First of all, this post is not a brahmin community bashing post... Its just a couple of things I personally think is highly stupid and useless in a day-to-day busy life...!!!!
I completely don't understand why there are SOOOO many rules and regulations for our brahmin community alone! Who had all the time in the world to sit and think about all these stupid rules and follow the same for years together. In the olden days, were the people so jobless that they could actually sit and think about these many useless stuffs in life..!!! God... Only if they had spent some quality time in thinking something useful, India would have probably reached to many higher levels at that time itself!!
The brahmins are always in a box. They can think only inside the box I guess. And, in addition to this, they think thay are the most superior in this world, just because they are wearing the "so-called" sacred thread - punal. Now, I am asking each and everyone of the brahmins here, does anyone of you know the reason as to why you are wearing this thread? Oh yeah, and you are supposed to do sandhyavandanam 3 times a day if you are wearing this thread - dunno whatever that means!! So "brahmin" guys, how many of you do it?? Or if at all you do it, how many of you really understand why you are doing it and not doing it just for the sake of your parents???? I guess it should be less than 5% who will know the significance of it!!
Can somebody please explain to me what "pathu", "theetu" and "madi" means? God... I am so confused with the whole damn idea of this! As far as I am told, cooked rice is "pathu" but cooked chapathi is not "pathu". So you should not keep "rice" and "chapathi" together.. if you keep it, "chapathi" will also become "pathu".. WOW... now this is SOME concept! Again, you keep food plate on your hand and touch the water bottle with the same hand, the water bottle also becomes "pathu"..!!! OMG..!!! How many things should I follow?? And how do I keep track of this whole damn thing???!!!!!!!
If a girl has her menstural cycle, she is supposed to be "theetu" - can be directly related to "untouchables"!!! So the girl has to be alone, eat alone, sleep alone, should not touch anybody and things like that.. in other words.. ISOLATED! If someone by mistake also touches that girl, they also become "theetu" and they should take head bath - snanam, immeadiatly...!!! Shabba... mudiala da samy..!!! Enda countrylayavadu iruka da idelam..!!?????? Idula peria comedy enna na, if somebody wears a new dress that is not washed till now, then it is OK if they touch the girl, then it is not "theetu"..!!!!! Now, that's another WOW!!!
And the funniest part is, when concerning small children. There are sooooo many rules that it just cannot be listed!! It seems the small children should not look at themselves in a mirror, they should not look at their shadow, they should not be lifted above our head while playing, they should not be photographed, they should not smell mangoes.... and the list goes on....!! Paavam... I can only pity the children and do nothing else!
And, Brahmins think too high of themselves. Probably not the current generation brahmins, because the current generation follows the brahmin acharam only because it is told by their parents! But if you see our parents or ancestors, most of them will not eat the food given to or cooked by non-brahmins. The servant maid will be asked not to enter the kitchen and to use the back door to commute. They might not eat or share their food with other religion people and things like that..!! Now, am seriously asking, what is the whole use of follwing all this "pathu", "theetu", "sandhyavandanam", lots of pooja etc when you cannot respect a fellow human being!!???? Does it make any sense? Just because you are wearing the punal does not mean you are GOD!!! Mind it!!!
Is it practically possible to follow all these stupid things in a day-to-day life?? We are all working professionals, we travel by bus and other mode of transport everyday, we eat food outside, can we actually see "pathu" and "theetu" there? In the olden days, people had all the time in the world to see all this nonsense rituals and follow the same. Does it still make sense here?
There is definitely a super power called GOD. He is the one who is showing us the directions in life. No denying that!! But, no God wants us follow all these nonsense in life! Its all man-made..!! Some useless jobless idiot has described it some long way back, and we are still blindly following it just because our ancestors have been following it!!
Finally one word to God....
Dear God,
Why did you make the life of women alone to tough? Why does she have to go through so many emotions in life? Is it because you want her to feel equal to you? No God, we don't want to be equal to you. We want to be as carefree as men and not to follow all these nonsense stuff in life. :(
And its high time You somehow start telling people that humanity is more than all these acharam in life..!! But I really doubt if the brahmin society will try to change even if You directly come and tell them this!!!
From
A frustrated brahmin girl!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou can probably say a frustrated girl and not a frustrated brahmin girl; Just look at things as a human being and dont attach caste or religion to it; Myths are there in every religion - it is for us to be cautious;
ReplyDeleteDon't criticize something when you dont have deep knowledge of that - don't try to generalise based on your minimal experience with a handful of people around. If you really want to know something read "Artgamulla Indumadham", "Deivathin Kural" or listen to "Mahabharatha" by Sukisivam.
