Chapter 151 - Description of duties laid down for different castes (varṇa)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Fire-god said:

1. Puṣkara narrated to Paraśurāma the duties which the Manus practiced and had enjoyment and emancipation as described by lord Varuṇa to him.

Puṣkara said:

2. I shall describe the laws of conduct relating to the castes [i.e., varṇa], stages of life etc. spoken by the Manus and others, that would give all (benefits) and please (lord) Vāsudeva (name of Viṣṇu in his manifestation as Kṛṣṇa) and others.

3-9. O Excellent one among Bhṛgus! abstaining from killing, truthfulness, compassion, kindness towards all beings, visiting sacred places, munificence, celibacy, not jealous, doing service to god, brahmins, preceptors and others, listening to all laws of conduct, worship of the manes, veneration towards the king, sustained interest in good scriptures, mercy, forbearance and theism are the general good and bad conduct for all castes [i.e., varṇa] and stages of life. The duties of a brahmin should be pointed out as performing religious rites, officiating as priests at the sacrifices, munificence, imparting vedic knowledge, accepting gifts and engaging in the study. The duties of a kṣatriya (warrior class) and the vaiśya (tradesman) are said to be munificence, engaging in the study and perform sacrificial rites as laid down. Protection and suppression of the wicked are special (duties enjoined) on a kṣatriya. Agriculture, protecting the cows and trade are spoken to be (the duties) of a vaiśya. (The duties) of a śūdra (the fourth class of men) (are) to serve the brahmins or (to practise) handicrafts.

10. Since the binding of the girdle of the muñja grass (at the time of investiture of the sacred thread), the brahmins and others (are supposed to) take a second birth. One’s caste is decided from that of the mother in the natural order of castes.

11. Contrary to the natural order the son of a brahmin woman through a śūdra (is known as) Caṇḍāla, from a kṣatriya (as) sūta and from a vaiśya (as) devala.

12. A son born to a kṣatriya woman and a śūdra contrary to the natural order would be (known as) pukkasa. Similarly (a son born to a kṣatriya woman) and a vaiśya would be māgadha and from a śūdra as āyogava.

13. There are thousands of pratilomas (born to higher caste woman and lower caste man) among the vaiśyas from the order contrary to natural one. Therefore a marriage (should be done) only between (members of) the same class and (should not be) with (members of) either the higher or the lower class.

14. The killing of those condemned to death by law and living by means of women are laid down as the duty of a caṇḍāla. (The duty) of a vaidehaka is said to be their protection.

15-18. To be a charioteer (is the duty) of the sūtas, and hunting (is the duty) of the pukkasas. (The duty) of the māgadhas is singing panegyrics. (The duty) of an āyogava is said tobe the profession of an actor and living by handicrafts. It is laid down that a caṇḍāla should live outside the village, wear the clothes of the dead and should not be touched by others. One, who belongs to any one of the other community, discards his life for the sake of a brahmin or a cow or a woman or child in distress, gets accomplished. The mixed castes should be known from the work done by the father or mother.