"Caste System Cast Out"

14 May 69 , Colombus


Prabhupada: It is stated, catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13]. The Lord says that "The four divisions of social order -- namely the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas, sudras -- these divisions were created by Me," and guna-karma-vibhagasah, "not by birthright but by identification of qualities and actual work." In the similar way, in the Srimad-Bhagavatam also, it is stated that yasya hi yad varnabhivyanjakam, laksanam syat. Yasya hi yad laksanam syad varnabhivyanjakam, tat tenaiva vinirdiset [SB 7.11.35]. The whole Vedic system is to pick up qualitative persons. There is no such thing as birthright qualification. And Sridhara Swami, the greatest commentator on Srimad-Bhagavatam, he has commented on this verse, yasya hi yad laksanam syad varnabhivyanjakam tat tenaiva vinirdiset, yad anyatrapi drsyeta tat tenaiva vinirdiset: [SB 7.11.35] "If such qualities are found in another platform, then he should be designated in that position." Just like if a boy born of a brahmana family, he has got the qualities of a sudra, he should be indicated as sudra. And if a boy born of a sudra family but he has got the brahmana's qualities, then he should be accepted as brahmana.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is accepting persons who are developing the qualities of brahmanas and Vaisnavas. It is not that because they were not born in India and not born in Hindu family... It is not... There is no such consideration. Anyone. Ye krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that,

kiba sudra kiba vipra nyasi kene naya
yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya
[Cc. Madhya 8.128]

It doesn't matter whether a man is a sudra or a brahmana or a sannyasi or a householder. It doesn't matter. If he actually knows the science of God, Krsna-tattva... Krsna means God, the Supreme Lord, and tattva means scientific knowledge. Yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya. And another place Lord Caitanya says that amara ajnaya guru hana tara sarva desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. To become a spiritual master, one may think it is very difficult job. Yes, it is very difficult job, but it is also very simple thing. Very difficult job in this way: If one cannot assimilate the Vedic knowledge, veda-vada-parah partha nanyad astiti vadinah, if they become simply Vedic student only, without assimilating, then it is very difficult. But if one can understand what is the idea of Vedic principle, then it is very easy. So what is the idea of Vedic principle? The Lord says, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah [Bg. 15.15]. By different scriptures, Vedic literature, Ramayana, Mahabharata... There are so many allied scriptures. The whole aim is, target is, Krsna. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam. So actually the Vedas are searching Krsna. In the Brahma-samhita also it is stated,

advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam
adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca
vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
[Bs. 5.33]

It is very difficult to find out Krsna within the Veda. But if you are fortunate enough to contact a devotee of Krsna, then he can deliver you. And if one understands Krsna, then he understands the whole Vedas.

