Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā
ब्राह्मणा: साधव: शान्ता नि:सङ्गा भूतवत्सला: । एकान्तभक्ता अस्मासु निर्वैरा: समदर्शिन: ॥ २० ॥ सलोका लोकपालास्तान् वन्दन्त्यर्चन्त्युपासते । अहं च भगवान् ब्रह्मा स्वयं च हरिरीश्वर: ॥ २१ ॥
brāhmaṇāḥ sādhavaḥ śāntā niḥsaṅgā bhūta-vatsalāḥ ekānta-bhaktā asmāsu nirvairāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
Jene Brāhmaṇas, die heilig sind, stets friedvoll, ohne Anhaftung, allen Wesen wohlgesinnt, uns in ausschließlicher Hingabe ergeben, frei von Feindschaft und von gleicher Schau, — sie werden von den Bewohnern und Weltenhütern aller Sphären verehrt, angebetet und unterstützt; ebenso auch von mir, von Bhagavān Brahmā und von Hari selbst, dem höchsten Herrn.
This verse lists key qualities: peacefulness, detachment, compassion to all beings, one-pointed devotion to the Lord, freedom from enmity, and equal vision.
Krishna highlights that genuine brahmanas and sadhus embody pure bhakti and universal compassion, making them exemplary worshipers and guides for society.
Cultivate devotion, reduce attachment, practice kindness to all beings, and consciously avoid hatred—seeing every living entity as part of the Lord’s creation.