THE TWILIGHT YEARS - GET BACK ON TRACK (Excerpts from this chapter in the English book THE GREAT HINDU TRADITION) A retired Brahmin usually spends time reading the newspaper, watching TV, taking grandchildren to school and occasionally going to the temple. Most retirees who go through this routine are reasonably happy with it and consider it ideal – is it? Do we see ourselves as role models : We often speak proudly of our grandfather or great grandfather and their adherence to our culture. Do we see ourselves as role models to our own grandchildren? If not, isn’t it time we did? During our service period or as business persons, many of us do very well: we show great attitude, total integrity and loyalty to our chosen profession, and we even set great paths for our next generation to follow. But the purpose of our birth, the rare birth as a Brahmin, is not just wearing a poonal, going to temples, offering charities and being good to fellow-citizens. It is much more. The right start: During a Brahmin’s ‘earning’ period he could be excused for ignoring his religious duties. But a retired person is hopefully free to spend time as he wishes: this is indeed the time to recover what he has lost so far in terms of his Brahmin identity. On retirement: Except for economic compulsions, the Brahmin should cease his pursuit of the Mammon immediately on retirement. He should not seek extension of his services but instead concentrate on the daily observances required of him by the scriptures, the Sastras. What are these? Religious acts: • Perform daily nitya karmas such as Sandhyavandana and puja • Chant Gayatri mantra 1008 times daily (Gayatri japa) • Perform Panchayatana puja or Salagrama aradhana daily • Perform Aupasana daily if you have the facility at home Physical changes: • Do away with the moustache if you have grown one. • Grow a tuft, which is a Brahmin’s distinct hallmark and which you had to forgo because of work and society-related, often imagined, compulsions. • Always wear the panchakachcham, again a distinct identity of a Brahmin. • Never be seen wearing a single item like only the dhoti: your dress should include an uttareeya or a top – in other words the dress must have at least two pieces Changes in habits and practices: • Have the position of the poonal changed during ablutions and wash the mouth and legs thereafter, as per the rules. • Pay more attention to sanctity, and things such as ‘ madi’ and ‘achara’ • Spare a significant chunk of time for some kind of public service • Seek the guidance of a Guru to develop spiritual thinking The lists above are illustrative and not exhaustive. You will get more ideas in due course, on your own. Put them into practice, with due directions from your Guru.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 02:30:12 +0000
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