Conversation between Priyanath Singh & Swami Vivekananda

Have you ever wondered what Swami Vivekananda has said about Brahmanism, Brahman etc.?

  

Let's hear from Swamiji. 

Priyanath:  People say that Shudras have no right to Pranab, so they are Mlechch; how did you give them Pranab? Pranab has no right to pronounce anyone except Brahmin."

Swamiji:  How did you know that those whom I have given mantras are not Brahmins?

Priyanath:  All countries except India are Javan and Mlechch; Where is the Brahmin among them?

Swamiji:  To whom I have given mantras, they are all Brahmins. That's right, if you are not a Brahmin, you are not entitled to Pranab. It does not mean that the son of a Brahmin will be a Brahmin, very likely to be, but may not be. Aghor Chakraborty's nephew has become a scavenger in Bagbazar, Carries pot of shit on his head. He is also the son of Brahmin.

Priyanath:  Where did you find Brahmins in America and England?

Swamiji:  Brahmin-Community and Brahmin-Quality are two different things. Here brahmins are all in races, but there in quality. You know that there are three qualities like Sattva, Rajah, Tamah; There are also qualities to be considered as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras. The Kshatriya-Quality has almost disappeared in your country. In that country now all are getting Brahminism, from Kshatriyanism. 

Priyanath:  Does that mean you call the sattvic people there,  Brahmins?

Swamiji:  Yes; Sattva, Rajah, Tamah are present in everyone — one of these are more than other qualities in one, so are the qualities of being a Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra in everyone. However, these qualities are more or less from time to time. And from time to time one is revealed. When a man is employed, he gets Shudratva, Vaishyatva when he tries of earning money, and when he fights, etc., Kshatriyatva is revealed inside him. And when he is in the thought of God or in the context of God, then he is a Brahmin. It is normal to change from one race to another. Bishwamitra and Parashuram - How did one become a Brahmin and the other a Kshatriya?

  "Yes, however understand whether they are Brahmins - the great persecution that has taken place in your country. Guruthakur give mantras, that is his business. And how is the Guru-Disciple relation! There is no rice in guru's house. Guru's wife said, Hey, go disciple-house once; Will the dice game satisfy hunger? The Brahmin said, Yes, remind me tomorrow. I have heard that he has been going through a good-time, and he has not been visited for many days. This is your Bengali Guru!"

(Swamiji's Talkings; Conversation with Priyanath Singh,  Swamiji's Memory, Inauguration Office; 1372 page: 131-133)