The classification of varṇaṁ, should be, I mean to say, accepted by seeing the symptoms—what quality and what work he is doing. Suppose if you are born in a brāhmaṇa family but if you do the work of a carpenter, then everyone will call you a carpenter. Who will call you a brāhmaṇa? No. But the thing is, now by force they think, "No, although I am carpenter I am brahmin." This has spoiled the Vedic civilization. "Because I am born of a brahmin father, even though I am a carpenter or shoemaker, I am still a brāhmaṇa." This has spoiled the Vedic culture.
So here is satya-śaucābhyāṁ. And another thing is śaucābhyāṁ, cleanliness. We are accepting these boys as brāhmaṇa because they are . . . they have learned. Of course, due to their past habits sometimes they commit some mistakes, but that is not . . . because they have concentrated their mind in Kṛṣṇa. So Kṛṣṇa says:
- api cet su-durācāro
- bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
- sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ
- (BG 9.30)
Because one has concentrated himself simply in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service, even though sometimes there are some discrepancies in the matter of his work, still he should be accepted as sādhu, as purified soul. So mistakes there may be, but that should be rectified. In this way one has to elevate to the higher standard of spiritual value. That is the success of human life, not to become like cats and dogs—that is a great mistake. Then you will be put into cats' and dogs' category. There is already cats and dogs. If you create your mentality like cats and dogs, next birth you become cats and dogs. This is the law of nature.
- prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni
- guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ
- ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā
- (BG 3.27)
You may be very proud that, "I am American," "I am Indian," "I am this or that," but the laws of nature is equal for everyone. If you act as cats and dogs you become cats and dogs, that's all. There is no excuse. You cannot say that, "I am born in such and such family, such and such way." No. Work will be considered.