not given to one, and avoidance of
honey and meat,--these are the five chief duties. Indeed, Religion or
Duty has many branches all of which are fraught with happiness. Even
these are the duties which these embodied creatures who regard duty as
superior should observe and practise. Even these are the sources of
merit."

"'"'Uma said, "O holy one, I wish to ask thee another question about which
I have great doubts. It behoveth thee to answer it and dispel my doubts.
What are the meritorious duties of the four several orders? What duties
appertain to the Brahmana? What to the Kshatriya? What are the
indications of those duties that appertain to the Vaisya? And what kind
of duties appertain to the Sudra?"

"'"'The holy one said, "O highly blessed lady, the question thou hast asked
is a very proper one. Those persons that belong to the regenerate order
are regarded as highly blessed, and are, indeed, gods on earth. Without
doubt, the observance of fasts (i.e., subjugation of the senses) is
always the duty of the Brahmana. When the Brahmana succeeds in properly
observing all his duties, he attains to identity with Brahma.[560] The
proper observance of the duties of Brahmacharya, O goddess, are his
ritual. The observance of vows and the investiture with the sacred thread
are his other duties. It is by these that he becomes truly regenerate. He
becomes a Brahmana for worshipping his preceptors and other seniors as
also the deities. Verily, that religion which has for its soul the study
of the Vedas is the source of all piety. Even that is the religion which
those embodied creatures who are devoted to piety and duty should observe
and practise."

"'"'Uma said, "O holy one, my doubts have not been dispelled. It behoveth
thee to explain in detail what the duties are of the four respective
orders of men."

"'"'Maheswara said, "Listening to the mysteries of religion and duty,
observance of the vows indicated in the Vedas, attention to the sacred
fire, and accomplishment of the business of the preceptor, leading a
mendicant life, always bearing the sacred thread, constant recitation of
the Vedas, and rigid observance of the duties of Brahmacharya, are the
duties of the Brahmana. After the period of study is over, the Brahmana,
receiving the command of his preceptor, should leave his preceptor's
abode for returning to his father's house. Upon his return he should duly
wed a wife that is fit for him. Another duty of the Brahmana