Shloka 42
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
नन्वस्य ब्राह्मणा राजन्कृष्णस्य जगदात्मन: । पुनन्त: पादरजसा त्रिलोकीं दैवतं महत् ॥ ४२ ॥
nanv asya brāhmaṇā rājan kṛṣṇasya jagad-ātmanaḥ punantaḥ pāda-rajasā tri-lokīṁ daivataṁ mahat
હે રાજન, આ બ્રાહ્મણો જગદાત્મા શ્રીકૃષ્ણના છે; તેમના ચરણરજથી ત્રિલોકી પવિત્ર થાય છે, તેથી તેઓ મહાદેવતુલ્ય છે અને સ્વયં કૃષ્ણને પણ પૂજ્ય છે।
As admitted by Lord Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gītā (18.69) , na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ. The brāhmaṇas preach the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness all around the world, and therefore, although they worship Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord also recognizes them as worshipable. The relationship is reciprocal. The brāhmaṇas want to worship Kṛṣṇa, and similarly Kṛṣṇa wants to worship the brāhmaṇas. In conclusion, therefore, brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas who are engaged in preaching the glories of the Lord must be worshiped by religionists, philosophers and people in general. At the Rājasūya-yajña of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, many hundreds and thousands of brāhmaṇas were present, yet Kṛṣṇa was selected to be worshiped first. Therefore, Kṛṣṇa is always the Supreme Person, but by His causeless mercy He recognizes the brāhmaṇas as dearmost to Him.
FAQs
This verse states that brāhmaṇas purify the three worlds simply by the dust of their feet, indicating the extraordinary spiritual potency of saintly association and devotion.
In the discussion of ideal household and social duties, Śukadeva emphasizes honoring spiritually elevated persons; he highlights that such brāhmaṇas are powerful agents of purification because they are connected to Kṛṣṇa, the Soul of all.
Seek the company of genuine devotees and learned, humble spiritual guides; serve and respect them, and let their teachings shape your conduct—this association is described as deeply purifying.