Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 18
Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva
तस्माद् ब्राह्मणदेवेषु मर्त्यादिषु यथार्हत: । तैस्तै: कामैर्यजस्वैनं क्षेत्रज्ञं ब्राह्मणाननु ॥ १८ ॥
tasmād brāhmaṇa-deveṣu martyādiṣu yathārhataḥ tais taiḥ kāmair yajasvainaṁ kṣetra-jñaṁ brāhmaṇān anu
因此，大王啊，应先依其应得将供食之圣余（prasāda）奉献给婆罗门与诸天，使其饱足；随后再按自身能力将圣余分施于其他众生。如此便能藉由婆罗门礼敬一切众生内在的至上灵——知田者（Kṣetrajña）。
To distribute prasāda to all living entities, the process is that we must first offer prasāda to the brāhmaṇas and the Vaiṣṇavas, for the demigods are represented by the brāhmaṇas. In this way the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in everyone’s heart, will be worshiped. This is the Vedic system of offering prasāda. Whenever there is a ceremony for distribution of prasāda, the prasāda is offered first to the brāhmaṇas, then to the children and old men, then to the women, and then to animals like dogs and other domestic animals. When it is said that Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Being, is situated in everyone’s heart, this does not mean that everyone has become Nārāyaṇa or that a particular poor man has become Nārāyaṇa. Such a conclusion is rejected herein.
FAQs
This verse teaches that by honoring qualified brāhmaṇas with appropriate gifts and necessities, one effectively worships the indwelling Lord (kṣetrajña), because brāhmaṇas represent divine guidance within human society.
Because dharmic charity and worship must be aligned with the recipient’s qualification and need; proper discernment ensures the offering becomes pure devotion rather than mere display or indiscriminate giving.
Support genuine spiritual teachers and dharmic institutions with thoughtful, appropriate help—food, resources, service, or donations—while keeping the intention of worshiping God through service to His representatives.