Brahman Samaj of North America - Youth Presentation (2015)

The Role of Global Brahmans in the Growth and Development of India

BSNAs Youth Group | July 2015

AGENDA

Define Brahman: Modern Debate

Dharmic Analysis:

Spiritualism

Society

Politics

Economics Our Calling Calls to Action

WHAT IS A BRAHMAN?

A structured society requires the following:

Knowledge, Weapons, Wealth, and Land.

Therefore, Brahmans preserve/propagate/develop

knowledge, Kshatriyas handle weapons, Vaishyas

create markets, and Shudras work (sewa) the land.

- Bhrigu & Bharadwaj in Mahabharata, Book 12, Chapter 181

Purpose of a Brahman in society:

Serving as a gatekeeper of knowledge of Brahman

Educator of all members of society

Providing intellectual advice to governing bodies

Offering priestly services and religious leadership

The ideal Brahman possesses nine

inherent or learned qualities:

1. Calmness

2. Self-control

3. Austerity

4. Cleanliness

5. Clemency

6. Honesty

7. Knowledge

8. Wisdom

9. Faith in the Supreme

- Bhagavad Gita (18, 42)

Brahman by

Karma or Janma or Both

Brahman by Janma It is my birthright to be a Brahman. It is my birthright to be respected in

society. It is my birthright to partake in Vedic

rituals.

It is my birthright to enjoy privileges in society.

A person who naturally possesses Sattva Guna and Santa Vritti

Brahman by Karma Everyday I strive to be a Brahman. Valmiki, Vyas, Vishwamitra are my

ideals. I am not a Brahman until I have

knowledge of Brahman (ultimate knowledge).

Birth in a Brahman family is due to past karma

Brahman by both Markandeya, Vishnugupta, Tulsidas were

all born as Brahmans and performed Karmas of Brahmans.

Is there a middle ground?

Spiritual Development

Vedas to Visas: Where did we lose our way?

The Dharmic Development Cycle

Spiritual Development

Society with Structure

Politics of Benevolence

Economic Prosperity

Abhaya Shanker Dube

The Importance of Spirituality

When we in the developed world accumulate wealth and stress, we step back

to wonder why life has no purpose and why we are not happy. The root cause

of this predicament is lack of spirituality and strict focus on achieving

economic success.

The goal of Spirituality: Achievement Self-Realization.

This is achieved by many paths (Yogas): Bhakti, Gyaan, Karma and Raja. Only enlightened souls can build a society, polity, and economy that is just and enabling for further enlightenment. Let us continue this debate by looking at society today

Social Development

From Bhrigu and Bharadwajs Society to the Present

Adulterated Varna Vyavastha All Varnas are responsible for the adulteration of social order:

Over time and with increased interactions with non-Vedic peoples, Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras began to protect their interests and formed rigid

guilds with little Varna mobility: This was the death of Indias Vedic Meritocracy. We have lost the society that Bhrigu and Bharadwaj envisioned for us.

Adulterated Varna Vyavastha

This was Gandhi Jis noble goal and what have we achieved

today?

Political Development

Policies for development or politicking?

What is Indias priority?

Adulterated Varna Vyavastha

When society loses structure, one cannot expect policymakers to deliver.

Reservations and vote banking epitomize the political decay in India.

The current political ecosystem is not conducive to merit.

Take notice that Brahmans belong to the GEN category.

Adulterated Varna Vyavastha

There are signs of hope the Indian government has been rolling out several initiatives:

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

Giving ministership to younger politicians

Make in India (well, first India needs infrastructure so this is a lofty goal) etc.

But on a sobering note, issues like corruption, reservations, and lack of civic responsibility persist.

Economic Development

Where does India stand and where does it want to go?

Adulterated Varna Vyavastha

Caste is Not Past - NY Times

[60 years of] of democratic statehood have

attempted to correct the imbalances of the

past through reservation

This reservation program has been...hit-

or-miss.

Some say that nearly all university seats

are reserved for lower castes, effectively

blocking Brahmans from higher

education.

Others point out that the vast majority of

high paying jobs are still in the hands of the

top three castes.

Noted journalist Francois

Gautier created a documentary

of the poor condition of many

Brahmans.

Economic Struggles

Brahmans are hurt by the

reservation system:

changing their surname for

job entry is an example.

Adulterated Varna Vyavastha

Brahmans and non-

Brahmans alike are

hurting economically

as they dont interact

and cooperate with

each other.

Improve the economic

livelihood of high-castes

and low-castes.

Brahmans Drive Change As Brahmans we must go back to our original purpose as civic

thought leaders of today. Be educators, help others.

Actively participate in the

development project and also go

back to the study of scriptures

to rediscover and leverage

ancient wisdom. That is how

society can be rebuilt to be

prosperous both spiritually and

economically.

What We Can Do

Youth with support from elders

can effect change for the better.

How? Develop the Right Mindset

BE VOCAL, ACADEMIC: Discuss issues and write papers around the wholesale degradation of Indian society. Topics like misogyny, dowry, rape, abuse, suicide/mental health, Bollywood, and the proliferation and normalization of pornography.

DRIVE AUTHENTIC SPIRITUAL EFFORTS:

There is symbolism and esoteric meaning behind all rituals. Study this. Create/share freely accessible and genuine spiritual practices. Learn, teach, preach and live by Sanatan Dharmas practices.

Where to Drive Change

NGOs/Donations:

Social:

http://www.careindia.org/

Humanitarian efforts: SEWA USA

Akshaya Trust (Narayanan Krishnan)

Video 1

Video 2

Human Rights: GHRD & Twitter: @ghrdthehague

Social Enterprises:

Goonj

Aarvind EyeCare

SELCO

Barefoot College

Naandi

Gram Vikas

Volunteering opportunities:

Sakaar Sewa Samiti

Twitter: @SakaarSewaSamit

WHEF: World Hindu Economic Forum

Twitter: @WHEForum

Hindu Activism via #HDL

Twitter: @HDLIndiaOrg

https://www.facebook.com/HDLindiaOrg

Submit essays that impact Hindus:

www.ChakraNews.com

Twitter: @ChakraNews

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-

Chakra/116209488433990

Human Rights Internship and Volunteer

Opportunities: immigrants, child labor, caste

system, constitutional rights, legal education,

counseling.

Parting Thoughts

"There is no good deed like

helping others and there is

no sin like hurting others.

- Ved Vyas, on his lifes work