Dont ever comment on Gayathri Mantram or Sandyavadanam. It is only to discipline the minds of people to remain calm atleast for a short time ; That is what we call as "Summa Iruthalae Sugam", referring to internal peace - Remaining calm + chanting such mantras brings positive energy to the people
ReplyDelete:} It is definitely better than watching some filthy stuff or listening to jarring music or talking and talking and talk............. over mobile indefinitely
Its all in the mind ! Chanting gayathri manthra will not help in calming your body down unless you tell yourself that 'I will not get lose my temper no matter what ' . Now that's how you remain calm
DeleteI have felt positive vibrations when I chant shlokas and manthrams
DeleteHey i loved what you have written,, it clearly looks like a venting post!.. I am sure I am reading this very late. Every human have their style of being peaceful. FYI i listen to loud music for me to feel stressfree...It looks funny but thats the truth!
DeleteThis was a time last year when I was battling cancer. Chanting Gayatri mantram gives positive vibrations no doubt but it dint help me as much as listening to loud trance music did!
Every ritual is for cleansing of the body, mind and intellect. The rishis declare that if you cleanse yourself (the method is up to you), you will realise that you are the supreme self. A very small minority will tread this difficult path. What is your problem if a small minority of the world (whether born in a brahmana kula or not is irrelevant) choose to go on this path? The vast majority of this miniscule minority may be brahmins; that is a mere statistic.
ReplyDeleteMy maya, which is in the form of the modification of the three gunas, is Me, and belongs to Me, is difficult to cross. Those who seek only Me, they cross this maya.
bhiishhmadroNataTaa jayadrathajalaa gaandhaaraniilotpalaa
shalyagraahavatii kR^ipeNa vahanii karNena velaakulaa|
ashvatthaamavikarNaghoramakaraa duryodhanaavartinii
sottiirNaa khalu paaNDavai raNanadii kaivartakaH keshavaH||
The battle-river-with Bhishma and Drona as its banks, with Jayadratha as the swirling water, with the King of Gandhara as the blue water-lily, with Salya as the shark, Kripa as its current, Karna as its high waves, with Asvathama and Vikarna as terrible crocodiles, Duryodhana as its whirlpool-was indeed crossed over by the Pandavas with Lord Kesava as the ferry-man.
Dei dei !! Podhum da !! Bishma vaan ! Mahabharatha vaam ! Kosu tholla thanga mudila
DeleteLeave out the religion. In general , sounds and music has effects on human brain. If you hear a sound like scratching a metal or any negative word , you will end up irritated. You would get in to great positive energy level if you hear good words which is called mantras. These have to be uttered regularly for the sound syllables mix with the air and effect you.
DeleteThe rules and acharams are for your safety in long term aspects. Since it has no scientific proof yet , you do not believe it !. Science and spirituality can never follow same rules but they meet at the end ! . So , Try to follow it as much as possible and Dont complain on the same.
Accepted that there are so many acharams and rules to be followed. and i understand ur concerns as a women. But i would like to say that there exists GOD who is the power above all of us and someone who controls everything in this world. cant deny that. But in this materialistic world, we are too much into money and other stuffs where we forget to be a basic human, and when we come to kno the reason behind each and everything , things become easy and there is no need to hate them too. yes.. and when it comes to wearing a punal. i do kno wy am wearing it. i learnt it reading books.i believe ppl also start learning why they do things. because after all its our karma being born as a brahmin that we are ought to do all these things.. Gita says.. its gud to follow ones own karma rather than following others.Accepted its pretty tough but still knowing them is gud for leading a peaceful life.
ReplyDeletePunul postulated to be regulating your kidney. Vibrations while chanting mantra have significant effect. Simply try AUM with closed eyes any multiples of 9 times. You'll feel relaxed. In north both viswabramin , bramin, viswakarma are treated same as they all do devoted service to God. In south only sivas and vishnava are known to be devoted of God.
DeleteThen why we reach the doctor when our Kidney's are malfunctioning?. We can wear a poonal and chant it will regulate our kidney.
DeleteThudakkathile kallu kadichathinaal muzhuvanum vayichilla. Oru vari maathram edukkunnu. "I completely don't understand why there are SOOOO many rules and regulations for our brahmin community alone!"
