Shloka 54

Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)

Devanagari script

न ब्राह्मणान्मे दयितं रूपमेतच्चतुर्भुजम् । सर्ववेदमयो विप्र: सर्वदेवमयो ह्यहम् ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

na brāhmaṇān me dayitaṁ rūpam etac catur-bhujam sarva-veda-mayo vipraḥ sarva-deva-mayo hy aham

Translation

Bahkan wujud-Ku yang berlengan empat ini pun tidak lebih Aku kasihi daripada seorang brāhmaṇa. Brāhmaṇa yang berilmu merangkum seluruh Veda dalam dirinya, sebagaimana Aku merangkum seluruh para dewa dalam diri-Ku.

Synonyms

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation particle)

• ब्राह्मणात्: than a brāhmaṇa
• ब्राह्मणात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन; तुलना/अपादानार्थे (than/from a brāhmaṇa)

• मे: to me/of me
• मे: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• दयितम्: dear
• दयितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दयित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘रूपम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• रूपम्: form
• रूपम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘रूपम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• चतुर्भुजम्: four-armed
• चतुर्भुजम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (चत्वारो भुजा यस्य तत्) ‘रूपम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• सर्व-वेद-मयः: consisting of all the Vedas
• सर्व-वेद-मयः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + वेद + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषां वेदानां मयः = consisting of all Vedas)

• विप्रः: the brāhmaṇa
• विप्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सर्व-देव-मयः: consisting of all the gods
• सर्व-देव-मयः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + देव + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषां देवानां मयः = consisting of all gods)

• हि: for/indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थ

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

Purport

It is understood from the Vedic science of epistemology, the Nyāya-śāstra, that knowledge of an object ( prameya ) depends on a valid means of knowing ( pramāṇa ). The Supreme Personality of Godhead can be known only by means of the Vedas, and thus He relies on the brāhmaṇa sages, who are the Vedas personified, to reveal Him in this world. Even though Lord Kṛṣṇa embodies all the demigods and viṣṇu-tattva expansions of Nārāyaṇa, He considers Himself obliged to the brāhmaṇas.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Brāhmaṇas (Vipras)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring brāhmaṇas and devotees?

In this verse, Kṛṣṇa states that brāhmaṇas are dearer to Him than even His majestic four-armed form, highlighting that honoring saintly, Veda-centered devotees is central to Bhagavata-dharma.

Why did Krishna say brāhmaṇas are dearer than His four-armed form?

While speaking with brāhmaṇas in the Kurukṣetra context (Canto 10, Chapter 86), Kṛṣṇa teaches that His presence is especially revealed through those who embody Vedic wisdom and devotion; thus, serving such brāhmaṇas is a direct way to please Him.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Respect and support genuine spiritual teachers and sincere devotees, value scriptural learning and character, and practice humble service—seeing devotion and dharma as more important than external displays of religiosity.