312 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [ Adi-lila, Ch.17

TRANSLATION

On another day an astrologer came who was supposed to know everything—past,
present and future. Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu received him with all honor and
put this question before him.

PURPORT

Brahmagas generally used to become astrologers, Ayur-vedic physicians, teachers
and priests. Although highly learned and respectable, such bra@manas went from
door to door to distribute their knowledge. A brahmana would first go to a house-
holder’s home to give information about the functions to be performed on a particu-
lar tithi, or date, but if there were sickness in the family, the family members would
consult the 6rahmana as a physician, and the brahmana would give instruction and
some medicine. Often, since the bsahmanas were expert in astrology, people would
also be greatly inquisitive about their past, present and future.

Although the brahmana appeared at Lord Caitanya’s house as a beggar, Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu received him with great respect because he was a qualified
brahmana who knew the astrological science perfectly. Although brdhmoanas
would go door to door just like beggars, they were honored as very respectable
guests. This was the system in Hindu society five hundred years ago, during
the time of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This system was current even one hundred
years ago; even fifty or sixty years ago, when we were children, such brahmanas would
visit householders like humble beggars, and people would derive great benefit from
the mercy of such brahmagas. The greatest benefit was that a householder could save
a great deal of money from being spent on doctor bills because the bramanas, aside
from explaining the past, present and future, could ordinarily cure all kinds of diseases
simply by giving instructions and some medicine. Thus no one was bereft of the bene-
fit of a first-class physician, astrologer and priest. The important members of ISKCON
should give careful attention to our Dallas school, where children are being taught
Sanskrit and English to become perfect brahmagas. If they are actually trained as
perfect brdhmanas, they can save society from rogues and ruffians; indeed, people
can live happily under the protection of qualified brahmanas. Therefore Bhagavad:
gitd (4.13) gives special stress to the division of society (cdtur-varnyarn maya srstarn
guqa-karma-vibhagasap). Unfortunately some people are now claiming to be
brahmagas simply by birthright, with no qualifications. Therefore the entire
society is in chaos.

TEXT 104

ct Uifeg Bite Adorn we fF |
sifsics orifsion 14es CHEA sy OH i s°8 1

ke achilun Gmi pirva-janme kaha gani'
ganite lagila sarva-jna prabhu-vakya Suni’
SYNONYMS

ke achiluh ami—who | was; piirva-janme—in My previous birth; kaha—please say;
gani—by your astrological calculation; ganite—to calculate; /agi/a—began; sarva-/rie-
