864 Stimad-Bhagavatam [ Canto 4, Ch. 21
plicity, knowledge of the Absolute Truth, firm faith in the scriptures, and
practical application of the brahminical qualities in life. In addition to all
these qualifications, when one fully engages in the transcendental loving
service of the Lord, he becomes a Vaisnava. Prthu Maharaja warns his
citizens who are actually engaged in the devotional service of the Lord to
take care against offenses to the brahmanas and Vaisnavas. Offenses at
their lotus feet are so destructive that even the descendants of Yadu who
were born in the family of Lord Krsna were destroyed due to offenses at
their feet. The Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot tolerate any
offense at the lotus feet of brahmanas and Vaisnavas. Sometimes, due to
their powerful positions, princes or government servants neglect the
positions of brahmanas and Vaisnavas, not knowing that because of their
offense they will be ruined.
TEXT 38
fared SLi
wa wet | aa
amrerat a aera: RII
brahmanya-devah purusah puratano
nityam harir yac-caranabhivandanat
avapa laksmim anapayinim yaso
jagat-pavitram ca mahattamagranith

brahmanya-devah—the Lord of the brahminical culture; purusah—the
Supreme Personality; puratanah—the oldest; nityam—eternal; harih—
Personality of Godhead; yat—whose; carana—lotus feet; abhivandanat—by
means of worshiping; avapa—obtained; laksmim— opulences; anapayinim—
perpetually; yasah—reputation; jagat—universal; pavitram—purified; ca—
also; mahat—great; tama—supreme; agranth—foremost.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ancient, eternal Godhead who
is foremost amongst all great personalities, obtained the opulence of His
staunch reputation, which purifies the entire universe, by worshiping the
lotus feet of those brahmanas and Vaisnavas.

PURPORT

The Supreme Person is described herein as brahmanya-deva. Brahmanya

refers to the brahmanas, the Vaisnavas or the brahminical culture,
