Category:Taking Birth in a Brahmana Family
Subcategories
This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 3 total.
B
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Pages in category "Taking Birth in a Brahmana Family"
The following 243 pages are in this category, out of 243 total.
2
- Jagai and Madhai were born in respectable brahmana families, but they adopted the professions of thieves and rogues and thus became implicated in all kinds of undesirable activities, especially woman-hunting, intoxication and gambling
- The two brothers Jagai and Madhai were born into a brahmana family
A
- A boy born in the family of a brahmana is not immediately a brahmana; he has to take up the training and the purificatory process
- A boy is born in a brahmin family, but unless he's educated, unless he's purified, he cannot be allowed to perform the sacrificial rites. That means he's dependent on these other processes
- A brahmana does not become a brahmana simply because he is a living entity or is born in a brahmana family; he must possess all the qualities mentioned in the sastras and practice the brahminical principles in his life
- A brahmana, although he is born of a high family, but because he has associated with the qualities of a candala, he should be called candala
- A class of men with no brahminical qualifications claim the eating privilege known as brahmana-bhojana simply on the basis of their birth in brahmana families
- A class of men, who claim brahminical qualification simply by their birthright in the family of a brahmana, claim that the study of the Vedas is a monopoly of the brahmana caste only
- A devotee automatically attains the qualifications of an expert brahmana authorized to perform sacrifices, even though the devotee may not have taken his birth in a brahmana family. Such is the omnipotence of the Lord
- A highly elevated person born in a brahmana family cannot be a spiritual master unless he is a devotee of the Lord
- A person born in a brahmana family cannot perform Vedic sacrifices until he is properly purified and has attained his sacred thread
- A person born in a brahmana family may be conversant with all of the rituals of the Vedic scriptures but if he is not a pure devotee, he cannot be a spiritual master
- A person born in a brahmana family, duly reformed by the purificatory processes and properly initiated by a spiritual master, is an authority on Vedic literature. When such a person is offered the sannyasa order, he comes to occupy the topmost position
- A person is born in a brahmana family or in a family of dog-eaters due to his past activities. If a person is born in a family of dog-eaters it means that his past activities were all sinful
- A person may be born in a brahmana family and have all twelve brahminical qualities, but if in spite of being qualified he is not devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who has a navel shaped like a lotus, he is not as good as a candala
- A person who is born in a brahmana family but has no brahminical qualifications is called a brahma-bandhu
- A person who takes birth in such a family (of learned and devoted brahmanas or a family of rich vaisyas) has a good chance to practice devotional service and improve his spiritual condition
- A so-called brahmana who is born in the family of brahmanas but performs activities aimed against the Vaisnavas cannot be accepted as a brahmana, because brahmana means Vaisnava and Vaisnava means brahmana
- Accepting disciples born in brahmana families, they (Thakura Raghunandana Acarya, Thakura Krsnadasa, Navani Hoda and Rasikananda-deva (a disciple of Syamananda Prabhu)) are bona fide spiritual masters who have the facility to worship the salagrama-sila
- According to the opinion of others, Vallabhacarya was born in 1400 Sakabda Era on the Ekadasi day of the dark moon in the month of Caitra, and he took his birth in a brahmana family surnamed Khambhampatibaru
- According to Vedic civilization, when a child is born in the family of a brahmana, the birthday ceremony, known as jata-karma, is first performed, and then other ceremonies are also gradually performed
- According to Vedic system, a boy born in a Brahmin family, he is allowed all the samskaras, reformatory, purificatory process, but the girl is not. Why? Now, because a girl has to follow her husband
- Actually it has been a custom since time immemorial that a person born in a brahmana family must worship the salagrama-sila in all circumstances
- Actually Sri Sanatana Gosvami belonged to a brahmana family because he belonged to the Sarasvata division of the brahmanas and was well cultured and well educated. Somehow or other he accepted a ministership in the Muslim government
- Advaita Acarya offered the sraddha-patra to Haridasa Thakura, not to a brahmana who had been born in a brahmana family
- Advaita Acarya, although a grhastha, was initiated by Madhavendra Puri, and many devotees born in caste brahmana familes were initiated by Sri Rasikananda (a disciple of Sri Syamananda Prabhu), although Rasikananda was not born in a brahmana family
- After giving up the body of a deer, Bharata Maharaja took birth in a very pure brahmana family. There was a brahmana who belonged to the dynasty of Angira. He was fully qualified with brahminical qualifications
- After prolonged life there (the higher planets), he (the yogi who falls after a short period of practice) is sent back again to this planet, to take birth in the family of a righteous brahmana vaisnava or of aristocratic merchants. BG 1972 purports
- Although Bharata Maharaja had to accept the body of a deer, he could remember Narayana at the time of death. Consequently he took birth as a perfect devotee in a brahmana family
- Although born in a brahmana family, one becomes a brahmana only after initiation and the sacred thread ceremony
