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The Duties of Vanaprasthis and Sannyasins
The main duties of a Sannyasi are control of the mind and non-injury; those of a Vanaprasthi are austerity and discrimination or knowledge; those of a householder are protection of the lives of animals and performances of sacrifices; the main duty of a Brahmachari is wholehearted service to his preceptor.
Celibacy with occasional gratification at prescribed times (Ritudharma), Tapas, purity, contentment and kindness to beings are also duties of a householder. Worshipping Me is a duty common to all.
He who thus constantly worships Me practising the duties laid down for him and does not give his mind to any other and who thinks of Me in all beings, soon attains firm devotion to Me.
O Uddhava! Through such unswerving devotion a person attains to Me, the Supreme Ruler of all the worlds and all beings, the originator and destroyer of all, their cause, the Brahman.
Having his mind thus purified by the performance of his duties and realising My nature, he attains knowledge (Jnana) and realisation (Vijnana) and reaches Me in a short time.
This is the righteous course of conduct of those that are in the pale of Varna and Asrama system and that course attended with devotion to Me becomes the best means of attaining emancipation or Moksha.
So I have answered your question, as to how person discharging the duties of his caste or stage of life with devotion to Me, attains to Me, the Highest.”
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