ReplyDeleteBecause only they were prepared to obey maximum rules and regulations. They are the most obedient and spiritually disciplined. Athinte gunam anubhavikkunnavarude aakshepangaleyum avar mindaathe sahikkunnundu. Avare vargam adachu cheetha vilichavarodum avar maathram kshamikkunnu. Appol athinum aakshepam. Ithinokke marupadi kaalam parayaan thudangeettundu. Athu chilarokke manassilaakki thudangeettum undu. Ariyaatha pillakal choriyumpol ariyum. No more comments. I am not a reader of this blog. Just found it by accident.
Thaangal paranjathu 100% sheriya namboothiri sir. One doubt. Where can I find acharams that should be followed by women? I did not find any references on the web. Thanks. If you find anything, please send it to endogeri@gmail.com
DeleteEverything in brahmin customs has its own scientific reasons ..
ReplyDeleteFirst study the things and post ..
Frustrations also have medicines :)
Dear Prithi, with all respect, let me say this. Please do not criticize anything,not just religion, anything. It is not wise to criticize anything without proper knowledge. You might know some rituals, but that doesn't complete the knowledge, so that you can go on and criticize it. You might have enquired about it to a wrong person. Not everyone who follows rituals know the complete reason behind it, as it is a matter of wisdom. You said "There is definitely a super power called GOD. He is the one who is showing us the directions in life." Who told you that there is a super power called God??.. or how do you know??.. If I say Science did not approved the existence of God till date, how are you going to justify your "definite super power'? You can't; because it is a matter of wisdom!! So, to your Wife - Software Engineer list, add a small word, student; Learn dear!! Learn more!!.. If you do not have time to go deep into this knowledge, please don't go on criticizing it either.... Your blog page is beautiful!!.. Fill it with knowledge and not your ignorance!!.. If you do, people will definitely hear you out!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBrain should be inside the skull . Bramins accoding to varnashram darma they are equated to brain of the society. They should be under the skull called Acharam. If you come out of it you will become other organs. that is it. Every thing is science if possible read this blog www.realviewoflife.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI can quite relate to you. It does make you question your own identity whether you are 'a frustrated brahmin girl' or 'a loving mother' or 'a compassionate daughter-in-law' or 'an equal partner' in a relationship. It does get to me once in a while and I feel like shutting myself out. But 'shuddham' as a concept has been debated on forever, I will have to find out my own way of becoming pure.
ReplyDeletePlease do not underestimate the science in our Sanatana Culture. I will leave it you to explore the real science. I will just try to indicate 2 things you seem to be frustrated about.
ReplyDeleteCooked rice is pressure cooked/steamed and hence has a tendency to get spoiled in a day when left out.Water is used in cooking rice and water is till present after it is cooked. Microorganisms love water.Cooked chappathi is not steamed or boiled. Rather it toasted or panned (however you want to call it) and water is present at a negligible amount. If cooked rice goes bad in a day, chappathi will go bad (greenish black growth) in 4-5 days when left out.
One way to look at apthu is avoid spreading microorganisms or rather avoid cross contamination. We do it in a very detailed way, so that it takes years to slip from.
A cloth that has not seen water yet is less prone to attract germs and microorganisms. So a new dress (that has not been washed) is a weak candidate to spread germs.
Leave a bottle of water at room temperature and see what happens to it in few days. You will understand almost every rules.
Dear anonymous,
DeleteExcellent points about cross contamination. As a biologist I can definitely agree with the science in those practices. However, you must also be aware that practices are developed with what was available. Refrigiration did not exist in those days so the concept of contamination if food was left outside (which it had to be at all times). So these ideas do not hold good today and merely serve to complicate things!
Sure they're complicating things, but that is no excuse to call it stupid. It had its significance at the time and it was forced onto people as a ritual simply because it is difficult for many people to understand the actual purpose of the action.
DeleteIf someone doesn't feel the need to follow such rituals today they don't have to. I do believe that if we altogether stop thinking about these rituals, the fact that we had such intelligent, sensible people in our culture will be forgotten. After all it must have taken a lot of thinking to develop a workable practice with the minimal infrastructure they had 100s of years ago
I am sorry but your illogical logic doesn't make sense to me..first of all because not all this theetu, madi nonsense is based on just the basis of water and micro-organisms.
