Text 10] Prahlada Pacifies the Lord with Prayers 195

viprat—than a brahmana; dvi-sat-guna-yutat —qualified with twelve
brahminical qualities;* aravinda-nabha—Lord Visnu, who has a lotus
growing from His navel; p@da-aravinda—to the lotus feet of the Lord;
vimukhat—not interested in devotional service; sva-pacam—one born
in a low family, or a dog-eater; varistham—more glorious; manye—I
consider; tat-arpita—surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord;
manah—his mind; vacana—words; ihita—every endeavor; artha—
wealth; pranam—and life; punati—purifies; sah—he (the devotee);
kulam—his family; na—not; tu—but; bhirimanah—one who falsely
thinks himself to be in a prestigious position.

TRANSLATION

If a brahmana has all twelve of the brahminical qualifications [as
they are stated in the book called Sanat-sujata] 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 every-
thing—mind, words, activities, wealth and life—to the Supreme
Lord. Such a devotee is better than such a brahmana because the
devotee can purify his whole family, whereas the so-called
brahmana in a position of false prestige cannot purify even him-
self.

PURPORT

Here is a statement by Prahlada Maharaja, one of the twelve authori-
ties, regarding the distinction between a devotee and a brahmana expert
in karma-kanda, or Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. There are four varnas
and four a@sramas, 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-hinasya
jatih Sdstram japas tapah

*These are the twelve qualities of a perfect brdhmana: following religious prin-
ciples, speaking truthfully, controlling the senses by undergoing austerities and
penances, being free from jealousy, being intelligent, being tolerant, creating no
enemies, performing yajfa, giving charity, being steady, being well versed in
Vedic study, and observing vows.
