let us join hands
Reality and thoughtsSometime in May 2018, on Facebook's Brahmins group page, a Smartha member posted a lengthy note about his bad experience performing his parent's shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ) ceremony at Shankara Mutt in Shankarapura, near Gandhi Bazar, Bangalore. (I somehow missed copying the post and couldn't trace it later.) While acknowledging the truth of the post's contents, many Smartha members expressed their dissatisfaction and shared their own bad experiences in the comment section. They had undergone similar difficulties while performing the shraddha ceremony. Some Smartha members wrote that the mutt employees and purohits did not extend even the minimum cooperation during the ceremony.
After reviewing the various comments, I concluded that some Smartha/Advaita followers are definitely dissatisfied with the service at Bangalore's Shankarapura Shankar Mutt. However, I still believe that these members may not have considered the challenges faced by the mutt authorities and employees. One possible reason for the subpar service might be the overwhelming workload, which prevents the employees from providing adequate service to the community.
With due respect to all orthodox families, and to those dissatisfied with Shankar Mutt, I offer the following suggestion:
- Let us have Shraddhe (ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆ) while performing Shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ). Hence, once we begin the ceremony, we must forget about the surroundings and focus on the ritual.
- Details of mismanagement or injustices by purohits will become apparent during the ceremony. In my opinion, the Kartha should not question these issues, as it may distract from the ceremony's purpose and disturb their mind.
- One may introspect and analyze the reasons for the shortcomings; are they due to the purohits' heavy workload or other valid reasons? Whatever the case, I believe we should give the mutt authorities another chance.
- However, if the same bad experience is repeated after forgiving or ignoring the first incident, it is best to avoid that particular place and explore alternatives. If, at a later date, the person is confident that the mutt is functioning normally, they may perform the Shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ) there, putting aside their previous bad experiences. This is how one can reconcile when the mutt authorities have reconciled.
Let us all be more broad-minded. Let us not distinguish between Advaita followers (Smartha/Iyer/Sanketi/Havyaka, etc.) and Dvaita followers (Madhwa/Vaishnava) and Vishishtadvaita followers (Iyengars). Our custom is to remember our departed parents at least once a year by performing a ritual as prescribed by the shastra. Unfortunately, this shastra differs from community to community and region to region. In my opinion, we must remember our deceased parents and follow the purohit's instructions during the ceremony. There is no point in questioning. I have seen that even within the same sub-caste, be it Madhwa or Smartha, customs vary between North Karnataka and Southern Karnataka or Udupi. Likewise, customs in Udupi differ from those in Southern Karnataka or North Karnataka. We observe variations from region to region and state to state. In this context, a Smartha may consider Madhwa Mutts, which are numerous and affordable for middle-class families.
Please, let us not question the different methods of performing Shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ) in Madhwa Mutts and compare them to the Shankar Mutt tradition. I have already stated that we find differences from region to region. Greatness lies in ignoring such things while performing Shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ). Let us have Shraddhe (ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆ); that's it.
In Mysore Madhwa mutts, we pay around Rs.600 to Rs.800 for this ceremony, including prasada (food) for two. We need to pay an additional Rs.150 for each extra person's food. Dakshina (tips) are given as per the Kartha's wish. In total, we may have to spend around Rs.1500 per shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ) for two family members. This amount is very reasonable, considering today's cost of living (year 2019).
In short, my simple logic is that we need to compromise. That's all.
The shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ) ceremony is traditional and a custom in the Brahmin community, performed for centuries. This ceremony has its benefits for those who believe in it. Let us not skip the ceremony and take harsh decisions. We should adjust to the present scenario or explore alternatives (like Smarthas utilizing Madhwa mutt services or vice versa). I offer a practical example: nowadays, we compromise on sub-sects while searching for a bride or groom in most literate Brahmin families. Apply the same logic here. We need to have Shraddhe (ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆ) while performing Shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ). Leave the rest to God. Remember, "Karmanye va…."
Some suggest stopping shraddha rituals and donating the money to serve the poor instead. We shouldn't agree to this for two reasons: we shouldn't break the tradition followed by our ancestors, and we are helping our community members, as only Brahmins are involved. I know everyone is proud of their sub-sect in the Brahmin community and argues that their sub-sect is better and purer. Hence, please don't opine otherwise. If some are unhappy with my suggestions, at least consider them to bring all sub-sects in the Brahmin community together. Thank you.
- ನಿಮ್ಮ ಅನಿಸಿಕೆ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ತಮಗೆ ಸ್ವಾಗತ. ಶಂಕರ ಚಾರ್ಯರ ತತ್ತ್ವ ಸಿದ್ದಾಂತ ಮರೆತು ಅಧುನಿಕ ಇತರರ ನಡವಳಿಕೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನ ಮುಳುಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಮಠದ ಕಾರ್ಯ ಕರ್ತರ ಜವಬ್ದಾರಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿಗಮನಿಸಬೇಕು.
Hide or report this - Bere math dalli hige maduttare annudakinta Namma matadalli Elli tappagide adannu tiddi kollabeku Hage maneyalli darma palisabeku adannu Bittu mathadalli padhdhati Matra beku endre hege rayar mathadalli onde aduge bere karyakramakke badasuttare adu estu janakke gottide avar mathadalli maduva devaralli taratamya namage sari hogudilla
Hide or report this - ನಿಮ್ಮಂಥ ಹಿರಿಯರು ಮುಂದಾಳತ್ವ ತಗೊಂಡು
ಬಲವಂತ ವಾಗು ಮಾಡಿಸಿ
ಮಾಡಿ ತೋರಿಸಿ
ಇವತ್ತು ನನ್ನ ಮಗ ರುದ್ರ ಚಮಕ ನಮಕ್ ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ ಹಾಕ್ತೀನಿ
ಬೇರೆ ಹಾಕಮ್ಮ ಅಂದ ಮಠ ಅನ್ಸತ್ತೆ ಅಂತ
ಮಠ ಅಂತಾನೆ anko ಒಳ್ಳೆದು ಅಂದೆ
ನೀವು ಹೋದ ಕಡೆ ನೀವು ಮಾಡಿ
ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನ ನೋಡಿ ಬೇರೆ ಹಿರಿಯರು ಮಾಡ್ತಾರೆ
ಅದೇ ರೂಡಿ ಆಗತ್ತೆ ಅಷ್ಟೆ
My personal view
Today, the gentleman (on Facebook) says that the services at Raghavendra Mutt are good. In my view, let us not compare one mutt with another and draw conclusions. Every mutt, whether it is a Smartha mutt or a Madhwa mutt, is managed by different groups of people at different times, and we may be unhappy with the services during some period in either mutt. Moreover, these groups of people may change at a later date. Additionally, Madhwa families may prefer to go to a Smartha mutt for performing shraddha (ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾ) due to location advantages or other reasons.
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end- written ಸಂಟೈಂ ಇನ್ March 2019
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