mbh anushasana parva 131

7/29/2019 MBh Anushasana Parva 131

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It is said :etaih karma-phalair-devi nyuna-jati-kulodbhavahsudro'py agama-sampanno dvijo bhavati samskrtah

O goddess, even a dra can be purified though carefully following the

proper conduct of a Brhmaa as prescribed in the Pancaratra. Thus he is purfiedof karmic reactions and by accepting initiation from a bona fide spiritual masterhe becomes a Brhmaa. (Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 143.46)

It is also said:

na yonir napi samskaro na srutam na ca santatihkaranani dvijatvasya vrttam eva tu karanam

Neither birth, nor purificatory rites (samskaras), nor learning, nor offspringare qualifications for brahminical status. Only brahminical conduct is the basisfor brahminical status. (Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 143.50)

How to understand these?

Both these verses occur in the same chapter. They say how a dra can be born as abrhmaa. These verses are not talking about becoming a brhmaa in the same birth, butin the next birth. When it is said about considering as a brhmaa, it means respectinglike a brhmaa.

The whole chapter is quoted below:

Um uvca:bhagavan bhaganetraghna po daanaptanadakakratuhara tryaka saayo me mahn ayam

"Uma said, 'O Bhagavan, Who tore off the eyes of Bhaga and the teeth of Pushan, Odestroyer of the sacrifice of Daksha, O three-eyed deity, I have a great doubt.

cturvarya bhagavat prva sa svayabhuvkena karmavipkena vaiyo gacchati dratm

In the hoary past, the Self-born One created the system of four varas. Through the evilconsequence of what acts does a Vaiya become a dra?

vaiyo v katriya kena dvijo v katriyo bhavetpratiloma katha deva akyo dharmo nievitum

Through what acts does a Katriya become a Vaiya and a twice-born (Brhma) becomesa Katriya? By what means may such degradation of Varas be prevented?

kena v karma vipra drayonau prajyate

katriya dratm eti kena v karma vibho


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Through what acts does a Brhmaa take birth in his next life, in the dra order?Through what acts, O Vibhu, does a Katriya also descend to the status ofdra?

eta me saaya deva vada bhtapate 'naghatrayo var praktyeha katha brhmayam pnuyu

O sinless one, O Lord of all created beings, O illustrious one, kindly dispel this doubt ofmine. How, again, can the three other orders naturally succeed in attaining to the status ofBrhminhood?'

To this Lord iva said:

brhmaya devi duprpa nisargd brhmaa ubhekatriyo vaiyadrau v nisargd iti me mati

'The status of a Brhmaa, O goddess, is exceedingly difficult to attain. O auspicious lady,one becomes a Brhmaa through original creation or birth. After the same manner theKatriya, the Vaiya, and the dra, all become so through original creation. This is myopinion.

karma dukteneha sthnd bhrayati vai dvijajyeha varam anuprpya tasmd raketa vai dvija

He, however, that is born a Brhmaa falls away from his status through his own evil acts.Hence, the Brhmaa, after having attained to the status of the first order, should alwaysprotect it (by his acts).

sthito brhmaadharmea brhmayam upajvatikatriyo vtha vaiyo v brahmabhyya gacchati

If one, who is a Katriya or Vaiya, lives in the practice of those duties that are assigned tothe Brhmaa, after the manner of a Brhmaa he becomes (in his next life) a Brhmaa.

yas tu vipratvam utsjya ktra dharma nievatebrhmayt sa paribhraa katrayonau prajyate

That Brhmaa who casts off the duties of his order for following those assigned for theKatriya, is regarded as one that has fallen away from the status of a Brhmaa and thathas become a Katriya.

vaiyakarma ca yo vipro lobhamohavyaprayabrhmaya durlabha prpya karoty alpamati sad

That Brhmaa of little understanding, who, impelled by cupidity and folly, follows thepractices assigned to Vaiyas forgetful of his status as a Brhmaa that is exceedinglydifficult to attain, comes to be regarded as one that has become a Vaiya.

sa dvijo vaiyatm eti vaiyo v dratm iyt


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svadharmt pracyuto vipras tata dratvam pnute

Similarly, one that is a Vaiya by birth may, by following the practices of a dra, becomea dra. Indeed, a Brhmaa, falling away from the duties of his own order, may descend

to the status of even a dra,

tatrsau niraya prpto varabhrao bahiktabrahmalokaparibhraa dra samupajyate

Such a Brhmaa, falling away from the order of his birth and turned out of it, withoutattaining to the region of Brahmana (which is his goal if he duly observes his own duties),sinks into Hell and in his next birth becomes born as a dra.

