Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 11 Chapter 17:16-30

Book 11: Chapter 17

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 11: Chapter 17: Verses 16-30 Control of mind and the senses, meditation, (external as well as internal) purity, contentment, forgiveness, straightforwardness, devotion to Me, compassion and truthfulness-these are the natural traits of a Brahmana. Majesty, strength, fortitude, valour, forbearance, liberality, industry, firmness, devotion to the Brahmanas and rulership-these are the (distinguishing) traits of a Ksatriya Faith (in the scriptures as well as in the words of one's preceptor), firm adherence to liberality, sincerity (absence of hypocrisy) service to the Brahmanas and remaining dissatisfied with hoards of money-- these are the inborn characteristics of a Vaisya. Sincere (guileless) service to the Brahmana, the cow and the gods too and contentment with whatever is obtained through ::it such service-these are the inborn characteristics of a Sudra. Impurity, mendacity, thieving,want of faith, quarrelling without cause, concupiscence, anger and cupidity are the inborn characteristics of the casteless. Non-violence, truthfulness, abstaining from theft, freedom from lust, anger and greed and doing what is pleasing and good to living beings-this constitutes the sacred duty of all the Varnas (grades of society). Having undergone in due course (viz., after the purificatory rites relating to birth etc., have been gone through) a second birth in the shape of investiture with the sacred thread, and dwelling in the house of a preceptor with his senses (duly) controlled, the twice-born (male child) should (learn to) recite the Vedas (with due intonation) and reflect on their meaning (with the help of the guru) when called upon (to do so). A Brahmacri (religious student) should wear a girdle (of Munja grass) and deerskin (round his loins), a string of Rudraksa beads (about his neck) and the sacred thread (baldric-wise across his left shoulder), should carry a staff (of the Palasa tree) and a water-pot (made of the shell of a wild cocoanut or gourd) and a bunch of Kusa grass (in the palm of his hand) and grow matted locks (for want of proper care). He should never scrub his teeth (with a brush etc.) nor apply soap etc., to his clothes and should never use a coloured seat. He should remain silent while bathing, taking his meals, pouring oblations into the sacred fire, doing Japa (muttering a prayer) and answering the calls of nature. He should never pare his nails nor remove the hair even in his arm-pits and on his private parts. Observing a (strict) vow of celibacy,) he should never voluntarily allow his seed to escape; and if it (ever) escapes anyhow (in spite of himself in a dream etc.), he should (proceed to) take a plunge bath and, going through a course of Pranayama (inhaling the air through his right nostril, holding it as long as one can and exhaling it through the left), should repeat the Gayatri-Mantra (at least 108 times on his rosary). Pure of body and calm of mind he should (both morning and evening) worship the fire (by pouring oblations into it), the sun-god (by offering Arghya or oblations of water to him), the Acarya (who has invested him with the sacred thread and taught him the Gayatri), the cow (by offering handfuls of grass to her), the Brahmanas, the preceptor (who has merely instructed him in the Sastras), the elders and the gods and should wait upon both the twilights, silently muttering the Gayatri-Mantra. He should know the Acarya to be (no other than) Myself (the Supreme Lord) and should never disregard him nor should he pry into his faults taking him to be a mortal; for the preceptor represents all the gods (in his person). Bringing alms (from other houses) (both) morning and evening, he should offer it to the preceptor as also whatever else he might have recived and make use of only what is permitted (by the preceptor) keeping himself fully under control. Doing service to the preceptor. the student should always wait upon him with joined palms like a menial by following him (wherever he goes), lying down (full of vigilance when he is asleep), sitting (when he is taking rest after being relieved of his fatigue by kneading his feet etc.) and standing (when he is comfortably seated) not far from him. Conducting himself as aforesaid and maintaining his vow (of celibacy uninterrupted till his course of learning is completed, he should (continue to) live in the preceptor's house, completely weaned from all luxuries.