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The Duties of the Brahmacharin and the Householder
Uddhava said: “Thou hast already described the Dharma or the righteous course called Bhakti or devotion as beneficial to all human beings who observe the rules laid down for the different castes or orders of life. O Lord of lotus-like eyes! Please tell me in detail of the Dharma peculiar to each by practising which a man may develop devotion to Thee.
“O Mighty-armed Lord! O Madhava, the knowledge of the Eternal Truth, Brahman, the righteous course of the highest character that Thou expound to Brahma in the form of a swan, is not perhaps remembered in the mortal world, O Slayer of foes, as it was taught long ago.
“O Achyuta! Other than Thyself there is none to teach, to practise and maintain Dharma on earth, and even in the court of Brahma where the sciences and all the deities presiding over the disciplines are personally present.
“O Madhusudana! When Thou, the originator, defender and expounder of it, leavest the earth, religion and Dharma too will die. Who, O Lord, will then expound the lost Dharma?
“Thou knowest all the Dharmas. Pray explain to me, O Lord, the Dharma that leads to Thy devotion, how and for whom it is laid down?”
The Lord said: “O Uddhava, your question is righteous, for it will have the way to Moksha for men who observe the duties of caste and order of life. Listen to my exposition of the same.
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