DeleteDo you know how textile is manufactured in a textile factory? It undergoes scores of chemical treatment and is exposed to a number of strong chemicals, dyes etc. so it is advisable never to wear new unwashed clothes as they may irritate your skin and cause allergies. And the most important thing is you have to use your brain and change the rules as per the requirements of the day and not follow 1000 years old rules without using your common sense!
Simple example: Madi clothes should be dried indoors and should not be exposed to sunlight!! Sunlight is the greatest anti-biotic force available to us..hence the only sure shot way of killing germs in our clothes is by drying them in direct sunshine. But alas the great iyer mama mamis don't have this simple common sense :)
100% agree with you. Scientific proof that moulds grow on clothes that are dried indoors :)
DeleteHappened to read the above and would like to share that the word Pathu came from the word 'patru'. If you have happen to touch a food item which is 'patru' (sticking to your hand or spoon) like rice, sambhar, rasam, etc. and then touch an item like ghee, pickle, curd, etc. (which are generally kept separately) it will get contaminated and will get spoiled. This is scientific reason for observinv 'pathu'
DeleteI agree some people think themselves superior. Myself seen lot of stupidities from many team/project leaders. They always think narrow. But still few extraordinarily thinking people also exist.
ReplyDeleteThe replys are quite unanimous!
DeleteThe thread author is right in some points. bramins are audacious & obdurate. They say they follow all discipline wear tilak. Practices needed to be evolved with time. Even muslims also have discipline, but they seems to be more intellect at least in my experience. So, practicing some doctrine doesn't simply make you perfect. Need profound understanding.
i think you are a muslim and killing innocent people in the name of jihad is just fine with you and very intellectual
DeleteNot all muslims are trying to kill innocent people :) there is no need to stereotype them. But no, the thread author isn't completely right. Brahmins are audacious? so do you mean to say the author of this blog post audacious? and do you think you know people well enough to judge them? I know enough brahmins who are wonderful people. The rituals that the author is criticizing are not the problem. The problem is with biased people who label and stereotype everyone.
DeleteI think the author is not a frustrated brahmin girl she is a frustrated athiest
ReplyDeletePlease do not comment about your own religion this way. Every thing had a scientific meaning and explanation that has been enforced on us by saying madi or patu. Instead of getting frustrated try to look for explanations and inner meaning of things and above all be proud to be a brahmin.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest let Jesus , Allah and Lord Krishna have a meeting and decide which is right... Why the people just fight in these rituals and customs.
DeleteI am a Brahmin married lady.Educatec and bred in different parts of the country and the world.Now the Brahmins of the south are different from Brahmins of the north.Also the northerners were exposed to more invasions.So most of their rituals will be at night.Menstural rituals are necessary.So are death rituals.In olden days there were no sanitary pads available
DeleteSo it was very inconvenient.Also your body gets enough rest.Even jews and Muslims follow menstrual rituals.And you had Gargi and Anasuya who are scholars in Vedic age.So whoever said that you cannot do Vedic rituals is a fool.It was done to keep women out of education.Also women need not do Gayatri japam because they are themselves Gayatris .We are born intelligent.During periods don't chant mantras because the effect of mantras exists and it may give you a different effect.I think rituals need to change with changing times.I believe every religion hS good and bad.So take out bad and keep the good.Just like prahlada opposed his father so can you.Also we need to demand staying in mom's house for 6 months after delivery strictly.Why is it that you are following all rituals but not this important maternity rituals.
Ua questions are genuine but u answer de questions yourself n claim everything to be nonsense is outright stupid. Learn if u have curiosity to know what is what. If u wanna just blabber around about brahmin culture ua whole questions are invalid. Try to be patient first, some jobless idiot dint create these, twas by Rishis who sat day n nite contemplating on God leaving food, water, sex n body itself. Ua statements are moron in dat way. N these ppl weren't jobless my dear, dey had questioned n sought answers ranging from math to death, astronomy to semantics, aviation to hydraulic, they were more advanced than our present cynical generation so tie ua tongue a bit n take a deep breathe n question. Some rules are nonsense but those are formed by ignorant Brahmins who haven't read their scriptures. U wanna criticise anything first learn what ua speaking about. I have answers to whatever silly questions u ask. Ua frustration should turn into enlightment.
ReplyDeleteSincerely a brahmin boy :P
The same thing you can explain nicely to her point by point!
DeleteSo true ! Just loved reading this reality !
ReplyDeleteLol.......... what you need to do is to do a lot of research . I know you are frustrated , and ignorant. hope u study stuff before commenting.
