Brahmā’s Enumeration of Primacies (Ādi) and the Supremacy of Knowledge
Jñāna
सर्वेषां भक्ष्यभोज्यानामन्नं परममुच्यते । द्रवाणां चैव सर्वेषां पेयानामाप उत्तमा:
sarveṣāṁ bhakṣyabhojyānām annaṁ paramam ucyate | dravāṇāṁ caiva sarveṣāṁ peyānām āpa uttamāḥ ||
বায়ুদেৱে ক’লে—সকলো ভক্ষ্য-ভোজ্য বস্তুৰ মাজত অন্নকেই পৰম শ্ৰেষ্ঠ বুলি কোৱা হয়; আৰু সকলো দ্ৰৱৰ মাজত, সকলো পানীয়ৰ মাজত, জলেই উত্তম।
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse ranks essentials: among foods, anna (staple nourishment) is foremost; among drinks, water is best. Ethically, it points to honoring basic sustenance as the foundation of life, restraint, and righteous living.
Vāyu-deva is speaking and delivering a concise instruction that elevates fundamental necessities—food and water—over luxuries, reinforcing a dharmic perspective on what truly sustains beings.