Can commoners attain Moksha without needing to be born as a Brahmin?












3















Are commoners i.e, people not wearing yajnopavita able to attain moksha without needing to be born as Brahmin according to Hindu Scriptures? Are there any examples of them attaining Moksha or Oneness with God(Brahman) or Oneness with their Ishta Devata without being born as Brahmin?










share|improve this question


















  • 4





    Yes, Sri Vaishnavas allow anyone, regardless of caste, gender, or race, to do Sharanagati for moksha in this life.

    – Ikshvaku
    10 hours ago








  • 3





    To be precise 63 Nayanmars except few, majority were ordinary humans even belonged to lower caste group of people who do not even know mantras or even had eagerness to see God. Just through sincere devotion, charity, service they attained Moksha. Example: NANDANAR belonged to lower caste at that time Dalit but he merged to Nataraj Sannadhi in Chidambaram after passing a AGNI PARIKSHA!

    – Akshay S
    9 hours ago






  • 4





    even animals, asuras etc. have got moksha, what to talk about non-brahmins ?

    – ram
    9 hours ago











  • yes anyone can get moksha one clause who had come through right guru.. identify guru is important I can say surrender unto madhva guru which is right sampradaya, but your ego and samshkara will prevent, so in effect mostly those who are not guided by right people will not get moksha..

    – Prasanna R
    3 hours ago













  • @PrasannaR If one is sincere, God himself shows the correct path.

    – Chinmay Sarupria
    1 hour ago
















3















Are commoners i.e, people not wearing yajnopavita able to attain moksha without needing to be born as Brahmin according to Hindu Scriptures? Are there any examples of them attaining Moksha or Oneness with God(Brahman) or Oneness with their Ishta Devata without being born as Brahmin?










share|improve this question


















  • 4





    Yes, Sri Vaishnavas allow anyone, regardless of caste, gender, or race, to do Sharanagati for moksha in this life.

    – Ikshvaku
    10 hours ago








  • 3





    To be precise 63 Nayanmars except few, majority were ordinary humans even belonged to lower caste group of people who do not even know mantras or even had eagerness to see God. Just through sincere devotion, charity, service they attained Moksha. Example: NANDANAR belonged to lower caste at that time Dalit but he merged to Nataraj Sannadhi in Chidambaram after passing a AGNI PARIKSHA!

    – Akshay S
    9 hours ago






  • 4





    even animals, asuras etc. have got moksha, what to talk about non-brahmins ?

    – ram
    9 hours ago











  • yes anyone can get moksha one clause who had come through right guru.. identify guru is important I can say surrender unto madhva guru which is right sampradaya, but your ego and samshkara will prevent, so in effect mostly those who are not guided by right people will not get moksha..

    – Prasanna R
    3 hours ago













  • @PrasannaR If one is sincere, God himself shows the correct path.

    – Chinmay Sarupria
    1 hour ago














3












3








3








Are commoners i.e, people not wearing yajnopavita able to attain moksha without needing to be born as Brahmin according to Hindu Scriptures? Are there any examples of them attaining Moksha or Oneness with God(Brahman) or Oneness with their Ishta Devata without being born as Brahmin?










share|improve this question














Are commoners i.e, people not wearing yajnopavita able to attain moksha without needing to be born as Brahmin according to Hindu Scriptures? Are there any examples of them attaining Moksha or Oneness with God(Brahman) or Oneness with their Ishta Devata without being born as Brahmin?







moksha






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share|improve this question










asked 10 hours ago









Ajay VarmaAjay Varma

1597




1597








  • 4





    Yes, Sri Vaishnavas allow anyone, regardless of caste, gender, or race, to do Sharanagati for moksha in this life.

    – Ikshvaku
    10 hours ago








  • 3





    To be precise 63 Nayanmars except few, majority were ordinary humans even belonged to lower caste group of people who do not even know mantras or even had eagerness to see God. Just through sincere devotion, charity, service they attained Moksha. Example: NANDANAR belonged to lower caste at that time Dalit but he merged to Nataraj Sannadhi in Chidambaram after passing a AGNI PARIKSHA!

