Date uploaded in London – 11 JUNE 2024
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Braahmanah- Word Number 667 in the VS
There are three words which look similar: Brahmaa, Brahman and Braahmana.
Brahmaa is one of the trinity who is in charge of creation.
Brahman is God. It is a genderless word
Braahmanah – One who teaches and recites Veda. He has six tasks. In English nowadays it is written as Brahmin (caste).
But the common factor is God and his work.
Not many people know the difference. When I worked in the BBC, the next room Nepali colleagues called me ‘Brahman’. I used to smile at them and tell “You are right; I am God. Because my name Swami also means God”. Tamils call God as Swami. My name in the BBC world service was Swami.
My Sri Lankan woman colleague won’t use that name because in Tamil films and old Tamil novels husbands are addressed “Swami! Naathaa!” So she used my full name Swaminathan.
Many people don’t know the difference between Psychologist, Psychiatrist and a Psycho. But the common factor is Psyche (Mind)
In this background, we must look at the word Braahmana in the VS. In Tamil they are called ANTHANAR. Valluvar used this word to mean God as well as Brahmins (caste)
Adi Shankara in his commentary says,
One who, in the form of Braahmana instructs the whole world, saying ‘It is commanded so and so in the Veda’.
Another commentator says,
God incarnated Himself as Dattatreya, son of Atri maharishi.
The wonder in the VS is that ten words with ‘brahma’ comes together.
In Sanskrit Brahmin caste people are called ‘Bhu surar ‘(bhuusurar) meaning Devas/deities on earth. Anthanar in Tamil also has the similar meaning. It means who is always looking inward; looking for Brahman/God.
This is also applicable to anyone (irrespective of caste) looking for God/seeking God.
But Tiru Valluvar used other words for Brahmins as well: Aru Thozilor= Men with Six Tasks, Paarppaan= Seers.
In Sangam Tamil Literature both used together; Aru Thozil Anthanar meaning Brahmins with six tasks.
Now look at Anthanar/Brahmin in Kural
Aru Thozilor- Kural 560
Anthanar- Kurals 8, 30, 543,
Paarppaan – 134
Most of the ancient commentators agreed that Anthanar is a synonym of Brahmin. It is evident from 2000 year old Sangam Tamil books.
அறவாழி அந்தணன் தாள்சேர்ந்தார்க் கல்லால்
பிறவாழி நீந்தல் அரிது.–Kural 8
“Except those who have found the feet of Him
None can hope to cross the rest of the seas”- Kural 8
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அந்தணர் என்போர் அறவோர்மற் றெவ்வுயிர்க்கும்
செந்தண்மை பூண்டொழுக லான். .–Kural 30
“Those who are merciful are really the men of virtue
Because they have compassion for all living creatures”-Kural 30
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அந்தணர் நூற்கும் அறத்திற்கும் ஆதியாய்
நின்றது மன்னவன் கோல். Kural 543
“As the ultimate base of the Vedas of the sages and the Dharma of wisemen
Stands the straight sceptre of the king”- Kural 543
The sceptre of the king is the firm support of the Vedas of the Brahmin, and of all virtues therein described.
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ஆபயன் குன்றும் அறுதொழிலோர் நூல்மறப்பர்
காவலன் காவான் எனின்.—Kural 560
Couplet 560:
“Where guardian guardeth not, udder of kine grows dry,
And Brahmans’ sacred lore will all forgotten lie”.
Couplet Explanation:
If the guardian (of the country) neglects to guard it, the produce of the cows will fail, and the men of six duties viz., the Brahmins will forget the Vedas.
In the above Kural couplets we see the link between Seeking God, Compassion to living beings, Six Tasks of Brahmins and Vedas.
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What are the Six Tasks/Duties of Brahmins?
अध्यापनमध्ययनं यजनं याजनं तथा ।
दानं प्रतिग्रहश्चैव षट् कर्माण्यग्रजन्मनः ॥ ७५ ॥
adhyāpanamadhyayanaṃ yajanaṃ yājanaṃ tathā |
dānaṃ pratigrahaścaiva ṣaṭ karmāṇyagrajanmanaḥ || 1-75 ||
Teaching, studying, sacrificing for oneself, sacrificing for others, giving and receiving gifts are the six functions for the ‘first born’.—(75)
–subham—
Tags- Brahmin, Anthanar, Paarppan, Six Tasks, Brahmana, Tirukkural, Vishnu Sahasranama, Manu, Six Duties
Tamil and Vedas 