Text 35] The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes 55

TEXT 35
TS THM Then GAY TNHTSTAy |
TEHTANY CHG TG Aaa HAIG URN

yasya yal laksanam proktam
pumso varnabhivyanjakam
yad anyatrapi drsyeta
tat tenaiva vinirdiset

yasya—of whom; yat—which; laksanam—symptom; proktam—de-
scribed (above); purmsah—of a person; varna-abhivyanjakam—indicat-
ing the classification (brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, Sidra, etc.); yat—if;
anyatra—elsewhere; api—also; drsyeta—is seen; tat—that; tena—by
that symptom; eva—certainly; vinirdiset—one should designate.

TRANSLATION

If one shows the symptoms of being a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya
or Sidra, as described above, even if he has appeared in a different
class, he should be accepted according to those symptoms of
classification.

PURPORT

Herein it is clearly stated by Narada Muni that one should not be ac-
cepted as a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or Sidra according to birth, for
although this is going on now, it is not accepted by the Sastras. As stated
in Bhagavad-gita (4.13), catur-varnyam maya srstarn guna-karma-
vibhagasah. Thus the four divisions of society—brahmana, ksatriya,
vaisya and stidra—are to be ascertained according to qualities and ac-
tivities. If one was born in a braéhmana family and has acquired the
brahminical qualifications, he is to be accepted as a bradhmana; other-
wise, he should be considered a brahma-bandhu. Similarly, if a Sidra ac-
quires the qualities of a brahmana, although he was born in a Sidra
family, he is not a siidra; because he has developed the qualities of a
brahmana, he should be accepted as a brahmana. The Krsna conscious-
ness movement is meant to develop these brahminical qualities. Regard-
less of the community in which one was born, if one develops the
qualities of a brahmana he should be accepted as a brahmana, and he
