Chapter 294

“Parasara said, ‘The lowest order, it is proper, should derive theirsustenance from the three other orders. Such service, rendered withaffection and reverence, makes them righteous.[1522] If the ancestors ofany Sudra were not engaged in service, he should not still engage himselfin any other occupation (than service). Truly, he should apply himself toservice as his occupation. In my opinion, it is proper for them toassociate, under all circumstances, with good men devoted torighteousness, but never with those that are wicked. As in the Easternhills, jewels and metals blaze with greater splendour in consequence oftheir adjacence to the Sun, even so the lowest order blazes withsplendour in consequence of their association with the good. A piece ofwhite cloth assumes that hue with which it is dyed. Even such is the casewith Sudras.[1523] Hence also, one should attach oneself to all goodqualities but never to qualities that are evil. The life of human beingsin this world is fleeting and transitory. That wise man who, in happinessas also in misery, achieves only what is good, is regarded as a trueobserver of the scriptures. That man who is endued with intelligencewould never do an act which is dissociated from virtue, however high maythe advantages be of that act. Indeed, such an act is not regarded astruly beneficial. That lawless king who, snatching thousands of kine fromtheir lawful owners, gives them away (unto deserving persons), acquiresno fruit (from that act of giving) beyond an empty sound (expressive ofthe act he does). On the other hand, he incurs the sin of theft. TheSelf-born at first created the Being called Dhatri held in universalrespect. Dhatri created a son who was engaged in upholding all theworlds.[1524] Worshipping that deity, the Vaisya employs himself, for themeans of his support, in agriculture and the rearing of cattle. TheKshatriyas should employ themselves in the task of protecting all theother classes. The Brahmanas should only enjoy. As regards the Sudras,they should engage themselves in the task of humbly and honestlycollecting together the articles that are to be offered in sacrifices,and in cleaning altars and other places where sacrifices are to beperformed. If each order acts in this way, righteousness would not sufferany diminution. If righteousness is preserved in its entirety, allcreatures inhabiting the earth would be happy. Beholding the happiness ofall creatures on earth, the deities in heaven become filled withgladness. Hence, that king who, agreeably to the duties laid down for hisorder, protects the other classes, becomes worthy of respect. Similarly,the Brahmana that is employed in studying the scriptures, the Vaisya thatis engaged in earning wealth, and the Sudra that is always engaged inserving the three other classes with concentrated attention, becomeobjects of respect. By conducting themselves in the other ways, O chiefof men, each order is said to fall away from virtue. Keeping aside giftsby thousands, even twenty cowries that one may give painfully, havingearned them righteously, will be productive of the great benefit. Thosepersons, O king, who make gifts unto Brahmanas after reverencing themduly, reap excellent fruits commensurate with those gifts. That gift ishighly prized which the donor makes after seeking out the donee andhonouring him properly. That gift is middling which the donor makes uponsolicitation. That gift, however, which is made contemptuously andwithout any reverence, is said to be very inferior (in point of merit).Even this is what those utterers of the truth, viz., the sages, say.While sinking in this ocean of life, man should always seek to cross thatocean by various means. Indeed, he should so exert himself that he mightbe freed from the bonds of this world. The Brahmana shines by selfrestraint; the Kshatriya by victory; the Vaisya by wealth; while theSudra always shines in glory through cleverness in serving (the threeother orders).'”