Chapter 26 - On the Puranas (continued, 6)

Vyasa said,

Valmiki, what is Bharata, and how shall I compose it?”

Valmiki said,

“The Vedas will be the basis of the Mahabharata. The Brahmanas or the ascetics, have sprung from the mouth of Vishnu; the Kshatriyas, or tho protectors of the earth, from his arms; the Vaisyas from his thighs; and the Sudras from his feet. I shall tell you the duties of these four castes.

(a) (1) Performing sacrifice, (2) conducting the performance of sacrifice, (3) studying the Vedas, (4) teaching the Vedas. (5) distributing charity, and (6) receiving charity, are the six duties of the Brahmanas.

(b) (1) Worshipping Brahmanas, (2) protecting subjects, (3) distributing charity, (4) making war, and (5) receiving tribute, are the five duties of the Kshatriyas.

(c) (1) Serving Brahmanas and Kshatriyas (2) accumulating weath, (3) trading, and (4) distributing charity, are the four duties of Vaisyas.

(d) (1) Serving Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas, and (2) agriculture, are the duties of Sudras.

The first three castes are authorized to read the Vedas, but women and Sudras are not. The Lord Narayana made Bharata for the edification of the women, Sudras and the inferior or fallen men among the three higher castes. The first seed of Bharata is the Ramayana which Narayana disclosed to Brahma and the latter to me. It was, therefore, versified by me. The teachings of the Vedas are incorporated therein.

When I had finished the Ramayana, Brahma asked me to take up the Mahabharata also, but I declined to do so. Narayana has now created you for the purpose of composing the Mahabharata. Bo you, therefore, undertake the task and follow the lines of the Ramayana which you should Study carefully.”

Thereupon Vyasa studied the Ramayana carefully, and, after doing so, composed the Mahahharata and the eighteen Puranas.