So this merciful benediction was given by Lord Krsna, er, by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is incarnation of Krsna. Krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam [SB 11.5.32]. He is Krsna. Categorically, He is Krsna, or chanting Krsna. But by complexion He is akrsna. Tvisakrsnam. So He gave us this greatest benediction, that you simply chant Hare Krsna mantra and you get all knowledge. The greatest impediment of acquiring knowledge is congestion of our heart with dirty things. And Lord Caitanya says that if you chant without any offense very nicely, then your heart becomes cleansed of all dirty things. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. And then you are liberated. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati [Bg. 18.54]. So this Krsna consciousness movement is based on Lord Caitanya's teachings and teachings of the Bhagavad-gita. It is not a new thing. Of course, in this country it is being presented for the last two years, but the thing is not new. It is the oldest because, if we take the version of Bhagavad-gita, Lord (Krsna) says, imam vivasvate yogam proktavan aham avyayam: [Bg. 4.1] "This yoga system, Bhagavad-gita, was spoken by Me to Vivasvan, the sun-god." Vivasvan manave praha: "And the sun-god said to his son Manu." Manur iksvakave 'bravit. Evam parampara-praptam: [Bg. 4.2] "In this way it is coming." So kaleneha yogo nastah parantapa: "But unfortunately that link has been broken; therefore I am speaking again to you the old philosophy, yoga system, Bhagavad-gita, unto you, Arjuna." "Why You are speaking to me? I am not a Vedantist. I am not a sannyasi. I am not even brahmana. Why You want to teach me?" Bhakto 'si: "Because you are My devotee." Therefore the first qualification of understanding the Vedas or Bhagavad-gita is to become a devotee of Krsna; otherwise it is blocked. Just like if you take a bottle of honey and lick it on the bottle, you won't get the taste. It has to be opened, who has got the key. Then you get the taste of honey. So Bhagavad-gita cannot be understood by academic scholarship. It is not possible, the same bottle-licking. But it has to be opened by the devotee, just like Arjuna opened it: param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan, purusam sasvatam adyam [Bg. 10.12]. He understood Krsna. So we have to follow the opener of the bottle, honey bottle. Then you will taste what is Bhagavad-gita.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is to purify the human society. And the purification process, simply by chanting, is sufficient. But still, our Gosvamins, they have given us some ritualistic ceremonies. That will help the process of purification. Sacrifice, offering, these things are there. But the main thing is chanting Hare Krsna mantra. That is sufficient. So in our society we want to establish divine society. Therefore there is need of all classes of men and all classes of social orders. Our Vedic conception is varnasrama-dharma. The "Hindu" term is not found in any Vedic literature. It is a name given by the Muhammadans, so far I know. It is not... Real term is varnasrama-dharma, sanatana-dharma, four varnas and four asramas. Four varnas: brahmana ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, according to qualification... And Bhagavad-gita also says these are the qualification, brahmanas: satya sama dama titiksa arjavam, acaryopasanam, brahma-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.42]. Similarly, there are indication of the ksatriyas, vaisyas; and sudras' one qualification: paricaryatmakam karmam sudra-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.44]. Paricarya, to serve others. And in this age, because everyone is after employment -- without employment he cannot survive -- therefore it is said, kalau sudra sambhava. In the Kali-yuga... A brahmana is not expected to serve anyone. A ksatriya is not expected to serve anyone, nor the vaisyas. Only the sudras. So kalau sudra sambhava. Therefore actually there is no Vedic ritualistic performance for the sudras. It is meant for the brahmanas only. But there is pancaratriki-viddhi for this age, when sudras can be elevated to the position of brahmana or Vaisnava by the Vaisnava-viddhi. That viddhi is a voluminous book by Sanatana Gosvami. But there is everything, how a brahmacari will live, how a grhastha will live, how a vanaprastha will live. The summary is being practiced. And we are holding now, today, two ceremonies. Some of the boys and girls will be initiated, primarily, and one couple will be married. So according to Hindu rites, there are many kinds of marriage, eight kinds of marriages. So in this age, as we find in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, marriage can be performed simply by agreement. Svikaram eva hi udvahe. That is sufficient. And actually it is being carried on in every country. The boys and girls go to a magistrate and give their statement and agree. That is marriage. Here also the same principle will be carried under some Vaisnava rites, chanting Hare Krsna and offering prayers to the acaryas and Deities.

So we have got all the Vedic arrangement, varnasrama-dharma, but our only aim is to preach Krsna consciousness, to understand the science of Krsna. It doesn't matter whether one is householder or a sannyasi or a brahmacari or a brahmana or ksatriya or a vaisya, sudra. Sva-karmana tam abhyarcya samsiddhim labhate param [Bg. 18.46]. Everyone should engage his energy to satisfy the Supreme Lord. That is samsiddhir hari-tosanam.

atah pumbhir dvija-srestha
varnasrama-vibhagasah
svanusthitasya dharmasya
samsiddhir hari-tosanam
[SB 1.2.13]

You never mind in whatever condition you are. You may be a brahmana. You may be a ksatriya or a sudra or... You have got particular duty. That's all. That makes you a brahmana and a sudra or a brahmacari. But whatever particular duty you may have, just try to see whether by your duty this Supreme Lord is satisfied. Then it is perfect. Svanusthitasya dharmasya samsiddhir hari-tosanam [SB 1.2.13]. That is the test: if you have satisfied Krsna through His representative. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah **. Just like we work in some big establishment, and if we can satisfy our immediate boss, that is the satisfaction of the whole company. You haven't got to see whether all the members of the company have become satisfied. Simply the immediate boss under which you are working, if he is satisfied, then you know the company is satisfied because he will submit the report of his work. Similarly, Krsna is very kind. He is helping you in different ways. He is within your heart. Krsna is within your heart. Antaryami. Caitya-guru. And is presenting Himself as spiritual master both ways, externally, internally. He is trying to help you. And when you are actually taking the advantage of that help, and if you are engaged with love and affection in the transcendental service of the Lord, then you can talk with God from within. God is within you. You haven't got to find out God in so many places. Anywhere you can sit down. But if you are sincere, if you are actually wanting to offer your service to the Lord -- tesam satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam, dadami buddhi-yogam tam [Bg. 10.10] -- He will give you intelligence. Simply we have to become sincere servitor.