- Although born of a brahmana family, this rascal, bereft of intelligence because of the prostitute's association, earned money somehow or other, regardless of whether properly or improperly, and used it to maintain the prostitute's sons and daughters
- Although he was born in the brahmana family and educated nicely, but on account of bad association he fell down from the standard of human ideal life. Therefore he is punishable
- Although Lord Caitanya was born in a high brahmana family and was situated in the highest perfectional stage of sannyasa, He nonetheless showed by His behavior that even an elevated person would not hesitate to take lessons from Ramananda Raya
- Although Ramananda Raya was born in a nonbrahminical family, he was far, far advanced in spiritual knowledge and activity. Therefore he was more respectable than one who simply happens to be born in a brahminical family
- Although the woman is born in the brahmin family, she has no that reformation. Because striyah, woman class, are taken less intelligent
- Another section of the people take this (that the study of the Vedas is a monopoly of the brahmana caste only) as an injustice to members of other castes, who do not happen to take birth in a brahmana family. But both of them are misguided
- As by birth only one does not become a high-court judge, so also one does not become a brahmana simply by birthright but by acquiring the necessary qualifications of a brahmana
- As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (6.41), they (the transcendentalists) are allowed to take their next birth either in the family of a bona fide brahmana or in the family of a rich merchant who is devoted to the service of Godhead
- As soon as one becomes proud of his birth as the son of a brahmana and neglects to acquire the qualifications of a real brahmana he at once becomes degraded and falls from the path of self-realization. Thus his life's mission as a human being is defeated
- As soon as this standard method was changed into mechanical - a person born in brahmin family, he may be less than a dog-eater's family; he is worshiped as brahmin - this has ruined the Indian civilization
- At least one is sure to have a chance in the next life of being born again as a human being, either in the family of a great cultured brahmana or in a rich aristocratic family that will give one a further chance for elevation (in KC). BG 1972 purports
- At present, in the age of Kali, it is very difficult to render service to the brahmana-kula, or the brahmana class. The difficulty, according to the Varaha Purana, is that demons, taking advantage of Kali-yuga, have taken birth in brahmana families
- At the present moment in India - a man is born in the brahmana family, he is brahmana. No. He must have the brahminical qualification. That is the verdict of the sastra. Not by birth. Birth is a facility
- At the present moment, although the so-called brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras have lost their original culture, they claim to be brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras by birthright
- At the present moment, nobody can observe the strict rules and regulations, that "I am born in a brahmana family. I cannot accept anyone's service." Then you will have to starve
- At this present moment, even those who are born in the best brahmana families are not reformed, nor is there any certainty that they are actually born of brahmana fathers
- At this time the Bhattacarya had a son-in-law named Amogha, who was the husband of his daughter Sathi. Although born in an aristocratic brahmana family, Amogha was a great faultfinder and blasphemer
B
- Because he was very cautious within his deer body, he took birth in a brahmana family as Jada Bharata. During this lifetime, he remained perfectly Krsna conscious and preached the gospel of KC directly, beginning with his instructions to King Rahugana
- Because of his previous connection with bhakti-yoga, a man is born into a prestigious family of brahmanas or aristocrats. Having taken such a birth, one should utilize it to perfect bhakti-yoga
- Because of protection by the SP of Godhead, the deer (Maharaja Bharata) remembered his relationship with the Lord and next took birth in a good brahminical family and performed devotional service (sucinam srimatam gehe yoga-bhrasto 'bhijayate) - BG 6.41
- Because one happens to take birth in a brahmana family, even if he has no qualifications and is rascal number one, he claims to be a brahmana, and although his qualifications are less than those of a sudra, people accept him as a brahmana
- Because one happens to take birth in a brahmana family, without any qualification, he claims to become a brahmana. That is the falldown of Vedic civilization in India. A rascal number one, he's claiming that he's brahmana - without any qualification
- Being repentant, he (Bharata Maharaja) remained in a solitary forest and always thought of Krsna. Then he was given the chance to take birth in a very good brahmana family
- Bhagavad-gita (BG 6.41), "One who falls from the path of self-realization takes birth in a family of brahmanas or wealthy aristocrats." Although Maharaja Bharata appeared in the royal family, he became neglectful and took birth as a deer
- Brahma-jijnasa means spiritual inquiry. So the cat & dog cannot inquire. It is not possible. But when you have got this human form of body, especially born in India & in a brahmana family, if you misuse your life like cats and dogs, that is a great loss
- Brahmana means punya. Without having background of pious activities, nobody can take birth in rich family, in brahmana family
- By birth everyone is sudra. Even if he's born in a brahmana family he is sudra. The samskara means purification. That is satyam saucam
C
