Trinidad 2004
March-April 2004

Sri Swamiji’s discourse in Trinidad Ashrama.
31 March 2004

Many people think they are very great. It is a shame. Many Europeans who come to Mysore for Navaratri sit for 8 to 12 hours witnessing Puja. Hindus must be ashamed. They being Christians take so much interest. Come and see in South India. Discrimination that existed for centuries has been ending. Always harping about greatness about Brahmins. This is sheer stupidity. Such harping holds good only in your house. Not in public place. Who is a Brahmin? - Any one who does not eat meat or drink alcohol. Who observes discipline in life is a Brahmin. It is very difficult to find a true Brahmin today. Brahmin is one who thinks about Brahma. One who practices love and compassion to all. Valmiki, Rama, Krishna were not Brahmins by birth. But they became the best Brahmins. We give respect to the tradition of those who chant Gayatri Mantra. A real Brahmin must have Sanyasi like discipline. Mere decoration of Vibhuti, Wearing a sacred thread will never make you a Brahmin. We hold Ramayana on our heads as if it is the most sacred of texts. Valmiki was not a Brahmin by birth. Rama was a Kshatriya. But we beg and pray daily to Rama. Today’s Brahmins are a rotting lot. They eat eggs, they chew tobacco. They smoke and drink. See, I have trained the sons of Mukunda. They are capable of doing Homa. Many question about their Brahmin birth. I declare them as Brahmins. I have made them Brahmins by training. I have passed the energy. (Thunderous applause by audience). You all are Brahmins because you all are chanting Ramayana, you all believe in God, you all follow Swamiji. First and foremost, be a good human being. This Ashrama is my kingdom. If you believe in my present speech, follow me. Otherwise leave me. I don’t care. Who ever you are. Even in Tirupati, works are all evenly spread to all strata of society. The persons who clean the idol of Balaji are cobblers. We need assistance from everyone in the world. Don’t talk rubbish in Ashrama. I have many chelas. I sometimes send Manasa Datta. I send Prasad to represent me. But they cannot become Swamiji. You respect what they say. Don’t respect people around Swamiji too much. There is only one mother root. That is Swamiji. Don’t confuse yourself with Swamiji’s chelas. You have to become Brahmin by your virtues. Not by birth. I declare it today and I declare it forever. In the end of day, all that matters is if you are a good person, if you helped others and if you lead a fulfilling life. That is all matters. Your caste and creed should be limited to your Puja room in your house only. Once you come out of that room, you are a human. That is all. I don’t have any regard for caste system. I don’t care either. I hate the idea of caste system. In India there is a lot of change in people’s attitude. I am shocked that in this small island of Trinidad, you all still have this discrimination. I am very sad and sorry. There is only one leader in this organization.