#015 A BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK "THE LAST BRAHMIN"

Details of the book:
Link to the Orient Longman, where the book is on sale @ Rs. 395/-.

Author: Rani Siva Sankara Sarma.

The book is semi-autobiographical. Author: Shri Rani Siva Sankara Sarma. The theme centres around 1. Sanatana Dharma (Eternal living style/religion) 2. Hinduism 3. Brahmin traditions particularly those of Sanskrit Vedic Scholars.

The author is an atheist. The author declined to perform the funeral rites of his father in the traditional way.

BLOGGER'S VIEWS

* I, do not doubt the sincerity, of the author. He is open and frank.

* He, seems to be a person, who practises what he preaches.

* The book has exceedingly dealt with the Brahmin (priestly) tradition. I mean: more than required. Consequently, a reader may get an impression that the book is only about Priests, whereas the book is about the predicament which Hinduism faces today.

* The author's father, represents the Sanatana Dharma, which was somewhat inflexible. He wanted continuation of the caste system. The book seems to give a message that people have to retain their castes and fight against discrimination, injustices and ostracisation.

* The author's brother represents the modern Hinduism. Supports of the Hinduist religion. The author seems to insist that Hinduism is Prachchanna Kraistavam (Hidden Christianity). Some arguments: Canvassing religion and converting people is a Christian thirst. Sanatana Dharma is a closed religion. It does not admit people from other religions. Only birth decides a person's religion and caste.

The word 'Hindu' or 'Hinduism' does not appear anywhere in traditional texts. The Piithams (e.g. Sringeri, Kanchi, Puri etc.) originally represented Sanatana Dharma. They have started adopting/adapting the Christian proseylitising and reforming postures recently.

SUMMARY
I do not wish to support or criticise the author's views, because this post becomes lengthy. I have some differences with the views expressed in the book. But we must agree that the book has some thought-provoking features.

The book is worth reading by Hindus, non-Hindus, caste and religion immaterial. Purpose: knowledge and analysis.