Untouchability in Hinduism

      Arjun  "Apawad"

There is always hot debate in eastern society about untouchability and Dalit. Most people believe that this problem comes from Hinduism culture, but there are no any facts in holy books like Veda and Purans.

In Mahavarat, the world's biggest epic and holy books in Hinduism explain society's different aspects. These books there have explained about grass root level to top level like people, leader, and daily activities and so on. In this it maintain about Dalits but not about untouchability anywhere. Mahavarat's vanparva have a story about Dalit, which runs like this. King Nahus was cursed by Agastya, holy man and became a snake than he visited in forest. Duration of secretive Pandavs are in Jungle. One day Vimsen go in jungle, but not return in Asram. Ydhiristir start to seek brother in jungle and found in snake's capture situation. He asked snake to put of his brother. The snake purposed Yudhirister to give answer of his question for convince otherwise bite his brother. Yudhirister agree this propose of snake. Who is Brahman?  Asked snake than Yudhiristir answered him Brahman is that person who speaks truth, well studied, able to give knowledge, have good character and have so on abilities. After than the snake asked to Yudhirister "If so a Dalit could be Brahman if he have all this abilities?"  "Everyone can be Brahman if he has all the abilities of Brahman as Dalits too," Yudhirister answered.

       In Hinduism Yudhirister recognized as religious and faithful character but why not follow his voice. When we studied his expression we know that in society's classification was based on ability not on born.

       Gita a holy book, mostly respectful in Hinduism. Krishna elaborates Arjun in different aspects about the world in Gita. Men have three types of character like Satyaguni (higher class), Tamoguni (middle class) and Rajoguni (lower class) says Krishna in this book. Character depends on their way of lifestyle and eating behavior. He said that men are classified because of their character. Krishna doesn't speak out untochability and caste discrimination but in society untouchability takes place named of this lord.

       When we studied Puran in depth there have many examples of became Rishi, cleric because of their work. Basistha who is from Chhetri community become Brahman for his well education and knowledge. The writer of all Hinduism books Bedabyas is son of fisherman. Purans said that Sutpauranik Rishi Guru of all Rishies, no one haven't clearly knows about his parents. Narad Rishi whose have more tales about in Hinduism also son of slave woman.

       Because of that times society's systemization leaders make different kinds of rules and regulation, and someone was punished who don’t follow the society's rules. In that time someone make alone with society because of punishment and become untouchable. We can say that untouchability was developed this kind of behavior. In our society someone became untouchable some of the parts of Nepal because of their harmful crime till now. Some dalits use Brahman's last name for many years is the another evidence of untouchability. 

       untouchability is worse habit of society, and we must start debate about this in society. It takes some times to end these types of customs because it takes deeply in everyone's mind. Let us start abut when and where start untouchabilty which was not in religious book.  

    

    

Mirge-5, Chilaunekhark

Dolakha

apawad@hotmail.com