    – Akshay S
    9 hours ago






  • 4





    even animals, asuras etc. have got moksha, what to talk about non-brahmins ?

    – ram
    9 hours ago











  • yes anyone can get moksha one clause who had come through right guru.. identify guru is important I can say surrender unto madhva guru which is right sampradaya, but your ego and samshkara will prevent, so in effect mostly those who are not guided by right people will not get moksha..

    – Prasanna R
    3 hours ago













  • @PrasannaR If one is sincere, God himself shows the correct path.

    – Chinmay Sarupria
    1 hour ago














  • 4





    Yes, Sri Vaishnavas allow anyone, regardless of caste, gender, or race, to do Sharanagati for moksha in this life.

    – Ikshvaku
    10 hours ago








  • 3





    To be precise 63 Nayanmars except few, majority were ordinary humans even belonged to lower caste group of people who do not even know mantras or even had eagerness to see God. Just through sincere devotion, charity, service they attained Moksha. Example: NANDANAR belonged to lower caste at that time Dalit but he merged to Nataraj Sannadhi in Chidambaram after passing a AGNI PARIKSHA!

    – Akshay S
    9 hours ago






  • 4





    even animals, asuras etc. have got moksha, what to talk about non-brahmins ?

    – ram
    9 hours ago











  • yes anyone can get moksha one clause who had come through right guru.. identify guru is important I can say surrender unto madhva guru which is right sampradaya, but your ego and samshkara will prevent, so in effect mostly those who are not guided by right people will not get moksha..

    – Prasanna R
    3 hours ago













  • @PrasannaR If one is sincere, God himself shows the correct path.

    – Chinmay Sarupria
    1 hour ago








4




4





Yes, Sri Vaishnavas allow anyone, regardless of caste, gender, or race, to do Sharanagati for moksha in this life.

– Ikshvaku
10 hours ago







Yes, Sri Vaishnavas allow anyone, regardless of caste, gender, or race, to do Sharanagati for moksha in this life.

– Ikshvaku
10 hours ago






3




3





To be precise 63 Nayanmars except few, majority were ordinary humans even belonged to lower caste group of people who do not even know mantras or even had eagerness to see God. Just through sincere devotion, charity, service they attained Moksha. Example: NANDANAR belonged to lower caste at that time Dalit but he merged to Nataraj Sannadhi in Chidambaram after passing a AGNI PARIKSHA!

– Akshay S
9 hours ago





To be precise 63 Nayanmars except few, majority were ordinary humans even belonged to lower caste group of people who do not even know mantras or even had eagerness to see God. Just through sincere devotion, charity, service they attained Moksha. Example: NANDANAR belonged to lower caste at that time Dalit but he merged to Nataraj Sannadhi in Chidambaram after passing a AGNI PARIKSHA!

– Akshay S
9 hours ago




4




4





even animals, asuras etc. have got moksha, what to talk about non-brahmins ?

– ram
9 hours ago





even animals, asuras etc. have got moksha, what to talk about non-brahmins ?

– ram
9 hours ago













yes anyone can get moksha one clause who had come through right guru.. identify guru is important I can say surrender unto madhva guru which is right sampradaya, but your ego and samshkara will prevent, so in effect mostly those who are not guided by right people will not get moksha..

– Prasanna R
3 hours ago







yes anyone can get moksha one clause who had come through right guru.. identify guru is important I can say surrender unto madhva guru which is right sampradaya, but your ego and samshkara will prevent, so in effect mostly those who are not guided by right people will not get moksha..

– Prasanna R
3 hours ago















@PrasannaR If one is sincere, God himself shows the correct path.

– Chinmay Sarupria
1 hour ago





@PrasannaR If one is sincere, God himself shows the correct path.