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu condemned this principle strongly. During His conversation with Ramananda Raya, He said that regardless of whether a person is born in a brahmana family or sudra family 1) if he knows the science of Krsna he must be a spiritual master
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu quoted Srimad-Bhagavatam to the effect that if a brahmana is not a devotee of the Supreme Lord, then he is lower than the lowest of the low, even though he may be qualified with the twelve brahminical qualities & born in a high family
- Candidasa was born in the village of Nannura, which is also in the Birbhum district of Bengal. He was born of a brahmana family, and it is said that he also took birth in the beginning of the fourteenth century, Sakabda Era
E
- Especially in every brahmana’s house there must be a salagrama-sila to be worshiped by the brahmana family. This system is still current. People who are brahmanas by caste, who are born in a brahmana family, must worship the salagrama-sila
- Even born in a brahmana family, a woman is taken as woman, not as brahmana
- Even born in a Brahmin family, a woman is taken as woman, not as Brahmin. But Krsna says - Never mind. Even if she is woman, even she is sudra, even she is vaisya, or any other. If anyone is bona-fidely made KC, so his way is open to the path of Vaikuntha
- Even if a bhakti-yogi falls, he takes birth in a rich family or family of brahmanas, in which he again starts devotional activities from the point where he left off
- Even if a devotee comes from a family of dog-eaters, if he surrenders to the Personality of Godhead he immediately becomes a qualified brahmana and is immediately fit to perform yajna, whereas a person born in a family of brahmanas has to wait
- Even if a devotee does not complete the course of devotional service, he enjoys the happiness of the heavenly planets, where the most pious people dwell, and then takes birth in the house of a suci or sriman, a pious brahmana or a wealthy vaisya
- Even if one is born in a family of dvijas, if they have not followed the reformatory process he is called a dvija-bandhu - not one of the twice-born, but a friend of the twice-born. The whole purpose of this system is to create good population
- Even if the devotee has failed to perfect his devotional service, he is guaranteed to take birth in a good family - a family of learned and devoted brahmanas or a family of rich vaisyas - merchants
- Even the fallen devotee gets the opportunity to take his birth in the family of a well-situated brahmana or in a rich, well-to-do mercantile family. In both these families there is a good opportunity to revive one's sense of God consciousness
- Even though a person may be born in a very respectable brahmana family, he cannot become a bona fide spiritual master if he is not a devotee of the Lord
- Even though born in a brahmana family, one cannot engage in Vedic rituals without being initiated and having a sacred thread
F
- Five hundred years ago, it was the system that persons who were born in the families of brahmanas were accepted as brahmanas & all those who took birth in other families - even the higher castes, namely, the ksatriyas and vaisyas - were considered sudras
- Foolishly proud of their (pasandi's) material birth as brahmanas and their consequently higher position in the social order, they think of the other classes - namely the ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras - as lower classes
G
- Generally, only a person who is born in a family of brahmanas, who has been reformed by the ten kinds of purificatory processes and who is learned in Vedic literature is allowed to perform the Vedic sacrifices
- Generally, those who are rich don't care at all for Krsna consciousness, and those who are born in brahmana families generally become puffed-up, thinking, "I am a brahmana. I am born in a very high family." Thinking this brings about their falldown
H
- He (Daksa) was born of a great brahmana father, Lord Brahma, but his treatment of Lord Siva was not exactly brahminical; therefore he admitted that he was not a perfect brahmana
- He (God) can make a man born in a brahmana family as degraded as a lowborn dog-eater, and He can also make a lowborn dog-eater superior to a qualified brahmana simply on the strength of devotional service
- He (Sudama Vipra) called himself a brahma-bandhu, meaning - one born in a brahmana family but not brahminically qualified
- He will starve to death, but he will not accept. You see? He will think, "Oh, I am born in a brahmin family. How can I wash your dishes?" This is false prestige
- He would go to all the Vaisnavas born in brahmana families, be they neophyte or advanced devotees, and present them with gifts of first-class eatables
- Highly exalted brahmanas think that unless one is born in a brahmana family, one cannot become a spiritual master and teach the Absolute Truth
- Hiranyakasipu was extremely angry and wanted to rebuke his son for deriding his teacher or spiritual master, who had been born in the brahmana family of the great acarya Sukracarya
I
- I am not born in a brahmana family, neither I am old enough, educated. Still, I have to offer my prayers. So let me try to offer my prayers by following the authorities, anuvarnitena, without any," what is called, - doubt
- If a bhakta is not completely perfect he takes birth in the material world again, but in a very exalted position, either in a rich family or a family of the purest brahmanas, just to finish his development in spiritual consciousness
- If a man is born in a brahmana family but his personal qualifications are those of a sudra, he should be accepted as a sudra
- If a person born in a brahmana family is an avaisnava, a nondevotee, one should not see his face, exactly as one should not look upon the face of a candala, or dog-eater
