Changes

==About Shwetaketu==

==About Shwetaketu==

Smritis refer to Shvetaketu as a Maharsi.  

Smritis refer to Shvetaketu as a Maharsi.  

# '''Birth:''' Svetaketu was the son of the sage Aruni or [[Uddalaka (उद्दालक)|Uddalaka]] who was born in the Gautama clan. Svetaketu had a sister named Sujata. [[Astavakra]] was her son by the sage, Kahotaka. Thus Svetaketu was Astavakra's maternal uncle. Svetaketu and Astavakra grew up together in Uddalaka's ashrama. (See under Astavakra) .

# '''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 Svetaketu 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?'' Svetaketu 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. Svetaketu 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.

# '''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, Svetaketu 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 Swetaketu (Gopatha Brahmana, 1.33 ; Sarhkhyayana Brahmana, 1.33).  

# '''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 Swetaketu (Gopatha Brahmana, 1.33 ; Sarhkhyayana Brahmana, 1.33).  

# '''Author of Kamasastra:''' Svetaketu 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 Svetaketu on Kamasastra.  

# '''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 Svetaketu. There is a story in the Mahabharata about the fact which prompted him to bring marriage within the framework of law. Svetaketu 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.  

# '''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.  

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.  

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==