– Chinmay Sarupria
1 hour ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















4














Yes, anyone can attain moksha regardless of caste, creed and gender. Krishna Himself explicitly states that Shudras, Vaishyas and even women can attain Him:




For finding refuge in Me, O Arjuna, even those who maybe of sinful birth, women, Vaishyas and similarly Shudras, even they can reach the Supreme Goal. (Bhagavad Gita 9.32)







share|improve this answer































    3














    There are different views regarding this and also difference concepts of Moksha (Merging with the Self, meant for the jnanis) or Mukti (Salokya, Sajujya,Sarupya, Samipya etc for the Bhaktas). And there are concepts like Sadyomukti (Instant Liberation), Kramamukti(Gradual Liberation), Jivanmukti(Liberation while alive) and Videhamukti (Liberation after Death).



    According to some sints like Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnth,non-brahmins can not attain Moksha. They need a brahmin birth for that.They refer to the incident of Srimabhagavatam, Sri Krishna gave darshan to Muchukunda in Narayana form, but told that he would have to do severe ausrerities to remove sin and would get Mukti in the next birth being born as a brahmin.(Reference:Sitaram Leela Lekhya, Promod Ranjan Gupta, page155-6).



    But devotees can get Mukti by grace of God any time. In adhyatmaramayana(Lankakanda,11/87),Narada says whateven sinneres get videhamukti,ie mukti after death, if he or she can die remembering God constantly.(Ref :lbid page 156).



    Sabari, Jatayu, kavandha etc got sajujyamukti and sarupyamukti by grace of Sri Ramachandra, as referred to in Adhyatmaramayana Aranyakanda, chapter 8,9 and 10
    (lbid page 156).



    According to Sri Ramakrishna also, pure devotion can beget Mukti for avSudra as well as a brahmin.(Ref:Sri Ramakrishnakathamrita, Udbodhan Akhanda Edition,page 620 and 743).






    share|improve this answer

































      3














      Yes, Moksha(Salokya, Sameepya, Sarupya etc., and Kaivalya) can be attained by anyone who desires it, regardless of caste or gender



      The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_7/Conversations_And_Dialogues/




      Thus the talk went on, and gradually drifted to the topic of
      Shankaracharya. The disciple was a great adherent of Shankara, almost
      to the point of fanaticism. He used to look upon Shankara's Advaita
      philosophy as the crest of all philosophies and could not bear any
      criticism of him. Swamiji was aware of this, and, as was his wont,
      wanted to break this one - sidedness of the disciple.



      Swamiji: Shankara's intellect was sharp like the razor. He was a good
      arguer and a scholar, no doubt of that, but he had no great
      liberality; his heart too seems to have been like that. Besides, he
      used to take great pride in his Brahmanism -- much like a southern
      Brahmin of the priest class, you may say. How he has defended in his
      commentary on the Vedanta - sutras that the non - brahmin castes will
      not attain to a supreme knowledge of Brahman!
      And what specious
      arguments! Referring to Vidura1 he has said that he became a knower
      of Brahman by reason of his Brahmin body in the previous incarnation.
      Well, if nowadays any Shudra attains to a knowledge of Brahman, shall
      we have to side with your Shankara and maintain that because he had
      been a Brahmin in his previous birth, therefore he has attained to
      this knowledge? Goodness! What is the use of dragging in Brahminism
      with so much ado? The Vedas have entitled any one belonging to the
      three upper castes to study the Vedas and the realisation of Brahman,
      haven't they? So Shankara had no need whatsoever of displaying this
      curious bit of pedantry on this subject, contrary to the Vedas.
      And
      such was his heart that he burnt to death lots of Buddhist monks -- by
      defeating them in argument! And the Buddhists, too, were foolish
      enough to burn themselves to death, simply because they were worsted
      in argument! What can you call such an action on Shankara's part
      except fanaticism? But look at Buddha's heart! Ever ready to give his
      own life to save the life of even a kid -- what to speak of
      "[(Sanskrit)]-- for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the
      many"! See, what a large - heartedness -- what a compassion!



      Disciple: Can't we call that attitude of the Buddha, too, another kind
      of fanaticism, sir? He went to the length of sacrificing his own body
      for the sake of a beast!



