Not by study of the Vedas, not by penances, not by sacrifices, O son of Kuru, can one acquire the status of Brahma. Only when one succeeds in apprehending the Supreme or Unmanifest, he is respected.
न स्वाध्यायैस्तपोभिर्वा यज्ञैर्वा कुरुनन्दन। लभतेऽव्यक्तिकं स्थानं ज्ञात्वा व्यक्तं महीयते॥