katriyo v mahbhge vaiyo v dharmacrii

svni karmy aphya drakarmi sevatesvasthnt sa paribhrao varasakarat gatabrhmaa katriyo vaiya dratva yti tda

A highly blessed Katriya or a Vaiya, that abandons those practices of his that areconsistent with the duties laid down for his order, and follows the practices laid down forthe dra, falls away from his own order and becomes a person of mixed caste. It is in thisway that a Brhmaa. or a Katriya, or a Vaiya, sinks into the status of a dra.

yas tu uddha svadharmea jnavijnav uci

dharmajo dharmanirata sa dharmaphalam anute

That man who has attained to clearness of vision through practice of the duties of his ownorder, who is endued with knowledge and science, who is pure (in body and mind), whois conversant with every duty and devoted to the practice of all his duties, is sure to enjoythe rewards of righteousness.

ida caivpara devi brahma samudritamadhytma naihika sadbhir dharmakmair nievyate

I shall now recite to thee, O goddess, a saying uttered by Brahma (the Self-born) on thissubject. Those that are righteous and desirous of acquiring merit always pursue withfirmness the culture of the spirituality.

ugrnna garhita devi ganna rddhastakamghunna naiva bhoktavya drnna naiva karhi cit

The food that comes from cruel and fierce persons is censurable. So also is the food thathas been cooked for serving a large number of persons. The same is said of the food that iscooked in view of the first Sraddha of a deceased person. So also is the food that is stained


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in consequence of the usual faults and the food that is supplied by a dra. These shouldnever be taken by a Brhmaa at any time.

drnna garhita devi devadevair mahtmabhipitmahamukhotsa pramam iti me mati

The food of a dra, O goddess, is always disapproved of by the high-souled deities. Eventhis, I think, is the authority enunciated by the Grandsire with his own mouth.

drnnenvaeea jahare yo mriyeta vaihitgnis tath yajv sa dragatibhg bhavet

If a Brhmaa, who has set up the sacred fire and who performs sacrifices, were to diewith any portion of a dra's food remaining undigested in his stomach, he is sure to takebirth in his next life as a dra.

tena drnnaeea brahmasthnd apktabrhmaa dratm eti nsti tatra vicra

In consequence of those remains of a dra's food in his stomach, he falls away from thestatus of a Brhmaa. Such a Brhmaa becomes invested with the status of a dra. Thereis no doubt in this.

yasynnenvaeea jahare yo mriyeta vait t yoni vrajed vipro yasynnam upajvati

This Brhmaa in his next life becomes invested with the status of that order upon whosefood he subsists through life or with the undigested portion of whose food in his stomachhe breathes his last.

brhmaatva ubha prpya durlabha yo 'vamanyateabhojynnni cnti sa dvijatvt pateta vai

That man who, having attained to the auspicious status of a Brhmaa which is so difficultto acquire, disregards it and eats forbidden food, falls away from his high status.

surpo brahmah kudra cauro bhagnavrato 'ucisvdhyyavarjita ppo lubdho naiktika ahaavrat valbhart ku somavikraynihnasev vipro hi patati brahmayonita

That Brhmaa who drinks alcohol, who becomes guilty of killing a Brhmaa or mean inhis behaviour, or a thief, or who breaks his vows, or becomes impure, or unmindful of hisVedic studies, or sinful, or characterised by cupidity, or guilty of cunning or cheating, orwho does not observe vows, or who weds a dra woman, or who derives his subsistenceby pandering to the lusts of other people or who sells the Soma plant, or who serves aperson of an order below his, falls away from his status of Brhmaahood.

gurutalp gurudve gurukutsrati ca ya


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brahmadvi cpi patati brhmao brahmayonita

That Brhmaa who violates the bed of his preceptor, or who cherishes malice towardshim, or who takes pleasure in speaking ill of him, falls away from the status of

Brhmaahood even if he be conversant with Brahman.

ebhis tu karmabhir devi ubhair caritais tathdro brhmaat gacched vaiya katriyat vrajet

By these good acts, again, O goddess, when performed, a dra becomes a Brhmaa, anda Vaiya becomes a Katriya.

drakarmi sarvi yathnyya yathvidhiur paricary ca jyehe vare prayatnata

The dra should perform all the duties laid down for him, properly and according to theordinance. He should always wait, with obedience and humility, upon person of the threeother orders and serve them with care.

kuryd aviman dra satata satpathe sthitadaivatadvijasatkart sarvtithyaktavrata

Always adhering to the path of righteousness, the dra should cheerfully do all this. Heshould honour the deities and persons of the twice-born orders. He should observe thevow of hospitality to all persons.

