How Prabhupāda Trains His Disciples to Become Qualified Brāhmaṇas
To ensure society is guided by true spiritual intelligence, Śrīla Prabhupāda meticulously trains his disciples to become highly qualified brāhmaṇas. This transformation goes far beyond a mere ritual; it demands strict adherence to profound internal and external purity.
The True Meaning of Brahminical Purity
A genuine brāhmaṇa is defined by spotless character and unwavering cleanliness. To achieve this standard, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that one must bathe regularly to remain externally pure while constantly chanting the holy names to cleanse the heart. By embodying these dual practices, disciples fulfill the core scriptural definitions of a purified life.
- A brahmana means purified. So those who are going to be sacred-threaded today, they should remember that they are being accepted as sucih, as brahmana.
- To become a brahmana means to be always clean outside by regular cleanliness and inside by chanting the Hare Krishna maha mantra.
- The brahmanas must keep clean externally by bathing regularly, and within by always chanting Hare Krishna. The symptoms of the brahmana are explained in the Bhagavad-gita and one should cultivate these qualities in their devotional service.
- To become brahmana one must be clean outside and inside. Outside by regularly bathing and inside by always chanting Hare Krishna.
- The brahmana must possess the qualities mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita (18.42) and take bath at least twice a day to maintain external cleanliness as well as always chanting the maha mantra for internal cleanliness.
Strictness in Awarding Second Initiation
Second initiation is a serious responsibility that must never be awarded cheaply or treated as an automatic reward for time served. Becoming a qualified brāhmaṇa requires strict discipline, and Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that a devotee must faithfully rise early for maṅgala-ārati and follow all regulative principles. If these basic practices are neglected, the disciple is entirely unfit for this sacred elevation.
- I am especially concerned that the second initiation not be taken cheaply and devotees who do not even rise early be recommended for brahmana.
- I am especially concerned that the second initiations not be taken cheaply. Brahmins are expected to rise early in the morning and follow strictly all the devotional practices.
- It is not that everyone has to be a brahmana just because he has been initiated 1 or 2 or any number of years. Especially if one cannot even rise early for mangala arati he should never be given brahminical initiation.
- It is not that every man has to be made a brahmana after a year. Especially if one cannot even get up early and go to mangala arati he cannot become a brahmana. So consider it carefully before you recommend further men to me.
- Please impress on him (Prabhupada dasa Adhikari) that this second initiation is not awarded cheaply or automatically, and that he must be very strict in following the regulative principles of bhakti yoga.
Acting as the Intelligent Brain of Society
In the Vedic social system of varṇāśrama, the brāhmaṇas serve as the intelligent head, providing essential guidance to the rest of the social body. Rather than competing for political power, Śrīla Prabhupāda trains his disciples to freely distribute spiritual knowledge and reform the misdirected leaders of the world. Through this selfless cooperation, the entire human society can function harmoniously and achieve ultimate perfection.
- Brahmana is meant for doing the brain work. He will give advice. Just like we, Krsna consciousness movement, we are not meant for the ksatriya's or vaisya's business, the devotees, but if required they can take. But real business is brahmana's business.
- We want to create some men who can give guidance to the human society, because at the present moment the society is without any intelligent head, namely Brahmins.
- The Brahmins are supposed to serve the whole society by distributing this important information. Please help me in this way and Krishna will bless you.
- We have no ambition. Just like we are brahmanas. We have nothing to do, but according to Vedic civilization, the brahmanas guides the ksatriyas how to rule. So our position is to reform the politicians. We are not going to compete with them.
- As you depend on me I similarly depend on you, parasparatam. The brahmanas and ksatriyas should cooperate, that is the Vedic civilization. The hands and legs should cooperate with the brain in order for the whole society to work properly.
Sāstric Education and Examinations
While practical devotion is essential, a true paṇḍita must also be deeply realized in the conclusions of the scriptures. To ensure his disciples actually understand the philosophy, Śrīla Prabhupāda instituted academic examinations based on foundational books like the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrī Īśopaniṣad. This rigorous study fortifies their preaching and establishes them as genuine authorities capable of answering any question.
- Of course second initiation does not depend upon passing an examination. How one has moulded his life--chanting, attending arati, etc--these are essential. Still, brahmana means pandita. Therefore I am suggesting examinations.
- Brahmanas should study carefully, especially Gita, Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and NOI as well as all the small paperbacks. Soon we will have yearly examinations for brahmanas based on these books and those who pass will be awarded Bhakti-sastri titles.
- Soon we shall be instituting Bhakti-sastri examinations and all brahmanas will have to pass. So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.
- The idea is that anyone, after studying the books, who wants to gain the title of Bhakti-sastri, can take the exam. This is academic. Just like a brahmana with sastric knowledge and a brahmana without. It is optional - one who wants may take.
- Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhaktivedanta, and Bhakti-sarvabhauma. All our brahmanas and anyone wanting to become brahmana, will have to sit for examination once a year at Mayapur.
The Sacred Responsibility of Deity Worship
Tending to the Supreme Lord on the altar is an exclusive privilege reserved for advanced and mature students. For this reason, Śrīla Prabhupāda requires that only duly initiated brāhmaṇas cook for and directly worship the Deities, ensuring that no offenses are committed. Even if a disciple is engaged in simple temple cleaning, their service remains equally absolute when performed under proper brahminical guidance.
- Deity worship is for old and experienced students; it is not good for new students to be given sacred thread. This Deity worship is exclusively for advanced students.
- You should make sure that there is nice fresh, clean dress every morning, nice bathing ceremony every morning, nice offerings of prasadam. You should see that the Deity is tended for and cooked for only by the duly second initiated brahmanas.
- We must be very very careful as to not commit offenses in worshiping the Deities, so therefore there must be sufficient facilities and Brahmins to worship the Deity.
- Suppose we are worshiping Deity. That is the duty of brahmana; but somebody is called that "You cleanse this floor." So he should not think that "I am cleansing the floor; therefore I am lower than the person directly worshiping the Deity." No.
- Gaura Nitai Deities may be approved and ordered by the local Temple presidents with consultation of the GBC. There should be at least three or four brahmanas available.
Universal Elevation Beyond Birthright
The spiritual potency of Kṛṣṇa consciousness transcends all material designations, proving that brahminical culture is not a monopoly of birth. Defying the criticisms of caste-conscious thinkers, Śrīla Prabhupāda successfully transforms people from all over the world into genuine brāhmaṇas by training them to give up sinful life. This miraculous empowerment stands as the ultimate success of his global preaching movement.
- Here, in India, the brahmanas, they are doing everything. Still they are going in the name of brahmana. But here, these European brahmanas, American brahmanas, they're real brahmanas, because they have given up all sinful activities.
- We shall be the brahmana. That should be our... And there is no restriction. Don't think that because you are born in America, you cannot become a brahmana. No, you can become a brahmana. There is no restriction.
- Now you cannot again introduce this system of varnasrama. It is not possible. But if one takes to Krsna consciousness, automatically he becomes immediately a brahmana and above the brahmana.
- Yes, train up the brahmanas very carefully. Many Indians and foreigners criticize us how we can create brahmanas. They are under the impression that brahmanas are born like horses and asses are born.
- This is the success of our movement - that our devotees are becoming brahmanas.
Conclusion
The comprehensive training provided by Śrīla Prabhupāda proves that anyone can be elevated to the highest standard of spiritual life through dedicated practice. By strictly following his instructions, his disciples become authentic brāhmaṇas who possess the purity and wisdom needed to uplift the entire world.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Brahmana. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.