[Buddha-l] Query to Sanskritists on the list

[jkirk]

I was surprised to come across this quotation on Indology, because does it 
not resemble the Buddha's assertion in one of his debates with brahmans that 
brahminhood is based not on birth but on deeds, or moral character?
(This is one of the popular examples of where the Buddha is said to have 
argued against the elevated moral status of high caste (jati), which is 
based on birth.)

Comment, ya'll?
Thanks, Joanna
===================================================



The verse you mentioned is perhaps from the Uttara-gita, published by the 
Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune. The Critical Edition of the 
Mahabharata notes a conversation between Kr.s.n.a and Duryodhana in the star 
passage after 5.92.37, where Kr.s.n.a gives reasons for having meals at 
Vidura's house:

kaivarti-garbha-sambhuto vyaso nama mahamunih. tapasa brahman.o jatas tasmaj 
jatir na karan.am.



Sanjay Kumar

McGill University



________________________________

From: Indology on behalf of Sudalaimuthu Palaniappan
Sent: Tue 03/10/2006 11:21 PM
To: INDOLOGY at liverpool.ac.uk
Subject: Source of Brahminhood



Dear Indologists,

Can anybody tell me the source and date of the verse "mastsyagandhastu
tanayo veda vyasa....tasmad jaatirna kaaranam" ?  This verse is used by 
some to
argue that according to Hindu tradition a Brahmin is indeed born  through
austerities and Brahminhood is not the result of physical birth.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
S. Palaniappan


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