Voltaire and Story of a Good Brahmin

Voltaire and Story of a Good Brahmin

According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, the word "Brahmin" is defined as "a Hindu state of the highest caste traditionally assigned to the priesthood" (Mish, 149). This means that a good Brahmin is at the highest level of enlightenment within the Hindu social system. One would think this state of being would be an accomplishment and would bring about happiness and peace. This paper explores on many levels Voltaire's Story of a Good Brahmin found in many of his collected works.

Upon reading the text, it appears that despite the good Brahmin's path to Nirvana, he also has a dilemma in life. It appears he has spent too many years pondering the big questions in life, with no one to listen to him and he feels this plight has made him miserable. This state of being brings up many questions for the reader. Should he have been born? Are there solutions to this paradox? His dilemma is not as simplistic as it seems. His misery creates a deeper thought process. Does he not value his path in life? Does he not value the knowledge he creates? Or is he just feeling sorry for himself? This question can be asked because as much as he is miserable in his superior status, he refuses to trade places with a neighbor woman of a lower caste. Is there an applicable solution to his problem or is the good Brahmin cursed to ponder the big questions forever? The paragraphs below will explore answers to the above questions.

The Dilemma

The essence of Voltaire's story begins with the concept of comparisons. Everyone is guilty of it at one time or another. It is part of the human condition and awareness one experiences everyday. Voltaire must have known the reaction such a story would get in society because the Brahmin's dilemma brings to mind two well-known phrases, "ignorance is bliss" and "the grass is always greener on the other side." Still it is in the act of comparing one's self to another that the Brahmin's problem begins in essence. He is at the top level of the caste system looking down with all the time in the world to ponder life's questions and yet, he does not see the value of his life. He cannot understand why he has never felt satisfaction in his many thought processes. In fact he feels shame when speaking his thoughts aloud to others. He admits to liking the sound of his own voice and speaks a great deal in hopes of gratification. He seems tired in wondering what defines his soul because he has thought too much about it for too long. He lacks the faith found in his social system and wishes he had never been born. If he had not been born, then he would not feel tortured. Still even in this pit of despair, he is unwilling to give up his state of enlightenment and trade places with another lower on the caste. The Brahmin seems at wit's end and proclaims that happiness is not even what he pursues in his thoughts. Then what does he want? This is part of the problem. He has no idea what he wants out of life. No wonder he feels like he has gone nowhere. It seems he has no tangible goals. The big questions of life are too big and vague for him to conquer. Maybe if his questions had answers, he would feel better. He has no reasoning behind his time spent thinking. He has not figured out that the big questions in life are not meant answering. It is almost as if he is meant to continue indefinitely in this cycle of torment in knowing everything without meaning or passion.

The Solution

It appears that the Brahmin's neighbor lady is completely ignorant and content without the knowledge of her soul's make-up. She does not question anything and does not even see her life as a straight line to death. She, too, lacks passion but has faith. This belief system allows her to live without questioning life but living it the best she knows how. Is this better for the human condition, to not be aware of life's wonders? She is far too accepting of her condition but it seems that this the Hindu way. There is no desire for change because everything that is going to happen has already been determined by the caste. So should the Brahmin even look for a solution? What if the solution requires too much change of status? Would he have to die to return to the beginning at the bottom?

It has become clear that in order for his static cycle of torment to end, he cannot be a Brahmin any longer. There has to be a healthy medium somewhere in the system. Maybe it is not normal to desire a step backward within the caste. Maybe it cannot be done. Still in order to end his misery, he must assume some level of ignorance. Let's face it; even in his high status of enlightenment, he still does not have the answers. He is stuck pursuing life questions that have too many possibilities. This change will provide him with the unquestioned faith he is missing currently. By moving to the center of the caste system, the good Brahmin can achieve some level of happiness and maybe not even be aware of it.

Still the likelihood of him giving up his space among the highest ranking of the caste is small and rare. He even admits wanting to remain superior to the lower caste. Also happiness and faith do not appeal to him at this level. He lacks desire because of the torment. It is almost as if he enjoys the torment. The feeling gives him something to do and therefore his life has meaning. He may not understand this idea or the power it represents. It seems he would prefer to ponder the big questions without success or a thankful audience.

Conclusion

In this respect, Voltaire seems to have the last laugh. He was known for his sense of humor and for bringing up such paradoxes only not to arrive at a concrete answer. Truth be told, he wanted people to think outside themselves. He was not looking for meaning but creating a challenge for himself and others. In this way, he was able to obtain his own form of enlightenment.