Shloka 35
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
देवर्ष्यर्हत्सु वै सत्सु तत्र ब्रह्मात्मजादिषु । राजन्यदग्रपूजायां मत: पात्रतयाच्युत: ॥ ३५ ॥
devarṣy-arhatsu vai satsu tatra brahmātmajādiṣu rājan yad agra-pūjāyāṁ mataḥ pātratayācyutaḥ
हे राजा युधिष्ठिर! तुझ्या राजसूय यज्ञात देवता, देवर्षी, अनेक संत-महात्मे, अगदी ब्रह्मदेवाचे चार पुत्रही उपस्थित होते; पण प्रथम पूज्य कोण असावा असा प्रश्न आला तेव्हा सर्वांनी अच्युत भगवान श्रीकृष्णालाच अग्रपूजेस योग्य सर्वोत्तम पात्र मानले।
This is a reference to the Rājasūya sacrifice performed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira. In that meeting there was a great turmoil over selecting the best person to be worshiped first. Everyone decided to worship Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The only protest came from Śiśupāla, and because of his vehement opposition he was killed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse states that even among the most venerable sages and exalted beings, Acyuta (the infallible Lord Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa) is the supreme and most fitting recipient of first worship.
In teaching ideal household and religious conduct, Prahlāda clarifies the hierarchy of honor: respect all saintly persons, but offer the highest worship to the Supreme Lord, who is the ultimate shelter of all.
Honor saints, teachers, and elders appropriately, while keeping devotion centered on God—making the Lord the primary focus of gratitude, prayer, and offerings.