Intelligent Class of Men - The Brain of Society
The Intelligent Class of Men—technically called brāhmaṇas—constitute the spiritual and intellectual brain of society within the Vedic system of four divisions (varṇāśrama). Śrīla Prabhupāda defines the first-class intelligent man as he who knows what is God, distinguishing him from the lower classes who merely focus on the animal propensities of eating, sleeping, mating, and dying.
Function of the Brāhmaṇa
The brāhmaṇa is the most intelligent class, due to being situated in the mode of goodness. He lists their responsibilities, which include keeping themselves purified, studying Vedic literatures, and understanding the interrelation between the world, God, and the self. He describes them as the head department, situated on the face of the Lord in the universal form.
- The intelligent class of men, the brahmanas, are especially responsible for broadcasting this knowledge of our relationship with the Lord and leading the general mass of people to the right path.
- The intelligent class of men must admit the Lord as the ultimate source of all energies and thus pay tribute to the Lord for His good blessings.
Furthermore, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that this class must provide direction to the administrators (kṣatriyas). He points out that whenever there is disobedience on the part of the kṣatriyas against the orders of the learned and intelligent brāhmaṇas, the administrators are removed from their posts.
Chaotic Condition of Modern Society
The present chaotic situation of human society directly to the fact that there is no intelligent class of men. He warns that without a genuine brāhmaṇa class to act as the social brain, society collapses into a fourth-class, śūdra (worker) condition. His Divine Grace observes that the so-called intelligent men in modern society often misuse their higher intelligence to produce many unnecessary and unwanted things, rather than cultivating God consciousness.
- The chaotic situation of the present human society is due to that there is no intelligent class of men. This is our challenge. The so-called scientists, so-called philosophers, they have no intelligence.
- Without transcendental loving service of the Supreme Lord, a so-called intelligent class is simply in name intelligent class. But it is not... He's actually not intelligent, because there is no function.
Kṛṣṇa Consciousness is for the Intelligent
According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is specifically meant for the intelligent class of men. He explains that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is worshiped by intelligent men in this age, and only the first-class intelligent men (catura) can take to this philosophy.
- Krsna consciousness is not for the fools. It is not for the fools. Highly intelligent class of man, he can understand the philosophical aspect of Krsna consciousness. But the thing is so attractive that even a child, even a fool is attracted.
- If only the intelligent class of men understand our Krsna philosophy, then our mission is successful.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the presence of the Intelligent Class of Men is non-negotiable for a civilized human society. He asserts that their absence results in chaos and degradation. Therefore, Śrīla Prabhupāda believes the ultimate success of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is dependent upon recruiting and training more men and women to become this intelligent class, thus providing the vital guidance the world desperately requires.
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