Though born as a Sudra, a person does attain Brahmin-hood through Brahmam-ward struggle and Sadhana; though born as a Brahmin, if that ideal and the effort to attain it are not found, the person becomes a Sudra.

Anushtana and Nishta, conduct and discipline - these two are the criteria, the deciding factors. The inner Atmic Principle is the same in all. It knows no caste or class or conflict. To realise that the self is beyond all these subordinate categories, Bhakthi is the first requisite. Bhakthi merges in Jnana and becomes identified with it. Bhakthi ripens into Jnana; so do not speak of them as different. At one state it is called Bhakthi, at a later stage we refer to it as Jnana. Once it is cane, later it is sugar.

Through Bhakthi, the Jiva is transformed into Siva, or rather, it knows it is Siva and the Jiva idea disappears. To posit oneself as Jiva, that is Ajnana; to know oneself as Siva, that is Jnana.

A white cloth that has become dirty is dipped in water, cleaned with soap and warmed and beaten on a slab in order that it may be restored to its colour and condition. So too, to remove the dirt of Ajnana that has attached itself to the pure Sath-Chit-Ananda Atma, the water of un-blemished conduct and behaviour, the soap of Brahmam-reflection, the warming of Japam and Dhyanam and the slab of Renunciation are all necessary. Then only can the fundamental Brahmam-hood of the Atma shine forth.

It does not help if the soap is good when the water is soiled. All that soap and all that bother of heating and beating will be wasted, for the cloth will continue to be as dirty as before. This explains why many aspirants fail. Though they have meditated on Brahmam for many years and studied about it for long, their modes of behaviour and conduct are all wrong. The fault lies in the water, not in the soap! Their daily habits, acts and activities are mean and low; the Dhyana on Brahmam is all wasted.