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The Duties of the Brahmacharin and the Householder
To perform sacrifices, to study the Vedas, and to distribute charitable gifts are duties common to all the twice-born. To accept gifts, to teach the Vedas, and to help others to perform sacrifices are duties of the Brahmins only.
If a Brahmin thinks that the acceptance of gifts would deprive him of his Tapas, spiritual power and glory, he should try to live by the other two means viz., teaching and helping others to perform sacrifices (i.e., acting as a priest); if he considers them harmful he should make his living by gleaning the grains of corn that lie scattered in the fields as useless.
The body of a Brahmin is indeed not intended for enjoying trifling objects of desire. It is for rigorous Tapas here and infinite bliss hereafter.
A Brahmin who is contented with what he gets by gleaning grains left in the fields and follows the purest and highest course of Dharma and discharges his duties consisting of hospitality etc., devoting his mind to Me without attachment to other things, surely attains Peace or Moksha, though continuing in the householder’s life.
Just as a boat saves a drowning man from the sea so also I soon protect from calamities those who lift up a Brahmana (devotee) devoted to Me from his difficulty or misfortune.
The king full of wisdom and courage should rescue his subjects from calamities like a father. Just as the leader of elephants saves other elephants in his herd, so also he should rescue himself by his own efforts with firmness.
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