Brahminical Corruption in Kali Yuga

(written on April 6, 2020)

In SB 1.16.21 it is nicely summarized how the Brahmanas become corrupted in this age of Kali. Srila Prabhupada writes that, “The brāhmaṇas are traditionally intelligent men, and thus they will be able to pick up modern education to the topmost rank, but as far as moral and religious principles are concerned, they shall be the most fallen.” This is because they have shunned the rules of the Vedas. Per the rules of the scriptures, Brahmanas are not supposed to work for mundane people. They are actually not supposed to work for anyone, but are supposed to live a self-sustained life by taking care of cows and following other such brahminical principles. Instead, by working for the mundane administrators the Brahmanas inherit their leader’s lowly qualities. This is confirmed by Srila Prabhupada again in SB 1.16.21: “The administrative heads as a class will condemn the tenets of Vedic wisdom and will prefer to conduct a so-called secular state, and the so-called educated brāhmaṇas will be purchased by such unscrupulous administrators.” Getting influenced by their administrators, Brahmanas are therefore becoming corrupted in this age of Kali and are learning concepts such as atheism and secularism. They become influenced through this bad association and this causes them to forget all brahminical tenets. Srila Prabupada actually describes these brahmins as the most fallen because these people are only brahmins by name. They think that by being born to the brahmana, they automatically become one. But that is false. Actually, caste is not defined by inheritance but instead is based on the qualities that one possesses. Srila Prabhupada would often say many times that one can be born to a brahmana but might as well be called a chandala due to their lowly qualities. Similarly, a chandala can become a brahmana simply by a shift of culture. So, it is important for the so-called brahmanas to learn proper brahminical culture in order to resist getting corrupted by this age of Kali.