Mahābhārata

M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said O mighty-armed one, hear me, O you of prowess incapable of being baffled, as I name the four modes of life and describe their respective duties.

M. N. Dutt: The four modes and Vanaprastha (hermit), Bhaikshya (mendicant), Garhasthya of great merit (house-holder), Brahmacharya (religious student) which is adopted by Brahmanas.

M. N. Dutt: Performing the purificatory rite consequent upon bearing matted locks, and of regeneration and having performed for sometime the rites of the sacred fire and studied the Vedas, one should, with purified soul and controlled senses having first carefully performed all the duties of the house-hold order, proceed, with or without his wife, to the forest for adoption of the mode called Vanaprastha.

M. N. Dutt: Having studied the Scriptures called Aranyakas, having restrained his vital fluid and having retired from all worldly affairs the pious hermit may then find himself immersed in the eternal Soul knowing no deterioration.

M. N. Dutt: These are the signs of ascetics that have drawn up their vital fluid. A learned Brahmana, O king, should first practise and perform them.

M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana, O king, who is desirous of liberation, is is competent to adopt the mendicant's life after having gone through the mode called Brahmacharya.

M. N. Dutt: Sleeping at the place where evening sets without caring to improve his situation, without a home, living on whatever fare is got (in charity), given to meditation, practising selfrestraint, with the senses under control, without desire, regarding all creatures impartially, without enjoyments, without dislike anything the Brahmana, possessed of learning, by adopting this mode of life, attains to unification with the eternal undecaying Soul.

M. N. Dutt: The person, leading the life of a householder, should, after studying the Vedas, accomplish all the religious acts prescribed for to him. He should procreate children and enjoy pleasures and luxuries. With careful attention he should satisfy all the duties of this mode of life which is highly spoken of by ascetics and which is extremely difficult to follow (without sins.)

M. N. Dutt: He shouid be satisfied with his own married wife and should never approach her except in her season. He should follow prescription of the scriptures, should not be cunning and deceitful. He should be sparing in diet, devoted to the gods, grateful, mild, shorn of cruelty, and forgiving.

M. N. Dutt: He should be of a tranquil heart, peaceful and careful in making offerings to the gods and the Pitris. He should always be hospitable to the Brahmanas. He should be shorn of pride and should not make charity to one sect. He should always carefully perforinthe Vedic rites.

M. N. Dutt: Regarding it, the illustrious and great Rishis cite a verse sung by Narayana himself, highly important and endued with high ascetic merit. Hear me as I repeat it.

M. N. Dutt: By truth, simplicity, worship of guests, acquisition of religion and profit, and enjoyment of one's own married wife one should enjoy various kinds of happiness both here and hereafter.

M. N. Dutt: The great Rishis have said that the maintenance of sons and wives, and the study of the Vedas, are the duties of those who follow this high mode of life.

M. N. Dutt: That Brahmana who, always engaged in the celebration of sacrifices, duly passes this mode of life and properly discharges all its duties, obtains blessed rewards in heaven.

M. N. Dutt: Upon his death, the rewards sought by him become eternal. Indeed these wait upon him for eternity like servants ever careful to execute the orders of their master.

M. N. Dutt: Always studying the Vedas, silently reciting the mantras obtained from his preceptor, worshipping all the gods, O Yudhishthira, dutifully attending upon and serving his preceptor with his own body smeared with clay and filth, the person, leading the Brahmacharya mode of life, should always observe rigid vows and, with senses under restraint, should always pay attention to the instructions he has received. Meditating on the Vedas and satisfying all the duties he should live, dutifully serving his preceptor and always bowing to him. Unengaged in the six kinds of work and never doing with attachment any kind of acts, never showing favour or disfavour to any one, and doing good even to his enemies,-these, O son, are the duties of a Brahmacharin. and, with senses under restraint, should always pay attention to the instructions he has received. Meditating on the Vedas and satisfying all the duties he should live, dutifully serving his preceptor and always bowing to him. Unengaged in the six kinds of work and never doing with attachment any kind of acts, never showing favour or disfavour to any one, and doing good even to his enemies,-these, O son, are the duties of a Brahmacharin.