@ajay0 ,
@Aupmanyav , thanks for sharing your perspective. I learned a lot.
Prabhupada's view is certainly not main-stream Hinduism. It is not even main-stream Vaishnavism. There are many other important Vaishnava sects.* Furthermore, though the differences by varna are there among Hare-Krishnas, there is no caste discrimination. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's philosophy will never tolerate that. Difference and discrimination are not the same things. Difference means that varnas are given different duties / responsibilities and every one has to fulfill his own dharma.
I looked up the Caitanya-Caritamrta's statements on varnasrama-dharma. Madhya-Lila, chapter 8, verse 57:
Text 57:
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ordered Rāmānanda Rāya, “Recite a verse from the revealed scriptures concerning the ultimate goal of life.”
Text 58:
“ ‘The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, is worshiped by the proper execution of prescribed duties in the system of varṇa and āśrama. There is no other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One must be situated in the institution of the four varṇas and āśramas.’ ”
Text 59:
The Lord replied, “This is external. You had better tell Me of some other means.”
Text 60:
Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “ ‘My dear son of Kuntī, whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give in charity, and whatever austerities you perform, all the results of such activities should be offered to Me, Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.’ ”
Text 61:
“This is also external,” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said. “Please proceed and speak further on this matter.” Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “To give up one’s occupational duties in the varṇāśrama system is the essence of perfection.”
Text 62:
Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “ ‘Occupational duties are described in the religious scriptures. If one analyzes them, he can fully understand their qualities and faults and then give them up completely to render service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a person is considered a first-class man.’
Text 63:
“As stated in scripture [
Bg. 18.66], ‘After giving up all kinds of religious and occupational duties, if you come to Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and take shelter, I will give you protection from all of life’s sinful reactions. Do not worry.’ ”
[The text goes on about the highest form of bhakti].
@Aupmanyav , for clarification, you're an atheist, but you don't believe in secularism?
Hypothetically speaking, if a plumber decided to become a policeman or state-servant [assumed he has the necessary skills and education] would that be okay to you? If a butcher had a God-experience and decided to become a guru, would this be okay to you?