e., Creation and Destruction), and even thus Brahman's Day
and Night each consist of a thousand yugas.'"[893]
SECTION CCXXXIV
"Vyasa said, 'Thou hadst asked me about the Creation of all beings; I
have now narrated that to thee in full. Listen to me as I tell thee now
what the duties are of a Brahmana. The rituals of all ceremonies for
which sacrificial fees are enjoined, commencing with Jatakarma and ending
with Samavartana, depend for their performance upon a preceptor competent
in the Vedas.[894] Having studied all the Vedas and having displayed a
submissive behaviour towards his preceptor during his residence with him,
and having paid the preceptor's fee, the youth should return home with a
thorough knowledge of all sacrifices.[895] Receiving the permission of
his preceptor, he should adopt one of the four modes of life and live in
it in due observance of its duties till he casts off his body. He should
either lead a life of domesticity with spouses and engaged in creating
offspring, or live in the observance of Brahmacharya; or in the forest in
the company of his preceptor, or in the practice of the duties laid down
for a yati. A life of domesticity is said to be the root of all the other
modes of life. A self-restrained householder who has conquered all his
attachments to worldly objects always attains to success (in respect of
the great object of life). A Brahmana, by begetting children, by
acquiring a knowledge of the Vedas, and by performing sacrifices, pays
off the three debts he owes.
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