Shloka 38
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship
ब्रह्मण्यदेव: पुरुष: पुरातनो नित्यं हरिर्यच्चरणाभिवन्दनात् । अवाप लक्ष्मीमनपायिनीं यशो जगत्पवित्रं च महत्तमाग्रणी: ॥ ३८ ॥
brahmaṇya-devaḥ puruṣaḥ purātano nityaṁ harir yac-caraṇābhivandanāt avāpa lakṣmīm anapāyinīṁ yaśo jagat-pavitraṁ ca mahattamāgraṇīḥ
Hari, the Brahmaṇya-deva—the ancient and eternal Lord, foremost among the great—attained unfailing Lakṣmī and a fame that purifies the whole universe by worshiping the lotus feet of the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.
The Supreme Person is described herein as brahmaṇya-deva. Brahmaṇya refers to the brāhmaṇas, the Vaiṣṇavas or the brahminical culture, and deva means “worshipable Lord.” Therefore unless one is on the transcendental platform of being a Vaiṣṇava or on the highest platform of material goodness (as a brāhmaṇa ), he cannot appreciate the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the lower stages of ignorance and passion, it is difficult to appreciate or understand the Supreme Lord. Therefore the Lord is described herein as the worshipable Deity for persons in brahminical and Vaiṣṇava culture:
FAQs
This verse says that constant reverence to Hari’s feet grants unfailing prosperity (anapāyinī Lakṣmī) and fame that purifies the entire world.
Hari is praised as brahmaṇya-deva because He protects and honors brāhmaṇas and the principles of Vedic dharma; devotion to Him sustains righteousness in society.
Cultivate steady devotion—daily prayer, respectful remembrance, and humble service—so that success is guided by dharma and one’s reputation becomes uplifting rather than ego-driven.