52 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 6, Ch. 7

agneh—of the fire-god; abhyagatah—the invited guest; mirtih—the
personification; sarva-bhitdni—all living entities; ca—and; dtmanah—
of the Supreme Lord Visnu.

TRANSLATION

The acarya, the spiritual master who teaches all the Vedic knowl-
edge and gives initiation by offering the sacred thread, is the per-
sonification of all the Vedas. Similarly, a father personifies Lord
Brahma; a brother, King Indra; a mother, the planet earth; and a
sister, mercy. A guest personifies religious principles, an invited
guest personifies the demigod Agni, and all living entities per-
sonify Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT

According to the moral instructions of Canakya Pandita, atmavat
sarva-bhitesu: one should observe all living entities to be on the same
level as oneself. This means that no one should be neglected as inferior;
because Paramatma is seated in everyone’s body, everyone should be re-
spected as a temple of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This verse
describes the different ways in which one should respect a guru, a father,
a brother, a sister, a guest and so on.

TEXT 31
TAT Frgerenrataratte RATT |
arate «aa HAMEL NRL

tasmat pitrnam artanam
artim para-parabhavam

tapasdpanayams tata
sandesam kartum arhasi

tasmat—therefore; pitrnam—of the parents; a@rtanam—who are in
distress; Grtim—the grief; para-pardbhavam—being defeated by the
enemies; tapasé—by the strength of your austerities; apanayan—tak-
ing away; tata —O dear son; sandesam—our desire; kartum arhasi—you
deserve to execute.
