Gnaneshwar Charitam Vol III Book VIII Chp 2 Shlokas 3 - 5
न जन्मना न व्रतेन न संस्कारेण विद्यया |
भवन्ति ब्रह्मणः सत्यं ब्रह्मज्ञानेन केवलम् ||
यः पश्येत्सर्वभूतानि भगवद्भावमास्थितः |
स एव ब्राह्मणः सत्यं चण्डालोपि न संशयः ||
द्वन्द्वमोहविमुक्तस्य ब्रह्मध्यानपास्य च |
अतीतालोकवेदस्य ब्रह्मसूत्रेण किं फलम् ||
One is not considered a brahmana just because of his birth in a particular clan or indulgence in religious rites or the performance of rituals like the upanayanam or his scholarship. One becomes a brahmana due to the possession of the Brahma gnana, the profound knowledge of the universal soul. Despite being a low-born, certainly he becomes a brahmana if he values all beings as manifestations of Shri Bhagavan. What use the sacred thread has for one who is rid of deception born of the differences nurtured in the heart, has meditation upon the Brahman as the only object of his life. stands above the regulations prescribed by the Vedas and the rules of the conduct prevalent in the world? (He is not benefitted specially by the ritual of wearing the sacred thread).
