n the womb of his mother. The man who
(under other circumstances) maketh gifts unto the Brahmanas, enjoyeth the
fruit thereof while he is in old age. Therefore, O king, the man who
wishes to win the way of heaven, should under all conditions, make gifts
unto Brahmanas of everything that he wishes to give away.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'By what means do Brahmanas, who accept gifts from
all the four orders, save others as well as themselves?"

"Markandeya said, 'By Japa,[53] and Mantras,[54] and Homa[55] and the
study of the Vedas, the Brahmanas construct a Vedic boat[56] wherewith
they save both others and themselves. The gods themselves are pleased
with that man who gratifieth the Brahmanas. Indeed, a man may attain
heaven at the command of a Brahmana. Thou wilt, O king, without doubt
ascend to regions of everlasting bliss, in consequence of thy worship of
the Pitris and the gods, and thy reverence for the Brahmanas, even though
thy body is filled with phlegmatic humours and withal so dull and inert!
He that desires virtue and heaven should adore the Brahmanas. One should
feed Brahmanas with care on occasions of Sraddhas, although those among
them that are cursed or fallen should be excluded. They also should be
carefully excluded that are either excessively fair or excessively black,
that have diseased nails, that are lepers, that are deceitful, that are
born in bastardy of widows or of women having husbands alive; and they
also that support themselves by the profession of arms. That Sraddha
which is censurable, consumeth the performer thereof like fire consuming
fuel. If they that are to be employed in Sraddhas happen to be dumb,
blind, or deaf, care should be taken to employ them along with Brahmanas
conversant with the Vedas. O Yudhishthira, listen now unto whom thou
shouldst give. He that knoweth all the Vedas should give only to that
able Brahmana who is competent to rescue both the giver and himself, for
he, indeed, is to be regarded as able who can rescue both the giver and
himself. O son of Pritha, the sacred fires do not receive such
gratification from libations of clarified butter, from offerings of
flowers and sandal and other perfumed pastes as from the entertainment of
guests. Therefore, do thou strive to entertain guests, O son of Pandu! O
king, they that give unto guests water to wash their feet, butter to rub
over their (tired) legs, light during the hours of darkness, food, and
shelter, have not to go bef