Chapter 61

“Bhishma said, ‘O mighty-armed one, listen now to me, O thou of prowessincapable of being baffled, as I mention the names of the four modes oflife and the duties in respect of each. The four modes are Vanaprastha,Bhaikshya, Garhasthya of great merit, and Brahmacharya which is adoptedby Brahmanas. Undergoing the purificatory rite in respect of bearingmatted locks, after having gone through the rite of regeneration andperformed for some time the rites in respect of the sacred fire andstudied the Vedas, one should, with cleansed soul and senses underrestraint, having first carefully performed all the duties of the modecalled Garhasthya, proceed, with or without his wife, to the woods foradoption of the mode called Vanaprastha. Having studied the scripturescalled Aranyakas, having drawn up his vital fluid and having retired fromall worldly affairs, the virtuous recluse may then attain to anabsorption with the eternal Soul knowing no decay. These are theindications of Munis that have drawn up their vital fluid. A learnedBrahmana, O king, should first practise and perform them. The Brahmana, Oking, that is desirous of emancipation, it is well known, is competent toadopt the Bhaikshya mode after having gone through the mode calledBrahmacharya. Sleeping at that place (in the course of the wanderings)where evening overtakes him, without desire of bettering his situation,without a home, subsisting on whatever food is obtained (in charity),given to contemplation, practising self-restraint, with the senses undercontrol, without desire, regarding all creatures equally, withoutenjoyments, without dislike to anything, the Brahmana possessed oflearning, by adopting this mode of life, attains to absorption with theeternal Soul that knows no decay. The person leading the Garhasthya modeof life should, after studying the Vedas, accomplish all the religiousacts laid down for him. He should beget children and enjoy pleasures andcomforts. With careful attention he should accomplish all the duties ofthis mode of life that is applauded by ascetics and that is extremelydifficult to go through (without transgressions). He should be satisfiedwith his own wedded wife and should never approach her except her season.He should observe the ordinances of the scriptures, should not be cunningand deceitful. He should be abstemious in diet, devoted to the gods,grateful, mild, destitute of cruelty, and forgiving. He should be of atranquil heart, tractable and attentive in making offerings to the godsand the Pitris. He should always be hospitable to the Brahmanas. Heshould be without pride, and his charity should not be confined to anyone sect. He should also be always devoted to the performance of theVedic rites. In this connection, the illustrious and great Rishis cite averse sung by Narayana himself, of grave import and endued with highascetic merit. Listen to me as I repeat it.–‘By truth, simplicity,worship of guests, acquisition of morality and profit, and enjoyment ofone’s own wedded wives, one should enjoy diverse kinds of happiness bothhere and hereafter.’ The great Rishis have said that support of sons andwives, and study of the Vedas, form the duties of those that lead thishigh mode of life. That Brahmana who, always engaged in the performanceof sacrifices, duly goes through this mode of life and properlydischarges all its duties, obtains blessed rewards in heaven. Upon hisdeath, the rewards desired by him became deathless. Indeed, these waitupon him for eternity like menials ever on the alert to execute thecommands of their master.[194] Always attending to the Vedas, silentlyreciting the mantras obtained from his preceptor, worshipping all thedeities, O Yudhishthira, dutifully waiting upon and serving his preceptorwith his own body smeared with clay and filth, the person leading theBrahmacharya mode of life should always observe rigid vows and, withsenses under control, should always pay attention to the instructions hehas received. Reflecting on the Vedas and discharging all the duties (inrespect of contemplation and overt acts), he should live, dutifullywaiting upon his preceptor and always bowing unto him. Unengaged in thesix kinds of work (such as officiating in the sacrifices of others), andnever engaged with attachment to any kind of acts, never showing favouror disfavour to any one, doing good even unto his enemies, these, O sire,are the duties laid down for a Brahmacharin!’