- If a person born in the family of a brahmana has the symptoms of a sudra, he should be designated as a sudra. Similarly, if a sudra has brahminical qualities, he should be designated a brahmana
- If a person born in the family of a brahmana is void of brahminical qualification, then he must be treated as a non-brahmana or, in better terms, a relative of a brahmana
- If one bona fide spiritual master is born in a brahmana family & another in a sudra family, one should accept the one who is born in a brahmana family. This statement serves as a social compromise, it has nothing to do with spiritual understanding
- If one gets the opportunity to take birth in these families (of Devotees or Brahmanas, rich families, royal families), he can achieve the facilities of a Krsna conscious atmosphere without difficulty
- If one gives up Krsna consciousness, even though he is born in a brahmana family or even though he has practiced brahmanism, still, on account of his not accepting KC, he is accepted as muci and if one is KC, then he is suci
- If one is born in a brahmana family and gives up Krsna consciousness, he becomes a muci, a cobbler. Thus the door of devotion is open to everyone, whoever he may be
- If one is born in a brahmana family but does not behave according to brahminical standards, he should not be offered the sraddha-patra, which is prasadam offered to the forefathers
- If one is born of a brahmana family, but gives up Krsna bhajana, devotional life, he becomes a muci
- If one is not a devotee of Lord Krsna, however, even if born in a brahmana, ksatriya or vaisya family, he should be considered a sudra
- If one was born in a brahmana family and has acquired the brahminical qualifications, he is to be accepted as a brahmana; otherwise, he should be considered a brahma-bandhu
- If we become successful in Krsna consciousness, we achieve the greatest success of life, but even if we fall down, oh, there is no loss. Because we are going to get birth in sucinam, in nice brahmana family, or rich mercantile family where it is supposed
- Ill-fated yogis are given a chance in the next birth by being placed in the families of good learned brahmanas or in the families of rich merchants in order to execute the unfinished task of Vasudeva realization
- In Bhagavad-gita it is said that a devotee who does not fulfill his devotional duties in one life is given the chance to be born in a fully qualified brahmana family or a rich ksatriya or vaisya family. Sucinam srimatam gehe - BG 6.41
- In his commentary, Sridhara Svami has noted that birth in a family of brahmanas does not necessarily mean that one is a brahmana. One must be qualified with the symptoms of a brahmana, as the symptoms are described in the sastras
- In his next life he (Bharata) took birth in the family of a good brahmana & was known as Jadabharata because he always remained secluded & did not talk to anyone. & later on, he was discovered as the greatest transcendentalist by King Rahugana. BG 1972 p
- In India nowadays there is a great movement for removing the caste system because the higher caste, brahmanas, they are claiming, due to their birthright, higher position, and the others, they are in inconvenience
- In India, a brahmin is addressed as pandita, however rascal he may be. Because it is expected, when one is born in the brahmin family, he must be well-learned. These are the 6 occupational duties of brahmin: pathana-pathana yajana-yajana dana-pratigraha
- In India, a man born in brahmin family, and if he is - mostly they are poverty-stricken at the present moment - if he is asked that, "You can come, you take daily five rupees. You can wash the dishes," oh, he will never accept
- In India, although a person born in a brahmana family, but his guna, qualities, are less than sudra, but still he's being accepted as a brahmana. That is the difficulty. Therefore, India's condition is so chaotic
- In Kali-yuga, the first attack of the venomous snake strikes against the God-made varnasrama-dharma, & thus a person properly qualified as a brahmana is called a sudra, & a sudra by qualification is passing as a brahmana, all on a false birthright claim
- In Sankara-sampradaya, strictly, unless one is born in brahmana family, he's not offered sannyasa. He's not given sannyasa. So far we are concerned, we also offer sannyasa to the brahmana, not to the sudras
- In the Bhagavad-gita (6.41-42) we are assured by the Lord that the souls fallen from the path of self-realization, are given a chance to rectify themselves by taking birth either in the families of good brahmanas or in the families of rich merchants
- In the Bhagavad-gita it is also said that such fallen devotees are given a chance to take birth in a family of highly qualified brahmanas or in a rich mercantile family
- In the Bhakti-ratnakara it is clearly stated that because Sakara Mallika & Dabira Khasa associated with lower-class men, they introduced themselves as belonging to the lower classes. Actually, however, they had been born in respectable brahmana families
- In the body of a deer he (Bharata Maharaja) was very careful to remember the cause of his downfall. As a result, he was given a chance to be born in a family of very pure brahmanas. Thus his service to the Lord never went in vain
- In the Hari-bhakti-vilasa it is stated that if one bona fide spiritual master is born in a brahmana family and another, who is also qualified, is born in a sudra family, one should accept the one who is born in a brahmana family
- In the Sankara-sampradaya they are very strict. Unless one is born in a brahmana family, he is not awarded the sannyasa. That is the stricture
- In the Varaha Purana it is stated that some of the raksasas, they will take advantage of Kali-yuga and take birth in brahmana families, so he is one of them, this raksasa. And now he is suffering for that. Greatest calamity, you see?
