The Greatness of a Brahmana

Shaunaka said:

1. O you very wise one, O you ocean of compassion, kindly tell me the importance of a brahmana, the best of all the castes. Suta said:

2-8. O best brahmana, a brahmana is the preceptor of all the castes. He should be known to be the resort of all gods, and he is actually Vishnu, the lord. O best brahmana, the wealth etc. of him who devoutly salutes a brahmana, looking upon him as Vishnu, enhances. Vishnu would always desire to cut off the head of him who, being proud, does not even casually salute a brahmana. Those of sinful minds, who hate a brahmana who has committed an offence, should be known to be hating Vishnu. They go to a terrible hell. Yama torments with a heated needle the eyes of him who would look angrily at a brahmana who has come to make a request. The messengers (i.e. servants) of Yama put (a piece of) heated iron into the mouth of the foolish mean man who threatens a brahmana. Krishna himself along with gods eats in the house of those in whose house a brahmana with penance as his wealth eats.

9-13a. All the sins, like the murder of a brahmana, of that man who takes just a drop of water (flowing) from the foot of a brahmana, perish. I tell you the truth — the man who would devoutly wash the feet of a brahmana, is freed from all sins. That woman who has no sons or that woman whose child was stillborn, would (respectively) have a son, would have her child alive. Those holy places which exist in the world, those holy places which exist in an ocean, those holy places that exist in a sea, exist in the feet of a brahmana. He whose head is alway s sprinkled with the water from the feet of a brahmana, has (indeed) bathed at all the places (and) is free from all sins.

13b-20. O you Shaunaka, having penance as your wealth, listen, I shall tell you the greatness destroying all sins — the history, of the water (flowing) from the feet of a brahmana. O best brahmana, formerly there was a shudra named Bhima who was engaged in the occupation of a vaisya. Even in Dvapara (yuga), he, a cruel man who killed a thousand brahmanas, was satisfied with a vaisya wife. That Bhima had given up the conduct of a shudra and had illegitimate connection with his preceptor's wife. How can I tell each one (of his sins)? The sins of the shudra, viz. Bhima, of a wicked mind, could not be counted. Once he went to a brahmana's house. He made up his mind to enter the brahmana's house and to take (away) his money. He remained near the outer gate (of the house) of the brahmana. He spoke piteous words to the brahmana, the treasure of penance: 'O lord, listen to my words. I think you are kind. lam oppressed with hunger; give me food, (otherwise) my life will " soon depart (i.e. I shall die soon)."

The brahmana said:

21-23. O you who are oppressed with hunger, listen to my words. There is nobody (in my house) to cook food. There is rice. Take it and eat it as (much) as you like. I do not have a father or a mother; I do not have a son or a brother; I do not have a wife or the brother of my mother (i.e. maternal uncle). Leaving me all of them are dead. O guest, being jobless and unlucky I am staying in the house (all) alone. Vishnu alone lives in my abode. I do not know anyone else but him. Bhlma said:

24. O best brahmana, I too do not have any (relative). I am a shudra by caste. I shall remain in your house always serving you. Suta said:

25-33. Hearing (those) words of (i.e. uttered by) him, the brahmana who was delighted, quickly cooked food and gave it to him, O ascetic. He too being delighted lived in the brahmana's house doing to the brahmana affectionate and good service. 'Today or tomorrow I shall kill him, I shall take away his money and make it mine. Certainly I shall take it (away).' Thinking and deciding like this, he did, by (bowing) his head, whatever work like washing his feet, the brahmana would tell (him to do); (thus) he was free from sins. The brahmana having sipped water, everyday put before him under some protext, the water flowing from his feet. Once a thief came there to take away money. At night having drawn out the panels (of the door) he entered the interior of the house. Seeing Bhima (there), he came with a staff in his hand to strike him. The thief having broken his head, quickly ran away. Then Vishnu's soldiers, holding conches, discs, and maces came (there) to take Bhima whose sins had gone. O brahmana, a divine chariot to which royal swans were yoked, also came there. Getting into it, he went to Vishnu's abode, not easily accessible. I have narrated this greatness of a brahmana. It destroys the sin of him who listens to it.

 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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