Pearls of Wisdom - 135

Of the two energies manifest [spirit and dull matter], beings possessing living force [vegetables, grass, trees and plants] are superior to dull matter [stone, earth, etc.]. Superior to nonmoving plants and vegetables are worms and snakes, which can move. Superior to worms and snakes are animals that have developed intelligence. Superior to animals are human beings, and superior to human beings are ghosts because they have no material bodies. Superior to ghosts are the Gandharvas, and superior to them are the Siddhas. Superior to the Siddhas are the Kinnaras, and superior to them are the asuras. Superior to the asuras are the devatas, and of the devatas, Indra, the King of heaven, is supreme. Superior to Indra are the direct sons of Lord Brahmâ, sons like King Daksha, and supreme among Brahmâ's sons is Rudra. Since Rudra is the son of Lord Brahmâ, Brahmâ is considered superior, but Brahmâ is also subordinate to Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because I am inclined to the brâhmanas, the brâhmanas are best of all.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 5 Verses 21-22

Pearls of Wisdom - 134

Lord Rishabhadev:

My dear sons, you should not envy any living entity--be he moving or nonmoving. Knowing that I am situated in them, you should offer respect to all of them at every moment. In this way, you offer respect to Me.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 5 Verse 26

Pearls of Wisdom - 133

The Vedas are My eternal transcendental sound incarnation. Therefore the Vedas are s'abda-brahma. In this world, the brâhmanas thoroughly study all the Vedas, and because they assimilate the Vedic conclusions, they are also to be considered the Vedas personified. The brâhmanas are situated in the supreme transcendental mode of nature--sattva-guna. Because of this, they are fixed in mind control [s'ama], 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 [titikshâ], and they realize the position of the living entity and the Supreme Lord [anubhava]. These are the eight qualifications of the brâhmanas. Therefore among all living entities, no one is superior to the brâhmanas.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 5 Verse 24

Pearls of Wisdom - 132

Lord Rishabhdeva:

My transcendental body [sac-cid-ânanda-vigraha] looks exactly like a human form, but it is not a material human body. It is inconceivable. I am not forced by nature to accept a particular type of body; I take on a body by My own sweet will. My heart is also spiritual, and I always think of the welfare of My devotees. Therefore within My heart can be found the process of devotional service, which is meant for the devotees. Far from My heart have I abandoned irreligion [adharma] and nondevotional activities. They do not appeal to Me. Due to all these transcendental qualities, people generally pray to Me as Rishabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the best of all living entities.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 5 Verse 19

Pearls of wisdom -131

If someone is ignorant and addicted to the path of samsâra, how can one who is actually learned, merciful and advanced in spiritual knowledge engage him in fruitive activity and thus further entangle him in material existence? If a blind man is walking down the wrong path, how can a gentleman allow him to continue on his way to danger? How can he approve this method? No wise or kind man can allow this.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 5 Verse 17

Pearls of Wsidom - 130

If one is serious about going back home, back to Godhead, he must consider the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the summum bonum and chief aim of life. If he is a father instructing his sons, a spiritual master instructing his disciples, or a king instructing his citizens, he must instruct them. Without being angry, he should continue giving instructions, even if his disciple, son or citizen is sometimes unable to follow his order. Ignorant people who engage in pious and impious activities should be engaged in devotional service by all means. They should always avoid fruitive activity. If one puts into the bondage of karmic activity his disciple, son or citizen who is bereft of transcendental vision, how will one profit? It is like leading a blind man to a dark well and causing him to fall in.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 5 Verse 14