Date: 2004-06-14 Author: Prabhupadananda das
Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Dandavat pranams. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev.
There is a powerful verse in Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.24:
dhṛtā tanūr uśatī me purāṇī yeneha sattvaṁ paramaṁ pavitram śamo damaḥ satyam anugrahaś ca tapas titikṣānubhavaś ca yatra
The Vedas are My eternal transcendental sound incarnation. Therefore the Vedas are śabda-brahma. In this world, the brāhmaṇas thoroughly study all the Vedas, and because they assimilate the Vedic conclusions, they are also to be considered the Vedas personified. The brāhmaṇas are situated in the supreme transcendental mode of nature — sattva-guṇa. Because of this, they are fixed in mind control [śama], sense control [dama], and truthfulness [satya]. They describe the Vedas in their original sense, and out of mercy [anugraha] they preach the purpose of the Vedas to all conditioned souls. They practice penance [tapasya] and tolerance [titikṣā], and they realize the position of the living entity and the Supreme Lord [anubhava]. These are the eight qualifications of the brāhmaṇas. Therefore among all living entities, no one is superior to the brāhmaṇas.
Here in this verse we can understand the following important points:
1. The Vedas are Krishna's eternal transcendental sound incarnation (śabda-brahma). In Bhagavad Gita (3.15) it is explained that: "Regulated activities are prescribed in the Vedas and Vedas are directly manifested from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently the all-pervading Transcendence is eternally situated in acts of sacrifice." The four vedas viz. the Rg Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda - are all emanations from the breathing of the great Personality of Godhead (Brhad-aranyaka Upanishad 4.5.11).
2. What is the aim of studying Vedas? Krishna gives the answer in BG 15.15 "vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ - By all the Vedas, I am to be known". Krishna also says to Uddhava in SB 11.11.18, "śabda-brahmaṇi niṣṇāto na niṣṇāyāt pare yadi - study of Vedas (knowledge) is futile, if one does not develop devotion unto the Lord. It is like milking a milk-less cow."
3. The Brahmanas assimilate the Vedic conclusions, they are also to be considered the Vedas personified.
4. The Brahmanas are situated in the supreme transcendental mode of nature - sattva-guṇa.
5. The following eight qualities of a Brahmana are explained. (as they are in sattva-guṇa)
They are fixed in mind control [śama] Sense control [dama] Truthfulness [satya] They describe the Vedas in their original sense They preach the purpose of the Vedas to all conditioned souls out of mercy [anugraha] They practicing penance [tapasya] Tolerance [titikṣa] They realize the position of the living entity and the Supreme Lord [anubhava].
6. The Brahmanas assimilates the Vedic conclusions with the help of these qualities like mind and sense-control. Therefore among all living entities, no one is superior to the brahmanas.
7. The brahmanas are very dear to the Supreme Lord due to their high sattva-guṇa qualities, and they also engage in welfare activities for all conditioned souls in the material world.
8. One who actually assimilated the essence of the Vedas can preach the truth. A brahmana should take pity on the people and preach Krsna consciousness in order to elevate them.
9. After assimilating the Vedic instructions, they assist the Supreme Lord in His endeavor to deliver conditioned souls.
Here we can see that Srila Prabhupada has used the word "assimilation" several times both in the translation and purport. "Assimilation" comes from the word "similar" which means "same as" or "identical to". The Brahmanas digest the teachings of Vedas and imbibe it in their lives completely which ultimately makes them as pure as the Vedas. Therefore Prabhupada says that "the Brahmanas are to be considered Vedas personified." Srila Prabhupadaki Jai!
Your humble servant, Prabhupadananda das Abu Dhabi.
Moderator's Note: HG Prabhupadananda Prabhuji is a simple and sincere devotee living in the middle-east. His entire family is totally dedicated in Krishna consciousness and he is also nicely preaching in the weekly satsang in Hindi which is managed by HG Hrishikesh Krishna das. His sankirtan is wonderful and he is very dynamic in devotional service. He also does a very regular and systematic study of Srila Prabhupada's transcendental books.