________________
8. AGE OF REASON
"Devadhinam jagat sarvarm Mantradhinam ta devata Tam Mantram Brahmandhinam Brahmana nam devata" "The Universe is under the power of gods, The gods are under the power of the mantras, The mantras are under the power of the Brahmins, Therefore, the Brahmins are our gods."
Abbe J.A. Dubois's "Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies" Oxford, Third Edition 1906, Page 139.
" This supremacy of the priestly class had its origin in the Purohita (praepositus, = he that is placed in front'), the family priest, who, as ritual developed, took the place of the house-father, by whom the earlier and simpler worship had been conducted. The priests of the Rig Veda were not yet organized into a profession, nor did they claim their office by hereditary right. However, the period of the Brahmanas shows a rapid development of their pretensions. We are told that there are two kinds of gods, the Devas and the Brahmanas, the latter regarded as deities among men. With this new theology was combined the dogma of the supremacy of sacrifice. 'The sun would not rise,' says the Satapatha Brahmana, 'if the priest did not make sacrifice.' When we meet it first in the Indian ritual, sacrifice is merely a thank-offering, then it comes to be regarded as a means of nourishing the Pitri, or the gods; finally, a means of wresting favours from them. This naturally resulted in the exaltation of sacrificial ritual. Every religious act must be accompanied by its special Mantra, or formula, each word of which is momentous, each tone fraught with mystery."
Dr. Hopkins (Religions of India) 1894
This was a direct result of the nature of the Vedic gods. If these gods are powers of nature, by knowing the laws of nature, we will be able to control those forces. It is simple science. The power lay in the mantras and the perfectness and technical accuracy of the ritual performance. Simple deviations and errors will make the machine go wrong and will result in curses and destruction. These expertise and Vedic knowledge were family secrets. In so doing, Brahmins became the superior class even greater than the gods. Brahmins strengthened their position over the nobles and rulers of the Kshatriya class.
166
