śuciḥ - a brāhmaṇa purified internally and externally; sat-bhakti - of devotional service without motives; dīpta-agni - by the blazing fire; dagdha - burnt to ashes; durjāti - such as birth in a low family; kalmaṣaḥ - whose sinful reactions; śva-pākaḥ api - even though born in a family of dog-eaters; budhaiḥ - by learned scholars; ślāghyaḥ - recognized; na - not; veda-jñaḥ api - even though completely conversant in Vedic knowledge; nāstikaḥ - an atheist.

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “ ‘A person who has the pure characteristics of a brāhmaṇa due to devotional service, which is like a blazing fire burning to ashes all the sinful reactions of past lives, is certainly saved from the consequences of sinful acts, such as taking birth in a lower family. Even though he may be born in a family of dog-eaters, he is recognized by learned scholars. But although a person may be a learned scholar in Vedic knowledge, he is not recognized if he is an atheist.