There is nothing, more sacred, in Heaven or Earth, than Brahmanas. Similarly there is no penance that is superior to the observance of fasts.
ब्राह्मणेभ्यः परं नास्ति पावनं दिवि चेह च। उपवासैस्तथा तुल्यं तपःकर्म न विद्यते॥