Acharya Prashant addresses a question regarding a verse in the Manusmriti that prohibits Shudras from reading the Vedas and Puranas, prescribing a harsh punishment for doing so. He begins by establishing that to understand any book, code, or practice of Sanatan Dharma, one must refer to its core principles, which are Vedic. Sanatan Dharma is a Vedic religion, with the Vedas at its center. The essence of the Vedas, particularly the philosophy of life and self-realization, is found in Vedanta, which represents the pinnacle of the Vedas. The Upanishads are the embodiment of Vedanta and are not separate from the Vedas. Therefore, any aspect of Hinduism must be understood through the lens of Vedanta's central tenets. Delving into the definition of a 'Shudra' from a Vedantic perspective, Acharya Prashant explains that Vedanta's first principle is that a person is not the body. To live a body-centric life is to live like an animal (pashu). A human being is an incomplete consciousness (ego) that constantly strives for completeness, which is the Atma (the Self). A Shudra, in this spiritual context, is a person whose consciousness is at the lowest, most animal-like level, completely bound to the body and its desires. This classification is based on the level of one's consciousness, not on birth or family. He asserts that the prevalent caste system based on birth is a social corruption and a distortion of the original spiritual principle, as it contradicts the Vedantic truth that one is not the body. He further clarifies that the prohibition on reading scriptures was not for a specific caste but for those who were unqualified, meaning those who lacked 'mumuksha' (a deep desire for liberation). An unqualified person, whose goals are worldly, would misuse the profound knowledge of the scriptures for selfish gains, exploitation, and establishing dominance, which would be detrimental to both society and the individual. A true Brahmin, conversely, is one whose sole aim is Brahman (the Ultimate Reality) and is detached from worldly pursuits. Only such a person is truly qualified to study and teach the scriptures, irrespective of the house they were born into. Acharya Prashant dismisses the excessive focus on Manusmriti, calling it a marginal text that has been politicized to create division. He laments that this has led many, especially the youth and Dalit communities, to develop an aversion to Sanatan Dharma as a whole, thereby depriving themselves of its most precious gift: Vedanta and the knowledge of the Atma. He argues that India's unique contribution to the world is the concept of the Atma, without which the mind remains restless. He concludes with an appeal to everyone, regardless of their religion, to study Vedanta. He suggests that understanding Vedanta not only brings peace but also illuminates the understanding of all other world scriptures, as it provides the fundamental science of the inner self.