ReplyDeleteNothing evolves without any cause! Customs usually emerge based on the local environment (social, climatic, etc..) of the people. That is why different religions have different customs! There is nothing wrong with any custom! The people who framed them are not fools! Comparing them and fighting are idiotic acts! Those were the days when life moved at a very low pace not even comparable to the present day! At those time sandya-vandanam itself could be the duty of a brahmin and nothing else! But now there is no use in following these age old customs as they are! Since people followed everything blindly they are afraid to abandon those practice. If they sincerely knew the reason they would have modified the practice accordingly with the changing social and climatic environments!
ReplyDeletedo not comment on something when u r not aware of.. the replies which yiu have got here mighthave given you correct answers. anyways the best community i.e the so called brahmin community is degrading its values because of some ignorant people who do not know the correct acharam and shastram and the reason behind each.
ReplyDeleteFor ex Theetu might be a common frustration for all young girls who have attained puberty but yes there is a good explanation. and please do not comment on sandhyavandanam when you are not aware of for wat it is.
else better convert as non brahmin marrying any non brahmin guy. have that dare to do instead of commenting and shouting on the good acharams.
Maybe you can explain what sandhi means, or whatever you feel she doesn't know instead of telling her to shut up!
DeleteAmazing answer Sir. Had to scroll through so many idiotic comments to reach yours which is the only one that actually seems to make sense. Blindly following brahmin rules is considered as a pure way of living where infact none of them have any particular idea as to why these practices were made in the first place. Pathu,theetu madi are all excellent practices to follow hygiene. Overdoing it for namesake having zero knowledge has no meaning. I think our elders accepted this as a way of life simply to carry on the pride of brahmins. There's a santhanam comedy in which he says 'nambinaathaan soru poduven nu sonnanaga, neenga eppudi?', apdi irukku ivangaloda katha. Cannot blame them as one has to go outside the box to actually understand the science behind each practice. Positivity positivity nu I think what finally has culminated is negativity. Rather than enforcing it as a ritual, One can say'whenever you are stressed,do sandhyavandhanam' , or ' dont mix spoons for cooked and uncooked foods' which would have a much more positive impact on the individual. Because nobody likes being forced to do something. Gone are the days when children blindly follow parents orders, everyone starts to question at some point in time. And I honestly believe that kalacharam and acaharam is only truly lost when you are unable to explain why you follow a certain principle or methodology without having to dictate directions. So maybe not overdoing things and taking a pause to actually understand how its done would go a long way!
DeletePeriya puratchivaadhi polarku neenga! Instead of spending so much of time in venting out to the public, why don't you just google around to learn the actual reasons behind these customs that we follow? It would rather be useful to teach it to your children so that they won't be venting it out like you in the future?
ReplyDeletePlease dont scold brahmin community. you will land in a ditch. The things you call useless have some reason behind it. Some of them are proved by science. Being a brahmin girl you saying like this makes me and whole brahmin community sad. Please mend your ways.
ReplyDeleteThere are two types of Brahmins.. Vaidika Brahmins and Lowkika "Brahmins".. All the requirements for Achara are for Vaidika Brahmins who are the only true Brahmins. Lowkika Brahmins (Brahmins who are born Brahmins but pursue materialism leaving Vedic Dharma) spoil themselves and the people around them.. There is no requirement for following any Acharam until you lead the Vedic way of life.. If you are Bata shoe company executive earning money by the way of a Vaishya you don't need to bother about all these patthu, madi, theettu because they don't matter anymore. Already the required damage is done!!!
ReplyDeleteMadam, don't comment on anything unless you fully research over it. If you are able to follow, do or else leave. As a brahmin girl/lady do not criticise our own religion and culture as it has its own proven value.
ReplyDeleteMadam, don't comment on anything unless you fully research over it. If you are able to follow, do or else leave. As a brahmin girl/lady do not criticise our own religion and culture as it has its own proven value.
ReplyDeleteMa'am, if you know the reasons, why don't you explain it to her as a responsible adult? Sorry to say, this is why the younger generation is losing respect for elders. Rather than explaining facts, they just say the younger generation show no respect to our culture!
DeleteAuthor is right in all sense, so called Brahmins are very egoistic and arrogant. They think they are the superior, every one else is servant to them. First up all varnashramam is not followed correctly. When the civilization started there were not many caste, then how they decided which caste is belong which varna. Its all based on the duty what you do.Varnas are not by birth, its by the duty you are doing.