      Swamiji: But consider how much good to the world and its beings came
      out of that 'fanaticism' of his -- how many monasteries and schools
      and colleges, how many public hospitals and veterinary refuges were
      established, how developed architecture became -- think of that. What
      was there in this country before Buddha's advent? Only a number of
      religious principles recorded on bundles of palm leaves -- and those
      too known only to a few. It was Lord Buddha who brought them down to
      the practical field and showed how to apply them in the everyday life
      of the people. In a sense, he was the living embodiment of true
      Vedanta




      One who knows the Brahman is the true Brahmin or Brahmrishi






      share|improve this answer































        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes








        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        4














        Yes, anyone can attain moksha regardless of caste, creed and gender. Krishna Himself explicitly states that Shudras, Vaishyas and even women can attain Him:




        For finding refuge in Me, O Arjuna, even those who maybe of sinful birth, women, Vaishyas and similarly Shudras, even they can reach the Supreme Goal. (Bhagavad Gita 9.32)







        share|improve this answer




























          4














          Yes, anyone can attain moksha regardless of caste, creed and gender. Krishna Himself explicitly states that Shudras, Vaishyas and even women can attain Him:




          For finding refuge in Me, O Arjuna, even those who maybe of sinful birth, women, Vaishyas and similarly Shudras, even they can reach the Supreme Goal. (Bhagavad Gita 9.32)







          share|improve this answer


























            4












            4








            4







            Yes, anyone can attain moksha regardless of caste, creed and gender. Krishna Himself explicitly states that Shudras, Vaishyas and even women can attain Him:




            For finding refuge in Me, O Arjuna, even those who maybe of sinful birth, women, Vaishyas and similarly Shudras, even they can reach the Supreme Goal. (Bhagavad Gita 9.32)







            share|improve this answer













            Yes, anyone can attain moksha regardless of caste, creed and gender. Krishna Himself explicitly states that Shudras, Vaishyas and even women can attain Him:




            For finding refuge in Me, O Arjuna, even those who maybe of sinful birth, women, Vaishyas and similarly Shudras, even they can reach the Supreme Goal. (Bhagavad Gita 9.32)








            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 1 hour ago









            Surya Kanta Bose ChowdhurySurya Kanta Bose Chowdhury

            6,89931364




            6,89931364























                3














                There are different views regarding this and also difference concepts of Moksha (Merging with the Self, meant for the jnanis) or Mukti (Salokya, Sajujya,Sarupya, Samipya etc for the Bhaktas). And there are concepts like Sadyomukti (Instant Liberation), Kramamukti(Gradual Liberation), Jivanmukti(Liberation while alive) and Videhamukti (Liberation after Death).



                According to some sints like Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnth,non-brahmins can not attain Moksha. They need a brahmin birth for that.They refer to the incident of Srimabhagavatam, Sri Krishna gave darshan to Muchukunda in Narayana form, but told that he would have to do severe ausrerities to remove sin and would get Mukti in the next birth being born as a brahmin.(Reference:Sitaram Leela Lekhya, Promod Ranjan Gupta, page155-6).



                But devotees can get Mukti by grace of God any time. In adhyatmaramayana(Lankakanda,11/87),Narada says whateven sinneres get videhamukti,ie mukti after death, if he or she can die remembering God constantly.(Ref :lbid page 156).



                Sabari, Jatayu, kavandha etc got sajujyamukti and sarupyamukti by grace of Sri Ramachandra, as referred to in Adhyatmaramayana Aranyakanda, chapter 8,9 and 10
                (lbid page 156).



                According to Sri Ramakrishna also, pure devotion can beget Mukti for avSudra as well as a brahmin.(Ref:Sri Ramakrishnakathamrita, Udbodhan Akhanda Edition,page 620 and 743).






                share|improve this answer






























                  3














                  There are different views regarding this and also difference concepts of Moksha (Merging with the Self, meant for the jnanis) or Mukti (Salokya, Sajujya,Sarupya, Samipya etc for the Bhaktas). And there are concepts like Sadyomukti (Instant Liberation), Kramamukti(Gradual Liberation), Jivanmukti(Liberation while alive) and Videhamukti (Liberation after Death).



