Bhagavatapurana 4.7.14

4.7.14

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vidyā-tapo-vrata-dharān mukhataḥ sma viprān $ brahmātma-tattvam avituṃ prathamaṃ tvam asrāk &
vidyā-tapo-vrata-dharān mukhataḥ sma viprān $ brahmātma-tattvam avituṃ prathamaṃ tvam asrāk &
tad brāhmaṇān parama sarva-vipatsu pāsi % pālaḥ paśūn iva vibho pragṛhīta-daṇḍaḥ //

14. O Supreme Lord, you first created Brahmins out of your mouth, and they with a sense of duty maintain the course of knowledge, Tapas and austerities for the purpose of protecting the Vedas and the true knowledge of Atman; therefore in all perils you protect the Brāhmins, even as a herdsman does his cattle with a stick in his hand (his crook).