Read on Twitter
A twitter exchange triggered thoughts on varNa and on how we should view the "Shruti"
Should it be viewed as a V1 preserve? Where V1 families are entrusted with studying and preserving it
If the "Trad" answer to that is yes, then how do we communicate that to larger H-society?
Should it be viewed as a V1 preserve? Where V1 families are entrusted with studying and preserving it
If the "Trad" answer to that is yes, then how do we communicate that to larger H-society?
At least in polite public spaces, traditionalists have not articulated that view
Hence the half hearted attempts to "democratize" vedas
Which takes many forms
E.g Asatoma sadgamaya in school prayers
Gayatri mantra on mobiles
Veda chanting classes by Chinmaya / RK mission
Hence the half hearted attempts to "democratize" vedas
Which takes many forms
E.g Asatoma sadgamaya in school prayers
Gayatri mantra on mobiles
Veda chanting classes by Chinmaya / RK mission
But privately that is the traditionalist argument
Vedas are a V1 preserve
But its ideas, thoughts and ethics are disseminated to larger H-society through itihAsas and purANas - which are open to everybody and all varNas
Vedas are a V1 preserve
But its ideas, thoughts and ethics are disseminated to larger H-society through itihAsas and purANas - which are open to everybody and all varNas
A classic example -
"mAtr devo bhava" may be a line from shruti
But what does that mean? Its import is illustrated with the way Rama treats Kausalya and Keikeyi in Ramayana (an itihAsa)
"mAtr devo bhava" may be a line from shruti
But what does that mean? Its import is illustrated with the way Rama treats Kausalya and Keikeyi in Ramayana (an itihAsa)
So abstruse ideas in the shruti are given a shape and form and related to day-to-day life through itihAsas and purANas
But if that is indeed the trad-H position, we don't see that voiced in a present-day context
But if that is indeed the trad-H position, we don't see that voiced in a present-day context
In a modern context, trads seem to have resigned to the efforts all around them by reformist Hindus to democratize the Shruti
To the extent that the veda shAkhas is no longer viewed as something "owned" by certain V1 families
To the extent that the veda shAkhas is no longer viewed as something "owned" by certain V1 families
But then the trad point is not completely invalid.
As we often see that these "veda classes" conducted by missions like Chinmaya are largely attended by V1s though they are open to everyone https://twitter.com/RangaTheDude/status/1287983627402321923
As we often see that these "veda classes" conducted by missions like Chinmaya are largely attended by V1s though they are open to everyone https://twitter.com/RangaTheDude/status/1287983627402321923
This raises the question -
Are the Trads right about Shruti being a V1-preserve?
It appears we are not succeeding in democratizing it notwithstanding all the posturing and also concrete efforts by missions like Chinmaya and RK
Are the Trads right about Shruti being a V1-preserve?
It appears we are not succeeding in democratizing it notwithstanding all the posturing and also concrete efforts by missions like Chinmaya and RK
So Trads need to figure a way to articulate their argument, which is not without merit
In the meantime, the reformists on the H-side need to think hard on why their "reformist" efforts have failed and Vedic learning remains a brahmin avocation
In the meantime, the reformists on the H-side need to think hard on why their "reformist" efforts have failed and Vedic learning remains a brahmin avocation
Post-script : Some ppl may not like the use of V1-V4 terminology
Using it only because it is understood and saves space
No intent to emphasize or play up any kind of hierarchy using these numberings
Using it only because it is understood and saves space
No intent to emphasize or play up any kind of hierarchy using these numberings
