Ambassador: Because there is a . . . the definition of brahmin, of course, is made by Buddha's, said: (Sanskrit).
Prabhupāda: No, in Bhagavad-gītā it is said, cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ (BG 4.13). And Bhāgavata says:
- yasya hi yal lakṣaṇaṁ
- puṁso varṇābhivyañjakam
- yad anyatrāpi dṛśyeta
- tat tenaiva vinirdiśet
- (SB 7.11.35)
These are clear indications that brāhmaṇa is not from particular family. And Kṛṣṇa says, another place:
- māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya
- ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
- striyo śūdrā tathā vaiśyās
- te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatiṁ
- (BG 9.32)
Everyone. Kṛṣṇa is open for everyone. Kṛṣṇa does not say that only . . . He says that kiṁ punar brāhmaṇāḥ puṇyāḥ. Everyone is accepted. Why not the brahmins? But te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatim. Those who are not even born in brahmin family . . . Caitanya Mahāprabhu also says, kibā śūdra kiba vipra . . .
Ambassador: Oh. Kibā śūdra kibā vipra . . .
Prabhupāda: Kibā śūdra kibā vipra nyāsī kene naya, yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, tattva-vettā, sei guru haya (CC Madhya 8.128). He becomes spiritual master. It doesn't matter what he is. Śūdra, or vipra it does not matter. The Rāmānanda Rāya, he was a śūdra. According to social position, he was a śūdra. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu took lessons from him.
Ambassador: Oh, I see.
Prabhupāda: Yes. That is in the Eighth Chapter of the Madhya Khaṇḍa.
Ambassador: So I'll remember it, sir.
Prabhupāda: Thank you, sir.
Ambassador: And if I'm able to come for some meetings, I'll come. If I do not, that means only I am busy, you know. Because it's a little busy. But I think some of the members of our embassy will come.
Prabhupāda: No, you . . .
Ambassador: No, I mean to the functions.
Prabhupāda: Functions?
Ambassador: We'll try to come whichever is we are able to come, you know, from the embassy . . .
Prabhupāda: That, of course, you are . . .
Ambassador: Yes.
Prabhupāda: Yes. Thank you very much.
Ambassador: Thank you very much.