IN THE SPH's OWN WORDS:🔗

"I am not a brāhmaṇa. Brāhmaṇas have come to me and hinted at their discomfort at being termed brāhmaṇas. They are well-educated people.

I tell them, 'Be proud of your culture, your tradition. Without brāhmaṇas, the vedic tradition would have died long ago.' This praise is for those brāhmaṇas who have remained true to their scholarship. Those who have succumbed to the lure of wealth have no right to be called brāhmaṇas.

This is where the varṇa system has failed. From a scientific and efficient work system, it has deteriorated into a power broking system. We need to fix that. Those who are true to their tradition are poor and disrespected. Only those who use their scholarly skills to become kṣatriyas and vaiśyas have gained power, money and respect. It is better they continue to be where they are respected and happy!

The problem with society and the societal structure is that they become exclusive; good societies should be inclusive. Today in the West as well as in other places including Bharat, if we have money or power, we are respected. Does anyone rebel against that? No! How can we call a society advanced or progressive when its main criterion for respect is money?"