- In this verse (SB 4.23.32) brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras are mentioned, but here it should be understood that that reference is to the brahmana who is born in a brahminical family, the ksatriya who is born in a ksatriya family etc
- It doesn't matter whether one is born a brahmana or not. No one is born a brahmana; everyone is born a sudra. But by the guidance of a brahmana and by samskara, one can become dvija, twice-born, and then gradually become a brahmana
- It has become the fashion of this age to be falsely proud of having taken birth in the family of a ksatriya or a brahmana, we see persons without any qualification other than birth claiming to be a brahmana or ksatriya or vaisya
- It is also said that the Mahabharata was compiled by Vyasadeva because the direct Vedic knowledge could not be understood by women, sudras and dvija-bandhus, those who are born in brahmana families but are not qualified brahmanas
- It is not a fact that because one is born in a brahmana family he is automatically a brahmana. He has a better chance to become a brahmana, but unless he meets all the brahminical qualifications, he cannot be accepted as such
- It is not a valid principle that an unqualified man who is born in a brahmana family is a brahmana whereas a brahminically qualified person born in a non-brahmana family cannot be accepted
- It is sometimes remarked that by the chanting process one begins to purify himself and can take birth in his next life in a brahmana family and then be reformed
- It is stated in the Padma Purana that Lord Siva appeared as a brahmana in the age of Kali to preach the Mayavada philosophy, which is nothing but a type of Buddhist philosophy
- It should never be misunderstood that the so-called brahmanas who are born in brahmana families but have no brahminical qualifications are referred to in this connection
J
- Jagai & Madhai were born in respectable brahmana families, but they adopted the professions of thieves and rogues and thus became implicated in all kinds of undesirable activities, especially woman-hunting, intoxication and gambling
- Jagai and Madhai were two brothers born in Navadvipa in a respectable brahmana family who later became addicted to all kinds of sinful activities
- Jhadu Thakura presented himself as someone who belonged to a low caste, but he was actually elevated above many persons born in brahmana families
- Just like a boy born in a medical man's family, so he has got a chance, better chance, to become a medical man. Similarly, a boy born in a brahmin family, he has got better chance to become a brahmin
K
- Kamalakanta, a very confidential servant of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu born in a brahmana family, engaged in the service of Sri Advaita Acarya as His secretary
- King Bharata, who took his third birth in the family of a good brahmana, is an example of good birth for the revival of previous transcendental consciousness. BG 1972 purports
- Krsna does not say "By birth." By acquiring the qualities and action. One must have the brahminical qualities and act as a brahmana; then he'll be accepted as brahmana
- Krsna specifically says in Bhagavad-gita that even those who are lowborn can take shelter of Him and become elevated for liberation. What, then, to speak of pious people born in brahminical families
L
- Lord Balarama considered the history of Romaharsana: he was born in a suta family, or a mixed family, born of a brahmana woman and a ksatriya man
- Lord Caitanya clearly showed that a sincere student never cares whether his spiritual master is born in a high brahmana family or ksatriya family, or whether he is a sannyasi, brahmacari or whatever
- Lord Caitanya was born in a high brahmana family and was situated in the highest perfectional stage of sannyasa, He nonetheless showed by His behavior that even an elevated person would not hesitate to take lessons from Ramananda Raya
- Lord Caitanya's principle is universal. Anyone who knows the science of Krsna and is engaged in the service of the Lord is accepted as being in a higher position than a person born in the family of a brahmana
M
- Mahabharata especially was written for three classes of men. What are those? Stri, sudra, dvija-bandhu. Stri means woman, sudra means worker class, and dvija-bandhu means persons who have taken their birth in higher caste, but they're degraded
- Maharaja Rahugana was very anxious to receive further enlightenment in Vedic knowledge because he could understand that Jada Bharata belonged to a brahmana family either by disciplic succession or by birth in a brahmana dynasty
- Many so-called brahmanas attempt to fight us, saying, “How can you create a brahmana out of a European or American? A brahmana can be born only in a brahmana family.” They do not consider that this is never stated in any revealed scripture
N
- Near the city of Udupi is a place called Pajaka-ksetra, where Madhvacarya took his birth in a Sivalli-brahmana dynasty as the son of Madhyageha Bhatta, in the year 1040 Sakabda. According to some, he was born in the year 1160 Sakabda - A.D. 1238
- No one can be classified as a member of a particular caste, especially of a higher caste - brahmana, ksatriya or vaisya - simply by birthright
- No one knows (in modern times) who is a brahmana, who is a ksatriya, who is a vaisya or who is a sudra, and people claim to belong to a particular social order by birthright only
- No one should present himself as a brahmana simply on the basis of being born in a brahminical family. One must be qualified by the brahminical qualities mentioned in the sastras
- Not that by birth, because one is born of a brahmana family, he remains a brahmana although he becomes less than sudra. No. There must be education. The twice-born, he must approach the spiritual master
- Now, taking it for granted that I am doing all pious work. That's all right. And I am getting my birth in a very rich family or very pure family, just like brahmana family or something like that
O
- Once begun, bhakti-yoga continues, even if one temporarily falls down. One is given another chance by taking birth in a good family, either in a wealthy family, a learned family or a brahmana family
- One cannot be a brahmana by birthright but must possess the qualities of a brahmana
