Text 27] Daksa Curses Lord Siva 69

knowledge about Brahman. In the Vedanta-siitra also it is stated, athato
brahma-jijiiasa: this human form of life is meant for realization of the
Supreme Brahman or Absolute Truth, or, in other words, human life is
meant for one’s elevation to the post of a brahmana. Unfortunately the
modern brahmanas, or so-called brahmanas who come in originally
brahminical families, have left their own occupational duties, but they do
not allow others to occupy the posts of brahmanas. The qualifications for
brahmanas are described in the scriptures, in Srimad-Bhdgavatam, Bhagavad-
gilda and all other Vedic literatures. Brahmana is not a hereditary title or
position. If someone from a non-brahmana family (for example, one born
in the family of sidras) tries to become a brahmana by being properly
qualified under the instruction of a bona fide spiritual master, these so-
called brahmanas will object. Such brahmanas, being cursed by
Nandisvara, are actually in a position where they have no discrimination
between eatables and noneatables and simply live to maintain the perish-
able material body and its family. Such fallen conditioned souls are not
worthy to be called brahmapas, but in Kali-yuga they claim to be
brahmanas, and if a person actually tries to attain the brahminical
qualifications, they try to hinder his progress. This is the situation in the
present age. Caitanya Mahaprabhu condemned this principle very strongly.
During His conversation with Ramananda Raya, Ile said that regardless of
whether a person is born in a brahmana family or sidra family, regardless
of whether he is a householder or a sannyasi, if he knows the science of
Krsna he must be a spiritual master. He had many so-called sidra
disciples like Haridasa Thakur and Ramananda Raya. Even the Gosvamis,
who were principal students of Lord Caitanya, were also ostracized from
brahmana society, but Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by His grace, made them
first-class V aisnavas.

TEXT 27
aed aca: ant yet fargo 2 |
BT TAGS AAS FAT Ill

tasyaivam vadatah sdpam
srutva dvija-kulaya vai

bhrguh pratyasrjac chapam
brahma-dand — !uratyayam

tasya—his (Nandisvara’s);evam—th _, wweatah— words; sapam—the curse;
srutva—hearing; dvija-kulaya—unto the brahmanas; vai—indeed; bhrguh—
