाहुः पुरातनम्। स्वाध्यायोऽध्यापनं चैव तत्र कर्म समाप्यते।। 12.59.11 (60.9)<ref name=":4">Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-059 Adhyaya 59]</ref>
यः स्याद्दान्तः सोमपाश्चार्यशीलः सानुक्रोशः सर्वसहो निराशीः। ऋजुर्मृदुरनृशंसः क्षमावान् स वै विप्रो नेतरः पापकर्मा।। 8<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-062 Adhyaya 62]</ref>
यः स्याद्दान्तः सोमपाश्चार्यशीलः सानुक्रोशः सर्वसहो निराशीः। ऋजुर्मृदुरनृशंसः क्षमावान् स वै विप्रो नेतरः पापकर्मा।। 8<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-062 Adhyaya 62]</ref>
The Agni Purana says,
कृषिवाणिज्यगोरक्ष्यं कुशीदञ्च द्विजश्चरेत् । गोरसं गुडलवणलाक्षामांसानि वर्जयेत् ॥१५२.२<ref name=":6">Agni Purana, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A8 Adhyaya 152]</ref>
A brahmana may engage himself in agriculture, trade, keeping cows and usury. But he should abstain from taking milk, jaggery, salt and meat and using red-dye.
It clarifies that one gets purified from the papa accruing from ploughing the earth and cutting the plants and killing insects and ants by doing a yajna. The cultivator (gets free from the papa) by worshipping the deity.<ref name=":5" />
भूमिं भित्वौषधीश्छित्वा हुत्वा कोटपिपीलिकान् । पुनन्ति खलु यज्ञेन कर्षका देवपूजनात् ॥१५२.३<ref name=":6" />
==विहितोपजीविकाः ॥ Prescribed Modes of Subsistence==
==विहितोपजीविकाः ॥ Prescribed Modes of Subsistence==
*It is said that a person may subsist by Rta (truth), and Amrta (ambrosia), or by Mrta (death) and by Pramrta (what causes many deaths); or even by (the mode) called Satyanrta (a mixture of truth and falsehood), but never by Shvavrtti (a dog’s mode of life). [v.4.4.]
*It is said that a person may subsist by Rta (truth), and Amrta (ambrosia), or by Mrta (death) and by Pramrta (what causes many deaths); or even by (the mode) called Satyanrta (a mixture of truth and falsehood), but never by Shvavrtti (a dog’s mode of life). [v.4.4.]
ऋतामृताभ्यां जीवेत्तु मृतेन प्रमृतेन वा । सत्यानृताभ्यां अपि वा न श्ववृत्त्या कदा चन ॥ ४.४ ॥<ref name=":3">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 4].</ref>
r̥tāmr̥tābhyāṁ jīvettu mr̥tena pramr̥tena vā । satyānr̥tābhyāṁ api vā na śvavr̥ttyā kadā cana ॥ 4.4 ॥
The same is reiterated in the Agni Purana (Adhyaya 152, verse 5) as well.<ref name=":6" />
*By Rta shall be understood the gleaning of corn; by Amrta, what is given unasked; by Mrta, food obtained by begging and agriculture is declared to be Pramrta. [v.4.5.] But trade and (money-lending) are Satyanrta, even by that one may subsist. Service is called Shvavritti; therefore one should avoid it. [v.4.6.]
*By Rta shall be understood the gleaning of corn; by Amrta, what is given unasked; by Mrta, food obtained by begging and agriculture is declared to be Pramrta. [v.4.5.] But trade and (money-lending) are Satyanrta, even by that one may subsist. Service is called Shvavritti; therefore one should avoid it. [v.4.6.]
<blockquote>ऋतं उञ्छशिलं ज्ञेयं अमृतं स्यादयाचितम् । मृतं तु याचितं भैक्षं प्रमृतं कर्षणं स्मृतम् ॥ ४.५ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>सत्यानृतं तु वाणिज्यं तेन चैवापि जीव्यते । सेवा श्ववृत्तिराख्याता तस्मात्तां परिवर्जयेत् ॥ ४.६ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>r̥taṁ uñchaśilaṁ jñeyaṁ amr̥taṁ syādayācitam । mr̥taṁ tu yācitaṁ bhaikṣaṁ pramr̥taṁ karṣaṇaṁ smr̥tam ॥ 4.5 ॥</blockquote><blockquote>satyānr̥taṁ tu vāṇijyaṁ tena caivāpi jīvyate । sevā śvavr̥ttirākhyātā tasmāttāṁ parivarjayet ॥ 4.6 ॥</blockquote>Similar verses are found in the Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 11, Verses 18-20) that adds further that, A brahmana and a kshatriya should always shun shvavrtti (the dog mode of life) which is detested by all; for a brahmana is an embodiment of all the Vedas and Kshatriya (the ruler) is the personification of all deities.<ref name=":1">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n95 P.no.964-965].</ref><blockquote>वर्जयेत्तां सदा विप्रो राजन्यश्च जुगुप्सिताम् । सर्ववेदमयो विप्रः सर्वदेवमयो नृपः ॥ २०॥ (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.20)<ref name=":13" /></blockquote><blockquote>varjayettāṁ sadā vipro rājanyaśca jugupsitām । sarvavedamayo vipraḥ sarvadevamayo nr̥paḥ ॥ 20॥ (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.20)</blockquote>
<blockquote>ऋतं उञ्छशिलं ज्ञेयं अमृतं स्यादयाचितम् । मृतं तु याचितं भैक्षं प्रमृतं कर्षणं स्मृतम् ॥ ४.५ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>सत्यानृतं तु वाणिज्यं तेन चैवापि जीव्यते । सेवा श्ववृत्तिराख्याता तस्मात्तां परिवर्जयेत् ॥ ४.६ ॥<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>r̥taṁ uñchaśilaṁ jñeyaṁ amr̥taṁ syādayācitam । mr̥taṁ tu yācitaṁ bhaikṣaṁ pramr̥taṁ karṣaṇaṁ smr̥tam ॥ 4.5 ॥</blockquote><blockquote>satyānr̥taṁ tu vāṇijyaṁ tena caivāpi jīvyate । sevā śvavr̥ttirākhyātā tasmāttāṁ parivarjayet ॥ 4.6 ॥</blockquote>Similar verses are found in the Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 11, Verses 18-20) that adds further that, A brahmana and a kshatriya should always shun shvavrtti (the dog mode of life) which is detested by all; for a brahmana is an embodiment of all the Vedas and Kshatriya (the ruler) is the personification of all deities.<ref name=":1">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n95 P.no.964-965].</ref><blockquote>वर्जयेत्तां सदा विप्रो राजन्यश्च जुगुप्सिताम् । सर्ववेदमयो विप्रः सर्वदेवमयो नृपः ॥ २०॥ (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.20)<ref name=":13" /></blockquote><blockquote>varjayettāṁ sadā vipro rājanyaśca jugupsitām । sarvavedamayo vipraḥ sarvadevamayo nr̥paḥ ॥ 20॥ (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.20)</blockquote>