# SB 7.9.10 > विप्राद्द्विषड्गुणयुतादरविन्दनाभ > पादारविन्दविमुखात्श्वपचं वरिष्ठम > मन्ये तदर्पितमनोवचनेहितार्थ > प्राणं पुनाति स कुलं न तु भूरिमानः ॥१०॥ ## Text > viprād dvi-ṣaḍ-guṇa-yutād aravinda-nābha- > pādāravinda-vimukhāt śvapacaṁ variṣṭham > manye tad-arpita-mano-vacanehitārtha- > prāṇaṁ punāti sa kulaṁ na tu bhūrimānaḥ ## Synonyms *viprāt*—than a *brāhmaṇa*; *dvi-ṣaṭ-guṇa-yutāt*—qualified with twelve brahminical qualities; *aravinda-nābha*—Lord Viṣṇu, who has a lotus growing from His navel; *pāda-aravinda*—to the lotus feet of the Lord; *vimukhāt*—not interested in devotional service; *śva-pacam*—one born in a low family, or a dog-eater; *variṣṭham*—more glorious; *manye*—I consider; *tat-arpita*—surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord; *manaḥ*—his mind; *vacana*—words; *īhita*—every endeavor; *artha*—wealth; *prāṇam*—and life; *punāti*—purifies; *saḥ*—he (the devotee); *kulam*—his family; *na*—not; *tu*—but; *bhūrimānaḥ*—one who falsely thinks himself to be in a prestigious position. ## Translation **If a brāhmaṇa has all twelve of the brahminical qualifications [as they are stated in the book called Sanat-sujāta] but is not a devotee and is averse to the lotus feet of the Lord, he is certainly lower than a devotee who is a dog-eater but who has dedicated everything—mind, words, activities, wealth and life—to the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee is better than such a brāhmaṇa because the devotee can purify his whole family, whereas the so-called brāhmaṇa in a position of false prestige cannot purify even himself.** ## Purport Here is a statement by Prahlāda Mahārāja, one of the twelve authorities, regarding the distinction between a devotee and a *brāhmaṇa* expert in *karma-kāṇḍa,* or Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. There are four *varṇas* and four *āśramas,* which divide human society, but the central principle is to become a first-class pure devotee. It is said in the *Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya:* > bhagavad-bhakti-hīnasya > jātiḥ śāstraṁ japas tapaḥ > aprāṇasyaiva dehasya > maṇḍanaṁ loka-rañjanam "If one is born in a high family like that of a *brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya* or *vaiśya* but is not a devotee of the Lord, all his good qualifications as a *brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya* or *vaiśya* are null and void. Indeed, they are considered decorations of a dead body." In this verse Prahlāda Mahārāja speaks of the *vipras,* the learned *brāhmaṇas.* The learned *brāhmaṇa* is considered best among the divisions of *brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya* and *śūdra,* but a devotee born in a low *caṇḍāla* family is better than such *brāhmaṇas,* not to speak of the *kṣatriyas, vaiśyas* and others. A devotee is better than anyone, for he is in the transcendental position on the Brahman platform. > māṁ ca yo vyabhicāreṇa > bhakti-yogena sevate > sa guṇān samatītyaitān > brahma-bhūyāya kalpate "One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman." [[bg/14/26|(Bg. 14.26)]] The twelve qualities of a first-class *brāhmaṇa,* as stated in the book called *Sanat-sujāta,* are as follows: > jñānaṁ ca satyaṁ ca damaḥ śrutaṁ ca > hy amātsaryaṁ hrīs titikṣānasūyā > yajñaś ca dānaṁ ca dhṛtiḥ śamaś ca > mahā-vratā dvādaśa brāhmaṇasya The European and American devotees in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are sometimes accepted as *brāhmaṇas,* but the so-called caste *brāhmaṇas* are very much envious of them. In answer to such envy, Prahlāda Mahārāja says that one who has been born in a *brāhmaṇa* family but is falsely proud of his prestigious position cannot even purify himself, not to speak of his family, whereas if a *caṇḍāla,* a lowborn person, is a devotee and has fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord, he can purify his entire family. We have had actual experience of how Americans and Europeans, because of their full Kṛṣṇa consciousness, have purified their whole families, so much so that a mother of a devotee, at the time of her death, inquired about Kṛṣṇa with her last breath. Therefore it is theoretically true and has been practically proven that a devotee can give the best service to his family, his community, his society and his nation. The foolish accuse a devotee of following the principle of escapism, but actually the fact is that a devotee is the right person to elevate his family. A devotee engages everything in the service of the Lord, and therefore he is always exalted.