So it doesn't matter whether one is householder or a brahmacari or sannyasi. He has to become first of all sincere servitor of the Lord. Then everything is complete. The Lord is within you. He will give you all knowledge, all enlightenment, all dictation, and He will make your life progressive. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah tato bhajana-kriya, anartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha tato rucis tato bhavas tato prema [Cc. Madhya 23.14-15]. In this way your life will be sublime. Yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah. And if you can contact the Supreme Personality of Godhead by some way or other by discharge of this devotional service in any position, never mind, then you will feel no more profit. Everyone in the material world, they are working hard day and night for some profit. But if you can be engaged in the service of the Lord, you will feel that you are so much profited that you will say, svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace: [Cc. Madhya 22.42] "I don't want any more profit. I have got all the profits now. I am fully satisfied." That is required. Yayatma suprasidati. Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje [SB 1.2.6]. You can... If you can develop that stage of life, yato bhaktir adhoksaje... Adhoksaje. The Lord is beyond your sensual perception; therefore He is called Adhoksaja. Avan-manasa gocarah. But He can reveal Himself. That is His power. Naham prakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtah [Bg. 7.25]. He reveals Himself. Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah [Bs. 5.38]. You cannot reach the Absolute Truth simply by mental speculation because He is beyond your mental speculation. Avan-manasa gocarah. Sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti. If you are absorbed in love of Godhead, then you will see God everywhere, within your heart and outside. Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena [Bs. 5.38]. That real purpose is bhakti. So anywhere you be situated, you take this process of loving service to the Lord, and the Lord will reveal Himself. Lord will reveal Himself.

So, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati [Bg. 9.31].

kim punar brahmanah punya
bhakta rajarsayas tatha
anityam asukham lokam
imam prapya bhajasva mam
[Bg. 9.33]

Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. So the aim of life should be to become a pure devotee of the Lord. Then your life is successful. In whatever condition you may be, it doesn't matter. You will be situated in the highest stage.

yam labdhva caparam labham
manyate nadhikam tatah
yasmin sthite gurunapi
duhkhena na vicalyate
[Bg. 6.20-23]

If you are situated in that position, then if you are put into the test of severe difficulties, you will not be moved. You will be steady. Na vicalyate. Just like we have got many instances. Prahlada Maharaja, he was a little boy, five years old, and his only difficulty was that he became a devotee of the Lord. His father became enemy, atheistic father, Hiranyakasipu. He tortured him like anything, but he was not to be moved. He was stuck, sticking to his own position. This is... And you have many instances in your, this part of the world. Lord Jesus Christ, he was crucified, but still, he remained steady in his position. Haridasa Thakura, he was Muhammadan. When he took up this Krsna consciousness, the Muhammadan government chastised him like anything. He remained steady. So these religious persecution, this and that, that is the history of the whole world. But if one sticks to the position of becoming pure devotee of the Lord, he has nothing to be afraid of. He will be steady, and he will prosecute his business steadily. Krsna will help him. There is no doubt about it.

Thank you very much.

(ceremony follows, repeating prayers) [break] You shall begin here, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Then you go to the next bead. In this way come to this side. Again begin from here. Come to this side. And do sixteen rounds. And you know the four rules and regulations? What is that?

Sri Caitanya: The four rules? No gambling, no meat-eating, no sex out of marriage... [break]

Prabhupada: Then other offenses he will give you, ten kinds of offenses. There is a list. So you should take from him now. Bow down.

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta svamin iti namine

(devotee repeats) So your name is Sri-Caitanya dasa. I think there is no...

Devotees: Oh!

Prabhupada: Come on. Now here. Give me this. [break] ...bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta svamin iti namine. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Hare Krsna! Haribol! [break] (fire sacrifice)

Arundhati's father: Arundhati.

Prabhupada: (Arundhati's father repeats) "...was so long under my care. Now I give you a charge. You please take and accept her as your wife." (Pradyumna repeats:) "Yes, I accept Arundhati as my wife and I take charge of her life in all conditions. I will never separate with her and jointly we shall execute Krsna consciousness."

Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!

Prabhupada: You say, (Arundhati repeats) "I accept you as my husband, Pradyumna, and I shall help you in the matter of Krsna consciousness throughout my life. I shall never separate from you in all conditions, in happiness or distress." Now you change the garland. Hare Krsna. Jaya. Now you... You put this cloth upon... Now cover the head. Yes. And give her head vermillion, red. [break] (prayers continue) Put silently on this. Now chant, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. (devotees repeat) (Prabhupada repeats) (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Initiation of Sri-Caitanya dasa and Wedding of Pradyumna and Arundhati -- Columbus, May 14, 1969

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