Historical Elements in the Matsya Purana

by Chaitali Kadia | 2021 | 91,183 words

This page relates ‘Varna (1): The Brahmanas (Brahmins)’ of the study on the historical elements of the Matsya-purana: one of the eighteen Mahapuranas which are Sanskrit texts that have preserved the cultural heritage, philosophy, religion, geography, etc of ancient India. This Matsyapurana was originally written in 20,000 verses and deals with topics such as architecture, ancient history, polity, religion and philosophy.

Varṇa (1): The Brāhmaṇas (Brahmins)

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The first division of the four castes is Brahmana . They were in the highest position in the society and their respect was also the highest. Usually for them the duty was Vedic education, performing Yajña , doing austerities and accepting donations. The Dharmaśāstra also speaks of this same work of the Brahmins . In the ancient Vedic age, there was an inseparable relationship between Brāhmana and Vedic education. Manusmṛti^[1] states that Brahmins should always study the Vedas . There are many such proofs in Matsya Purāṇa . The Brahmins studied the Vedas uninterruptedly and they also acquired considerable mastery and skill in it. This is clear from the use of anecdotes by the Brahmins. The study of the Vedas was evident I the titles which the Brahmins often held. Such as–Vedavidvat (Matsya Purāṇa chapter 68/20, 71/15), Vedapāraga (Matsya Purāṇa chapter 70/12, 93/113, 105/17, 183/68), Śrotriya (Matsya Purāṇa 215/5) and Trayeevidyā (Matsya Purāṇa 215/54). Some Brahmins were proficient in certain branches of the Vedas^[2], others accepted the Vedas as auxiliary science^[3], others mastered their own in Purāṇa Sāśtra^[4], so many in Vedanta .^[5] Thus the Brahmins have engaged themselves in an ideal concept of Vedic teaching. This education is a unique resource for them.

Another duty of the Brahmins was to spread education or as a guide. Although there is no precedent in the Matsya Purāṇa , the silence of the Matsya Purāṇa does not prove that the Brahmins were not extender in the expansion of education because the Brahmins played the role of perfect monopoly. They were the only competent authority.

However, the Brahmins did not earn enough to study and teach the Vedas alone. They chose the work of the clergy as an alternative to this. There are examples of this priesthood in many places of Matsya Purāṇa by which they used to get excellent donations like land, gold, cows etc.^[6] In many places in the Matsya-Purāṇa , there are scenes where the gift of Brahmins seems to be a load for the family.^[7] The Brahmins used to receive substantial donations from prostitutes.^[8] But it should never be given to any arrogant Brahmin. Instead, a Brahmin who is truly wise, civilized, virtuous and has family is worthy of charity.^[9] The Brahmins commanded that since they were direct messengers of God, they should be worshiped and given alms in various vows.^[10] They were the only means of offering to god.^[11] And there was also the custom of inviting and feeding the Brahmins to perform Sraddhānusthana and to complete various worships.^[12] The Brahmins introduced such rituals in the scriptures for their own convenience. It was said that scholars would always regard an angry Brahmin as a poisonous snake. Angry Brahmins have the power to destroy society and the state.^[13] In the Matsya Purāṇa , in the context of describing the Māheśvara vow (MP-95) rule and the Sarvafalatyāga rule, various kinds of excellent gifts have been given to the Brahmins. Brahmins were sometimes more qualified in politics than kings. Examples of the conversations between Vṛsaparva and Śukrācārya in the Matsya Purāṇa .^[14] The Brahmins were appointed by the kings as priests but later those priests conducted the politics. And the kings depended on the priests for their success. Such are the worthy examples of the power of Devaguru Bṛhaspati and Asuraguru Śukrācārya.^[15] Sometimes kings depended on priests for their longevity.^[16] Thus the king become the guardians of the society but the priests indirectly became the omnipotent rulers. Politically, among the seven main organs of politics, one is the Amātya who was a Brāhmana (MP-220/19).

Nowhere in Matsya Purāṇa there is no any reference to the drinking of priests. However, the monsters let Sukrācārya drink wine with mixing the crush which was crushed by the dead body of Kaca.^[17] Then Śukrācārya found out and ordered that no Brahmin should drink alcohol. If he does so, he will be expelled from Brahmanism and will be given appropriate punishment. That Brahmin will be neglected in the society. Thus drinking is forbidden for Brahmins. There were also other food items of the Brahmins such as–garlic, onions, pigs, chickens and pañcanakha animals. Appropriate preventive punishment was also prescribed against the violation of this rule (MP-227/190).

There are examples of anti-brahmins in the Matsya Purāṇa . It is said in the Matsya Purāṇa that the Kalki incarnation will hate the Brahmins and annihilate them.^[18] During the destruction of Tripura , the Asuras also started destroying the Brahmins.^[19] When the time of destruction comes, the king also starts killing the Brahmins, seizing their property, envying them.^[20] There is also a mention of Brahmins carrying weapons in one place of the Matsya Purāṇa . At one time in the Svayambhu Manvantara, a king named Pramati of Chandragotriya in the Bhṛgu dynasty who was accompanied by thousands of powerful armed Brahmins. And they each killed the Mlecchas (MP-144/53).

The Brahmins were mainly divided into Śaiva and Vaiṣṇavism . Those who observed Kṛṣṇāṣṭami vow, (MP-56) they worshiped the Brahmins who were worshipers of Śiva.^[21] On the other hand, Vaiṣṇava Brahmins were given gifts to observe the Aśunyaśāyana vows (MP-71). The Brahmins have always practiced various rituals to elevate their position. For example, a householder should always be benefited by the property of Brahmins and cows. However, it is said in the Matsya Purāṇa that gradually the Brahmins will lose their status in the Dvāpara Yuga and the householders will also lose faith in the vows.^[22] In the Kali Yuga , Brahmins will be considered equal to Śudras (MP-167/17).