Duty of the intelligent men

Expressions researched:
"duty of the intelligent men" |"duty of the intelligent person" |"duty of the intelligent class of men"

Light of the Bhagavata

It is the duty of the intelligent men to influence the members of the richer communities—the kṣatriyas and vaiśyas—to sacrifice for spiritual culture

Light of the Bhagavata, text 21, Purport: As already explained, the four divisions of society -- namely the intelligent class of men (the brahmanas), the ruling class (the ksatriyas), the mercantile class (the vaisyas), and the laboring class (the sudras) -- are meant to achieve one goal in life: self-realization, or cultivation of the human spirit. The intelligent class of men, the brahmanas, are to inspire the ksatriyas and vaisyas in performing sacrifices for spiritual cultivation, and thus the cooperation of the brahmanas, ksatriyas, and vaisyas uplifts the people in general, or the ordinary laboring class of men. As soon as this cooperation between the four classes of men in society stops and the basic principles of spiritual culture are neglected, the social structure of humanity becomes a second edition of animal life, based on the propensities of eating, sleeping, fearing, and mating. It is the duty of the intelligent men to influence the members of the richer communities -- the ksatriyas and vaisyas -- to sacrifice for spiritual culture. Only in this way can the tension between the capitalists and the laborers be well mitigated. In this age of Kali, when a slight difference of opinion leads to quarrel, even to the extent of riots, it is the duty of the intelligent men, the brahmanas, to selflessly inspire the richer people to sacrifice for this purpose. It is suggested herewith that the men of the intelligent class should not themselves try to become ksatriyas or vaisyas, nor should they engage themselves in the occupations of the various other classes; rather, the brahmanas should simply guide them in spiritual cultivation, just as the wind carries the clouds to other places to pour water. The wind itself does not take up the responsibility for pouring water.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Therefore it is the duty of the intelligent person to show the way of living

Introduction to Gitopanisad: But these fools, they do not take the suffering into consideration. They are making plans for more suffering. This is foolish civilization. They cannot... The so-called scientists, they are talking in jugglery of words, advancement. And as we were discussing this morning, any intelligent can ask, "So what you have solved? What kind of solution you have made of this problem of birth, death, old age and disease? Have you solved this problem?" That they will not say, "Yes." "Yes, we are trying after millions of years it may be possible." That is also... "It may be that we shall live forever." They say like that. Now, who is going to live for millions of years to see, to confirm your proposal? Everyone will be finished within fifty, sixty years. You will be... You rascal, you also will be finished. And who is going to see your resultant action? So this is going on. Therefore it is the duty of the intelligent person to show the way of living.

1971 Conversations and Morning Walks

Therefore, first of all duty is there must be an intelligent class of men directing. Then the other direction will follow. If the duty of the intelligent class of men is taken by the foolish rascals, then how this work will go on?

Room Conversation with Dr. Karan Singh , -- November 25, 1971, Delhi: Prabhupada: But just like the brain says that "Here is an enemy," so hand immediately strikes. Brain gives direction that "Here is an enemy coming," and he strikes with his hand. This is ksatriya. And the belly supplies food, vaisya. And the legs, sudra, carries. So there must be systematic division of the work. Everyone should work. The brain will work, the hand will work, the belly will work, the leg will work, but the direction should be from the brain. Therefore, first of all duty is there must be an intelligent class of men directing. Then the other direction will follow. If the duty of the intelligent class of men is taken by the foolish rascals, then how this work will go on? That is first reformation, that we should pick up the intelligent class of men of the world and they will direct. And next the administrator class. And next the productive class. So intelligent class means one who is Krsna conscious, he is intelligent, actual. Just like in Bhagavad-gita it is said, bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate [Bg. 7.19]. Is it not? So jnanavan means the first-class intelligent class. So after many, many births, when one becomes actually wise, what is the symptom? Mam prapadyate, he immediately surrenders to Krsna. Vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah [Bg. 7.19]. That is the highest perfection of intelligence, to become Krsna conscious. Then he will give direction to the administration. The basic principle is that without being Krsna conscious, you cannot work properly. (Sanskrit) Because we neglected Krsna, therefore brahmana, ksatriyas, they have fallen down. Brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, everyone.