life of study, austerity and work (combined).  Knowing, O Sanjaya, that this is the rule followed by the best of Brahmanas, and Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas, and thou being one of the wisest men,—­why art thou making this endeavour on behalf of those sons of Kurus?  Thou must know that Yudhishthira is constantly engaged in the study of the Vedas.  He is inclined to the horse-sacrifice and the Rajasuya.  Again, he rides horses and elephants, is arrayed in armour, mounts a car, and takes up the bow and all kinds of weapons.  Now, if the sons of Pritha can see a course of action not involving the slaughter of the sons of Kuru, they would adopt it.  Their virtue would then be saved, and an act of religious merit also would be achieved by them, even if they would have then to force Bhima to follow a conduct marked by humanity.  On the other hand, if in doing what their forefathers did, they should meet with death under inevitable destiny, then in trying their utmost to discharge their duty, such death would even be worthy of praise.  Supposing thou approvest of peace alone I should like to hear what thou mayst have to say to this question,—­which way doth the injunction of religious law lie, viz., whether it is proper for the king to fight or not?—­Thou must, O Sanjaya, take into thy consideration the division of the four castes, and the scheme of respective duties allotted to each.  Thou must hear that course of action the Pandavas are going to adopt.  Then mayst thou praise or censure, just as it may please thee.  A Brahmana should study, offer sacrifices, make charities, and sojourn to the best of all holy places on the earth; he should teach, minister as a priest in sacrifices offered by others worthy of such help, and accept gifts from persons who are known.  Similarly, a Kshatriya should protect the people in accordance with the injunctions of the law, diligently practise the virtue of charity, offer sacrifices, study the whole Veda, take a wife, and lead a virtuous householder’s life.  If he be possessed of a virtuous soul, and if he practise the holy virtues, he may easily attain the religion of the Supreme Being.  A Vaisya should study and diligently earn and accumulate wealth by means of commerce, agriculture, and the tending of cattle.  He should so act as to please the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas, be virtuous, do good works, and be a householder.  The following are the duties declared for a Sudra from the olden times.  He should serve the Brahmanas and submit to them; should not study; sacrifices are forbidden to him; he should be diligent and be constantly enterprising in doing all that is for his good.  The king protects all these with (proper) care, and sets all the castes to perform their respective duties.  He should not be given to sensual enjoyments.  He should be impartial, and treat all his subjects on an equal footing.  The King should never obey the dictates of such desires as are opposed to righteousness.  If there be any body who is more praise-worthy than