| BRAHMIN DUTIES The Brahmins can indeed raise war in times of emergencies or when their life is endangered or when the situation demands so.
The Shastras clearly allow it.
Manu Smriti, Chapter 8, Shlok 348, says :
8.348. Twice-born men may take up arms when (they are) hindered (in the fulfilment of their duties, when destruction (threatens) the twice-born castes (varna) in (evil) times.
The Yajnavalkya Smriti similarly says :
21 — 23. In cases of emergency a brahmin shall pursue a Kshatriya's duties (administration and security) or a Vaishya's mercantile activites. But these articles he shall not sell : fruits, som, silk, medicinal creepers, curd, milk, ghee, water, sesame seeds, cooked rice, heavy metals, acids and alkalis, honey, lac, requisites of Hom, cloth, stone, utensils flowers, vegetables, clay, leather shoes, deer-skin, silk, salt, meat, oil cakes, roots and perfumes.
Further :
Ved Vyas also mentioned ‘Aapaddharmaas’ of Brahmans rendering Kshatriya Dharmas, Kshatriyas assuming the duties of Vaishyas and so on. [Maha Bhagavat Puran provided escape clauses in the context of Varnaashram Dharma: Yasya yallakshanam drusyat tat teniva vinirdisat. In other words: the aspects of aptitude and practice may be endorsed; as such the Principles are of general regulative nature while in practice, the updated considerations of ‘Desh - Kaal - Maan - Paristhithis’ would indeed prevail]
("Apaaddharmas" mean duties during an emergency).
The Parshar Smriti Chapter 7, Shlok 35 says :
During
a civil commotion, or in exile, or when ill, or in misfortune,
the first consideration is to preserve one's life. Practice of
religion should at the time be postponed. |