Text 24
brāhmaṇebhyo namasyāmo
ye ’smad-rūpaṁ trayī-mayam
bibhraty ātma-samādhāna-
tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ
brāhmaṇebhyaḥ — to the brāhmaṇas; namasyāmaḥ — we offer our respects; ye — who; asmat-rūpam — the form of ourselves (Śiva, Brahmā and Viṣṇu); trayī-mayam — represented by the three Vedas; bibhrati — carry; ātma-samādhāna — by meditative trance focused on the Self; tapaḥ — by austerities; svādhyāya — by study; saṁyamaiḥ — and by following regulative principles.
By meditating upon the Supreme Soul, performing austerities, engaging in Vedic study and following regulative principles, the brāhmaṇas sustain within themselves the three Vedas, which are nondifferent from Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā and me. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto the brāhmaṇas.
A pure devotee of the Supreme Lord is considered the most elevated of brāhmaṇas, since all spiritual endeavor culminates in the loving service of God.