Peace of mind comes only through devotional service fixed in goodness, not through material pursuits or philosophical speculation.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.19 — September 27, 1974, Calcutta 740927SB-CALCUTTA [39:17 Minutes] SB-01.02.19_740927SB-CALCUTTA Nitāi: Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. [Prabhupāda and devotees repeat] [leads chanting of verse, etc.] tadā rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ kāma-lobhādayaś ca ye ceta etair anāviddhaṁ sthitaṁ sattve prasīdati [SB 1.2.19] [Prabhupāda interrupts to correct pronunciation of anāviddhaṁ] [break] [02:15] "At the time loving devotional service is established in the heart, the modes of passion [rajas] and ignorance [tamas] and lust and desire [kāma] disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes happy." Prabhupāda: tadā rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ kāma-lobhādayaś ca ye ceta etair anāviddhaṁ sthitaṁ sattve prasīdati [SB 1.2.19] So the principle is that we have to place our mind, or consciousness, in the sattva-guṇa.
That is the first business. Because the material world means sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa. Sattva-guṇa is the qualification of pure brāhmaṇa. Śamo damas titikṣā ārjavaṁ jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam [Bg. 18.42]. Sattva-guṇa.
These are the symptom of sattva-guṇa. Without coming to the platform of sattva-guṇa, or brahminical qualification, one cannot make any advance in spiritual life. Therefore in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we first of all bring anyone to the platform of brāhmaṇa. Therefore at the time of second initiation we offer the sacred thread, to recognize him that "He is now brāhmaṇa." Without becoming a brāhmaṇa, nobody can become a Vaiṣṇava.
Or, when one is Vaiṣṇava, it is to be understood that he is also brāhmaṇa. The common word... In India it is said, brāhmaṇa-vaiṣṇava. Brāhmaṇa should become Vaiṣṇava.
Or one who is Vaiṣṇava is already a brāhmaṇa. Brahma jānātīti brāhmaṇaḥ. So a Vaiṣṇava not only knows brāhmaṇa, er, Brahman, but he knows Paramātmā and he knows Bhagavān. So brahma jānātīti brāhmaṇa.
Simply by knowing Brahman, one can become a brāhmaṇa. But a Vaiṣṇava, not only he knows what is Brahman, but he knows further—what is Paramātmā and what is Bhagavān. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate [SB 1.2.11]. The Absolute Truth is present in three features: Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān.
So Brahman realization is the first. Ahaṁ brahmāsmi. That is the self-realization: "I am not this body." Ahaṁ brahmāsmi. That is called brahma-bhūta stage.