intelligence are superior to the reptiles themselves. Human beings prevail over animals, and specters over human beings, because they have no physical bodies. Above the specters, there are the Gandharvas (The celestial singers) and, even higher, the Siddhas (The perfect beings), then the Kinnaras (Superhuman beings with supernatural powers), and finally the asuras (The non-enlightened, evil beings, who can overpower the above-mentioned beings). Above the asuras come the celestial beings, over whom reign Indra, the king of the heavens. The direct sons of Brahma, including King Daksa, prevail over Indra, and of the sons of Brahma, Siva is the greatest. Siva being the son of Brahma, the latter is held to him as superior, but Brahma himself is found subordinate to Me, the Sovereign Lord. However, as I myself am favorable to the wise scholars, these are the greatest of all.

Of all the worlds, spiritual and material, I am the source; everything emanates from Me. For Me, o respectful sages, no one is superior or even equal to the wise scholars in this world; I can't find anyone who can compare to them. When, after having made sacrifices in accordance with the principles of the scriptures, men perceive the purpose I am pursuing, they offer Me food in faith and love by the mouth of a sage. When food is thus offered to Me, I eat it with satisfaction; to tell the truth, I derive more pleasure from this food than from the food offered to me in the sacrificial fire.

The scriptures represent the eternal sound manifestation of my Person. Here below, the learned wise men carefully study all the holy scriptures, and because they assimilate the conclusions, they are considered to represent the personified scriptures. They are established in the supreme spiritual attribute; therefore, they possess mastery of the mind and mastery of the senses, as well as veracity. They explain the scriptures according to their original meaning and, out of pure compassion, teach all conditioned souls the ultimate purpose. They practice austerity and tolerance, and are aware of the respective position of the infinitesimal being and the Supreme Lord. These are the eight qualities of wise scholars. So of all living beings, no one is superior to the wise scholars.

I am infinitely great and all-powerful, superior to Brahma and Indra the king of the Edenic planets. It is also I who grant the happiness which one enjoys in the celestial kingdom or that which brings about the liberation. Yet wise scholars do not seek material well-being from Me; they are of great purity and do not desire to possess anything. They are content to serve me with devotion; What need, then, would they have to ask for material blessings from someone else?

My dear children, you should not envy any living, mobile or stationary being. Knowing that I am in them, you should show respect to all at all times. By doing so, it is to Me that you will make an offering of respect.

The humble sage, enlightened by pure knowledge, sees with an equal eye the noble sage and learned, the cow, the elephant, or even the dog or the outcast. He who sees the infinitesimal soul and the Supreme Lord as always distinct from one another is