GURUDEV:
Pranam, pranam. Speak, my son.
DISCIPLE:
Gurudev, lately we have been observing in many places that non-Brahmins are performing various pujas and rituals instead of Brahmins. Even women are performing them now. Is this acceptable according to our scriptures?
GURUDEV:
Look, the Gita has divided society into four groups. Lord Krishna categorized society into four divisions: "Catur-varnyam maya srstam"—the four castes were created by me. Krishna himself said that he created the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. He divided their roles and duties based on their qualities (Gunas) and actions (Karma). Krishna established this himself.
GURUDEV:
Now, in the current situation, we see that certain organizations or "Tols" (traditional schools) are training non-Brahmins and women. They are being given certificates after learning how to chant some mantras properly. These institutions are certifying them to perform pujas for Goddesses Durga, Kali, Saraswati, and Lakshmi.
GURUDEV:
However, we face a different issue in private households. In a home, no householder is generally willing to have a non-Brahmin perform a puja. They still insist, "Brother, just have a Brahmin’s son come and perform the rituals." They believe that as long as it's a Brahmin’s son, whatever mantras he knows will suffice for the puja. They do not give a place to non-Brahmins in their homes, and likely never will. This tradition is still upheld by householders who won't allow anyone but a Brahmin to perform rituals.
GURUDEV:
On the other hand, in the community festivals (Barowari) organized by clubs, you will mostly find non-Brahmins performing the pujas. There is even a new trend of all-women pujas. There are no men involved; the women themselves bring the idol and perform all the rituals using their certificates.
GURUDEV:
But this is a violation of the Gita. The Gita has bound our society together and defined how people should interact and what work they should do. Roles are specifically assigned: Brahmins are meant for rituals, teaching, and being spiritual guides. Kshatriyas are meant for serving and protecting the nation. Vaishyas are meant for trade and commerce. And Shudras are meant to serve the other three castes. This is what is written in the Gita—that the four castes and their duties were created and divided by the Lord.
GURUDEV:
Nowadays, we see Brahmins working as day laborers or cleaners; they don't perform rituals because they feel they don't need to. So, how do you distinguish who is a Brahmin and who isn't? At the time of birth, one's caste—Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, or Shudra—is often dictated by the "Panji" (astrological almanac). Many people today don't follow or even understand this, but the "seeds" of caste are contained within it.
GURUDEV:
People are no longer following the traditional lineage where a Brahmin’s son is a Brahmin and a Shudra’s son is a Shudra. There is a lot of "cleverness" happening now, but such cleverness doesn't lead to greatness. We say, "The more you try to be clever now, the more you will suffer the consequences later."
GURUDEV:
In the scriptures, it is mentioned that women should not perform these formal priestly duties. They can perform their own personal worship, chant their gurus' mantras, and do small pujas for Shiva or Lakshmi at home, but for formal ceremonies, a Brahmin is required. However, in community events, people don't follow these rules. It’s more about convenience and "business" now.
GURUDEV:
Many temples today have become centers for making money. It's the easiest way to earn—set up a temple, and people will come and give money. People are attracted to these places because there are no strict rules regarding caste.
GURUDEV:
There is also a trend where parents schedule C-sections to ensure their child is born on an auspicious day like Janmashtami. They think if the child is born on that day, he will become like Krishna. This is another form of "cleverness" that interferes with nature.
GURUDEV:
Regarding the shortage of priests—it is true that the number of practicing Brahmins is decreasing. They no longer want to maintain the Brahminical lifestyle. Krishna also predicted this in the Bhagavata—that a time would come when Shudras would be the ones protecting and worshipping the Lord because Brahmins would lose their sanctity. We are seeing this come true. In many homes, women are already the ones looking after the Shaligram Shila (sacred stone) because there is no one else to do it.
GURUDEV:
We are living in the "Age of Shudras" (Kaliyuga), where traditional boundaries are dissolving. Even the sacred thread (poita) is being given to non-Brahmins by some gurus. This is the reality of the times we live in.
DISCIPLE:
Gurudev, I understand from your words that everything is changing due to the influence of the current age. There is no point in blaming the scriptures.
GURUDEV:
Exactly. It is the influence of the age we are in. Everything is becoming a mixture, and the traditional departmental divisions of society are breaking down.
DISCIPLE:
Gurudev, thank you for explaining this so clearly. Pranam to you.
GURUDEV:
Pranam, pranam.