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 |
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Gayunman, ang mga Brahmin ay may likas na anyo ng apoy; kaya’t ang mga marurunong na Brahmin ay nag-aalaga at nagbibigay-galang sa banal na apoy. Ang Apoy ay si Viṣṇu nga: pumapasok sa lahat ng nilalang, at pinananatili Niya ang kanilang hiningang-buhay.”
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.