- One may be born in a brahmana family and have all twelve brahminical qualities, but if he is not devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who has a navel shaped like a lotus, he is not as good as a candala
- One may be born in a brahmana family and have all twelve brahminical qualities, but if in spite of being thus qualified he is not devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna
- One need not have taken birth in an aristocratic brahmana family to attain the lotus feet of Krsna, nor is a person born in a low family unfit for achieving Krsna’s lotus feet
- One should not imitate another's duty. A man who is by nature attracted to the kind of work done by sudras should not artificially claim himself to be a brahmana, although he may be born into a brahmana family. BG 1972 purports
- One should not mistakenly think that a bona fide spiritual master has to be born in a so-called brahmana family. The idea is that a spiritual master must be a qualified brahmana; that is, he must be qualified by his activities
- One who could not finish this Krsna consciousness, he gets birth in two places, either in very rich family, or in a very pure brahmana family, brahminical cultured family
- One who engaged in the process of self-realization, or connecting with the Supreme Absolute Truth, but fell short is allowed to take birth in such a rich family, or he is allowed to take birth in the family of pious brahmanas
- One who falls down from the process of bhakti-yoga is again offered the opulence of the demigods, and after enjoying such material opulence, he is given a chance to take birth in a noble family of a pure brahmana, or in a rich family
- One who falls down from yoga practice is elevated to the heavenly planets, and after enjoying the material facilities there he again comes down to the earthly planet and takes birth in a very rich family or a very pious brahmana family
- One who is not inclined to the Vedic wisdom but to mundane affairs cannot be called a brahmana, even if he is born of a brahmana family or father. To have a brahmana father does not qualify one as a brahmana
- One who is properly trained and initiated by a bona fide spiritual master immediately becomes a brahmana. Sometimes those born in brahmana families protest this, but they have no strong arguments against this principle
- Other residents of the world does not refer only to those who are exactly like the Indian brahmanas and ksatriyas, or like the caste brahmanas, who claim to be brahmanas because they were born in the families of brahmanas
P
- Pancaratrika-vidhi, they accept, nobody is brahmin. Everyone is sudra - kalau sudra-sambhava. In this age, nobody is actually born of a brahmin family or ksatriya family. That is accepted. Because nobody is keeping up their standard
- Personalities like Ravana and Hiranyakasipu were actually born of brahmanas, but they were not accepted as brahmanas because their fathers did not follow the regulative principles for their birth. Such children are called demons, or Raksasas
- Personalities like Sri Ganga-narayana, Ramakrsna and many others, who were actually born in brahmana families, accepted Narottama dasa Thakura and Syamananda Gosvami as their spiritual masters
- Persons born in brahmana families think that because they execute the ritualistic ceremonies recommended in the Vedas and follow the principles of smrti, they alone can become spiritual masters of society
- Pradyumna Misra was born of a brahmana family and Ramananda Raya of a non-brahmana family, yet Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised Pradyumna Misra to take instruction from Ramananda Raya. This incident is described in the Antya-lila, Chapter Five - of CC
- Prahlada Maharaja says that one who has been born in a brahmana family but is falsely proud of his prestigious position cannot even purify himself, not to speak of his family
R
- Ramananda Raya was a grhastha belonging to the sudra class, yet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu arranged for him to be the master who taught Pradyumna Misra, a highly qualified brahmana born in a brahmana family
- Regardless of whether one is born in a brahmana family, a ksatriya family or a sudra family, one may be guided by a proper brahmana and be promoted to the highest platform of being a Vaisnava
- Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami were born in a high brahmana family, but because they accepted employment under a Muslim government, they were considered Muslims
S
- Sages said, "Everyone, even if born in a higher status as a brahmana, ksatriya or vaisya, is certainly indebted to the demigods, to the sages, to the forefathers and to other living entities"
- Sanatana and Rupa Gosvamis pleaded guilty to such activities (meat-eating and intoxication); they therefore classified themselves among the mlecchas, although they had been born in a brahmana family
- Sanatana Gosvami felt very low because he had accepted a position of service in the Muslim government. The conclusion is that no one should claim to be a brahmana simply by birthright while engaging in someone else’s service
- Sanatana Gosvami once said that he belonged to a low-caste family, for although he was born in a brahmana family, he had associated with mlecchas and yavanas in his service as a government minister
- Simply taking birth in the family of a brahmana does not make one qualified to perform yajnas. One must be twice-born by proper training and initiation from the bona fide acarya
- Simply to take birth in a brahmana family or to have brahminical qualities is not sufficient. One must become a pure devotee of the Lord
- Since I am but a poor, sinful brahma-bandhu, not brahminically qualified although born in a brahmana family, & You, Lord Krsna, are the shelter of the goddess of fortune, it is simply wonderful, my dear Lord Krsna that You have embraced me with Your arms
- So I am repeating my spiritual master's order, "Don't wait for another life." That is a very risky, another life. Maybe I am given the chance of taking my birth in a good brahmana family or a rich family, but there is chance of again being spoiled
- Sometimes caste brahmanas argue that unless one changes his body he cannot be accepted as a brahmana, for since the present body is obtained as a result of past actions, one who has in the past acted as a brahmana takes birth in a brahmana family
