Aurva, the venerable sage, addressed King Sagara with gentle gravity, describing the qualities that bring delight to Lord Keśava. “O King,” he said, “the one who finds no joy in another’s wife or wealth, nor in causing harm to any being, is dear to Keśava. He who refrains from striking, killing, or injuring living creatures, who holds nonviolence at heart, pleases the Lord. “Moreover, the one who is ever eager to serve the gods, the twice-born, and the teachers—such a person wins the favor of Govinda. As one wishes well for oneself and one’s child, so should one wish good for all beings; Hari is always pleased with such a heart. “Purity of mind is essential, O King. He whose thoughts are untainted by passion or other faults, whose heart is clean, is ever pleasing to Vishnu. Likewise, the one who follows the duties prescribed in the scriptures for the castes and stages of life, with a pure mind, is beloved of Vishnu.” Upon hearing this, Sagara, eager for wisdom, requested, “O excellent sage, please explain in detail the duties of the castes and the different stages of life, so that I may know them fully.” Aurva replied, “Listen attentively, O King, as I declare the duties for Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, each according to their prescribed role. “A Brahmin should give generously, worship the gods through sacrifice, devote himself to study, provide water, and ritually accept the sacred fire. For livelihood, he may officiate in sacrifices, teach others, and accept gifts for pure purposes, always adhering to righteousness. He should act for the welfare of all beings, never harm anyone, and cultivate friendship with all creatures, for such friendship is his highest wealth. To a Brahmin, stones, gems, and the possessions of others should be regarded with equal detachment; he should approach his wife only at the proper season. “A Kshatriya, too, may make offerings to Brahmins, perform sacrifices, and study. His chief means of livelihood are by the sword and the protection of the earth, but above all, it is the guardianship of the land that is praised. By protecting the earth, a king fulfills his duty and gains the merit of sacrifices and other rites. By punishing the wicked and protecting the virtuous, he attains the desired worlds and maintains order among the castes. “For the Vaishya, animal husbandry, trade, and agriculture are the means of livelihood established by Brahma, the grandfather of the world. He, too, should study, sacrifice, give, and practice righteousness, performing his daily and occasional duties. Through his work, he supports the twice-born, whether by wealth from trade or earnings from crafts. “The Shudra’s virtues are humility, cleanliness, service, loyalty to his master, sacrifice without mantras, abstaining from theft, keeping company with the virtuous, and protecting Brahmins. He may also give gifts, worship with domestic sacrifices, and perform ancestral rites. For the support of servants and others, all may accept possessions, and, like the others, approach their own wives only in the proper season. “Compassion toward all beings, forbearance, humility, truthfulness, purity, freedom from anxiety, auspiciousness, and kind speech—these are virtues for all. Friendliness, non-covetousness, generosity, and absence of envy are praised among all classes, O King. These virtues are common to all stages of life as well. Now, listen as I explain the specific duties for each order. “The duty of a Kshatriya is prescribed for the twice-born; the duty of a Vaishya in adversity. But the Shudra’s duty is not for the other two. If capable, the twice-born may abandon these duties even in distress; only in adversity should they take them up, but the duties of the classes must not be mixed. “Thus, O King, I have described the duties of the castes. Now, hear the duties of the stages of life.” Aurva continued, “A boy who has undergone initiation, devoted to reciting the Veda, should reside with his teacher as a student, intent on learning. There, he must practice purity, good conduct, and vows, serving his teacher faithfully. At dawn and dusk, he should worship the sun and fire with concentration, and then offer respect to his teacher. “When the teacher stands, the student should stand; when the teacher goes, he should follow; when the teacher is seated, the student should sit below him. The student should never act contrary to his teacher’s wishes. He should recite the Veda only as instructed, with full attention, and only in the teacher’s presence. He should eat alms-food only with the teacher’s permission. “After the teacher has bathed, the student should bathe, and he should bring water, firewood, and other necessities at the proper times. When he has mastered the Veda and received his teacher’s permission, he should enter the householder’s life, having fulfilled his obligations to his teacher. “Having obtained a wife according to the prescribed rite, and wealth through his own efforts, he should perform all the duties of a householder to the best of his ability. He should honor his ancestors with offerings, the gods and guests with sacrifices, the sages with food, the Veda with study, and the Creator with offspring. He should offer oblations to all beings and cherish the world with affection, for a man attains the worlds earned by his own actions. “Those who live on alms—wandering ascetics or students—are also supported by householders; therefore, householdership is considered supreme. For the sake of reciting the Veda and bathing at sacred fords, O King, Brahmins wander the earth, and also to see the world.” Thus, Aurva compassionately revealed to Sagara the path of righteous living, the duties of each caste and stage of life, and the virtues that please the Lord.