Somewhere along the time, if one were to notice, Brahmins have started to enter into trade in large numbers. Working for a Company may be taken to be a profession of trade because products are made with selling as the prime motive, what we call as the commercialized world. In todays society, priests (purohits), who necessarily have to study Vedas can be taken to upkeep the Brahmin profession. But this field has become commercial too and simple living is not its forte. Teaching profession comes near to Brahminical profession but not being glamorous have less and less takers. Nowadays Brahmins join Defense forces, indulge in other professions which are not truly liberating. To some extent this intermingling happens in other castes too.
In view of this turbulance and churning of professions in todays society, castes may appear to have lost its credibility. The rituals associated with each caste, particularly for Brahmins. are practised as a routine and in my opinion, have diminishing relevance. But then there are duties prescribed by Vedas such as conducting some worships, duties towards ones ancestors, upkeep and maintenance of temples, which even now, cannot be performed without the help of Brahmins and in these certain procedures prescribed need to be followed in the form of rituals. So there may be some rituals which are necessary and some which are not. It is upto the individual to follow these traditions. Rituals are a means to turn into a devout and in turn to attain liberation, but then Vedas do mention other means to reach the same goal. I feel that an individual, in todays world is in a better position to decide his course of life with two conditions viz., Karma and Dharma. What one does must fall within the ambit of these two irrevocable laws on which even God shall not compromise.
