Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)
तस्माद् ब्रह्मऋषीनेतान् ब्रह्मन् मच्छ्रद्धयार्चय । एवं चेदर्चितोऽस्म्यद्धा नान्यथा भूरिभूतिभि: ॥ ५७ ॥
tasmād brahma-ṛṣīn etān brahman mac-chraddhayārcaya evaṁ ced arcito ’smy addhā nānyathā bhūri-bhūtibhiḥ
Darum, o Brāhmaṇa, verehre diese brāhmaṇa-Weisen mit derselben Glaubenskraft, die du zu Mir hast. Tust du dies, verehrst du Mich unmittelbar; anders ist es nicht zu erreichen, selbst nicht durch Darbringung ungeheurer Reichtümer.
This verse teaches that honoring Brahmarṣis with faith in Kṛṣṇa is itself direct worship of Kṛṣṇa; devotion is expressed through reverence to His saintly devotees.
Kṛṣṇa emphasizes that He is pleased most by faithful honor shown to saintly sages; mere material grandeur cannot replace sincere devotional reverence and proper dharmic conduct.
Serve and respect genuine sādhus, teachers, and sincere devotees; support dharmic learning and spiritual communities with humility and faith rather than relying only on display, wealth, or status.