Host:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Greetings, son.
Host:
Today, on our "Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khapa" YouTube channel, the topic we want to discuss with you is the role of the priest (Purohit) in our rituals. We often see a high demand for priests, especially during festivals like Saraswati Puja. Sometimes, people even scramble to find one. Regarding becoming a priest, is there any specific training or formal process involved nowadays?
Gurudev:
Well, in the past, there was no such thing as "training." It is a modern development. Now, women are becoming priests, as are non-Brahmins. They receive a certificate after completing a training course. If their chanting of mantras is good, they can work as a Brahmin.
However, the most significant point is that our scriptures set a boundary regarding the Shaligram Shila (a sacred stone representing Lord Vishnu). The right to touch this is strictly reserved for Brahmins. But today's Brahmin children—forget practicing the Gayatri mantra or meditation—they don't even sit before the Lord. Whether it is due to their professional careers or other reasons, no one wants to enter this path anymore.
Gurudev:
There is a proverb: "A Brahmin can be bought for a hundred thousand." This is why Brahmin children are moving away from it. I live in Vachaspati Para. Out of the five Brahmin households there, not a single boy performs puja. A few might do some basic evening prayers at home, but they don't go out to perform rituals professionally. They say that if you perform pujas for others, you have to take on their sins, and the money isn't worth it.
Gurudev:
But Brahmins were born for this. Lord Brahma himself created them. He intended for them to behave in a way that befits a priest. "Purohit" comes from the word Puras (meaning "before" or "leader") and Hita (meaning "welfare"). A priest's job is to seek the welfare of those living under his guidance. This requires high status and profound knowledge.
My ancestors were "Vachaspati," a title given by the landlords. Later, we became Bhattacharya, but our original title was Vachaspati. As I mentioned, the scriptures say only Brahmins have the right to touch the Shaligram Shila.
Gurudev:
There is a story that when Lord Brahma created Brahmins, he offered them things so they wouldn't have to work hard at priesthood. The Brahmins met and decided they didn't need anything. They said, "Whatever we get from our clients (yajmans) is enough. Why would you give us more?"
Gurudev:
In the past, there was a division of labor. A priest who performed regular pujas would not perform "Pret Karya" (funeral rites or rituals for the deceased). These were performed by "Agrodani Brahmins." They are also Brahmins, but because they accept the first offerings of a funeral, they are called Agrodani. They handle the entirety of the funeral rites. A regular Brahmin and the deity Narayan are only present as witnesses. However, Agrodani Brahmins have almost disappeared because their children didn't follow the profession. Now, regular priests have to take on that responsibility.
Gurudev:
Scriptures suggest that those who perform funeral rites should not perform major pujas like Durga Puja or Kali Puja. But now there is no choice because there is a shortage of Brahmins.
The current state of priesthood is quite commercialized. It's like, "Quick, give me the offerings, I have to go to another house." A priest doesn't even give enough time for the incense to burn out before the puja is "finished." They are always in a hurry because they have ten other houses to visit to make a living. I have seen this with my own eyes. I have performed many pujas myself, and it is hard work. During festivals like Vishwakarma Puja, Lakshmi Puja, or Saraswati Puja, you simply cannot find enough priests.
Gurudev:
The Srimad Bhagavatam says that the status of Brahmins will eventually diminish. Lord Vishnu has ten avatars. First was Matsya (Fish), then Kurma (Tortoise), Varaha (Boar), Narasimha (Half-man, half-lion), and then Vamana (The Brahmin). The Brahmin is at the "head" of Narayan. Then came Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha, and finally, Kalki.
The Bhagavatam predicts that Brahmins will fall from their high status because of their actions. They will end up at the "feet" of Narayan, while the Shudras (the laboring class) will rise to the head. Shudras will eventually protect the Shaligram Shila and perform all the pujas. This shift has already begun. You see women stepping forward now. In the Vedas, women like Gargi and Maitreyi were seers of mantras and performed great sacrifices. That cycle is returning.
Host:
Gurudev, because of the shortage of priests, many household members—men and women—are performing pujas themselves. What are your thoughts on this?
Gurudev:
There is no other way. You might have to call a priest ten times, and even then, he might be on the phone saying he'll be there in half an hour because he's finishing another puja. I've seen cases where it's 11 PM during Kojagari Lakshmi Puja, and the lady of the house is fasting and exhausted, but the priest hasn't arrived.
I remember once I went to a house, and no priest had shown up. I asked for a dhoti, changed, and performed the entire puja myself. It was nearly midnight. I told them to give the offerings and the fee to whichever priest eventually showed up. When the priest arrived at 1 AM, he was actually relieved and happy that the work was done.
Host:
Is there any spiritual issue with people doing it themselves?
Gurudev:
Who follows the scriptures strictly anyway? Who understands the hidden meanings? During Durga Puja, the scriptures say playing the Shehnai is forbidden, yet you hear it everywhere. People don't listen. Our society's confusion stems from not following the scriptures.
God created four orders: Brahmins for knowledge, Kshatriyas for protection, Vaishyas for trade, and Shudras for service. But now, it has flipped. The Shudras are at the top, and the Brahmins are working under them, asking for their files to be cleared. The world is becoming a mix where everything is blended together.
Host:
For those who perform pujas as a "part-time" duty or for families doing it themselves, what guidelines or mantras should they focus on to prepare themselves?
Gurudev:
Knowledge is essential. When I perform Durga Puja, I must do it with the consciousness that I am Shiva. I must establish Shiva within me and say, "I am Shiva. You must accept my worship."
When performing Lakshmi Puja, do it with the consciousness of Vishnu. For Saraswati Puja, use the consciousness of Brahma. This "Gyaan" (knowledge/consciousness) is what is missing today. People don't know which consciousness to adopt for which deity.
As the poet Kamalakanta said in his song, "The Mother has made me mad; I have no need for discernment or logic." People have become "mad" in that sense—they just do things without the deeper knowledge.
Host:
Friends, you heard from Gurudev about a very important topic regarding priesthood and rituals. If you want to learn more about such subjects, please subscribe to our channel and share these videos with your friends and family. Like and share our content. Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam.