SB 4.22.12
svagatam vo dvija-srestha
yad-vratani mumuksavah
caranti sraddhaya dhira
bala eva brhanti ca
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
Maharaja Prthu offered his welcome to the four Kumaras, addressing them as the best of the brahmanas. He welcomed them, saying: From the beginning of your birth you strictly observed the vows of celibacy, and although you are experienced in the path of liberation, you are keeping yourselves just like small children.
Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:
The specific importance of the Kumaras is that they were brahmacaris, living the life of celibacy from birth. They kept themselves as small children about four or five years old because by growing into youth one’s senses sometimes become disturbed and celibacy becomes difficult. The Kumaras therefore purposefully remained children because in a child’s life the senses are never disturbed by sex. This is the significance of the life of the Kumaras, and as such Maharaja Prthu addressed them as the best of the brahmanas. Not only were the Kumaras born of the best brahmana (Lord Brahma), but they are addressed herein as dvija-sresthah, “the best of the brahmanas,” on account of their being Vaisnavas also. As we have already explained, they have their sampradaya (disciplic succession), and even to date the sampradaya is being maintained and is known as the Nimbarka sampradaya. Out of the four sampradayas of the Vaisnava acaryas, the Nimbarka sampradaya is one. Maharaja Prthu specifically appreciated the position of the Kumaras because they maintained the brahmacarya vow from the very beginning of their birth. Maharaja Prthu, however, expressed his great appreciation of Vaisnavism by addressing the Kumaras as vaisnava-sresthah. In other words, everyone should offer respect to a Vaisnava without considering his source of birth. Vaisnave jati-buddhih: no one should consider a Vaisnava in terms of birth. The Vaisnava is always the best of the brahmanas, and as such one should offer all respects to a Vaisnava, not only as a brahmana but as the best of the brahmanas.