13.034
Dialogue between Earth and Vāsudeva.
Bhishma said.
One should always honor Brāhmaṇas exceedingly; for these are indeed the lords of Soma, the masters of happiness and sorrow. (13-34-1)
What use are these enjoyments, ornaments, and other desires? Those who are always to be worshipped, saluted, and protected by kings as by a father—therefore, the peace of the kingdom is indeed like that of beings from Indra. (13-34-2)
May there be born in the kingdom a Brāhmaṇa endowed with the brilliance of Brahman and purity, and may a Kṣatriya, a great chariot-warrior, who is desirable and a tormentor of enemies, also arise. (13-34-3)
O king, a brāhmaṇa who is of good lineage, knows dharma, and is firm in his vows should be made to reside in the house; indeed, there is nothing greater than that. (13-34-4)
The offerings given to Brāhmaṇas are accepted by the deities; the ancestors of all beings—there is nothing superior to them. (13-34-5)
The sun, moon, wind, earth, waters, sky, and directions—all these, having entered the Brāhmaṇa, always partake of food. (13-34-6)
The ancestors do not partake of the offerings of one whose food is not enjoyed by Brāhmaṇas. The gods also do not eat the offerings of the sinful hater of Brāhmaṇas. (13-34-7)
When the Brāhmaṇas are satisfied, the ancestors are always pleased; in the same way, O king, the deities are pleased. Therefore, here, no further consideration is necessary. (13-34-8)
In the same way, those to whom that offering belongs are also pleased; after death, they are not destroyed but go to the supreme state. (13-34-9)
With whatever oblation a man satisfies the Brāhmaṇas, with that very oblation the ancestors and likewise the deities are pleased. (13-34-10)
Indeed, from the Brāhmaṇa all that exists originates, from whom all creatures arise; and from whom this being arises, and having departed, to whom it goes. (13-34-11)
The brāhmaṇa, the best among bipeds, knows by intelligence the path to heaven and hell, as well as both the past and future, through the Vedas; O best of the Bharatas, the brāhmaṇa knows his own duty by wisdom. (13-34-12)
Those who follow him do not go to ruin. Even after death, they do not perish; they do not go to destruction. (13-34-13)
Those who accept the words obtained from the mouth of a brāhmaṇa—those self-controlled and great-souled ones—they do not come to defeat. (13-34-14)
The brilliance and strength of the blazing kṣatriyas are pacified only in the brāhmaṇas; their energies and powers subside in them. (13-34-15)
O best of the Bharatas, the Bhṛgus conquered the Tāla-jaṅghas and the Nīpas; the Aṅgirasas also conquered them. Bharadvāja conquered the Vaitahavyas and the Ailas. (13-34-16)
Those with various weapons, and also those whose banners bore black antelope skin, conquered; then, having thrown the pots, he began the act of crossing to the other shore. (13-34-17)
Whatever is spoken, heard, or seen in the world, all of that is indeed hidden within the Brāhmaṇas, just as fire is hidden in wood. (13-34-18)
Here too, O best of the Bharatas, they recount this ancient story, the conversation between Vāsudeva and the Earth. (13-34-19)
Vāsudeva said.
O mother of all beings, I ask you, O auspicious one, this doubt: By what action does a householder remove sin? (13-34-20)
The earth said.
One should serve only brāhmaṇas, for this is the highest form of purification. For the one who serves brāhmaṇas, all impurity is destroyed. (13-34-21)
From this arises prosperity, from this comes fame, and from this intelligence is born. Among others and the superior, and indeed from those who are superior. (13-34-22)
A man praised by Brāhmaṇas prospers, but one who is cursed by Brāhmaṇas is quickly ruined. (13-34-23)
Just as an impure lump of earth thrown into the great ocean is destroyed, so too, evil actions lead to one's downfall. (13-34-24)
See the mark made on the moon, the salt water in the ocean, and likewise Mahendra, who is distinguished by a thousandfold fortune. (13-34-25)
O Mādhava, see how, by the power of those very ones, this thousand-eyed, the hundred-sacrificer, became as he is. (13-34-26)
O Madhusūdana, if one desires prosperity, fame, and the worlds, a pure and self-controlled man should remain with the approval of the Brāhmaṇa. (13-34-27)
Having heard this speech from Medinī, Madhusūdana said, "Well done, well done," and then honored Medinī in return. (13-34-28)
O Pārtha, having heard this comparison, you should always worship the foremost among Brāhmaṇas with effort; then you will attain the highest good. (13-34-29)
