Yes, he must be truthful.

[Guest guest]

>

> > "Hrdayananda Goswami: Could you explain about the training of a brahmana?

> >

> > Srila Prabhupada: Yes, he must be truthful. He must have control of the

> > senses and of the mind. He must be tolerant and not be agitated in trifle

> > matters. He must always be clean. He must take bath at least three times

a

> > day. All the clothing, everything is clean. This is brahminical

training.

> > And then he must know what is what, what is knowledge and practical

> > application. And he must have firm faith in Krsna. This is brahmana.

 

If establishing Varnashrama dharma was the second part of Srila Prabhupada's

mission what was the first part? Of course the first thing that comes to mind

is "the preaching mission", but I've also heard that he said my mission is to

create brahmins or brahminical culture. This I am taking from the title of

Kundali's excellent book, "Our Mission". I don't have the book with me and no

folio to look up quotes but I think that's correct

 

I admit to having been fairly pessimistic about the whole concept of

varashrama dharma until I read his book and then it kind of fell together for

me. And it's a simple concept.

 

" Srila Prabhupada: Yes, he must be truthful."

 

It's the key! The Brahmin's speak the truth. That's what they do! They

sacrifice everything for that. They are taught that this is their duty to

society and God. And therefore the whole system can work.

 

For them to speak the truth they must be independent, not working for anyone,

not beholden to anyone for favors. Not in the service of anything but the

truth! This is absolutely key. And a brahminical culture is one that supports

the brahmins even though they speak the truth, nay, because they speak the

truth. A brahnminical culture had truth as it's central motivating force.

Money and power were subservient to the truth.

 

" He must have control of the

> > senses and of the mind."

 

And a brahmin must be objective. The truth must not be subservient to his own

desires, his own predjudices. He had to have done the introspective work on

himself so he could do his service to God effectively, without getting in the

way.

 

" He must be tolerant and not be agitated in trifle matters."

 

He must speak without anger, but just to speak the truth! Plainly and simply

maybe, but not in a way that attacks anyone. People are not put on the

defensive, because it's understood he speaks out of compassion, and they can

hear in an open way.

 

"He must always be clean."

 

Within and without!

 

"And then he must know what is what, what is knowledge and practical

> > application."

>" brahmana should be expert in every kind of knowledge"

 

>

> The idea is that if you support research, then these people will become

> great teachers.

 

>"And he must have firm faith in Krsna. This is brahmana."

 

Firm faith in Krsna, the ablolute truth, above all things worldly.

 

Kundali das put it together for me. If the bramins are respected in a society,

they can do their duty properly. And managers are not brahmins; they're

ksatrias. They must take counsel from brahmins, who are not managers. And in

this way the system of varnashrama works, because at the head of it are

brahmins, who act disinterestedly, and speak the truth.

 

"And the truth shall set us free"

 

> > Hrdayananda Goswami: So what kind of practical work can we engage them

in?

 

Who shall engage whom?

 

> > Srila Prabhupada: They will all be teachers. Just like Dronacarya. He

was

> > brahmana, but he was teaching military art to the Pandavas. The general

> > teacher class will be the brahmanas.

 

Dronacarya, the brahmana, teaching military art to the Pandavas, the ksatrias.

Who was engaging whom?

 

So who are the brahmins? Srila Prabhupada wanted to create a Brahminical

culture. It is our mission!!!

 

The brahmins and the culture that supports them are essential to any

successful human society, starting with our own. And because they speak the

truth, brahmins can be seen as radical. Anarchists is what Srila Prabhupada

refered to them as. They don't jive well within institutions but they are

absolutely essential to the success of a spiritual mission, for without their

voice of concience, the mission loses its' focus and gets sidetracked in the

ditches of politics and power. Ksatrias must do the duty of ksatrias but must

respect the brahmanas and not drown out their voices in the grand meeting

halls. Therefore a distinction should be made between them, with the quieter

brahmins being respected and their counsel sought after.

 

To me Kundali das is the consummate brahmana, and heeding his counsel on this

issue is a great step toward supporting brahinical culture.

 

Thanks for your patience,

tri