188.20

This unfailing, immutable creation that is rooted in brahman was created by the primeval deity. Its nature is pure consciousness and its essence is the religious order.

bharad·vaja said:

189.1

What makes a man a brahmin or a kshatriya, most excellent brahmin? And how, Brahminic seer, does a man become a vaishya or a shudra? Please tell me that, most eloquent one.

bhrigu said:

The one who has been consecrated and purified by the sacraments beginning with the birth ceremony, who is accomplished in Vedic recitation, practices the six acts,* adheres to pure conduct in the proper manner, eats only the remains of oblations, is devoted to his teacher, unfailing in his religious vows and intent on truth—he alone is called a brahmin. The person in whom truth, charity, non-violence, benevolence, bashfulness, tenderness and austerity are seen is held to be a brahmin.

189.5

The person who deals with acts of governance, who is well-versed in Vedic recitation and is dedicated to appropriating wealth and offering gifts, he is said to be a kshatriya.

The person occupied with trade and cattle herding, who is pure, dedicated to appropriating wealth by means of agriculture and accomplished in Vedic recitation, he is called a vaishya.

The person who will habitually eat anything and commit any deed, thereby becoming impure, who disregards the Vedas and ignores the code of conduct, he is held to be a shudra. This behavior might be observable in a shudra, _______________