Those Brahmanas again who, without attending to the duties
laid down for them, became possessed of both the attributes of Goodness
and Passion, and took to the professions of cattle-rearing and
agriculture, became Vaisyas. Those Brahmanas again that became fond of
untruth and injuring other creatures, possessed of cupidity,--engaged in
all kinds of acts for a living, and fallen away from purity of behaviour,
and thus wedded to the attribute of Darkness, became Sudras. Separated by
these occupations, Brahmanas, falling away from their own order, became
members of the other three orders. All the four orders, therefore, have
always the right to the performance of all pious duties and of
sacrifices. Even thus were the four orders at first created equal by
Brahman who ordained for all of them (the observances disclosed in) the
words of Brahma (in the Vedas). Through cupidity alone, many fell away,
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.
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