Some thoughts on the ideology of Brahminism

As one gets deeper into a historical and sociological interpretation of the scriptures of orthodox Hinduism, it is hard not to impute ulterior motives to their Brahmin authors and masters.

It is not surprising that most Hindus are stung by what they consider as insinuations following from supposedly flawed westernized Indology.

While it is typical of most aggrieved Hindus to accuse the critics of Brahminism as Marxists, some point to role of a few Brahmin leaders in India's freedom struggle (Tatya Tope, Rani Laxmibai)  to contradict the so-called generalization of Brahminical villainy

As regards the defense of Brahmin heroes, while I appreciate such sentiments, the examples provided are exceptions and there is very little in the history of India of the last 2000 years where we can hold up many stellar examples of Brahmin leadership or visionary excellence. 

From from it, Brahmin culture and ideology has been one of  almost relentless rent-seeking and parasitism, whether through ritualism, propagation of caste structure or various forms of spurious and fraudulent forms of theology with which most of the post-vedic scriptural texts (read Vedanta) are filled with.

The most fatal blow struck by Brahminism to Indian society and culture was the institutionalization of the Bhakti cult, which was the last nail on the coffin of objective realism (excuse my semantic license here)

Lets us not narrowly identify Brahminism with the nature and conduct of South Indian caste brahmins of the last few generations, many of whom may be innocent  of the crimes of the larger Brahmin ideology. There are some historical reasons for the docility of caste Brahmins south of the Vindhyas, which will require a separate analysis.

I am studying the genealogy of Brahminism from the onset of the primary Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) and how it has morphed progressively from its ritualistic origins to assume more and deadly forms, where caste, religion and spirituality were used as tools in the real scheme of power grab and exploitation of large sections of society. 

The study has only started and it is revealing many surprising insights to me. At the level of religion it is amazing how Brahmin  casteism and ritualism has totally hijacked mainstream hinduism and how its believers now have no recollection or sense of its more unorthodox parts like Vaishesika, Nyaya, Sankhya (before it was distorted and corrupted by Bhagavad Gita)and Lokayata philosophies. 

Again an irony that Hindus of today have such a poor sense of their own heritage and history