ReplyDeleteKurai Kudam Koothadum... I respect your ignorance friend... if you don't know the way in the mid of the town..you will run around pillar to post and scream , cry and finally you reach calmness that's where you will be able to find the way.. I leave this situation to you... you will get answer to all these questions on your own... as the world is so big ..
ReplyDeleteDo not criticize... there are lot of acharams with scientific reasons. Feel pity on people that they are following it witot knowing... our culture is prestigious.. periyava chumma yedho onnu panna mata..m sad that we ourselves talk lile this about us.. Instead of trying to give valid reasons.
ReplyDeletedear madam,
ReplyDeletei totally understand your point. the rules about theettu/madi/pattu was ok when hygiene was not part of the regimen in old days. in modern era when the schools impart training in civic sense and cleanliness these Rules become outdated.just by shouting you down the truth cannot be wished away.(as is done by some posters,here)just look at some of the old guys practicing all this and putting their index finger in their nostrils in front of people. (inga madi pattu theettu ellam engay pochu).look at some of the old mami's pillow cases it will be black with oil residue,un washed.so just by observing such archaic rules they don't remain clean.
god bless all, nama sivaya namo narayana.
Hey Priti, I agree with you to an extent. Poonal is worn for accupressure around the body area. Earlier it was worn by all classes of people, slowly it died down to just brahmins wearing it.. all the manthrams (Gayathri mantram or any other shlokam) bring in positive energy in the atmosphere (I have experienced it)....
ReplyDeleteAs for this pathu thing, I believe it is not applicable in the modern world as we have tons of ways to preserve food, unlike the olden days when food cooked in the morning would spoil, and scientifically cooked food coming in contact with milk / pickles / water would spoil it (those days resources were scarce), so they were observing it back then. It's justified not to follow it now. Theetu doesn't make sense in the way it is interpreted as 'unclean' now a days. In fact, it is opposite. It is just that at that time of the month, we are physically weak and our immunity is low, so technically in ancient times, girls were served food first (not leftovers and old food like people do now). Others were asked to stay away from her so that she is not uncomfortable (remember there were no pads back then). She was asked not to go to temple, because at that time her energy was as good as divine energy. In fact, in ancient times, she was considered sacred.
It's all the mandha buddhis who came in somewhere in between over the last 1000 years that completely misinterpreted all the traditions, and as a result we are bearing the brunt of it.
So chill.. enjoy life :)
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI totally understand the frustration that you are going through. I have gone through it since childhood. Actually I feel for people like us, as long as elders are able to give us an explanation, we would not mind following it. Once we understand the rationale, we will appreciate it more. But what angers me is the way in which they react to "pathu" or "theetu" and have ZERo knowledge about it. they just blindly followed what their elders and that is irritating, wouldn't you agree?
Nothing is Man Made..Manu Dharma is given by manu and saar of Vedas..Best thing is leave Brahminism if you can't follow the rituals..If u complain and get frustrated on smaller things , how can u do realise god without greater penance..
ReplyDeleteNothing is Man Made..Manu Dharma is given by manu and saar of Vedas..Best thing is leave Brahminism if you can't follow the rituals..If u complain and get frustrated on smaller things , how can u do realise god without greater penance..
ReplyDeleteNamaste to all
ReplyDeleteThis blog write up pure frustration due mis-understood procedures. For this I will not blame you. The blame to some extent goes to the olders in your family / relatives and that generation of people. I was not born brahmin, but saiva family - we had our rituals / madis to follow. I question my mother on some these, her answer was "I followed my parents /olders, you follow mine". Much later I married into traditional brahmin family. I ended having to follow even more rituals. My husband understand my dilemmas. Having brought by very understanding knowledgeable great-grand parents and parents. He threw knowledge of scientific reason for each ritual. Today, I appreciate all the rituals and customs. My search for more info, landed me in this blog and I thought I will share my thoughts.
Once I questioned some of doubts to husband's grandmother. she informed - many of her generation and previous generation did not follow rituals properly as due to the fact many were involved in Indian freedom struggle. So with uncertainty around, they learned partially, got more involved in blind process / procedures rather than following correct and meaningful procedures. The percentage who followed the meaning way got reduced while the percentage that blindly followed without understanding the science behind have produced people like Prithi. It is never late, I have gained this little knowledge in my early Thirties under the direct of my husband/my-in-laws and my husband's grandmother, now I am in early forties. and still seeking / trying go deeper. Whenever, I meet older people following a Vedic life, I try to get more info from them. You too can meet knowledgeable person and gain in-sights into the Sanatana Dharmic way of life.
