Text 32] Explanation of Devotional Service 1265
TRANSLATION

Among human beings, the society which is divided according to quality
and work is best, and in that society, the intelligent men, who are
designated as brahmanas, are best. Among the brahmanas, one who has
studied the Vedas is the best, and among the brahmanas who have studied
the Vedas, one who knows the actual purport of Veda is the best.

PURPORT

The system of four classifications in human society according to quality
and work is very scientific. This system of brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas,
and siidras has now become vitiated as the present caste system in India,
but it appears that this system has been current a very long time, since it is
mentioned in Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. Unless there is such
a division of the social orders in human society, including the intelligent
class, the martial class, the mercantile class and the laborer class, then there
is always confusion as to who is to work for what purpose. A person
trained to the stage of understanding the Absolute Truth is a brahmana,
and when such a brahmana is veda-jia, then he understands the purpose of
Veda. The purpose of Veda is to understand the Absolute. One who
understands the Absolute Truth in three phases, namely Brahman,
Paramatma and Bhagavan, and who understands the term Bhagavan to
mean the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is considered to be the best
of the brahmanas, or a Vaisnava.

TEXT 32
MATATEIN Ta: VT AWG |
THAIN TATION TATA? 1122
artha-jfiat sarnsaya-cche tta
tatah sreyan sva-karma-krt
mukta-saigas tato bhiiyan
adogdha dharmam atmanah

artha-jfidt—than one who knows the purpose of the Vedas; sarhsaya—
doubts; chetta—one who cuts off; tatah—than him; sreyan—better; sva-
karma—his prescribed duties; krt—one who executes; mukta-sangah—
liberated from material association; tatah—than him; bhiyan—hbetter;
