DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post

**vNZsk39B** · 04-26-2008, 06:38 PM

I fully agree with the post of Sri Nachinarkiniyan and wish to add a few sentences. There are two aspects we should consider on behalf of the Puruhits, or Vadhyars who perform the religious rites. One, the rites itself and two, the payments to Purohits. People travel all the way to holy places like Kashi, Gaya, and Badri to perform their religious obligations spending a lot of money. Most of them want the ceremonies done within a fixed time table. Say within two days. The Purohits have no other way of performing their duties except in a concise form. It is not possible for a person who had gone to these places to find all the required materials by themselves and the duties are entrusted to the Pundits. So the Pundits use the easy method of recycling the things given in charity. We also accept all shortcuts without any objection when we hear the words like - "Vasthrartham, Doopa deepartham Akshadaam Samarpayami". The cycle goes on and on. Let us be honest. Who is to be blamed for this?

Let us takeup the second, the Payments to Pundits. In ancient times the entire needs of the Brahmins were taken care of by the Community. Today Brahmins have become an "unwanted necessity" in the Hindu Community. The young "Brahmacharies" spend Seven or eight years in Patasalas away from their near and dear to learn "Vedic knowledge". You must see to belive the conditions of our Veda Patasalas in general and compare that with the facilities and comforts that our children of the same age get in our homes. In spite of all these hardships their future is uncertain.The Purohits or Vadhyars have no monetary security, their earnings are not certain, they have no PF, Gratuity, Pension Fund, Retirement benefits, no medical aid, which are available to the lowest grade employee of Government or a Company. Whether it is rain or sun they have to run to the Yajaman's place to perform their duties to earn their food and money. In these days of inflation they also have to live and lead a decent life. The rich and mighty in our community who earn in "Ks" should think and draw some plans to safe guard the interests of these "learned unfortunates" who have no voice since they are born in a "forward community". Our Mutts also should come forward to do some thing for them.

Regards,
Brahmanyan.

The discussions have veered off to the ceremonies in Banares. I understand the feelings of Kunjappu. I also know some of these pundits personally. When my father performed these rites more than 60 years back, it was very difficult and entailed a number of problems. Over the years these Brahmins have made things easier for everyone. Now they run organizations which can only be compared to Event management companies. Things have also become quite expensive. Then some of the practices are bad. But all of them do ensure that the rituals are conducted correctly. They are doing a service.

In Hanumanghat in Banares, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam has constructed a temple and also has a big math. They also have Sasthirigals offering these services.

But then our Sasthirigals always offer tailor made packages. I remember long time back asking a Sasthirigal about the cost of conducting a Ganapathi Homam. He told me that it varied from Rs. 100 onwards. He also explained how he was being asked to conduct the homam within the particular amount.

It is we who have corrupted our Sasthirigals. We try to conduct rituals according to the amount available with us. You can check in Gyana Vapi in T. Nagar about different financial packages for Anthyeshti.

The fault lies with the Yajamana and not the Purohit. In the old days we asked the Purohit for a list of things required for a ritual and we procured the samagri. Now we ask the Purohit to quote a rate including the cost of the materials.

04-26-2008, 06:38 PM	#15
vNZsk39B Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 453 Senior Member	I fully agree with the post of Sri Nachinarkiniyan and wish to add a few sentences. There are two aspects we should consider on behalf of the Puruhits, or Vadhyars who perform the religious rites. One, the rites itself and two, the payments to Purohits. People travel all the way to holy places like Kashi, Gaya, and Badri to perform their religious obligations spending a lot of money. Most of them want the ceremonies done within a fixed time table. Say within two days. The Purohits have no other way of performing their duties except in a concise form. It is not possible for a person who had gone to these places to find all the required materials by themselves and the duties are entrusted to the Pundits. So the Pundits use the easy method of recycling the things given in charity. We also accept all shortcuts without any objection when we hear the words like - "Vasthrartham, Doopa deepartham Akshadaam Samarpayami". The cycle goes on and on. Let us be honest. Who is to be blamed for this? Let us takeup the second, the Payments to Pundits. In ancient times the entire needs of the Brahmins were taken care of by the Community. Today Brahmins have become an "unwanted necessity" in the Hindu Community. The young "Brahmacharies" spend Seven or eight years in Patasalas away from their near and dear to learn "Vedic knowledge". You must see to belive the conditions of our Veda Patasalas in general and compare that with the facilities and comforts that our children of the same age get in our homes. In spite of all these hardships their future is uncertain.The Purohits or Vadhyars have no monetary security, their earnings are not certain, they have no PF, Gratuity, Pension Fund, Retirement benefits, no medical aid, which are available to the lowest grade employee of Government or a Company. Whether it is rain or sun they have to run to the Yajaman's place to perform their duties to earn their food and money. In these days of inflation they also have to live and lead a decent life. The rich and mighty in our community who earn in "Ks" should think and draw some plans to safe guard the interests of these "learned unfortunates" who have no voice since they are born in a "forward community". Our Mutts also should come forward to do some thing for them. Regards, Brahmanyan. The discussions have veered off to the ceremonies in Banares. I understand the feelings of Kunjappu. I also know some of these pundits personally. When my father performed these rites more than 60 years back, it was very difficult and entailed a number of problems. Over the years these Brahmins have made things easier for everyone. Now they run organizations which can only be compared to Event management companies. Things have also become quite expensive. Then some of the practices are bad. But all of them do ensure that the rituals are conducted correctly. They are doing a service. In Hanumanghat in Banares, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam has constructed a temple and also has a big math. They also have Sasthirigals offering these services. But then our Sasthirigals always offer tailor made packages. I remember long time back asking a Sasthirigal about the cost of conducting a Ganapathi Homam. He told me that it varied from Rs. 100 onwards. He also explained how he was being asked to conduct the homam within the particular amount. It is we who have corrupted our Sasthirigals. We try to conduct rituals according to the amount available with us. You can check in Gyana Vapi in T. Nagar about different financial packages for Anthyeshti. The fault lies with the Yajamana and not the Purohit. In the old days we asked the Purohit for a list of things required for a ritual and we procured the samagri. Now we ask the Purohit to quote a rate including the cost of the materials.
	Quote