TEXT 69
'inho na sparsiha, inho jati ati-hina!
vaidika, yajnika tumi kulina pravina!'
SYNONYMS
inhohim; na sparsihado not touch; inhohe; jaticaste; ati-hinavery low; vaidikaa follower of Vedic principles; yajnikaa performer of many sacrifices; tumiyou; kulinaaristocratic brahmana; pravinaan experienced person.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Don't touch him, for he belongs to a very low caste. You are a follower of Vedic principles and are a well experienced performer of many sacrifices. You also belong to the aristocracy."
PURPORT
Generally brahmanas are puffed up with false prestige because they belong to the aristocracy and perform many Vedic sacrifices. In South India especially, this fastidious position is most prominent. At any rate, this was the case five hundred years ago. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu actually started a revolution against this brahminical system by inaugurating the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra. By this chanting, one can be delivered regardless of caste, creed, color or social position. Whoever chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is immediately purified due to the transcendental position of devotional service. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is here hinting to Vallabha Bhattacarya that an exalted brahmana who makes sacrifices and follows Vedic principles should not neglect a person who is engaged in devotional service by chanting the holy name of the Lord.
Actually Rupa Gosvami did not belong to a lower caste. He was from a highly aristocratic brahmana family, but due to his association with the Mohammedan Nawab, he was considered fallen and excommunicated from brahmana society. However, due to his advanced devotional service, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted him as a gosvami. Vallabha Bhattacarya knew all this. One who is a devotee is above caste and creed, yet Vallabha Bhattacarya felt himself prestigious.
The present head of the Vallabha Bhattacarya sampradaya of Bombay is named Diksita Maharaja. He is very friendly to our movement, and whenever we meet him, this learned brahmana scholar highly praises the activities of the Hare Krsna movement. He is a life member of our Society, and although he is a learned scholar in the brahminical caste tradition, he accepts our Society and considers its members bona fide devotees of Lord Visnu.

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