(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

The Brahmins Were Largely Sattvic-Natured People

शमो दमस्तप: शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च |
ज्ञानं विज्ञानमास्तिक्यं ब्रह्मकर्म स्वभावजम् || 18.42||

śhamo damas tapaḥ śhauchaṁ kṣhāntir ārjavam eva cha
jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam|| 18.42||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 42:

For Brahmins, the inherent attributes of work include serenity, temperance, austerity, purity, patience, integrity, knowledge, wisdom, and belief in an afterlife.

Explanation

The Brahmins were those with primarily Sattvic natures. Their main responsibilities were to practice austerity, mental purity, commitment, and leadership by example. They were therefore expected to have compassion, humility, and spiritual awareness. For themselves and for the other classes, they were required to carry out Vedic rites.

They were naturally inclined to embrace learning. Therefore, they were also suited for the vocation of teaching, which involves acquiring knowledge and imparting it to others. They directed the executives even though they did not take part in running the government. And because they had a strong understanding of the scriptures, people highly valued what they had to say on social and political issues.

Verse & what we can learn

According to Shri Krishna, a person who is born with or acquires a particular set of attributes and a particular type of mental makeup behaves in accordance with that mental makeup and is therefore a brahman.

Brahmans’ behaviour demonstrates restraint of the senses and the mind. Even in the harshest circumstances, they never become upset or disturbed. They have a tremendous amount of endurance and fortitude due to living a life of penance and austerity. Since they do not entertain selfish or hateful thoughts, their mind is clean. Anyone who has hurt you emotionally or physically is immediately pardoned. Since their thoughts, words, and deeds are in harmony, they engage with the world in a very plain manner.

A braahmana uses knowledge and discrimination to guide every action. They never act carelessly or without consideration. This information is not merely theoretical; it becomes wisdom as a result of the Brahman’s aptitude for using it in real-world circumstances.
Whether or not they have had formal education or firsthand knowledge of the teachings of the scriptures, Brahmans also believe in what they contain. In general, all these qualities result from a high level of sattva in the mind, with just a hint of rajas and tamas.

To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

In the next shloka Shri Krishna explains about qualities of Kshatriyas.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…