Correspondence1972 Correspondence720212 - Letter to Govinda dasi written from Madras: And in the Bhagavad-gītā you will find in another place, cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ (BG 4.13). "These four classes of classification of the society, it is made by Me." That means this classification of society in the human society, that is made by God. What is that classification? The Brāhmin, the Kṣatriya, the Vaiśya and the Śūdra. It is not the name, but it is guṇa-karma. Brāhmin means quality and work, Kṣatriya means quality and work, and Vaiśya means quality and work. There is no question of birthright. It is a false proposition that a Brāhmin's son becomes Brāhmin. No, not necessarily. If he properly becomes initiated under the guidance of a spiritual master, then he is Brāhmin. Otherwise, if he has acquired the qualities of a Śūdra, then he should be considered as a Śūdra. These are the śāstric injunctions. And this classification is all over the world. Don't think that it is Indian or Vedic system. No. In every country, in every place, in every planet, these four divisions are there. Brāhmins means those who are interested in spiritual life, they are called Brāhmins, intelligent class. They are called intelligent class, because unless one is intelligent, he will simply consider that this body is he, identification of the body. That is foolishness. Brāhmins means brahma jānātīti brāhmaṇaḥ . . . one who knows that "I am ahaṁ brahmāsmi," and he has actually realized that "I am not this body; I am pure spirit self . . ." It is not the question of Hindu, Muslim. Anyone. Anyone who knows this knowledge that "I am the self," and acts in that way, is a Brāhmin. So these initiation formalities are there. You are instructed, you are guided, but you have to act. Unless you act, then the same thing as in India—the so-called Brāhmins and Kṣatriyas are degraded; there will be no meaning. So guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ (BG 4.13). You have to stick to the brahminical qualities, and at the same time work. Brahman-karma. Brahman-karma . . . Brahman is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the last word of Brahman. So you have to engage yourself, Brahman-karma, means Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And exhibit your quality, that you are truthful, you are controlling . . . control over the senses, control over the mind, and you are simple and you are tolerant. Because as soon as you take up spiritual life, the whole class conducted by māyā, they will be against you. That is māyā's influence. Somebody will criticize. Somebody will do this, somebody will do that, but we shall . . . we have to become tolerant. This is the disease of this material world. If anyone becomes spiritually advanced, the agents of māyā will criticize. So therefore you have to become tolerant. And simple, simplicity. Ārjavam, titikṣa ārjavam, and jñāna, and you must be fully equipped with knowledge. The Bhagavad-gītā is there, the Bhāgavatam is there. Now we are publishing other books also, Teachings of Lord Caitanya. So read them. These three or four books, if you read, you become fully qualified with knowledge. And vijñānam, and apply them in your practical life. And āstikyam, in full faith of the procedures and in Kṛṣṇa. That will make you successful.
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