- Srila Jiva Gosvami has written in the beginning of his Tattva-sandarbha, - A devotee from southern India who was born of a brahmana family & was a very intimate friend of Rupa & Sanatana Gosvami has written a book that he has not compiled chronologically
- Srila Sukadeva Gosvami continued: My dear King, after giving up the body of a deer, Bharata Maharaja took birth in a very pure brahmana family
- Still a child who is born in a family of a brahmana depends for his further reformation upon initiation into acceptance of a sacred thread and many other reformatory processes
- Stri means women, sudra means the lower class of civilized human society, and brahma-bandhu means persons who are born in the families of brahmanas but do not follow the rules and regulations carefully
- Such a falldown (illicit sex) by the spiritualist may be compensated by another chance for human life in good families of learned brahmanas or of rich merchants for another term of elevation
- Such births (birth in brahmana family or in the family of rich merchants) afford higher chances for self-realization. If these chances are misused due to illusion, one loses the good opportunity of human life afforded by the almighty Lord
- Sudama Vipra was born in a family of brahmanas, and he was a learned scholar and a class friend of Krsna’s, yet he considered himself unfit to be strictly called a brahmana
- Suppose a man is a medical practitioner. He may be born in a brahmin family or sudra family - nobody wants to know to which family he belongs to
T
- Taking birth in the family of a brahmana is certainly due to pious activities in one's past life
- That is the unique quality of work done in Krsna consciousness (one is sure to have a chance in the next life of being born again as a human being, either in the family of a great cultured brahmana or in a rich aristocratic family). BG 1972 purports
- The allurement of material civilization is so strong and so bad that those who are by pious activities born in brahmana family, they are being dragged to the tamo-guna behavior like sudras. They are learning how to drink, how to eat meat, etc
- The Bhagavad-gita (BG 4.13) gives special stress to the division of society. Unfortunately some people are now claiming to be brahmanas simply by birthright, with no qualifications. Therefore the entire society is in chaos
- The brahmanas said, "We have all been born into three advantageous conditions"
- The business of the vaisya community is trade, commerce and the protection of cows. Therefore his friend, who may have been born into a brahmana family, expressed his wonder at how such an exalted child could take birth in a family of vaisyas
- The conclusion is that one who has attained the gopis' condition of life does not have to take birth as Lord Brahma or be born in a brahmana family or be initiated as a brahmana
- The demons who acted inimically toward the Personality of Godhead but were not killed by the Lord were allowed to take birth in the families of brahmanas to take advantage of the age of Kali
- The dog-eater is better than the brahmana with twelve qualifications. Viprad dvi-sad-guna-yutad. Vipra means real vipra, qualified, not the so-called birthright vipra
- The downfall of the brahminical powers began as they gave importance to birthright without culture. The downfall of the brahmana caste began in the age of Kali
- The followers of Lord Caitanya cannot blindly accept that everyone born in a brahmana family is a brahmana. Therefore one should not indiscriminately follow the Lord's example of showing respect to brahmanas by drinking water that has washed their feet
- The foolish boy was, of course, excused by the Lord, but others, who may not have a father like Samika Rsi, will be put into great difficulty if they misuse the advantages obtained by birth in a brahmana family
- The friends of the twice-born families are those who are born in the families of brahmanas, ksatriyas and vaisyas, or the spiritually cultured families, but who themselves are not equal to their forefathers
- The men have begun to protest against brahma-bandhus who are born in families of good brahmanas but by action are less than sudras
- The once-born scions of brahmana families are equal with the once-born sudras, and such brahma-bandhus, or unqualified once-born scions, must be rejected for any purpose of religious or Vedic function
- The original system is that a brahmana should actually become a brahmana; he should not only take birth in a brahmana family, but must also be qualified
- The pasandis are so fallen and falsely proud of having taken birth in brahmana families that they think that instead of delivering all the fallen souls, the holy name becomes impotent when constantly chanted by lower-class men
- The seminal brahmanas in India, who say that one can become a brahmana only if born in a brahmana family, charge us with ruining the Hindu system of religion. Of course, the fact is that one becomes a brahmana by qualification
- The stereotyped, crippled idea that only a person born in a brahmana family can become a brahmana has killed Vedic civilization, but now we are reviving the correct understanding that the attainment of perfection is meant for everyone
- The twenty-second devotee, Krsnadasa, was born of a pure and respectable brahmana family. While touring southern India, Lord Caitanya took Krsnadasa with Him
- The wife of the brahmana did not regard her husband as a superficial brahmana who was called a brahmana merely because he was born of a brahmana family - here in SB 9.9.29
- The word brahma-bandhu is significant. A person who happens to take birth in the family of a brahmana but is not qualified to be called a brahmana is addressed as the relative of a brahmana, and not as a brahmana
- The word dvija-bandhu refers to one who is born in an exalted brahmana or ksatriya family but who has no qualifications of his own
- The word mana (in SB 10.7.13) refers to false prestige or false pride. Those who were falsely proud, thinking that they were brahmanas because they were born in brahmana families, were never invited by Nanda Maharaja
- The word sukra means "semen." The sons of Sukracarya were brahmanas by birthright, but an actual brahmana is one who possesses the brahminical qualities