                  According to some sints like Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnth,non-brahmins can not attain Moksha. They need a brahmin birth for that.They refer to the incident of Srimabhagavatam, Sri Krishna gave darshan to Muchukunda in Narayana form, but told that he would have to do severe ausrerities to remove sin and would get Mukti in the next birth being born as a brahmin.(Reference:Sitaram Leela Lekhya, Promod Ranjan Gupta, page155-6).



                  But devotees can get Mukti by grace of God any time. In adhyatmaramayana(Lankakanda,11/87),Narada says whateven sinneres get videhamukti,ie mukti after death, if he or she can die remembering God constantly.(Ref :lbid page 156).



                  Sabari, Jatayu, kavandha etc got sajujyamukti and sarupyamukti by grace of Sri Ramachandra, as referred to in Adhyatmaramayana Aranyakanda, chapter 8,9 and 10
                  (lbid page 156).



                  According to Sri Ramakrishna also, pure devotion can beget Mukti for avSudra as well as a brahmin.(Ref:Sri Ramakrishnakathamrita, Udbodhan Akhanda Edition,page 620 and 743).






                  share|improve this answer




























                    3












                    3








                    3







                    There are different views regarding this and also difference concepts of Moksha (Merging with the Self, meant for the jnanis) or Mukti (Salokya, Sajujya,Sarupya, Samipya etc for the Bhaktas). And there are concepts like Sadyomukti (Instant Liberation), Kramamukti(Gradual Liberation), Jivanmukti(Liberation while alive) and Videhamukti (Liberation after Death).



                    According to some sints like Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnth,non-brahmins can not attain Moksha. They need a brahmin birth for that.They refer to the incident of Srimabhagavatam, Sri Krishna gave darshan to Muchukunda in Narayana form, but told that he would have to do severe ausrerities to remove sin and would get Mukti in the next birth being born as a brahmin.(Reference:Sitaram Leela Lekhya, Promod Ranjan Gupta, page155-6).



                    But devotees can get Mukti by grace of God any time. In adhyatmaramayana(Lankakanda,11/87),Narada says whateven sinneres get videhamukti,ie mukti after death, if he or she can die remembering God constantly.(Ref :lbid page 156).



                    Sabari, Jatayu, kavandha etc got sajujyamukti and sarupyamukti by grace of Sri Ramachandra, as referred to in Adhyatmaramayana Aranyakanda, chapter 8,9 and 10
                    (lbid page 156).



                    According to Sri Ramakrishna also, pure devotion can beget Mukti for avSudra as well as a brahmin.(Ref:Sri Ramakrishnakathamrita, Udbodhan Akhanda Edition,page 620 and 743).






                    share|improve this answer















                    There are different views regarding this and also difference concepts of Moksha (Merging with the Self, meant for the jnanis) or Mukti (Salokya, Sajujya,Sarupya, Samipya etc for the Bhaktas). And there are concepts like Sadyomukti (Instant Liberation), Kramamukti(Gradual Liberation), Jivanmukti(Liberation while alive) and Videhamukti (Liberation after Death).



                    According to some sints like Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnth,non-brahmins can not attain Moksha. They need a brahmin birth for that.They refer to the incident of Srimabhagavatam, Sri Krishna gave darshan to Muchukunda in Narayana form, but told that he would have to do severe ausrerities to remove sin and would get Mukti in the next birth being born as a brahmin.(Reference:Sitaram Leela Lekhya, Promod Ranjan Gupta, page155-6).



                    But devotees can get Mukti by grace of God any time. In adhyatmaramayana(Lankakanda,11/87),Narada says whateven sinneres get videhamukti,ie mukti after death, if he or she can die remembering God constantly.(Ref :lbid page 156).



                    Sabari, Jatayu, kavandha etc got sajujyamukti and sarupyamukti by grace of Sri Ramachandra, as referred to in Adhyatmaramayana Aranyakanda, chapter 8,9 and 10
                    (lbid page 156).



                    According to Sri Ramakrishna also, pure devotion can beget Mukti for avSudra as well as a brahmin.(Ref:Sri Ramakrishnakathamrita, Udbodhan Akhanda Edition,page 620 and 743).







