When iron strikes stone, or fire fights with water, or Kshatriya treats a Brahmana inimically, these three soon become weak. When this is so, O king, (you will see that) the Brahmanas deserve to be worshipped. The foremost of the Brahmanas are gods on Earth. Duly adored they maintain the Vedas and the Sacrifices.
अयो हन्ति यदाश्मानमग्निना वारि हन्यते। ब्रह्म च क्षत्रियो देशि तदा सीदन्ति ते त्रयः॥ एवं कृत्वा महाराज नमस्या एव ते द्विजाः। भौमं ब्रह्म द्विजश्रेष्ठा धारयन्ति समर्चिताः॥ पुरा तात महर्षिणा।