|
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
<< Canto 6, Prescribed Duties for Mankind >> << 7 - Indra Offends His Spiritual Master, Bṛhaspati. >>
<< VERSE 35 >>
śrī-viśvarūpa uvāca vigarhitaṁ dharma-śīlair brahmavarca-upavyayam kathaṁ nu mad-vidho nāthā lokeśair abhiyācitam pratyākhyāsyati tac-chiṣyaḥ sa eva svārtha ucyate
WORD BY WORD
TRANSLATION
| Śrī Viśvarūpa said: O demigods, although the acceptance of priesthood is decried as causing the loss of previously acquired brahminical power, how can someone like me refuse to accept your personal request? You are all exalted commanders of the entire universe. I am your disciple and must take many lessons from you. Therefore I cannot refuse you. I must agree for my own benefit.
|
PURPORT
| The professions of a qualified brāhmaṇa are paṭhana, pāṭhana, yajana, yājana, dāna and pratigraha. The words yajana and yājana mean that a brāhmaṇa becomes the priest of the populace for the sake of their elevation. One who accepts the post of spiritual master neutralizes the sinful reactions of the yajamāna, the one on whose behalf he performs yajña. Thus the results of the pious acts previously performed by the priest or spiritual master are diminished. Therefore priesthood is not accepted by learned brāhmaṇas. Nevertheless, the greatly learned brāhmaṇa Viśvarūpa became the priest of the demigods because of his profound respect for them.
|
|
| |