Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 9: Liberation | Chapter 9: The Dynasty of Amśumān |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 9.9.29
ārirādhayishur brahma
bhūteshv antarhitam gunaih
SYNONYMS
eshah — this; hi — indeed; brāhmanah — a qualified brāhmana; vidvān — learned in Vedic knowledge; tapah — austerity; śīla — good behavior; guna-anvitah — endowed with all good qualities; ārirādhayishuh — desiring to be engaged in worshiping; brahma — the Supreme Brahman; mahā-purusha — the Supreme Person, Krishna; samjñitam — known as; sarva-bhūta — of all living entities; ātma-bhāvena — as the Supersoul; bhūteshu — in every living entity; antarhitam — within the core of the heart; gunaih — by qualities.
TRANSLATION
Here is a learned, highly qualified brāhmana, 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 brāhmana did not regard her husband as a superficial brāhmana who was called a brāhmana merely because he was born of a brāhmana family. Rather, this brāhmana was actually qualified with the brahminical symptoms. Yasya yal lakshanam proktam (Bhāg. 7.11.35). The symptoms of a brāhmana are stated in the śāstra:
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness — these are the qualities by which the brāhmanas work." (Bg. 18.42) Not only must a brāhmana be qualified, but he must also engage in actual brahminical activities. Simply to be qualified is not enough; one must engage in a brāhmana's duties. The duty of a brāhmana is to know the param brahma, Krishna (param brahma param dhāma pavitram paramam bhavān [Bg. 10.12]). Because this brāhmana was actually qualified and was also engaged in brahminical activities (brahma-karma), killing him would be a greatly sinful act, and the brāhmana's wife requested that he not be killed.
Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness