MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

RELIGIOUS PROFESSION

Religion today is on trial and so are the persons belonging to the priestly profession. Education, the so-called advent of westen ideas, the growing scepticism or rationalism among the people and to some extent the vulnerability of persons belonging to this profession to the criticism levelled against them, has taken a heavy to of the number of persons termed as priests, in census reports. The insignificant number of new entrants in this profession indicates its decreasing popularity as a profession that could provide a reasonable means of livelihood. In the days gone by, the family priest in both urban and rural areas was a respected person who acted as adviser to the family and was a chief participant in all the important events in the family, such as births, marriages, deaths, etc. There has been a gradual decline in the importance of the personality of the priest. Gone are the days when the religious mendicant could amass a fortune as priest in the family, as a kirtankar or as a puranic. It is not the spread of modern ideas that is alone responsible for the diminishing fortunes of this class but also a gradual decline in their intellectual and moral standards. The class as a whole has failed to stem the tide of growing disbelief in spiritual and aesthetic world consequent upon the advancement of materialistic ideas. All this was bound to have its adverse effects upon the earnings of this class and their general standards. In rural areas, the earnings of the priest hardly amount to between Rs. 20 and Rs. 35 a month. In urban areas, they are slightly higher ranging between Rs. 35 and Rs. 60 per month. The occupation has lost its hereditary character. The younger generation far from being attracted towards this once noble and highly esteemed profession detests it. It would appear as if within the next few generations, this class will wholly disappear.

TOP