The brāhmaṇas, the cows, Vedic knowledge, austerity, truthfulness, control of the mind and senses, faith, mercy, tolerance and sacrifice are the different parts of the body of Lord Viṣṇu, and they are the paraphernalia for a godly civilization.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
विप्रा गावश्च वेदाश्च तपः सत्यं दमः शमः । श्रद्धा दया तितिक्षा च क्रतवश्च हरेस्तनूः
viprā gāvaśca vedāśca tapaḥ satyaṃ damaḥ śamaḥ | śraddhā dayā titikṣā ca kratavaśca harestanūḥ
SB 10.4.41