Balasubramanian Sabharatnam

Grandpa's Wisdom Balasubramanian Sabharatnam

An orthodox member was highly critical about castes. He was proud that he is a Brahmin and was throwing his weight in the group by dictating rituals, practicing orthodox procedures etc. As an Ex-Army officer, I did not like his attitude. One day the said member, has gone beyond limits and started abusing other castes. I could not tolerate his behaviour and spontaneously the following questions came out of my mouth, to counter that member. 1. You are so proud that you are a Brahmin, tell me which Brahmin God you worship? (I am also a brahmin but I am broad minded due to my service in Army).2. When you visit temple, the Garland and flowers you buy from a person for the deity. Is that person is a Brahmin?3. When you offer the prasad or fruits to God or when you eat them, are the produced by to Brahmin?4. Lastly Out of 64 devotees known as Nayanmars (idols kept in Shiva Temple in South) how many are brahmins? Similarly of the 12 Azhwars (devotees of Vishnu) how many are brahmins?The man got a shock. And there was a pin drop silence among the group. The man who does not want to shirk his ego shouted "You talk like this because you are an Army man. How much knowledge you have about Vedas, Upanishads, scriptures etc.? I did not want to argue with him and I told him I may not be well read and I can educate myself in those things, but certainly your knowledge is a waste for you discriminate Gods creations.