Shloka 37
Agni’s Withdrawal to the Forest and Identification with Āṅgirasa (अग्न्याङ्गिरस-इतिहासः)
दद्याद् वापि यथाशक्ति त॑ देवा ब्राह्मणं विदु: । जो पढ़े और पढ़ाये, यज्ञ करे और कराये तथा यथाशक्ति दान दे, उसे देवतालोग ब्राह्मण कहते हैं ।। ब्रह्मचारी वदान्यो योडधीयीत द्विजपुड़व:
dadyād vāpi yathāśakti taṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ | brahmacārī vadānyo yo ’dhīyīta dvijapuṅgavaḥ ||
Brahmana itu berkata: “Bahkan memberi sedekah menurut kemampuan pun adalah tanda nilai sejati; para dewa mengakui sebagai brāhmana orang yang hidup berdisiplin, pemurah, dan tekun dalam pengajian suci. Orang demikian—yang utama dalam kalangan yang dua kali lahir—menegakkan martabat kebrahmanaan melalui ilmu, pengendalian diri, dan derma.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Brahminhood is defined by conduct: disciplined life (brahmacarya/self-restraint), commitment to sacred learning, and generosity—especially giving according to one’s means (yathāśakti dāna). Divine approval is tied to ethical practice, not mere birth or status.
A brāhmaṇa speaker is describing the qualities by which the gods themselves recognize someone as a true brāhmaṇa, emphasizing study, disciplined conduct, and charitable giving as the practical markers of dharma.