PanditJi

Pandit Ji is needed for all Sanskars and all poojas at individual, family and social levels. We will use just two examples to describe significance.

• Antyeshti Sanskaar:
  • This is the last rite for a person. All of know, the role of the Pandit Ji in this Sanskar. Imagine a son performing all the rituals of this sanskar for his father. He treats Pandit Ji with utmost respect and every thing is offered to Pandit Ji first. Why? Why not, his own Uncle/ Mausa/ Fufa/ other elders in the family? 
  • The answer is related to "how do we decide who is a respectable/ reverend person"; "who is our real well-wisher"? Most animals including humans by nature, respect "sacrifices" made by a person for the society or others. This aspect of attitude are re-inforced in Sanaatanis by Sanaatan Siddhants of Karm-Karmfal, Omni-present Brahma.
  • A good teacher is always respected, a good politician, bureacrat, philanthropist, warrior is respected. All acts of kindness are appreciated. Secondly, relationship develops when a person selflessly takes care of you/ your family/ interest. 
  • In current times, the Pandit Ji is part of the Sanskar due to tradition. The main question is how it would have started. The Pandjit Ji was a highly qualified person, who looked after entire society as his own family., guiding them, through all phases of life -- good times and bad times. When the son was born, the parents would call Pandit Ji for advice, celebaration. When selecting a Gurukul, Pandit Ji would be consulted, for marriage Pandit Ji consulted. Pandit Ji would also resolve family disputes honestly and fairly. Over time, all members of the family would treat such a person with respect and look up to him for guidance in all situations.
  • So, during Antyeshti of father, the son would treat Pandit Ji as his father for guidance going forward. Hence, the tradition built over time.
  • This section is not for description of Antyeshti Sanskar itself.
  • One common question asked about this sanskar that comes up: why Pandit Ji [including Garud Puran] asks the son to donate [give away] so many things during this sanskar? Is it pure greed of Pandit Ji or is there any philosophical aspect to it. 
    • Now, it is mostly greed and tradition, with lost original meaning and purpose.
    • Giving away almost everything signified that the Son is now capable to earning enough to support his family and doesn't need father's property. The son is fully grown and thanks his Father for supporting his growth so far.
    • Such donations were also to bring about equality in society. The donations were to be used by Pandit Ji to help the needy in the society, by secretly offering these to the needy as God's Prasad.
• Finding Groom/ Would-be Daughter-in-law: 
  • Pandit Ji knew every family and their needs intimately. He had connections with other Pandit Jis in other villages.
  • Finding suitable groom was and still is a BIG [may be the BIGGEST] question of life for father of every daughter.  A true Pandit Ji, having best interest of the family/ the daughter as well as the son [potential groom] from the other family, doing all the astrological calculations, being trusted by both family, performed this pious work free of charge. 
  • Such activity would endear both the Pandit Jis to both the family  for ever.
  • Since marriage, the daughter living in new village, in a new family, away from her parents, would look up to local Pandit Ji for comfort if any issue arose, to know well-being of her parents and her own village.
  • Pandit Ji would be invited by the daughter-in-law on all occasions and a good Pandit Ji would win and maintain trust with family.
  • Such trusted relationship would continue until Antyeshti.

Though I have not read the book "Brahmin The Great" by Niyaz Khan, I assume Niyaz would have been impressed by the intellect and self-less servitude of Brahman while writing the book.