ld be done by a menial servant, should be accomplished by him.
Finishing these he should humbly take his stand by the side of the
preceptor. Skilled in every kind of work, he should conduct himself like
a menial servant, doing every act for his preceptor. Having accomplished
all acts (without leaving any portion undone), he should study, sitting
at the feet of his preceptor, with eager desire to learn. He should
always behave with simplicity, avoid evil speech, and take lessons only
when his preceptor invites him for it.[995] Becoming pure in body and mind,
and acquiring cleverness and other virtues, he should now and then speak
what is agreeable. Subduing his senses, he should look at his preceptor
without eyes of longing curiosity.[996] He should never eat before his
preceptor has eaten; never drink before his preceptor has drunk; never
sit down before his preceptor has sat down; and never go to bed before
his preceptor has gone to bed. He should gently touch his preceptor's
feet with upturned palms, the right foot with the right and the left with
the left. Reverentially saluting the preceptor, he should say unto him,
"O illustrious one, teach me. I shall accomplish this (work), O
illustrious one! This (other work) I have already accomplished. O
regenerate one, I am ready to accomplish whatever else thy reverend self
may be pleased to command." Having said all this, and having duly offered
himself unto him (thus), he should accomplish whatever acts of his
preceptor wait for accomplishment, and having completed them inform the
preceptor once more of their completion. Whatever scents or tastes the
Brahmacharin may abstain from while actually leading a life of
Brahmacharya may be used by him after his return from the preceptor's
abode. This is consistent with the ordinance. Whatever observances have
been elaborately laid down for Brahmacharins (in the scriptures) should
all be regularly practised by him. He should, again, be always near his
preceptor (ready within call). Having contributed to his preceptor's
gratification in this way to the best of his powers, the disciple should,
from that mode of life, pass into the others (one after another) and
practise the duties of each. Having (thus) passed a fourth part of his
life in the study of the Vedas, and observance of vows and fasts, and
having given the preceptor the (final) fee, the disciple should,
according to the ordinance, take his leave and return home (for entering