Regards
Sai R
It is very true what this lady Prithi is trying to say. What benefit has come out of madi acharam...nothing. Following it is not necessary for any person. There is no difference in life following or not following it. What she has told is absolutely true and it is quite commendable that she has voiced the thoughts of many women out there who have been forced to follow these pointless customs. Frankly that 'theetu' part is the most horrible one. They serve food to girls in their period like they put food for dogs. Humanity is lost despite all the vedas and chants, purifying procedures that we do. How they treat people and maids is just really sad. The taboo of seeing a girl with her period as an untouchable is unfortunately still followed in some households. It may be brahmin centric or not. Ultimately it hurts every woman's feelings. Sadly we talk so much about madi acharam and all but when ur wife or sister is in pain we treat them like dirt. The word cleanliness loses its meaning when we don't have a clean heart. People who choose to question something obviously research alot before writing a blog. It may hurt some religious sentiments or come across as harsh but if something is not worth it, its just not. Kudos to women like her who see life with a broader perspective instead of having old school of thoughts. There are very less people out there like her. I think the world would be a better place with more broader mindsets among people.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Appreciating Atheist
Yes, you are right. I don't know who invented all these, and how were they able to coin these. Everything ahad a big reason, behind it. I really don't understand how does man 50 years back calculate panchangam and it matches the reality. Were they really fools in those days to just creating and emphasising certain rules. Do you think that the unnecessary discipline in military also makes it the most hated place to work. If your answer is yes, then it means we don't understand the holistic nature of our society.
ReplyDeleteSustainable future with proper health was well thought about in those days.
On the other side, it was followed by many generations without understanding the reason and just to make sure that it is strictly followed a religious dose was used.
Mantras have their own power, and every pose of sandhyavandhanam is a yogic posture which cleanses mind everyday.many articles available u can refer them.
Today's cleanliness is only about body but cleaning our mind also needs a stricter cleaning which comes only by preparing a certain routine.
Brahmins never had strong immunity due to their job nature. For sure not in the DNA.
Acharam equals cleanlimess
Yechal is more prominent in southern part brahmins as it is humid climate and chances of disease getting spread is more easier.
Theetu, more misspelt over years, a measure to give the ever working ladies a way to take rest and support them during hormonal changes.Give them everything they need and support them.
Understand before you defend, because defending before understanding will make only keep you away from the subject.
What is the procedure of poochoodal ceremony during 5th month of pregnancy in Tamil iyer? plz reply me ASAP
ReplyDeleteI had this along eith my valaikappu... Just my nathanar made me wear flowers... Thats it.. its an informal festival
DeleteI can relate to this 100% . When you ? they do not give correct answer. They are always justifying the practice (my mother did it/by grad mother did it) . I have searched on the internet and not found a single reference in any holy book which says women have to be treated as 2nd class citizens. The justification that our forefathers did it is very very lame. Most people have made changes to their lifestyle (do they live like they did 100 years back--No) but they will not do anything to make a girls /wife/daugher-in-law life easy.
ReplyDeleteHello "Frustrated Brahmin girl".. The reason why Brahmins follow these acharams are not without a reason.
ReplyDeleteTo address ur points,
1. Madi, vizhuppu, echa, pathu are followed purely for hygenic purposes. For example if u eat something with ur hand u mix that with ur saliva. U may have some infections or allergies. If u dont wash ur hands and touch another vessel, you will transmit those allergies or infections to the other person in the family. And for the cooked rice being called pathu, is because it will can be contaminated with bacteria easily.
2.coming to restrictions for children, those things u mentioned apply onl
Apply only for small new borns... And not for all...
Delete3. And Brahmins don't think high of themselves... Its not because of thinking high of themselves that they don't eat from ppl who are not belonging to their community.. its again for the same hygiene purpose. You can see these practices even in North Indian non-Brahmins. They dont eat from u no matter what ur caste is.
ReplyDelete4. In the midst of this Corona outbreak suddenly echa pathu madi makes sense!!
5. For menstruating woman being untouchables,this was again for the same hygienic purpose.
@Prithi How exactly do you feel about aacharam now ?
ReplyDeleteNow u shud have understood.. why we need to maintain madi - social distancing, gayatri mantra improve breathing techniques.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise many unknown viruses will kill the humans..
