Canto 9: LiberationChapter 9: The Dynasty of Amsuman

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 9.9.29

esa hi brahmano vidvams

tapah-sila-gunanvitah

ariradhayisur brahma

maha-purusa-samjnitam

sarva-bhutatma-bhavena

bhutesv antarhitam gunaih

SYNONYMS

esah -- this; hi -- indeed; brahmanah -- a qualified brahmana; vidvan -- learned in Vedic knowledge; tapah -- austerity; sila -- good behavior; guna-anvitah -- endowed with all good qualities; ariradhayisuh -- desiring to be engaged in worshiping; brahma -- the Supreme Brahman; maha-purusa -- the Supreme Person, Krsna; samjnitam -- known as; sarva-bhuta -- of all living entities; atma-bhavena -- as the Supersoul; bhutesu -- in every living entity; antarhitam -- within the core of the heart; gunaih -- by qualities.

TRANSLATION

Here is a learned, highly qualified brahmana, engaged in performing austerity and eagerly desiring to worship the Supreme Lord, the Supersoul who lives within the core of the heart in all living entities.

PURPORT

The wife of the brahmana did not regard her husband as a superficial brahmana who was called a brahmana merely because he was born of a brahmana family. Rather, this brahmana was actually qualified with the brahminical symptoms. Yasya yal laksanam proktam (Bhag. 7.11.35). The symptoms of a brahmana are stated in the sastra:

samo damas tapah saucam

ksantir arjavam eva ca

jnanam vijnanam astikyam

brahma-karma svabhavajam

"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness -- these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work." (Bg. 18.42) Not only must a brahmana be qualified, but he must also engage in actual brahminical activities. Simply to be qualified is not enough; one must engage in a brahmana's duties. The duty of a brahmana is to know the param brahma, Krsna (param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan [Bg. 10.12]). Because this brahmana was actually qualified and was also engaged in brahminical activities (brahma-karma), killing him would be a greatly sinful act, and the brahmana's wife requested that he not be killed.

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