Sayings of Ramakrishna 221

Q: Is it proper to keep the Brâhmanical thread? 

A: When the knowledge of self is obtained, all fetters fall off of themselves. 

Then there is no distinction of a Brâhmana or a Sûdra, a high caste or a low caste. In that case the sacred thread-sign of caste falls away of itself. 

But so long as a man has the consciousness of distinction and difference he should not forcibly throw it off.