The Supreme Lord on respecting the brahmanas

[Guest guest]

achintya, "Bhakti Vikasa Swami"

<Bhakti.Vikasa.Swami@p...> wrote:

> ....they captivate My heart who are gladdened in heart and who,

their lotus

> faces enlightened by nectarean smiles, respect the brahmanas, even

though

> the brahmanas utter harsh words. They look upon the brahmanas as My

own Self

> and pacify them by praising them in loving words, even as a son

would

> appease an angry father or as I am pacifying you.

>

> SB 3.16.11 text

 

I get the impression when I read this, that Krishna means all

brahmins, including non-Vaishnava ones. I guess I get that impression

because it would be easier not to show respect to some individuals.

But any brahmin is certainly worth of respect, for having taken up a

line of work which is not as grossly materialistic as that of the

other varnas.

 

On the other hand, I suspect that seminal brahma-bandhus are not

included in this definition of "brahmana." After all, if some brahma-

bandhu takes up materialistic work and lives very nicely by material

standards, then he isn't the kind of person who needs the support of

society to continue to survive. It's the ones who focus on study of

the Vedas, performance of yagnas, and in short, live as brahmins are

supposed to live, who deserve the support of society.

 

Any comments?