tuklbhigm ca niyato niyatanacauka caukajannve ennaktabhojana

With senses kept under subjection and becoming abstemious in food, he should neverapproach his wife except in her season. He should ever search after persons that are holyand pure. As regards food, he should eat that which remains after the needs of all personshave been satisfied.

vthmsny abhujna dro vaiyatvam cchati

tavg anahavd nirdvadva amakovida

If, indeed, the dra desires to be a Vaiya (in his next life), he should also abstain frommeat of animals not slain in sacrifices. If a Vaiya wishes to be a Brhmaa (in his nextlife), he should observe even these duties.

yajate nityayajai ca svdhyyaparama ucidnto brhmaasatkart sarvavarabubhaka

He should be truthful in speech, and free from pride or arrogance. He should rise superiorto all pairs of opposites (such as heat and cold, joy and sorrow, etc.) He should beobservant of the duties of peace and tranquillity. He should adore the deities in sacrifices,attend with devotion to the study and recitation of the Vedas, and become pure in body


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and mind. He should keep his senses under subjection, honour the Brhmaas, and seekthe welfare of all the orders.

ghasthavratam tihan dviklaktabhojanae vijithro nikmo nirahavada

Leading the grahastha mode of life and eating only twice a day at the prescribed hours heshould gratify his hunger with only such food as remains after the needs have beensatisfied of all the members of his family with dependants and guests. He should beabstentious in food, and act without being impelled by the desire of reward. He should befree from egotism.

agnihotram upsa ca juhvna ca yathvidhisarvtithyam uptiha ennaktabhojana

He should adore the deities in theAgnihotra and pour libations according to theinjunctions. Observing the duties of hospitality towards all persons, he should, as alreadysaid, eat the food that remains after serving all others for whom it has been cooked.

tretgnimantravihito vaiyo bhavati vai yadisa vaiya katriyakule ucau mahati jyate

He should, according to the injunctions laid down, worship the three fires. Such a Vaiyaof pure conduct takes birth in his next life in a high Katriya family.

sa vaiya katriyo jto janmaprabhti sasktaupanto vrataparo dvijo bhavati satkta

If a Vaiya, after having taken birth as a Katriya, goes through the usual purificatory rites,becomes invested with the sacred thread, and betakes himself to the observance of vows,he becomes, in his next life, an honoured Brhmaa.

dadti yajate yajai sasktair ptadakiaiadhte svargam anvicchas tretgniaraa sad

Indeed, after his birth as a Katriya, he should make presents, adore the deities in great

sacrifices with plentiful Dakshinas, study the Vedas, and desirous of attaining to Heavenshould worship the three fires.

rtahastaprado nitya praj dharmea playansatya satyni kurute nitya ya sukhadarana

He should interfere for dispelling the sorrows of the distressed, and should alwaysrighteously cherish and protect those subjects that own his sway. He should be truthful,and do all acts that have truth in them, and seek happiness in conduct like this.

dharmadao na nirdao dharmakrynusakayantrita kryakarae abhgaktalakaa


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He should award punishments that are righteous, without laying aside the rod ofchastisement for good. He should induce men to do righteous deeds. Guided byconsiderations of policy (in the matter of swaying his people), he should take a sixth ofthe produce of the fields.

grmyadharmn na seveta svacchandenrthakovidatukle tu dharmtm patn seveta nityad

He should never indulge in sexual pleasure, but live cheerfully and in independence, well-conversant with the science of Wealth or Profit. Being righteous, he should seek hiswedded spouse only in her season.

sarvopavs niyata svdhyyaparama ucibarhikntarite nitya ayno 'gnighe sad

He should always observe fasts, keep his senses under control, devote himself to the studyof the Vedas, and be pure in body and mind. He should sleep on blades of Kusa grassspread out in his fire chamber.

sarvtithya trivargasya kurva suman saddr cnnakmn nitya siddham iti bruvan

He should perform athithyam to all the first 3 varas and be always cheerful. Unto drasdesirous of food, he should always answer that it is ready.

svrthd v yadi v kmn na ki cid upalakayet

pitdevtithikte sdhana kurute ca ya

He should never desire anything from selfish motives. He should worship the Pits andgods and guests. In his own house he should live the life of a mendicant.

svavemani yathnyyam upste bhaikam eva catriklam agnihotra ca juhvno vai yathvidhi

He should duly adore the deities in his Agnihotra, morning, noon, and evening every day,by pouring libations in conformance with the injunctions.

