Bhavyam shamdamakshantisantoshadigunanvitaiha |
Brahmanaiha Shauryadhairyadidunopetaischa Bahujaiha ||89||
Over the next two Shlokas are explained Varna Dharma - the duties pertaining to caste. Brahmins are to display qualities of Shamascha (tranquillity, control of sense), Damascha (self-restraint, control of mind), Kshamascha (forgiveness) and Santoshcha (contentment). Shama or tranquillity is for purposes of control of the mind; it is the source of all happiness and therefore is spoken of first and foremost. Smruti explains - Ashantasya Krutaha Sukham – posing the question ‘How can there be happiness for those who are not tranquil’.
Dama or self-restraint is the control of senses - Damastitvanidriyanigraha. Apadharma explains, ‘Knowledgeable elders have explained that Dama is the tool to Moksha (Salvation). For Brahmins, Dama is considered to be the Sanatan (eternal) Dharma.’
Kshanti is the ability to forgive other people - Kshantiha Paraparadhasahishrnutvam, such quality is said to please God. Jamdagni Muni explains, ‘O Father! We Brahmins are worshipped, as we are forgiving. The father, Brahma has attained the greatest of rank because of his forgiving nature. Brahmins are illustrious like the rays of the sun because of their forgiving nature. Those who forgive are said to immediately please Lord Hari.’
Santosh is contentment with food, clothes, etc. Thus, they are without excessive need or want - Santoshoanayasalabdhananvastradinalambuddhiha. Those devoid of content fall to the hells. Narad explains ‘O King! Even those who are highly knowledgeable, who are beyond doubt and are Pandits regularly sitting in Sabhas, but who are without content are fit for the underworld (hell). Discontent Brahmins loose their Teja (luster) Vidhya (knowledge), Tapa (penance), Kirti (fame) and levelness of sense. God has said, ‘Those Brahmins who by the grace of god, never veer from Dharma and who are always content attain all that is desired. Discontentment of wealth and desired objects are the cause of worldly life of births and deaths. Contentment of things derived by the grace of god is the cause of Mukti or liberation. Such Brahmins attain lustre. A Brahmin who is discontent looses his lustre, just as a fire looses its brilliance at the hands of water.’ Similarly a Brahmin is to always show penance compassion etc.
God has said, ‘The body of a Brahmin is not for mere satiation of desire but is for performing severe austerities and hence for the bliss enjoyed in the other worlds.’ In the Bhagwad Gita, the Lord explains control of sense and mind, penance, purity, forbearance, uprightness, knowledge, special knowledge and faith, all constitute the duties of a Brahmin, and hence of his inherent nature.’
Mokshadharma explains, ‘The Devas consider Brahmins to be those who are not jubilant or angered through attention (Maan) or slander (Apmaan) and who offer protection to all.’
Sanatsujata explains the twelve desirable and undesirable qualities of a Brahmin, which Nilkant Pandit has further explained:
12 Desirable qualities:
i) Dharma - Righteous duties or acts according to Varna (caste) and Ashram (divisions of life) such as Sandyavandana.
ii) Satya - Truth. To speak honestly devoid of violence.
iii) Dama - Overcome sense organs such as the tongue (sense of taste).
iv) Tapa - Undergo intense austerities such as Kruchra and Chandrayana Vratas.
v) Amatsarya - Accepts the greatness of others, is not proud.
vi) Hri - Ashamed of acting unrighteously.
vii) Titiksha - Never angered even in times when anger is uncontrollable, is always cool and collected.
viii) Ansuya - Does not look at the bad qualities of others.
ix) Yagna - Performance of Brahman Yagna. Sacrifices (non-violent) to the Gods.
x) Daan - Charitable to those deserving.
xi) Dhruti - Patient - who never renounces Vratas, even in times of calamity.
xii) Shruti - Study of Vedas and other Shastras
12 Undesirable Qualities
i) Krodha - Anger due to unfulfilled desire. To raise one’s voice or to hurt somebody physically due to distress of the mind.
ii) Kaama - Desire for a woman.
iii) Lobha - Selfishness or greed.
iv) Moha - Delusion through not knowing what to do and what not to do.
v) Vidhitsa - Those who regularly derive benefits, yet are discontent.
vi) Akrupa – not compassionate or cruel.
vii) Asuya - Those who find fault in others.
viii) Maan - Arrogance of thinking of oneself as great.
ix) Shoka - Sadness or separation caused by loosing something fond.
x) Spruha - Respect for objects of pleasure.
xi) Irsha - Envy of other people’s success, not able to accept their success.
xii) Jugupsa - Slandering of others or use of foul language.
Skandapurana explains the regular duties, ‘Brahmins should regularly perform the following nine acts: Snaanam - bathing, Sandhya - morning/evening worship, Japo - chanting of god’s name, Homaha - sacrificial offering, Svadhyaya - study of Vedas, Devtarchanam - worship of the Gods, Vaishvadevam - worship of fire God, Atithyam - welcoming of strangers and Pitrutarpana - ceremonial offering to forefathers.
Now the Kshatriyas, born of the arms of Virat Purusha (God Almighty). They are to display qualities of Saurya - valor on the battlefield and Dhairya - endurance. The use of ‘adi’ suggests qualities of benevolence, generosity and being liberal. Eleventh Skanda of Bhagwat explains, ‘Teja - brilliance, Bala - strength, Dhairya - patient, Shaurya - valor, Titiksha - cool and collected, Audarya - liberality, Udhyam - well informed of current events, Sthir - steady and firm / adores Brahmins, Aisvarya - God like or great qualities; these are the attributes of a Kshatriya.’
The Lord now continues with the qualities of a Vaishya (trading class) and the Shudras (serving class).