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Line 43: − + − ==About Shvetaketu== − Smritis refer to Shvetaketu as a Maharsi. − # '''Birth:''' Shvetaketu was the son of the sage Aruni or [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] who was born in the Gautama clan. Shvetaketu had a sister named Sujata. [[Astavakra]] was her son by the sage, Kahotaka. Thus Shvetaketu was Astavakra's maternal uncle. Shvetaketu and Astavakra grew up together in Uddalaka's ashrama. (See under Astavakra) . − # '''Pride perishes:''' Under his father's training Shvetaketu became a great scholar. With the increase in his scholarship, he became very proud. The father who understood this called him to his side and asked him:- ''By studying all about what you can see, hear and understand, have you learnt anything about what you cannot see, hear or understand?'' Shvetaketu admitted that he did not know. Then [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] explained to him the mystery of Paramatma (universal soul) which is without beginning or end. (Chandogyopanisad). Once an acarya named Jatukarnya became the priest of the Kings of KasI, Kosala and Videha. Shvetaketu who was angry at this complained bitterly to his father. Then [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] reminded his son that priests should yearn for wisdom instead of being attracted by worldly pleasures. − # '''Acharya of Yajna Rules:''' In Kausitaki Brahmana, Shvetaketu is described as the Acarya of the rules of Yajna. He has laid down definite rules and procedures for priests officiating in Yaygnas along with introducing the different customs and practices to be observed by Brahmacarins and tapasvins. Early dharmasastra which prohibited food of sweet taste to Brahmacharins was repudiated by Shvetaketu (Gopatha Brahmana, 1.33 ; Sarhkhyayana Brahmana, 1.33). − # '''Author of Kamasastra:''' Shvetaketu abridged the original work on Kamasastra by Nandi, into 500 chapters. This was further abridged after some years by Babhravya. It was after abridging it again and adding Dattakacarya's "Vaisika" and Suvarnanabha's ''Samprayogika'' etc., that Vatsyayana composed his famous treatise ''Kamasutra''. It can be said that the basis of Vatsyayana's ''Kamasutra'' was the works of Babhravya and Shvetaketu on Kamasastra. − # '''Marriage rules :''' It has been observed that the first person who raised his voice against the evils of drinking and adultery by the Brahmana community was Shvetaketu. There is a story in the Mahabharata about the fact which prompted him to bring marriage within the framework of law. Shvetaketu was [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]]'s son, born to his wife by one of his disciples. (Mahabharata Santi Parva, Chapter 35, Verse 22). Once his mother was abducted by a Brahmana. This incident inspired him to make stringent laws insisting on monogamy for men and women. −
Shvetaketu (श्वेतकेतुः) (view source)
Revision as of 12:20, 14 September 2017
, 12:20, 14 September 2017→The Five Questions
श्वेतकेतु || Shvetaketu, the son of [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] (Aruneya or son of [[अरुणा | Aruna]]) was a [[ब्राह्मण |Brahmana]] and the grandson of sage [[Aruni]]. He represents the quintessential seeker of knowledge. The [[Upanishad]]s entail the journey of Shvetaketu from ignorance to knowledge of the self and truth (''sat'').
श्वेतकेतु || Shvetaketu, the son of [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] (Aruneya or son of [[अरुणा | Aruna]]) was a [[ब्राह्मण |Brahmana]] and the grandson of sage [[Aruni]]. He represents the quintessential seeker of knowledge. The [[Upanishad]]s entail the journey of Shvetaketu from ignorance to knowledge of the self and truth (''sat'').
== About Shvetaketu ==
Smritis refer to Shvetaketu as a Maharsi.
# '''''Birth:''''' Shvetaketu was the son of the sage Aruni or [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] who was born in the Gautama clan. Shvetaketu had a sister named Sujata. [[Astavakra]] was her son by the sage, Kahotaka. Thus Shvetaketu was Astavakra's maternal uncle. Shvetaketu and Astavakra grew up together in Uddalaka's ashrama. (See under Astavakra) .
# '''''Pride perishes'':''' Under his father's training Shvetaketu became a great scholar. With the increase in his scholarship, he became very proud. The father who understood this called him to his side and asked him:- ''By studying all about what you can see, hear and understand, have you learnt anything about what you cannot see, hear or understand?'' Shvetaketu admitted that he did not know. Then [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] explained to him the mystery of Paramatma (universal soul) which is without beginning or end. (Chandogyopanisad). Once an acarya named Jatukarnya became the priest of the Kings of KasI, Kosala and Videha. Shvetaketu who was angry at this complained bitterly to his father. Then [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] reminded his son that priests should yearn for wisdom instead of being attracted by worldly pleasures.
# '''''Acharya of Yajna Rules'':''' In Kausitaki Brahmana, Shvetaketu is described as the Acarya of the rules of Yajna. He has laid down definite rules and procedures for priests officiating in Yaygnas along with introducing the different customs and practices to be observed by Brahmacarins and tapasvins. Early dharmasastra which prohibited food of sweet taste to Brahmacharins was repudiated by Shvetaketu (Gopatha Brahmana, 1.33 ; Sarhkhyayana Brahmana, 1.33).
