Shloka 17
The Lord’s Apology to the Kumāras and the Fall of Jaya and Vijaya
ब्रह्मण्यस्य परं दैवं ब्राह्मणा: किल ते प्रभो । विप्राणां देवदेवानां भगवानात्मदैवतम् ॥ १७ ॥
brahmaṇyasya paraṁ daivaṁ brāhmaṇāḥ kila te prabho viprāṇāṁ deva-devānāṁ bhagavān ātma-daivatam
O Lord, You are the supreme guardian of brahminical culture. By honoring the brāhmaṇas as foremost, You teach the world by Your own example. Truly, You alone are the highest worshipable Deity for the gods and for the brāhmaṇas as well.
In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is clearly stated that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause of all causes. There are undoubtedly many demigods, the chiefs of whom are Brahmā and Śiva. Lord Viṣṇu is the Lord of Brahmā and Śiva, not to speak of the brāhmaṇas in this material world. As mentioned in Bhagavad-gītā, the Supreme Lord is very favorable towards all activities performed according to brahminical culture, or the qualities of control of the senses and mind, cleanliness, forbearance, faith in scripture, and practical and theoretical knowledge. The Lord is the Supersoul of everyone. In Bhagavad-gītā it is said that the Lord is the source of all emanations; thus He is also the source of Brahmā and Śiva.
FAQs
This verse teaches that brāhmaṇas are supremely worshipable for one who is devoted to protecting and honoring them, while the brāhmaṇas themselves worship the Supreme Lord within—Bhagavān—as their ultimate Deity.
In the aftermath of the conflict at Vaikuṇṭha’s gate, the Kumāras address Viṣṇu with reverence, affirming the sacred order: devotees honor saintly brāhmaṇas, and those brāhmaṇas ultimately worship Viṣṇu as the inner Lord.
Practice humility and reverence toward genuine spiritual teachers and saintly devotees, while keeping Bhagavān as the ultimate object of worship—serving saints as a way to deepen devotion to the Lord within all beings.