and became possessed by ignorance. The Brahmanas are always devoted to
the scriptures on Brahma; and mindful of vows and restraints, are capable
of grasping the conception of Brahma. Their penances therefore, never go
for nothing. They amongst them are not Brahmanas that are incapable of
understanding that every created thing is Supreme Brahma. These, falling
away, became members of diverse (inferior) orders. Losing the light of
knowledge, and betaking themselves to an unrestrained course of conduct,
they take birth as Pisachas and Rakshasas and Pretas and as individuals
of diverse Mleccha species. The great Rishis who at the beginning sprang
into life (through Brahman's Will) subsequently created, by means of
their penances, men devoted to the duties ordained for them and attached
to the rites laid down in the Eternal Vedas. That other Creation,
however, which is eternal and undecaying, which is based upon Brahma and
has sprung from the Primeval God, and which has its refuge upon yoga, is
a mental one.'"'"[563]

SECTION CLXXXIX

"'"Bharadwaja said, 'By what acts does one become a Brahmana? By what, a
Kshatriya? O best of regenerate ones, by what acts again does one become
a Vaisya or a Sudra? Tell me this, O foremost of speakers.'

"'"Bhrigu said, 'That person is called a Brahmana who has been sanctified
by such rites as those called jata and others; who is pure in behaviour;
who is engaged in studying the Vedas; who is devoted to the six
well-known acts (of ablutions every morning and evening, silent
recitation of mantras, pouring libations on the sacrificial fire,
worshipping the deities, doing the duties of hospitality to guests, and
offering food to the Viswedevas); who is properly observant of all pious
acts; who never takes food without having offered it duly to gods and
guests; who is filled with reverence for his preceptor; and who is always
devoted to vows and truth. He is called a Brahmana in whom are truth,
gifts, abstention from injury to others, compassion, shame,
benevolence,[564] and penance. He who is engaged in the profession of
battle, who studies the Vedas, who makes gifts (to Brahmanas) and takes
wealth (from those he protects) is called a Kshatriya. He who earns fame
from keep of cattle, who is employed in agriculture and the means of
acquiring wealth, who is pure in behaviour and attends to the study of
the Vedas, is called a Vaisya.[565] He who takes pleasure in eating every
kind of food, w