A Brahmana, be he ignorant or learned, is a great divinity, just as the fire, whether carried forth (for the performance of a burnt-oblation) or not carried forth, is a great divinity.
The brilliant fire is not contaminated even in burial-places, and, when presented with oblations (of butter) at sacrifices, it again increases mightily.
एवं यद्यप्यनिष्टेषु वर्तन्ते सर्वकर्मसु । सर्वथा ब्राह्मणाः पूज्याः परमं दैवतं हि तत् ॥ ३१९ ॥
Thus, though Brahmanas employ themselves in all (sorts of) mean occupations, they must be honoured in every way; for (each of) them is a very great deity.
क्षत्रस्यातिप्रवृद्धस्य ब्राह्मणान् प्रति सर्वशः । ब्रह्मैव संनियन्तृ स्यात् क्षत्रं हि ब्रह्मसम्भवम् ॥ ३२० ॥
When the Kshatriyas become in any way overbearing towards the Brahmanas, the Brahmanas themselves shall duly restrain them; for the Kshatriyas sprang from the Brahmanas.