Text 10] Prahlāda Pacifies the Lord with Prayers
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viprāt —than a  brāhmaṇa ;  dvi-ṣaṭ-guṇa-yutāt —qualified with twelve brahminical qualities;*  aravinda-nābha —Lord Viṣṇu, who has a lotus growing from His navel;  pāda-aravinda —to the lotus feet of the Lord;  vimukhāt —not interested in devotional service;  śva-pacam —one born in a low family, or a dog-eater;  variṣṭham —more glorious;  manye —I consider;  tat-arpita —surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord;  manaḥ —his mind;  vacana —words;  ihita —every endeavor;  artha —wealth;  prāṇam —and life;  punāti —purifies;  saḥ —he (the devotee);  kulam —his family;  na —not;  tu —but;  bhūrimānaḥ —one who falsely thinks himself to be in a prestigious position.
TRANSLATION
If a  brāhmaṇa  has all twelve of the brahminical qualifications [as they are stated in the book called Sanat-sujāta] but is not a devotee and is averse to the lotus feet of the Lord, he is certainly lower than a devotee who is a dog-eater but who has dedicated everything—mind, words, activities, wealth and life—to the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee is better than such a  brāhmaṇa  because the devotee can purify his whole family, whereas the so-called  brāhmaṇa  in a position of false prestige cannot purify even himself.
PURPORT
Here is a statement by Prahlāda Mahārāja, one of the twelve authorities, regarding the distinction between a devotee and a  brāhmaṇa  expert in  karma-kāṇḍa , or Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. There are four  varṇas  and four  āśramas , which divide human society, but the central principle is to become a first-class pure devotee. It is said in the  Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya :
bhagavad-bhakti-hīnasya jātiḥ śāstraṁ japas tapaḥ
*These are the twelve qualities of a perfect  brāhmaṇa : following religious principles, speaking truthfully, controlling the senses by undergoing austerities and penances, being free from jealousy, being intelligent, being tolerant, creating no enemies, performing  yajña , giving charity, being steady, being well versed in Vedic study, and observing vows.