It Shows Your Friends Circle Isn't a Good One Well We Doesn't Force Any One To Follow This Rules It Depends Orthodox Families LikeUs Ex-communicate Them
ReplyDeleteThe article does appear like a case of "misplaced anger".
ReplyDeleteTo the question of acharam and other terms mentioned:
Yes, these are guidelines for living harmoniously with ourselves and our surroundings.
Even the modern day "rules" and "regulations" are nothing but a synonym for those terms. "Clean your hands" and "wash your feet" are prescriptions for harmonious, Dis-Ease(disease) free living. It should be clear now in 2020, after CoViD19.
"Ritualistic behavior" or "repetitive patterns" are seen everywhere. The rituals prescribed such as "Sandhyavandanam" etc are again to help the mind and physical body to achieve a sense of calm. The benefit will accrue even if one does not know the meaning of the mantras! Just like even if we don't know if daily 6-7 hours of sleep(repetitive behavior) is good or bad, the next morning we wake up better than the previous night, we feel "rested". Do we know the dynamics of sleep?? Of course not, but we derive the benefits! BUT, sleep has a "quality" and when compared to the "quality" of other repetitive behavior like Sandhyavandanam, sleep is certainly inferior. Therefore, the 3 gunas, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Sleep is Tamas. Sandhyavandanam is a Sat practice and results in Tejas. Words cannot explain the benefits. It has to be experienced. Its something akin to saying "food is tasty" without tasting it. How can we appreciate the quality? Proof is in practice, everyday practice, like everyday we sleep.
India certainly was at the pinnacle of everything with lofty ideals and deeds. In this age of general degradation(Kali), our effort must be to adhere to some degree of the prescribed actions as laid down by the Enlightened Yogis. Surely, they did not spend time wasting, they only had great compassion for fellow human beings that they "freely" gave away these antidotes to our everyday physical and mental misery. Profit is a word alien to them. Compassion was the only common denominator from which all these suggestions emerged. They prescribed these knowing well that we will need these in this Age and Time. It is far more relevant today than in any other time.
Important point: Brahmins do not become perceptors of Truth by birth right. But only through "action", called 'way of living' and 'conduct'. So most of us (99.9%) are NOT Brahmins. We are office goers who earn money. If it is a solace, we can call ourselves as Brahmana-bandus. NOT Brahmanas. So wearing Poonal is not enough to be called a Brahmana leave alone God perception.
The most greatest of Sadhus did not think of themselves as God. It is by seeing their Compassion and Peace that emanates from them (like a fragrance from a flower) that WE labelled them as Sadhus and Gods. They do not need our praise/money frankly.
It is ok if we can't follow the regulations fully, we can adopt even a small measure of it. Who benefits? If following rules is difficult, there is simpler method as illustrated by the Ajamilan charitram, chant the Name of God, your Ishta Deivam as much as possible. There is ABSOLUTELY NO RULES for chanting the Name, e.g. Rama. Valmiki said Mara Mara, but, still became a Rishi! Mara Mara will become Rama Rama automatically. Valmiki did not start chanting by knowing the meaning of the syllables Ra and Ma, but still accrued full benefits! So atleast we can chant. Obviously we can't chant Pepsi, because sounds have different vibrations, therefore the sound Rama has a vibration as a greater Potency than other common words in English or any other language. So just like we accumulate Nidhi (monetary wealth) so that we can buy Car etc, we should also accumulate The God's Name Nidhi. It will buy car and even Liberation!!
Important point: No need to be a Brahmana to perceive Almighty/Truth/God. Any being is deemed capable provided they put in the efforts needed to achieve the ends. Means to achieve ends. There is no gender bias. Or else we would not have Meera Bai, Sarada Devi, Anandamayi Ma etc etc.
ReplyDeleteLast point: The miseries (or happiness) is not gender-specific. Everyone goes through an impermanent set of emotions at any given time. Even if it is Happiness, it will not last, even if it is extreme sadness, it will not last.
As Human beings, all we can strive for is a heart full of love, a mind full of good thoughts, tongue that speaks only sweet words, hands that do only good deeds. Chant as much. Leave the remaining to your God. I too have my "fair share" of goodness and unhappiness and I am also Praying for my betterment. Let there be betterment!
Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!
Hey I can feel ur pain! Hope things get changed atleast in our generation...what has been goin on that can't be changed but we people somewhere can hope and faith humanity doesn't come from following inhuman things
ReplyDelete