Prabhupāda: So all our disciples, they are young men.
Reverend Powell: Yes, I noticed.
Prabhupāda: Because they are receptive. And their intelligence is intact. Old man takes time.
Reverend Powell: (laughs) Yes, well, that's very true, sir. Your Grace, what's the parable of the talents, some were given a few, and some were . . .
Prabhupāda: Now, the talents are described. Find that Eighteenth Chapter, śamo damas titikṣā. Then . . .
Reverend Powell: What I'd like to follow through . . . I'd like to hear this, but . . .
Prabhupāda: Talents are divided into three categories: the brahmin category, and the kṣatriya category, the vaiśya category and the śūdra category. They are described here.
Reverend Powell: And this . . .
Prabhupāda: What are the qualifications of a brahmin. Symptoms.
Satsvarūpa:
- śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ
- kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca
- jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ
- brahma-karma svabhāva-jam
- (BG 18.42)
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge and religiousness—these are the qualities by which the brāhmaṇas work."
Prabhupāda: This is first-quality man.
Reverend Powell: Well, there's a great similarity, isn't there, to the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, with these qualities you've just . . .
Prabhupāda: Yes, yes. When . . . when one is qualified with all these attributes and he acts accordingly, then he is first-class man.