Talk:The Vedas:Duty of Brahmins
By Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swami
If any purpose has been served by your listening to me all this while, it is now for you, especially those who are Brāhmaṇas, to take whatever steps you think fit to preserve and promote Vedic learning. Every day you must perform Brahmayajña, one of the five Mahāyajña-s. Here Brahma refers to the Vedas. The power of the Vedic mantras must be preserved within us as an eternal reality. It must continue to burn like a lamp that is never extinguished. It is for this reason that Brahmayajña is performed. In this rite, oblations are offered to the presiding Ṛṣi of one's own Vedic śākhā.
If this is not possible, the very least you must do is perform Gāyatrī-japa every day. The Gāyatrī is the very essence of the Vedas, their substance. To become qualified to chant it, you must first receive initiation from a Guru. Thereafter, you should mentally repeat it at least one thousand times every day. If even this is difficult, you must at least recite it ten times during each of the three Sandhyā periods—morning, noon, and evening. The presiding deity of the Gāyatrī is the Sun. Since Sunday is the day dedicated to the Sun, rise at four in the morning on that day, complete your ablutions, and recite the Gāyatrī one thousand times. This will bring welfare not only to you but to the whole world.
All Brāhmaṇas should also learn to chant the Puruṣasūkta, the Śrīsūkta, the Śrī Rudram, and other important Vedic hymns. I am speaking especially to those of you who work in offices. I know that it may not be possible for you to devote yourselves entirely to Vedic study. Even so, you should strive to acquire at least a minimum knowledge of the scriptures. It is all the more praiseworthy when something worthwhile is accomplished in the face of difficulties. If you begin learning the Vedas now, you can complete your study within a few years. What you require is faith and devotion. This vidyā has been preserved through countless generations. If you approach it with determination, you will certainly succeed. Do we not see people even in their fifties and sixties undertaking research to earn academic degrees? If there is firm resolve, nothing is impossible. I have myself seen men who knew nothing of the Vedas at the age of forty later become proficient in their recitation. Indeed, among the office-bearers of our Veda Rakṣaṇa Nidhi Trust are such examples. What is required is faith together with perseverance.
Even if those of you who are employed and advanced in age cannot yourselves undertake Vedic study, you must at least ensure that your sons receive instruction. After Upanayana, when the boy reaches the age of eight, arrangements should be made for him to study the Vedas for at least one hour every evening over a period of eight years. Families within the same locality or village may jointly engage a Vedic teacher. Such an arrangement will also benefit children belonging to poorer Brāhmaṇa families.
Above all, we must ensure that the Vedic pāṭhaśālā-s that still survive do not disappear. These institutions must be strengthened, more students encouraged to join them, and adequate financial support provided both to teachers and to students.
Let me repeat that Brāhmaṇas ought not to be provided with wealth beyond their essential needs. Yet we cannot ignore present-day realities. Many attractive occupations now tempt them away from their svadharma. If those who dedicate themselves entirely to the preservation of the Vedas are left to struggle for their livelihood, Vedic dharma itself will suffer. Therefore it becomes our duty to provide them with sufficient material support to free them from anxiety. I do not mean that they should be given luxuries. They should, however, be provided with enough to live with dignity so that they are not compelled to abandon their vocation for other professions. Keeping this in mind, we have drawn up various schemes to support Vedic learning.