PURPORT

According to Vedic injunctions, only a brahmana may be offered sannyasa. The Saṅkara-sampradaya (ekadanda-sannyasa-sampradaya) awards the sannyasa order only to caste brahmanas, or born brahmanas, but in the Vaisnava system even one not born in a brahmana family may be made a brahmana according to the direction of the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (tatha diksa-vidhanena dvijatvam jayate nrnam). Any person from any part of the world may be made a brahmana by the regular process of initiation, and when he follows brahminical behavior, observing the principle of abstaining from intoxication, illicit sex, meat-eating and gambling, he may be offered sannyasa. All the sannyasis in the Krsna consciousness movement, who are preaching all over the world, are regular brahmana-sannyasis. Thus the so-called caste brahmanas should not object to offering them respectful obeisances. By offering such obeisances, as recommended by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they will diminish their offenses and automatically awaken to their natural position of devotional service. As it is said, nitya-siddha krsna-prema sadhya kabhu naya: krsna-prema can be awakened in a purified heart. The more we offer obeisances to sannyasis, especially Vaisnava sannyasis, the more we diminish our offenses and purify our hearts. Only in a purified heart can krsna-prema awaken. This is the process of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's cult, the Krsna consciousness movement.