Brahmins are forever being criticised for India’s many ills. I grew up and even today wondered whether the community was indeed so bad. Was fortunate to come across this article by respected Dr Kapoor where has given the numerous contributions of the Brahmin community. Surely, no community is perfect but to criticise a community 24 by 7 is not appropriate either. No human being is perfect, the challenge and joy is in continously striving to do better.
“The Brahmins gave India its sacred literature which has stood the test of time and has attracted even foreign scholars.”
“All the eleven disciples (ganadhara) of Lord Mahavira were Brahmins. Kashyapa, the most erudite among the disciples of Buddha, credited with founding the Dhyana School (better known as Zen) was also a Brahmin.”
“Among the immortal works of Brahmins which have won recognition the world over are, refer file. The Brahmin contribution to science, mathematics, astronomy and music needs special mention. Brahmagupta anticipated Newton’s discovery of the Law of Gravitation. His work, the Brahmasphuta Siddhanta, is said to have influenced Arabian astronomy.”
“The Brahmins have been the torch-bearers of spiritual wisdom and the progenitors of social reform. The holy Guru Granth Sahib includes the hymns of 23 Brahmins. Banda Bahadur who valiantly resisted, even reversed the Muslim onslaught on Hinduism for some time, hailed from the Bharadwaja Gotra of Brahmins.”