Can a Sudra become a Brahmin in 'this' birth?

Question

Scriptures have remedy for everything. Various mantras various austerities can give us miraculous position. For eg. It is possible to become Indra (who is King of Heaven) by performing 100 Ashwamedha Yajnas.

Similarly mantras can also have wonderful powers. Eg. As I discuss in this question Mritasanjeevani Vidya can even make a dead person alive. Although it seems like rising from dead is impossible but power of mantras can make it possible.

We see that we can achieve unbelievable things through the power of Mantras. Although the Vedas do not speak of birth based caste system, but as discussed here Brahma Sutra seem to suggest
caste system is birth based and all ancient commentators of Brahma Sutra think caste system is birth based.

Although I personally believe in Guna Based Varna system. We can find several examples in Smriti/ Itihasa (which may be latter addition) that the caste system is birth based. In such situation Sudras aren't considered eligible for Jnana or to learn Vedas.

Now, if a Sudra has curiosity to learn Vedas or has curiosity to achieve Jnana then how can he remove his Sudrahood in his very birth and thus learns Vedas? Can a Shudra convert himself to Brahmana in this very birth? Are there any mantras, any austerities any methods which a Shudra can do to make himself a Brahmana in this very birth?

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible through the power of Panchakshari Mantra. As already discussed in question Mantras can have wonderful powers. Similarly through the power of Panchakshara Mantra even a Shudra can become a Brahmana in this very birth.

Panchakshara Mantra is "Namaha Shivaya" or "Om Namaha Shivaya" or "Shivaya Namaha."

In the chapter Glory of Pranava Panchakshara Mantra [Chapter 17 Videsvara Samhita Shiva Purana] various powers of Panchakshara Mantra are told. There Sage Suta also tells that Panchakshara Mantra even can convert Sudra into a Brahmana. As stated in chapter:

क्षत्रियः पञ्चलक्षण क्षत्रत्वमपनेष्यति ।
पुनश्च पञ्चलक्षण क्षत्रियो ब्राह्मणो भवेत् ।।
मन्त्रसिद्धिर्जपाद्यैव क्रमान्मुक्तो भवेन्नर ।
वैश्यस्तु पञ्चलक्षण वैश्यत्वमपनेष्यति ।।
पुनश्च पञ्चलक्षण मन्त्रक्षत्रिय उच्यते ।
पुनश्च पञ्चलक्षण क्षत्रत्वमपनेष्यति ।।
पुनश्च पञ्चलक्षण मन्त्रब्राह्मण उच्यते ।
शूद्रश्चैव नमोऽन्तेन पञ्चविंशतिलक्षत ।।
मन्त्रविप्रत्वमापद्य पश्चाच्छुद्रो भवेद्द्विज।
नारीवाथ नरो वाथ ब्राह्मणो वान्य एव वा ।।

A Kshatriya should recite this mantra five lacs of times, then he is freed from duties of a Kshatriya. By again reciting the mantra by five lakhs (five hundred thousand) of times more, he becomes a Brahmana. By again reciting the same number of the mantra, one achieves the siddhi in the mantra and one gets free from reciting the japam. By performing the japam of the mantra five lacs of times, a Vaisya is freed from Vaisyatwa or remaining as Vaisya. By reciting the mantra for five lacs of times, it is called as mantra Kshatriya. By reciting further by five lacs of times his Ksatriyahood is removed. By further reciting the mantra by five lacks times more, he is called the mantra Brahmana. In case a Sudra adding Namah at the end of the mantra, recites the mantra by twenty five lacs of times, then he achieves the position of a mantra Brahmana. After reciting the japam by twenty five lacs of times again, a Sudra is turned into a pure Brahmana. Irrespective of the one, being a woman, man. a Brahmana or anyone else, all are purified with the reciting of this mantra. 

Thus it is clear from the above passage that it is possible for a Sudra to remove his Sudrahood and become a Brahmana through the power of Panchakshara mantra.

From the above passage:

For a Kshatriya:

● If a Kshatriya wants to remove his Kshatroto so that he wants to be free from duties of Kshatriya then he should do japam of Panchakshari Mantra (Om Namaha Shivaya) 5 Lakhs times.

● If he now wants to become Brahmana he should do japam of same Panchakshari Mantra 5 Lakh times. Then he gets the position of Brahmanhood.

