16 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Antya-lila, Ch. 16

sudre tu yad bhavel laksma
dvije tac ca na vidyate

na vai sGdro bhavec chidro
braéhmano na ca brahmanah

“If the characteristics of a brahmana are found in a sddra and not in a brahmana,
that sddra should not be known as a sddra, and that brahmana should not be
known as a braéhmana.”

Similarly, in the Vana-parva, Chapter 211, it is said:

stidra-yonau hi jatasya
sad-gundanupatisthatah

arjave vartamanasya
brahmanyam abhijayate

“If a person born in a stidra family has developed the qualities of a brahmana, such
as satya [truthfulness], sama [peacefulness], dama [self-control] and drjava
[simplicity], he attains the exalted position of a brahmana.”

In the Anusasana-parva, Chapter 163, it is said:

sthito brahmana-dharmena
brahmanyam upajivati

ksatriyo vatha vaisyo va
brahma-bhayah sa gacchati

ebhis tu karmabhir devi
subhair dcaritais tatha

sudro brahmanatam yati
vaisyah ksatriyatam vrajet

na yonir napi samskaro
na srutari na ca santatih
karanani dvijatvasya
vrttam eva tu karanam

“If one is factually situated in the occupation of a brahmana, he must be con-
sidered a brahmana, even if born of a ksatriya or vaisya family.

“O Devi, if even a sddra is actually engaged in the occupation and pure
behavior of a brahmana, he becomes a brahmana. Moreover, a vaisya can become
a ksatriya.

“Therefore, neither the source of one’s birth, nor his reformation, nor his educa-
tion is the criterion of a brahmana. The vrtta, or occupation, is the real standard by
which one is known as a brahmana.”
