| On Caste & Creed...Who is a Brahmin? Sri Swamiji's Discourse in Trinidad - March 31, 2004 Go to Complete Text Who is a Brahmin? - Any one who does not eat meat or drink alcohol. Who observes discipline in life is a Brahmin. It is very difficult to find a true Brahmin today. Brahmin is one who thinks about Brahma. One who practices love and compassion to all. Valmiki, Rama, Krishna were not Brahmins by birth. But they became the best Brahmins. We give respect to the tradition of those who chant Gayatri Mantra. A real Brahmin must have Sanyasi like discipline. Mere decoration of Vibhuti, wearing a sacred thread will never make you a Brahmin. We hold Ramayana on our heads as if it is the most sacred of texts. Valmiki was not a Brahmin by birth. Rama was a Kshatriya. But we beg and pray daily to Rama. Today's Brahmins are a rotting lot. They eat eggs, they chew tobacco. They smoke and drink. See, I have trained the sons of Mukunda. They are capable of doing Homa. Many question about their Brahmin birth. I declare them as Brahmins. I have made them Brahmins by training. I have passed the energy. (Thunderous applause by audience). You all are Brahmins because you all are chanting Ramayana, you all believe in God, you all follow Swamiji. First and foremost, be a good human being�. You have to become Brahmin by your virtues. Not by birth. I declare it today and I declare it forever. In the end of day, all that matters is if you are a good person, if you helped others and if you lead a fulfilling life. That is all matters. Your caste and creed should be limited to your Puja room in your house only. Once you come out of that room, you are a human. That is all. --HH Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji |
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