The
Self-born at first created the Being called Dhatri held in universal
respect. Dhatri created a son who was engaged in upholding all the
worlds.[1524] Worshipping that deity, the Vaisya employs himself, for the
means of his support, in agriculture and the rearing of cattle. The
Kshatriyas should employ themselves in the task of protecting all the
other classes. The Brahmanas should only enjoy. As regards the Sudras,
they should engage themselves in the task of humbly and honestly
collecting together the articles that are to be offered in sacrifices,
and in cleaning altars and other places where sacrifices are to be
performed. If each order acts in this way, righteousness would not suffer
any diminution. If righteousness is preserved in its entirety, all
creatures inhabiting the earth would be happy. Beholding the happiness of
all creatures on earth, the deities in heaven become filled with
gladness. Hence, that king who, agreeably to the duties laid down for his
order, protects the other classes, becomes worthy of respect. Similarly,
the Brahmana that is employed in studying the scriptures, the Vaisya that
is engaged in earning wealth, and the Sudra that is always engaged in
serving the three other classes with concentrated attention, become
objects of respect. By conducting themselves in the other ways, O chief
of men, each order is said to fall away from virtue. Keeping aside gifts
by thousands, even twenty cowries that one may give painfully, having
earned them righteously, will be productive of the great benefit.
Pages:
2288
2289
2290
2291
2292
2293
2294
2295
2296
2297
2298
2299
2300
2301
2302
2303
2304
2305
2306
2307
2308
2309
2310
2311
2312