Shloka 23
Ṛṣabhadeva Instructs His Sons: Tapasya, Mahātmā-Sevā, and Cutting the Heart-Knot
न ब्राह्मणैस्तुलये भूतमन्यत् पश्यामि विप्रा: किमत: परं तु । यस्मिन्नृभि: प्रहुतं श्रद्धयाह- मश्नामि कामं न तथाग्निहोत्रे ॥ २३ ॥
na brāhmaṇais tulaye bhūtam anyat paśyāmi viprāḥ kim ataḥ paraṁ tu yasmin nṛbhiḥ prahutaṁ śraddhayāham aśnāmi kāmaṁ na tathāgni-hotre
Wahai para brāhmaṇa yang dihormati, di dunia ini Aku tidak melihat sesiapa yang setara atau lebih tinggi daripada brāhmaṇa. Apabila orang dengan iman mempersembahkan makanan kepada-Ku melalui mulut seorang brāhmaṇa, Aku menerimanya dengan kepuasan penuh; tidak demikian pada persembahan ke api agnihotra.
According to the Vedic system, after the sacrificial ceremony the brāhmaṇas are invited to eat the remnants of the offered food. When the brāhmaṇas eat the food, it is to be considered directly eaten by the Supreme Lord. Thus no one can be compared to qualified brāhmaṇas. The perfection of evolution is to be situated on the brahminical platform. Any civilization not based on brahminical culture or guided by brāhmaṇas is certainly a condemned civilization. Presently human civilization is based on sense gratification, and consequently more and more people are becoming addicted to different types of things. No one respects brahminical culture. Demoniac civilization is attached to ugra-karma, horrible activities, and big industries are created to satisfy unfathomable lusty desires. Consequently the people are greatly harassed by governmental taxation. The people are irreligious and do not perform the sacrifices recommended in Bhagavad-gītā. Yajñād bhavati parjanyaḥ: by the performance of sacrifice, clouds form and rain falls. Due to sufficient rainfall, there is sufficient production of food. Guided by the brāhmaṇas, society should follow the principles of Bhagavad-gītā. Then people will become very happy. Annād bhavanti bhūtāni: when animals and man are sufficiently fed with grains, they become stronger, their hearts become tranquil and their brains peaceful. They can then advance in spiritual life, life’s ultimate destination.
FAQs
In this verse, Ṛṣabhadeva teaches that offerings made with faith to brāhmaṇas are especially dear to the Lord—He accepts such service even more than formal agnihotra offerings.
Because brāhmaṇas embody Vedic knowledge, purity, and devotional culture; honoring them supports dharma and becomes a direct avenue for pleasing the Supreme.
Serve and support genuine, principled spiritual teachers and devotees, offer food and charity with śraddhā, and prioritize heartfelt devotion over merely ritualistic performance.