- There are no brahmanas in this age because those who claim to be brahmanas simply on the basis of birthright do not have the brahminical qualifications
- There is a difference between the smarta process and the gosvami process. According to the smarta process, one cannot be accepted as a brahmana unless he is born in a brahmana family
- There is hereditary preference, certainly. If a man is born in a brahmin family, that is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita but by the contamination of Kali-yuga, all higher-class families, they have been contaminated
- There may be caste brahmanas, and we have all respect for them, but their birth in brahmana families does not mean that they are qualified to bestow blessings upon the other members of human society. This is the verdict of the sastras
- These are the chances (taking birth in a very high family or a brahmana family) one takes when one becomes a human being
- These Smarta Brahmins contest that unless one is born in a Brahmin family one cannot be given these (sacred thread & Deity worship) facilities. But Narada Muni says no; a man should be judged by the symptoms of his character
- They (low family born) have to await their next birth in a family of brahmanas so that they can perform the Vedic rituals. But actually that is not the case. Such a man does not need to wait for the next birth to become purified. He is at once purified
- They (pasandis) do not like the idea that others should also develop spiritual qualities, because this would curb their false pride in having taken birth in families of the elevated brahmana caste, with a monopoly on spiritual activities
- They were overpowered by the desire to become very rich; therefore they had the audacity to disobey the injunctions of the Vedas, so much so that they were prepared to kill Jada Bharata, a self-realized soul born in a brahmana family
- This injunction (that one should accept a spiritual master who is born in a brahmana family) is only applicable for those who consider social status more important than spiritual status. It is not for people who are spiritually serious
- This Krsna conscious movement is based on this (pancaratrika-vidhi) process, that we accept everyone as lowborn. Even my Guru Maharaja, even if he is born of a brahmin family, he would not recognize that he is a brahmana
- This semen is injected into the female body, and thus the living entity takes birth. Those who return to earth in this way take birth especially in higher families like those of brahmanas
- Those who are born in families of brahmanas but have not yet undergone the reformatory processes and who therefore expect to study the Vedic rituals and perform the sacrifices in the future
- Those who are more advanced, they will get their next birth in a pious brahmana family, very pure brahmana family or Vaisnava family
- Those who fail to achieve success in the bhakti-yoga principles within one life are given a chance to take birth in the next life in a family of rich men or in a royal family or family of learned brahmanas or devotees
- Thus Lord Caitanya clearly showed that a sincere student never cares whether his spiritual master is born in a high brahmana family or ksatriya family, or whether he is a high-grade sannyasi, a brahmacari or whatever
- To become a brahmana by a birthright claim is not at all bona fide, although it may be a fulfillment of one of the conditions
- To become a devotee does not require to take birth in high aristocratic family or brahmana family that means the person who is considered to be the less than the fourth-class man, he also exalted if he is devotee
- To take birth in a family of brahmanas is not the ultimate finishing touch; one must have the power of a brahmana, which is called brahma-tejas. Similarly, taking birth in a royal family is not the all in all; one must possess the power to rule the world
U
- Understanding that he was born in a brahmana family, people would call him a brahma-bandhu and other names. Being thus insulted and neglected by materialistic people, he wandered here and there
- Unfortunately, in this age people born in rich or brahminical families often don't care for spiritual realization. They misuse their chance and exhaust the results of their pious activities
- Unfortunately, with the progress of Kali-yuga, the so-called brahmanas, although very proud of taking birth in brahmana families, no longer worship the salagrama-sila
- Unless a brahmana is very pure, he cannot accept charity from others. Charity should be given to those who are pure. Even if one is born in a family of brahmanas, if one acts as a sudra one cannot accept charity, for this is strictly prohibited
- Unless one is qualified with all these attributes (peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom & religiousness), he cannot be accepted as a brahmana. It is not a question of simply taking birth in a brahmana family
V
- Vedic regulation is that unless one is born by a brahmana father, he cannot be initiated according to the Vedic regulation. But to take birth in the brahmana family, that is now oblivion, at the present moment
- Vidyapati was a famous composer of songs about the pastimes of Radha-Krsna. He was an inhabitant of Mithila, born in a brahmana family
W
- We are not introducing caste system, that any rascal born in a brahmana family, he becomes a brahmana. We don't accept that. A man who is first-class trained up to become a brahmana, we accept him. It doesn't matter whether he is India, Europe or America
- We have to select a Brahmin by the symptoms of his life, not that because he is born of a Brahmin family he remains a Brahmin. No. He must continue the brahminical qualification; otherwise he is not
- When Maharaja Bharata took birth as a brahmana, he was not very interested in the duties of a brahmana, but within he remained a pure Vaisnava, always thinking of the lotus feet of the Lord
- When there is no such training, one simply claims that because he is born in a brahmana or ksatriya family, he is therefore a brahmana or a ksatriya, even though he performs the duties of a sudra
- Why take the chance of being born into a rich family or a brahmana family? Actually, such a birth is quite risky because there is really no guarantee