12.182
Bharadvāja said.
O best of speakers among sages, tell me by what one becomes a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, or śūdra, O best of twice-born.
Bhṛgu said.
He who, having undergone birth and other purificatory rites, is pure, accomplished in Vedic study, and established in the six prescribed duties.
He who abides in purity and good conduct, eats only what is left over, is dear to his teacher, always observes vows, and is devoted to truth—he alone is called a Brāhmaṇa.
Where truth, charity, self-restraint, absence of malice, compassion, forbearance, compassion, and austerity are seen, he is regarded as a Brāhmaṇa.
He who performs duties arising from the warrior class, as sanctioned by Vedic study, and who finds joy both in giving and withholding, he indeed is called a kṣatriya (warrior).
He who is pure, constantly engaged in agriculture, cow protection, and trade, and is endowed with Vedic study, is called a 'Vaiśya'.
He who eats anything, always performs all kinds of work, is impure, has abandoned the Vedas, and is without proper conduct—such a person is indeed regarded as a Śūdra.
In a Śūdra, this characteristic may be found, but not in a twice-born. Indeed, one born as a Śūdra may not truly be a Śūdra, and one born as a Brāhmaṇa may not truly be a Brāhmaṇa.
Restraint of greed and anger by all possible means is to be regarded as pure; likewise, self-control is also to be known as such.
One should always protect austerity from anger, prosperity from envy, knowledge from both pride and disrespect, and oneself from carelessness.
He whose every undertaking is performed without expectation and is free from attachment, and who offers everything in renunciation—he is truly a renouncer and a wise person.
One should act without causing harm to any being, always maintaining friendliness. Where there is no trust, one should not proceed; where there is trust, one should keep the mind steady.
Abandoning possessions, with intellect and self-control, one should live free from sorrow and fear, both here and hereafter.
The unconquered should be considered by one who is always engaged in austerity, self-restrained, a sage, and self-controlled, and by one who desires to conquer, in the midst of attachments, as one who is unattached.
Whatever can be grasped by the senses is considered manifest; that which is called unmanifest is to be understood as that which is perceived by subtle mark and is beyond the senses.
One should restrain the mind in the vital breath and fix the vital breath in Brahman. From liberation alone comes liberation, and one should not think of anything else. Indeed, the knower of Brahman attains happiness, that is, Brahman, by this means.
Being always endowed with purity, good conduct, and compassion towards all beings—this is the characteristic of the twice-born.