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited 6 hours ago

























                    answered 7 hours ago









                    Partha BanerjeePartha Banerjee

                    1,398119




                    1,398119























                        3














                        Yes, Moksha(Salokya, Sameepya, Sarupya etc., and Kaivalya) can be attained by anyone who desires it, regardless of caste or gender



                        The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_7/Conversations_And_Dialogues/




                        Thus the talk went on, and gradually drifted to the topic of
                        Shankaracharya. The disciple was a great adherent of Shankara, almost
                        to the point of fanaticism. He used to look upon Shankara's Advaita
                        philosophy as the crest of all philosophies and could not bear any
                        criticism of him. Swamiji was aware of this, and, as was his wont,
                        wanted to break this one - sidedness of the disciple.



                        Swamiji: Shankara's intellect was sharp like the razor. He was a good
                        arguer and a scholar, no doubt of that, but he had no great
                        liberality; his heart too seems to have been like that. Besides, he
                        used to take great pride in his Brahmanism -- much like a southern
                        Brahmin of the priest class, you may say. How he has defended in his
                        commentary on the Vedanta - sutras that the non - brahmin castes will
                        not attain to a supreme knowledge of Brahman!
                        And what specious
                        arguments! Referring to Vidura1 he has said that he became a knower
                        of Brahman by reason of his Brahmin body in the previous incarnation.
                        Well, if nowadays any Shudra attains to a knowledge of Brahman, shall
                        we have to side with your Shankara and maintain that because he had
                        been a Brahmin in his previous birth, therefore he has attained to
                        this knowledge? Goodness! What is the use of dragging in Brahminism
                        with so much ado? The Vedas have entitled any one belonging to the
                        three upper castes to study the Vedas and the realisation of Brahman,
                        haven't they? So Shankara had no need whatsoever of displaying this
                        curious bit of pedantry on this subject, contrary to the Vedas.
                        And
                        such was his heart that he burnt to death lots of Buddhist monks -- by
                        defeating them in argument! And the Buddhists, too, were foolish
                        enough to burn themselves to death, simply because they were worsted
                        in argument! What can you call such an action on Shankara's part
                        except fanaticism? But look at Buddha's heart! Ever ready to give his
                        own life to save the life of even a kid -- what to speak of
                        "[(Sanskrit)]-- for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the
                        many"! See, what a large - heartedness -- what a compassion!



                        Disciple: Can't we call that attitude of the Buddha, too, another kind
                        of fanaticism, sir? He went to the length of sacrificing his own body
                        for the sake of a beast!



                        Swamiji: But consider how much good to the world and its beings came
                        out of that 'fanaticism' of his -- how many monasteries and schools
                        and colleges, how many public hospitals and veterinary refuges were
                        established, how developed architecture became -- think of that. What
                        was there in this country before Buddha's advent? Only a number of
                        religious principles recorded on bundles of palm leaves -- and those
                        too known only to a few. It was Lord Buddha who brought them down to
                        the practical field and showed how to apply them in the everyday life
                        of the people. In a sense, he was the living embodiment of true
                        Vedanta




                        One who knows the Brahman is the true Brahmin or Brahmrishi






                        share|improve this answer




























                          3














                          Yes, Moksha(Salokya, Sameepya, Sarupya etc., and Kaivalya) can be attained by anyone who desires it, regardless of caste or gender



                          The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_7/Conversations_And_Dialogues/




                          Thus the talk went on, and gradually drifted to the topic of
                          Shankaracharya. The disciple was a great adherent of Shankara, almost
                          to the point of fanaticism. He used to look upon Shankara's Advaita
                          philosophy as the crest of all philosophies and could not bear any
                          criticism of him. Swamiji was aware of this, and, as was his wont,
                          wanted to break this one - sidedness of the disciple.



