Association of Brāhmaṇas - The Power of Spiritual and Material Company
In the Vedic system, the brāhmaṇas are considered the intellectual and spiritual head of society. However, this exalted position is incredibly sensitive to the environment. Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports intricately explain how the status of a brāhmaṇa is not a permanent birthright, but a dynamic state of consciousness that is entirely dictated by the people with whom one chooses to associate. The power of association can either elevate a person to the spiritual sky or drag them down to the most abominable activities.
Qualification by the Mode of Goodness
The rigid caste system claims that only those born to brāhmaṇa parents are actual brāhmaṇas. Śrīla Prabhupāda completely shatters this misconception. He explains that brahminical culture is defined by one's association with the material modes of nature. If a person associates purely with sattva-guṇa (the mode of goodness) and agrees to be trained by a spiritual master, they can genuinely attain the brahminical platform, regardless of their background.
- Those who are purely in association with the modes of goodness, sattva-guna, they are considered as brahmana. And those who are associated with the rajo-guna, passion, they are called ksatriyas.
- One can become brahmana. If he gets association of a brahmana, if he agrees to be trained up by a brahmana, he can become brahmana. And brahmana means brahma janati iti brahmana, not by birth. Anyone who has full knowledge of the Supreme, he is brahmana.
- Srila Jiva Gosvami states how a non-brahmana can be turned into a brahmana by the association of a pure devotee.
The Peril of Bad Association
Even if one is thoroughly trained and born into a pure family, spiritual life can be ruined by a moment of carelessness. Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly warns about the destructive power of bad association. Historical figures like Ajāmila and Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura were initially pure, wealthy brāhmaṇas, but their intelligence was severely polluted the moment they began associating with prostitutes, causing them to abandon all religious principles.
- Ajamila was a brahmana who because of bad association had given up all brahminical culture and religious principles. Becoming most fallen, he stole, drank and performed other abominable acts. He even kept a prostitute.
- Sukadeva Gosvami wants to impress upon the mind of the reader (in Srimad Bhagavatam 6.1.63) that Ajamila's exalted position as a brahmana was vanquished by his association with the prostitute, so much so that he forgot all his brahminical activities.
- Bilvamangala Thakura. He was a South Indian brahmana, very rich brahmana. But by bad association or something like that, he became a very staunch prostitute hunter. So he engaged all his income, money, everything, after one prostitute.
- With women the Bhattatharis allured the brahmana Krsnadasa, who was simple and gentle. By virtue of their bad association, they polluted his intelligence.
Superficial Social Judgments
While bad association degrades a person, superficial society often misunderstands the necessary interactions of pure devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates this by recounting the lives of Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī. Despite being pure brāhmaṇas, they were excommunicated by orthodox Hindu society simply because their political duties required them to associate with Muslim rulers.
- Actually Rupa Gosvami did not belong to a lower caste. He was from a highly aristocratic brahmana family, but due to his association with the Muslim Nawab, he was considered fallen and was excommunicated from brahmana society.
- In the Bhakti-ratnakara it is clearly stated that because Sakara Mallika and Dabira Khasa associated with lower-class men, they introduced themselves as belonging to the lower classes. Actually, however, they had been born in respectable brahmana families.
- An ordinary brahmana may fall from the brahma-tejas, or the power of brahminical excellence, due to his association with many fallen, conditioned souls.
- A brahmana, although he is born of a high family, but because he has associated with the qualities of a candala, he should be called candala.
Salvation Through Pure Devotees
Despite the immense risks of material existence, the association of pure devotees acts as an ultimate fail-safe. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that even if a brāhmaṇa falls down, the pious credits gained from earlier association with saintly persons can eventually save them. When one is fortunate enough to associate with an unalloyed devotee like Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all previous pollution is cleansed, and the path to Vaikuṇṭha is guaranteed.
- In the beginning of his life Ajamila was certainly very pure, and he associated with devotees and brahmanas; because of that pious activity, even though he was fallen, he was inspired to name his son Narayana.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu is an ideal teacher by His personal behavior, and so also are all His disciples. Thus this brahmana, being purified in association with Caitanya Mahaprabhu, followed these principles in submitting his request to the higher authority.
- Thus by the benediction of Lord Siva the brahmana got the association of the best devotee of Lord Krsna and was thus initiated in the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna.
- The brahmana was then fortunate enough to get an eternal place in Vaikuntha in the association of the Lord and His Laksmis.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the quality of a brāhmaṇa is not an inert designation but a living practice sustained entirely by spiritual association. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that material allurements can easily strip away one's brahminical culture, while the association of pure Vaiṣṇavas can elevate anyone to the highest standard of realization. Therefore, to protect one's spiritual advancement and achieve eternal liberation, a sincere practitioner must constantly avoid the degrading company of materialists and submissively seek the purifying association of genuine saintly persons.
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 Association of Brahmanas. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.