Not at all important

Expressions researched:
"not at all important"

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 9

If the qualities of one group are found in the men of another, those men should be recognized by their qualities, by their symptoms, not by the caste of the family in which they were born. Birth is not at all important; it is one's qualities that are stressed in all Vedic literature.

SB 9.2.17, Translation and Purport: From the son of Manu named Dhrsta came a ksatriya caste called Dharsta, whose members achieved the position of brahmanas in this world. Then, from the son of Manu named Nrga came Sumati. From Sumati came Bhutajyoti, and from Bhutajyoti came Vasu.

Here it is said, ksatram brahma-bhuyam gatam ksitau: although the Dharstas belonged to the ksatriya caste, they were able to convert themselves into brahmanas. This gives clear evidence supporting the following statement by Narada (SB 7.11.35): yasya yal laksanam proktam pumso varnabhivyanjakam yad anyatrapi drsyeta tat tenaiva vinirdiset If the qualities of one group are found in the men of another, those men should be recognized by their qualities, by their symptoms, not by the caste of the family in which they were born. Birth is not at all important; it is one's qualities that are stressed in all Vedic literature.

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

"You are talking like learned scholar, but you are lamenting on the body, which is not at all important."

Lecture on BG 2.25 -- London, August 28, 1973: avyakto 'yam acintyo 'yam avikaryo 'yam ucyate tasmad evam viditvainam nanusocitum arhasi [Bg. 2.25] So Krsna began this teaching to Arjuna first of all, asocyan anvasocas tvam prajna-vadams ca bhasase [Bg. 2.11]. "You are talking like learned scholar, but you are lamenting on the body, which is not at all important." Nanusocanti. Here also the same thing. Tasmad evam viditvainam, this body, na anusocitum arhasi. Do not be very much serious about this body. The soul is the subject matter to be considered.

Lectures

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

For our spiritual advancement of life we must have the sense that "Why we should accept unnecessary things which is not at all important?"

Lecture on SB 1.7.27 -- Vrndavana, September 24, 1976: I have given you several times the example that if you infect some disease, it must develop and you must have to suffer. There is no excuse. Similarly, if you are associating with the modes of ignorance and you are committing some sins, the effect you must have to suffer. Kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo 'sya sad-asad-janma-yoniṣu [Bg. 13.22]. Prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ [Bg. 3.27]. Prakṛteḥ, the nature, God's machine, is working so perfectly that it will act. You cannot avoid. Therefore we should be very careful how anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt. For our spiritual advancement of life we must have the sense that "Why we should accept unnecessary things which is not at all important?" The four things are restricted. No illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication. Nobody dies. But it is a habit. It is a habit.