                          Swamiji: Shankara's intellect was sharp like the razor. He was a good
                          arguer and a scholar, no doubt of that, but he had no great
                          liberality; his heart too seems to have been like that. Besides, he
                          used to take great pride in his Brahmanism -- much like a southern
                          Brahmin of the priest class, you may say. How he has defended in his
                          commentary on the Vedanta - sutras that the non - brahmin castes will
                          not attain to a supreme knowledge of Brahman!
                          And what specious
                          arguments! Referring to Vidura1 he has said that he became a knower
                          of Brahman by reason of his Brahmin body in the previous incarnation.
                          Well, if nowadays any Shudra attains to a knowledge of Brahman, shall
                          we have to side with your Shankara and maintain that because he had
                          been a Brahmin in his previous birth, therefore he has attained to
                          this knowledge? Goodness! What is the use of dragging in Brahminism
                          with so much ado? The Vedas have entitled any one belonging to the
                          three upper castes to study the Vedas and the realisation of Brahman,
                          haven't they? So Shankara had no need whatsoever of displaying this
                          curious bit of pedantry on this subject, contrary to the Vedas.
                          And
                          such was his heart that he burnt to death lots of Buddhist monks -- by
                          defeating them in argument! And the Buddhists, too, were foolish
                          enough to burn themselves to death, simply because they were worsted
                          in argument! What can you call such an action on Shankara's part
                          except fanaticism? But look at Buddha's heart! Ever ready to give his
                          own life to save the life of even a kid -- what to speak of
                          "[(Sanskrit)]-- for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the
                          many"! See, what a large - heartedness -- what a compassion!



                          Disciple: Can't we call that attitude of the Buddha, too, another kind
                          of fanaticism, sir? He went to the length of sacrificing his own body
                          for the sake of a beast!



                          Swamiji: But consider how much good to the world and its beings came
                          out of that 'fanaticism' of his -- how many monasteries and schools
                          and colleges, how many public hospitals and veterinary refuges were
                          established, how developed architecture became -- think of that. What
                          was there in this country before Buddha's advent? Only a number of
                          religious principles recorded on bundles of palm leaves -- and those
                          too known only to a few. It was Lord Buddha who brought them down to
                          the practical field and showed how to apply them in the everyday life
                          of the people. In a sense, he was the living embodiment of true
                          Vedanta




                          One who knows the Brahman is the true Brahmin or Brahmrishi






                          share|improve this answer


























                            3












                            3








                            3







                            Yes, Moksha(Salokya, Sameepya, Sarupya etc., and Kaivalya) can be attained by anyone who desires it, regardless of caste or gender



                            The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_7/Conversations_And_Dialogues/




                            Thus the talk went on, and gradually drifted to the topic of
                            Shankaracharya. The disciple was a great adherent of Shankara, almost
                            to the point of fanaticism. He used to look upon Shankara's Advaita
                            philosophy as the crest of all philosophies and could not bear any
                            criticism of him. Swamiji was aware of this, and, as was his wont,
                            wanted to break this one - sidedness of the disciple.



                            Swamiji: Shankara's intellect was sharp like the razor. He was a good
                            arguer and a scholar, no doubt of that, but he had no great
                            liberality; his heart too seems to have been like that. Besides, he
                            used to take great pride in his Brahmanism -- much like a southern
                            Brahmin of the priest class, you may say. How he has defended in his
                            commentary on the Vedanta - sutras that the non - brahmin castes will
                            not attain to a supreme knowledge of Brahman!
                            And what specious
                            arguments! Referring to Vidura1 he has said that he became a knower
                            of Brahman by reason of his Brahmin body in the previous incarnation.
                            Well, if nowadays any Shudra attains to a knowledge of Brahman, shall
                            we have to side with your Shankara and maintain that because he had
                            been a Brahmin in his previous birth, therefore he has attained to
                            this knowledge? Goodness! What is the use of dragging in Brahminism
                            with so much ado? The Vedas have entitled any one belonging to the
                            three upper castes to study the Vedas and the realisation of Brahman,
                            haven't they? So Shankara had no need whatsoever of displaying this
                            curious bit of pedantry on this subject, contrary to the Vedas.
                            And
                            such was his heart that he burnt to death lots of Buddhist monks -- by
                            defeating them in argument! And the Buddhists, too, were foolish
                            enough to burn themselves to death, simply because they were worsted
                            in argument! What can you call such an action on Shankara's part
                            except fanaticism? But look at Buddha's heart! Ever ready to give his
                            own life to save the life of even a kid -- what to speak of
                            "[(Sanskrit)]-- for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the
                            many"! See, what a large - heartedness -- what a compassion!



