Shloka 15
Atithi’s Direction to the Nāga-sage Padma at Naimiṣa (अतिथ्युपदेशः—नैमिषे पद्मनागोपाख्यानप्रस्तावः)
एवमप्यग्निभूता ब्राह्मणा दिद्वांसोडग्निं भावयन्ति । अन्निर्विष्णु: सर्वभूतान्यनुप्रविश्य प्राणान् धारयति
evam apy agnibhūtā brāhmaṇā didvāṁso 'gnim bhāvayanti | agnir viṣṇuḥ sarvabhūtāny anupraviśya prāṇān dhārayati |
एवमप्यग्निभूता ब्राह्मणा इति; तस्माद् विद्वांसो ब्राह्मणा अग्निं भावयन्ति पूजयन्ति च। अग्निर्विष्णुरेव—स सर्वभूतान्यनुप्रविश्य तेषां प्राणान् धारयति॥
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links ritual fire (Agni) with the cosmic sustainer (Viṣṇu), teaching that honoring the sacred fire is not merely external ritual: it recognizes the divine principle that pervades all beings and sustains their life-breath.
Arjuna speaks in a didactic context, affirming Brahmins’ association with the sacred fire and explaining why learned Brahmins revere Agni—because Agni is identified with Viṣṇu, who enters all creatures and supports their prāṇa.