For a Vaishya:

● If a Vaishya wants to remove his Vaishatwo (being free from duties of Vaishya) he should do japam of Panchakshari Mantra "Om Namaha Shivaya" for 5 Lakh times. Then his Vaishyahood is removed.

● By doing Japam of Panchakshari further 5 Lakh times he gets to the position of Mantra Kshtraiya.

● By further chanting 5 Lakh more times he can remove his Kshatriyahood.

● By further doing japam 5 Lakh times he reaches to the position of Mantra Brahmana.

● After attaining position of Mantra Brahmana if he does japam for further 25 Lakh times he gets the position of pure Brahmana.

For a Sudra:

● For a Shudra the rule is a little bit different as the passage states " शूद्रश्चैव नमोऽन्तेन" ie. "Shudras should chant with Namaha at the end." ie. Instead of chanting "Om Namaha Shivaya" , one should chant "Shivaya Namaha" (ie. Having Namaha at the end).

● On doing japam of "Shivaya Namaha" mantra 25 Lakh times, a Shudra gets the position of Mantra Brahmana.

● Now after getting position of Mantra Brahmana if he does japam of "Om Namaha Shivaya" 25 Lakhs time he gets the position of Pure Brahamana.

Thus it is possible for a Shudra to become a Brahmana through the power of Panchakshari Mantra. For the information about general method of japam of Panchakshari mantra, one can refer to the beginning of the same chapter of Shiva Purana ie. Vidyesvara Samhita chapter 17 "Glory of Pranava Panchakshara Mantra."

As a Side Note I want to give some features of Panchakshari Mantra here:

▪ It is called Panchakshari Mantra because of five (Pancha) syllables in it "Na" "Ma" "Shi" "Va" "Ya".

▪ Vedas during the time of dissolution enter inside Panchkashari Mantra and thus remain protected as I discuss here.

▪ To the newly formed five headed Brahma Lord Shiva provides Panchakshari through his five heads and thus this mantra is revealed to Brahma at that time. [Linga Purana Part 2 chapter 85].

▪ Panchakshari Mantra is also revealed in Veda Samhita of Yajurveda in the SataRudriya section. Like 16th chapter of Shukla YajurVeda, 4.5.8 of Krishna Yajurveda, 17th Chapter of Kathaka Samhita, 2.9.2 of Maitrayani Samhita and so on..

_{[Note that for those verses it doesn't matter whether one believes in birth based caste system or Guna based Varna system.]}

Answer 2

By Deeksha also (Guru Deeksha i mean) a Sudra can get rid of his Sudratva.

Gatam Sudrasya sudratvam ViprashyApi cha VipratA|| DeekshasamskAraSampanne JAtibhedo Na Vidyate ||

After Deeksha Samskara a Sudra does not remain a Sudra,neither a Vipra remains a Vipra.There remains no differences of caste after Deeksha.

KulArnava Tantram,Chapter 14,Verse 91.

Its interesting to note that the differences due to varnashrama ceases to take effect after Guru Deeksha.That is why deeksha is given supreme importance in all Agama Shastras.

Answer 3

Very nice question. As far as Vedas are concerned, there is no differentiation based on caste or gender. Any genuine seeker is welcomed here.

If there is brahmajijnasa/dharma jijnasa in anyone born in shudra family he can be verily initiated into vedas and gayatri by upanayana.

*

***brAhmaNaH kShatriyo vaishyaH trayo varNAH dvijAdayaH saMskRtAshcAnyathA shUdrAH evaM vedavido viduH tasmAdayaM suto me.adyaH shUdravat vartate shishuH upanItaH kriyArhaH syAt iti vedeShu nirNayaH rAjJAmekAdashe varShe sadopanayanaM smRtaM aShTame brAhmaNAnAM ca vaishyAnAM dvAdashe kila (devI bhAgavata 7-7)

“The three varNa-s of brAhmaNa, kShatriya and vaishya are dvija (twice born) only if they undergo the upanayana saMskAra otherwise they are indeed considered to be shUdra in the absence of saMskAra”****

Janmana jayate shudrah
One is a Shudra by birth

Samskarad dvija ucyate
By observing Sanskara one becomes a Dvija

Vedapathi bhaved viprah
By studying the Vedas one becomes a Vipra

Brahma janati brahmanah
One who knows Brahman is a Brahmana

Hence by performing samskara and giving mantra upadesha he gains dwijahood. there is no need to chant any panchakshari etc for million times.

