Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.84.20
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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brahmaṇya
—
of those who respect brahminical culture
From brāhmaṇa + -ya (relating to). Kṛṣṇa is brahmaṇya-deva — the God who honors brāhmaṇas (SB 10.84.20, Viṣṇu-sahasra-nāma names Him brahmaṇyaḥ). Gauḍīyas insist this title names Him before any of the sovereign epithets — He is first the friend of brāhmaṇas, then king.
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agranīḥ
—
the foremost, leader
agra (front) + nī (leading). Kṛṣṇa is the agranīḥ — the leader — of brāhmaṇa-respecters. Gauḍīyas note that the model He sets becomes the binding standard: a Vaiṣṇava cannot ignore brāhmaṇa-pūjā if Bhagavān Himself enacts it.
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śāstra-yoneḥ
—
whose means of realization is śāstra
śāstra + yoni (source, womb). The brāhmaṇas are the womb through which śāstra becomes realizable. Gauḍīyas read this as the rationale for guru-paramparā: the text alone does not transmit; the brāhmaṇa-vaiṣṇava transmits.
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sat-dhāma
—
the perfect abode
sat (true, existent) + dhāma (abode). The brāhmaṇa-kula is called the abode of sat. Gauḍīyas distinguish this from the brāhmaṇa-by-birth: the verse intends those whose conduct manifests sat — that is, the Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇa.
You worship the brahmanas who are the best source of realization (sad dhama) of yourself (atmanah) who is proven by the Veda (sastra yoneh).
“If I am like that, why do I worship you sages?” You honor the brāhmaṇas to teach the people. In the manner that they started the discussion with this concept, they finish with the same statement.
You worship the brāhmaṇas, for they are your (ātmanaḥ) excellent (sat) abode (dhāma), since you are the promoter of the Vedas (śāstra-yoneḥ). O direct form of the Vedas (brahman)! The brāhmaṇas are the abode of the Lord because they possess or promote the Vedas. Thus it is proper that the Lord worships them.
- Whom in my life carries sacred knowledge that I have honored too casually?
- How might I become more receptive to learning from those who know more than I do?
Kṛṣṇa as brahmaṇya-deva is the king who calls his prime minister 'my elder' in public, not because the minister outranks him but because the office of brāhmaṇa is the channel by which the kingdom recognizes its sovereign. Bhagavān honors the brāhmaṇa because that is how He chooses to be honored.
Again the Sudāmā episode (SB 10.80–81): the Lord, who owns all opulences, washes the feet of a brāhmaṇa friend whose only wealth is his loyalty to vidyā and his memory of guru-kula.
Gauḍīyas hold that scene as the lived form of this verse — brahmaṇya-deva in action, not merely in epithet.
Mahāprabhu, the same Bhagavān incarnate in Gauḍa-deśa, repeatedly took the lower position in Advaita Ācārya's house. Caitanya-caritāmṛta records Advaita scolding Him for it; He kept doing it.
Gauḍīyas read this as proof that brahmaṇya behavior is not period-specific — Bhagavān honors the brāhmaṇa-Vaiṣṇava in every age.
My note
Source: vedabase.io