                            Disciple: Can't we call that attitude of the Buddha, too, another kind
                            of fanaticism, sir? He went to the length of sacrificing his own body
                            for the sake of a beast!



                            Swamiji: But consider how much good to the world and its beings came
                            out of that 'fanaticism' of his -- how many monasteries and schools
                            and colleges, how many public hospitals and veterinary refuges were
                            established, how developed architecture became -- think of that. What
                            was there in this country before Buddha's advent? Only a number of
                            religious principles recorded on bundles of palm leaves -- and those
                            too known only to a few. It was Lord Buddha who brought them down to
                            the practical field and showed how to apply them in the everyday life
                            of the people. In a sense, he was the living embodiment of true
                            Vedanta




                            One who knows the Brahman is the true Brahmin or Brahmrishi






                            share|improve this answer













                            Yes, Moksha(Salokya, Sameepya, Sarupya etc., and Kaivalya) can be attained by anyone who desires it, regardless of caste or gender



                            The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_7/Conversations_And_Dialogues/




                            Thus the talk went on, and gradually drifted to the topic of
                            Shankaracharya. The disciple was a great adherent of Shankara, almost
                            to the point of fanaticism. He used to look upon Shankara's Advaita
                            philosophy as the crest of all philosophies and could not bear any
                            criticism of him. Swamiji was aware of this, and, as was his wont,
                            wanted to break this one - sidedness of the disciple.



                            Swamiji: Shankara's intellect was sharp like the razor. He was a good
                            arguer and a scholar, no doubt of that, but he had no great
                            liberality; his heart too seems to have been like that. Besides, he
                            used to take great pride in his Brahmanism -- much like a southern
                            Brahmin of the priest class, you may say. How he has defended in his
                            commentary on the Vedanta - sutras that the non - brahmin castes will
                            not attain to a supreme knowledge of Brahman!
                            And what specious
                            arguments! Referring to Vidura1 he has said that he became a knower
                            of Brahman by reason of his Brahmin body in the previous incarnation.
                            Well, if nowadays any Shudra attains to a knowledge of Brahman, shall
                            we have to side with your Shankara and maintain that because he had
                            been a Brahmin in his previous birth, therefore he has attained to
                            this knowledge? Goodness! What is the use of dragging in Brahminism
                            with so much ado? The Vedas have entitled any one belonging to the
                            three upper castes to study the Vedas and the realisation of Brahman,
                            haven't they? So Shankara had no need whatsoever of displaying this
                            curious bit of pedantry on this subject, contrary to the Vedas.
                            And
                            such was his heart that he burnt to death lots of Buddhist monks -- by
                            defeating them in argument! And the Buddhists, too, were foolish
                            enough to burn themselves to death, simply because they were worsted
                            in argument! What can you call such an action on Shankara's part
                            except fanaticism? But look at Buddha's heart! Ever ready to give his
                            own life to save the life of even a kid -- what to speak of
                            "[(Sanskrit)]-- for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the
                            many"! See, what a large - heartedness -- what a compassion!



                            Disciple: Can't we call that attitude of the Buddha, too, another kind
                            of fanaticism, sir? He went to the length of sacrificing his own body
                            for the sake of a beast!



                            Swamiji: But consider how much good to the world and its beings came
                            out of that 'fanaticism' of his -- how many monasteries and schools
                            and colleges, how many public hospitals and veterinary refuges were
                            established, how developed architecture became -- think of that. What
                            was there in this country before Buddha's advent? Only a number of
                            religious principles recorded on bundles of palm leaves -- and those
                            too known only to a few. It was Lord Buddha who brought them down to
                            the practical field and showed how to apply them in the everyday life
                            of the people. In a sense, he was the living embodiment of true
                            Vedanta




                            One who knows the Brahman is the true Brahmin or Brahmrishi







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 14 mins ago









                            NitinNitin

                            568111




                            568111















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