gobrhmaahitrthya rae cbhimukho hatatretgnimantrapta v samviya dvijo bhavet

With his face turned towards the foe, he should cast off his life-breath in battle fought forthe benefit of Go and Brhmaas. Or he may enter the triple fires sanctified with Mantrasand cast off his body.

jnavijnasapanna saskto vedapragavipro bhavati dharmtm katriya svena karma


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By pursuing this line of conduct he takes birth in his next life as a Brhmaa. Endued withknowledge and science, purified from all dirt, and fully conversant with the Vedas, a piousKatriya, by his own acts, becomes a Brhmaa.

etai karmaphalair devi nynajtikulodbhava

dro 'py gamasapanno dvijo bhavati saskta

It is by these fruits of actions, O goddess, that a person who has been born from adegraded order, viz., a dra, may become a Brhmaa refined of all stains andpossessed of Vedic erudition.

brhmao vpy asadvtta sarvasakarabhojanabrhmaya puyam utsjya dro bhavati tda

One that is a Brhmaa, when he becomes wicked in conduct and observes no distinction

in respect of food, falls away from the status of Brhmaahood and becomes a dra. Evena dra, O goddess, that has purified his soul by pure deeds and that has subjugated allhis senses, deserves to be waited upon and served with reverence as a Brhmaa.

karmabhi ucibhir devi uddhtm vijitendriyadro 'pi dvijavat sevya iti brahmbravt svayam

This has been said by the Self-born Brahma himself. When a pious nature, pious deedsand sense control are noticeable in even a dra, he should, according to my opinion, beheld served like a person of the three twice-born classes.

svabhvakarma ca ubha yatra dre 'pi tihativiuddha sa dvijtir vai vijeya iti me mati

When the natural actions of a dra (paricarya) and auspiciousness are present in a dra,that pure person is certainly a twice-born. This is my opinion.

na yonir npi saskro na ruta na ca sanatikrani dvijatvasya vttam eva tu kraam

Neither birth, nor the purificatory rites, nor learning, nor offspring, can be regarded as

grounds for conferring upon one the twiceborn status. Verily, conduct is the onlyground.

sarvo 'ya brhmao loke vttena tu vidhyatevtte sthita ca suroi brhmaatva nigacchatibrhma svabhva kalyi sama sarvatra me matinirgua nirmala brahma yatra tihati sa dvija

All Brhmaas in this world are Brhmaas in consequence of conduct. He, indeed, is aBrhmaa in whom the status of Brahman exists,--that condition which is bereft ofattributes and which has no stain attached to it.


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ete yoniphal devi sthnabhganidaraksvaya ca varadenokt brahma sjat praj

The boon-giving Brahma, while he created all creatures, himself said that the distributionof human beings into the four orders as a result of birth is only for purposes of

classification.

brhmao hi mahat ketra loke carati pdavatyat tatra bja vapati s ki pralaukik

The Brhmaa is a great field in this world, a field equipped with feet for it moves fromplace to place. He who plants seeds in that field, O beautiful lady, reaps the crop in thenext world.

mitin sad bhvya satpathlambin sad

brhmamrgam atikramya vartitavya bubhat

That Brhmaa who wishes to achieve his own good should always live upon the remainsof the food that may be there in his house after gratifying the needs of all others. Heshould always adhere to the path of righteousness.

sahitdhyyin bhvya ghe vai ghamedhinnitya svdhyyayuktena dndhyayanajvin

Indeed, he should tread along the path that belongs to Brahma. He should live engaged inthe study of the Samhitas and remaining at home he should discharge all the duties of ahouseholder. He should always be devoted to the study of the Vedas, but he should neverderive the means of subsistence from such study.

evabhto hi yo vipra satata satpathe sthitahitgnir adhyno brahmabhyya kalpate

That Brhmaa who always conducts himself thus, adhering to the path of righteousness,worshipping his sacred fire, and engaged in the study of the Vedas, becomes fit to attainBrahman.

brhmayam eva saprpya rakitavya yattmabhiyonipratigrahdnai karmabhi ca ucismite

The status of a Brhmaa once gained, it should always be protected with care, O thou ofsweet smiles, by avoiding the stain of contact with persons born in inferior orders, and byabstaining from the acceptance of gifts.

etat te sarvam khyta yath dro bhaved dvijabrhmao v cyuto dharmd yath dratvam pnute


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I have thus told thee a mystery, viz., the manner in which a dra may become aBrhmaa, or that by which a Brhmaa falls away from his own pure status and becomesa dra."

mbh anushasana parva 131

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