यथेमां वाचं कल्याणीमावदानि जनेयः। ब्रह्म राजन्यायां शूद्राय, चार्याय च स्वाय चारणायच।। – यजुः अ. 26-2

Just as I am speaking these blessed words to people (without distinction), in the same way you also spread these words among all men and women – the Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas, Shudras and all others, whether they be our own people or aliens(foreigners).

Shukla Yajurveda 18.48:

Ruchannu dhehi brahmanesu ruchaha rajasu naskrudhi | Ruchanwisyeshu Sudreshu mayi dheyi rucha rucham ||

O Lord! Provide enlightenment to our Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas and Shudras. Provide me also with the same enlightenment so that I can see the truth.

Further, many shastras say that a brahmin or dwija becomes candala by doing wrong deeds or by ignoring the prescribed vedic duties like sandhyavandanam. Same way a shudra can also be promoted as a dwija and a dwija can become chandala by wrong deeds.

Further, there is also opinions that Mahidasa Aitariya and Satyakama Jabala etc were also born from low caste women. yet they went on to learn from gurus and became enlightened.

Reference

Answer 4

🌸Clear indications of varna system according to merit are found in brahmana texts. A Brahmin person can also become a Kshatriya Vaishya or Shudra on the basis of his deeds.

स ह दीक्षमाणः एव ब्राहमणतामभ्युपैति (ऐतरेय ब्राहमण 7 : 23)

Meaning- A Kshatriya is initiated and attains the Brahmin Varna.

तस्मात् अपि (दीक्षितम्) राज्यन्यं वा वैश्यं वा ब्राहमण इत्येव ब्रूयात्। ब्राहमणो हि जायते यो यज्ञात् जायते। (शतपत ब्राहमण 3: 2 :1: 40)

Meaning- A Kshatriya Vaishya can also be initiated into the Brahmin class by taking Yagya initiation.

Here being initiated into the Yagya refers to the time of studying the Vedas in the Brahmacharya Ashram. After that those Brahmins also get Kshatriyatva, Vaishyatva or Shudratva according to their deeds.

🌸There are many examples of varna change in Brahmana texts like -

1-Vatsa became a Maharishi (sage) even after being born in a Shudra class. (Aitareya Brahmana 2:11)

2-The son of Chakravarti Kshatriya king Manu Vaivasvat named Nabhanedishta became a Brahmin. (Aitareya Brahmana 5:14)

3-Satyakam Jabal was of unknown clan(prostitute son). He became a great and famous Maharishi due to his truthfulness and sharp intellect. (Panchavish Brahmana 8:6:1)

4-The maid's son 'Kavasha Ailush' belonged to the Shudra family. He became a learned brahmin and was called a sage Mantradrasta . The hymns given by this sage are still found in the tenth mandala of Rigveda (Sukt 31-33), on which his name is inscribed as a sage. (Sayana Brahmana 12:1-3)

People of different varnas were becoming brahmins by changing varna, so in Maitrayani Samhita objection has been raised on asking brahmin the name of his parents -

किं ब्राह्मणस्य पितरं किमु पृच्छसि मातरं । श्रुतं चेदस्मिन् वेद्यं स पिता स पितामहः ॥ (मैत्रायणी संहिता 4:8:1)

Meaning- Why do you ask the parents of a Brahmin? If there is a Gyan in him, then it is his father and forefather.

*~Thank you*

*~Hari Maurya* 

Answer 5

Yes, there are a number of instances in the Hindu scriptures that talk about falling down from a varna or the other way around. By not following one's svadharma (own dharma), one loses his varna. In Srimad Bhagavatham, Ajamila who was initially a Brahmin is described to have fallen from the varna because of his ill conduct and neglect of svadharma. Scriptures quote that a Brahmin who does not perform regular sandhyavandana is no more a Brahmin. He is simply called a brahmana-bandhu (a friend of Brahmin). If three generations of a family do not perform sandhyavandana and Gayatri, they are not considered as Brahmins according to the scriptures. Likewise, there are other instances in the scriptures where sages like Vishwamitra and Harithas (the progenitor of Harithasa gothra) who were originally Kshatriyas changed to the brahmin varna by virtue of their sadhana and penance. Change of varna is possible by rigorous practice of mantra that is obtained from an accomplished Guru. But one has to bear in mind that the svadharma still has to be followed, while chanting the mantra.