# '''''Author of Kamasastra'':''' Shvetaketu abridged the original work on Kamasastra by Nandi, into 500 chapters. This was further abridged after some years by Babhravya. It was after abridging it again and adding Dattakacarya's "Vaisika" and Suvarnanabha's ''Samprayogika'' etc., that Vatsyayana composed his famous treatise ''Kamasutra''. '''It can be said that the basis of Vatsyayana's ''Kamasutra'' was the works of Babhravya and Shvetaketu on Kamasastra.'''
# '''''Marriage rules'':''' It has been observed that the first person who raised his voice against the evils of drinking and adultery by the Brahmana community was Shvetaketu. There is a story in the Mahabharata about the fact which prompted him to bring marriage within the framework of law. Shvetaketu was [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]]'s son, born to his wife by one of his disciples. (Mahabharata Santi Parva, Chapter 35, Verse 22). Once his mother was abducted by a Brahmana. This incident inspired him to make stringent laws insisting on monogamy for men and women.
== Scriptural Context ==
== Scriptural Context ==
The context of Shvetaketu appears in three principal (''[[mukhya]]'') [[Upanishad]]s, namely, the
The context of Shvetaketu appears in three principal (''[[mukhya]]'') [[Upanishad]]s, namely, the
# [[Brhadaranyaka Upanishad]] S. 6.2.1 to 6.2.8
# [[Brhadaranyaka Upanishad]] S. 6.2.1 to 6.2.8
# [[Chandogya Upanishad]] S.5.3
# [[Chandogya Upanishad]] S.5.3
# [[Kausitaki]] Brahmana S.1.
# [[Kausitaki Brahmana]] S.1.
Shvetaketu is the recipient of the knowledge enshrined in the Upanishad [[mahavakya]] which appears in the sixteen chapters of the 6th section (Prapathaka) of the [[Chandogya Upanishad]].
Shvetaketu is the recipient of the knowledge enshrined in the Upanishad [[mahavakya]] which appears in the sixteen chapters of the 6th section (Prapathaka) of the [[Chandogya Upanishad]].
Responses to these questions were provided through explanation of [[Panchagni Vidya (पञ्चाग्नि विद्या)|Panchagni vidya]], which also included explanations of[[देवयान | devayan (journey to the deva loka post death)]] and [[पित्रयान | pitruyan (journey to Pitr loka post death)]] as well as of [[पञ्च महा यज्ञ |panca maha yajna]]. This was the explanation provided by the king as the essence of [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]]
Responses to these questions were provided through explanation of [[Panchagni Vidya (पञ्चाग्नि विद्या)|Panchagni vidya]], which also included explanations of[[देवयान | devayan (journey to the deva loka post death)]] and [[पित्रयान | pitruyan (journey to Pitr loka post death)]] as well as of [[पञ्च महा यज्ञ |panca maha yajna]]. This was the explanation provided by the king as the essence of [[Brahmavidya (ब्रह्मविद्या)|Brahmavidya]]
As an introduction to पञ्चाग्निविद्या, the [[Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय) | क्षत्रिय || Kshatriya]] King told the brahmin, "you are the first one amongst the Brahmans to receive the knowledge of this ब्रह्मविद्या, up until now it was known only to Kshatriyas."
As an introduction to पञ्चाग्निविद्या, the [[Kshatriya (क्षत्रिय) | क्षत्रिय || Kshatriya]] King told the brahmin, <blockquote>'''''"you are the first one amongst the Brahmans to receive the knowledge of this ब्रह्मविद्या, up until now it was known only to Kshatriyas."'''''</blockquote>This story clearly reveals that in the Vedic period even Kshatriyas were well versed in Brahmavidya debunking the Caste-system hierarchies of the East India Company Indologists’ insinuation that Brahmins' were the only custodians of knowledge.
This story clearly reveals that in the Vedic period even Kshatriyas were well versed in Brahma-Vidya debunking the Caste-system hierarchies of the East India Company Indologists’ insinuation that brahmins were the only custodians of knowledge.
==References==
==References==
# [https://archive.org/stream/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft_djvu.txt Puranic Encycolpedia by Vettam Mani]
# [https://archive.org/stream/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft_djvu.txt Puranic Encycolpedia by Vettam Mani]
# The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Volume 1, location 5060
# The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Volume 1, location 5060
# Sri Aurobindo, ''The Upanishads'' [http://www.sriaurobindoashram.info/Contents.aspx?ParentCategoryName=_StaticContent/SriAurobindoAshram/-09%20E-Library/-01%20Works%20of%20Sri%20Aurobindo/-12_The%20Upanishad_Volume-12]. [[Sri Aurobindo Ashram]], [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]]. 1972.
# Sri Aurobindo, ''The Upanishads'' [http://www.sriaurobindoashram.info/Contents.aspx?ParentCategoryName=_StaticContent/SriAurobindoAshram/-09%20E-Library/-01%20Works%20of%20Sri%20Aurobindo/-12_The%20Upanishad_Volume-12]. [[Sri Aurobindo Ashram]], [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]]. 1972.