Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.5.25

matto 'py anantāt paratah parasmāt

svargāpavargādhipater na kiñcit

yeshām kim u syād itarena teshām

akiñcanānām mayi bhakti-bhājām

SYNONYMS

mattah — from Me; api — even; anantāt — unlimited in strength and opulence; paratah parasmāt — higher than the highest; svarga-apavarga-adhipateh — able to bestow happiness obtainable by living in the heavenly kingdom. by liberation, or by enjoyment of material comfort and then liberation; na — not; kiñcit — anything; yeshām — of whom; kim — what need; u — oh; syāt — can there be; itarena — with any other; teshām — of them; akiñcanānām — without needs or without possessions; mayi — unto Me; bhakti-bhājām — executing devotional service.

TRANSLATION

I am fully opulent, almighty and superior to Lord Brahmā and Indra, the King of the heavenly planets. I am also the bestower of all happiness obtained in the heavenly kingdom and by liberation. Nonetheless, the brāhmanas do not seek material comforts from Me. They are very pure and do not want to possess anything. They simply engage in My devotional service. What is the need of their asking for material benefits from anyone else?

PURPORT

The perfect brahminical qualification is stated herein: akiñcanānām mayi bhakti-bhājām. The brāhmanas are always engaged in the devotional service of the Lord: consequently they have no material wants, nor do they possess material things. In Caitanya-caritāmrita (Madhya 11.8), Caitanya Mahāprabhu explains the position of pure Vaishnavas who are anxious to return home, back to Godhead. Nishkiñcanasya bhagavad-bhajanonmukhasya. Those who actually want to return back to Godhead are nishkiñcana — that is, they have no desire for material comfort. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advises, sandarśanam vishayinām atha yoshitām ca hā hanta hanta visa-bhakshanato 'py asādhu: material opulence and sense gratification through the association of women are more dangerous than poison. Brāhmanas who are pure Vaishnavas always engage in the Lord's service and are devoid of any desire for material gain. The brāhmanas do not worship demigods like Lord Brahmā, Indra or Lord Śiva for any material comfort. They do not even ask the Supreme Lord for material profit; therefore it is concluded that the brāhmanas are the supreme living entities of this world. Śrī Kapiladeva also confirms this in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.29.33):

tasmān mayy arpitāśesha-

kriyārthātmā nirantarah

mayy arpitātmanah pumso

mayi sannyasta-karmanah

na paśyāmi param bhūtam

akartuh sama-darśanāt

The brāhmanas are always dedicated to the Lord's service with their bodies, words and mind. There is no better person than a brāhmana who thus engages himself and dedicates himself to the Supreme Lord.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness