Rabindranath's poem "Brahman" is based on this story (Chhandyogyopanishad).
What the fact was has been captured in the following:
Goutam is saying, "----byotso, shudhu brahmoner achhe odhikar
brohmobidyalabhe."
Goutam made an exception. That is great. But we hindus did not listen to Goutam for many years.
I wonder if this Goutam is same as Buddha. I guess I have to do a little search.
I wonder if this Goutam is same as Buddha. I guess I have to do a little search.
From: Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 5:12 PM
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] Conversion to and from Hinduism
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 5:12 PM
Subject: RE: [mukto-mona] Conversion to and from Hinduism
I liked the story of Satyakam very much. [I wish Jiten could provide the name of the Rishi]. Vedanta has many such stories that indicate the fluidity of caste distinctions. Jiten is also right to contend that caste was more like a guild system in the old days, more an economic organizational system than a strict social hierarchical one. I am not very fond of Bhagabad Gita's lectures on caste, because Gita is a literary composition that was conceived as a defensive posture, a rejoinder to Buddhism's polemic and breakaway from Hinduism. I am working on an article on Gandhi and caste, and will post it soon. Farida Majid
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.comFrom: subain1@yahoo.comDate: Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:00:08 -0800Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Conversion to and from Hinduism
I knew, this could be coming from someone; 'virtue and karma from previous life/lives'. I think, this is the most hateful aspect of Hinduism. This is pure and simple hatred without violence. If a society can wash the brains of millions of people with this kind of rubbish, they would not need slave drivers with whips and guns to get and keep millions of obedient slaves.
Dr. Roy talks about, 'it is no longer valid'. Of course, as people get exposed to the world, and start thinking and learning, this kind of nonsense could not be sold.
BTW: The Satyakam story does not impress me. In a civilized system, that boy did not have to prove himself like that, while the other boys, some of whom could be financially as poor as him, got the opportunity routinely.
Sukhamaya Bain
========================
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Conversion to and from Hinduism
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Conversion to and from Hinduism
When Shree-Krishna says - 'I created the castes depending on their virtue and karma' – I think of it as follows. Based on my karma and accumulation of virtue in my previous life, I was born in one of those four castes. If I do a good job in this life, I will be born in a higher caste in my next life. This cycle will continue until I become a Brahmin. After that – my soul no longer will come back to this earth; it will reach heaven. This explanation has been used by established Brahmins society in those days. But, it is no longer valid. Brahmins of those days were not the 'by-birth' Brahmins; spiritual knowledge used to elevate someone into Brahmin-hood. I always cite an example from Vedanta to everyone. Many of you may know it already. That is as follows: There was a boy, named Satyakam. He used to live near the Ashram of Goutam Rishi. Every morning, Rishi used to teach 'Brahmagyan' to his students sitting under a shady tree in front of the Ashram. Satyakam used to watch it from far. He longed to acquire Brahmagyan also from the Rishi, but – did not dare to approach the Rishi. As time passed, his curiosity grew. One day, he ventured to approach the Rishi, as he was teaching his students. He stood in front of him with customary joint-hands (karajore). Rishi looked up and saw the boy standing in front of him. He asked, "My boy, what's your name? Where do you live, and why did you come to me?" The boy said, "My name is Satyakam; I live in Kushkhetra; I want to receive Brahma-gyan from you." Rishi asked, "As you know - only Brahmins are allowed to receive Bahma-gyan. Are you Brahmin?" The boy replied, "I don't know." "What's your father's name?" Rishi asked. The boy said, "Rishi-ji, I don't know my father's name also." All students started to laugh. Rishi calmly asked, "OK, go back to your mother, and ask her about your father's name, and come back to me tomorrow." The boy started to run back home out of joy. He went to his mother and asked, "Ma, who is my father? What's his name?" "Why are you suddenly asking me all these questions?" Mother asked. The boy replied, "Ma, I went to the Rishi; he will teach me Brahma-gyan - if I am a Brahmin; can you, please, tell me if I am a Brahmin?" Mother understood everything. She said, "My dear son, come to my lap." The boy went to her lap. She said, "Son, I had to struggle to survive in my youth. As a result, I came in contact with many men. During that dreadful period of my life, God blessed me with you. I do not know who your father is. But, go back to the Rishi, and tell him that - you are the son of your mother, Jabala. And also tell him that - your mother does not know who your father is." The innocent boy was happy to find an answer to the question Rishi asked. Next morning, he went back to the Ashram, and found that Rishi was again teaching his students sitting under the tree. Rishi asked, "Boy, did you find your father's name?" "Rishi-ji, my mother does not know my father's name, but – I am the son of my mother, and her name is Jabala." All students burst into laughter hearing the silly answers from the boy. But, Rishi stood up from his seat, came forward, and embraced the boy. He said, "You are the Brahmin. Those who can tell such truth without hesitation are Brahmins. Of course, I will teach you Brahma-gyan." This boy later on became the great Rishi Satyakam. Sorry, it's a big story, but has lesson in it. Shree-Krishna may have meant for such virtues by caste system.Jiten Roy
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