“Suka said, ’The declarations of the Vedas (already referred to in respect of acts) are, in the opinion of the vulgar, contradictory.  Whether this is authoritative or that is so, when there is this conflict, how can they be said to be scriptural?[993] I desire to hear this:  how can both be regarded as authoritative?  How, indeed, can Emancipation be obtained without violating the ordinance about the obligatory character of acts?’

“Bhishma continued, ’Thus addressed, the son of Gandhavati, viz., the Rishi, applauding these words of his son possessed of immeasurable energy, replied unto him, saying the following.’

“Vyasa said, ’One that is a Brahmacharin, one that leads a life of domesticity, one that is a forest recluse, and one that leads a life of (religious) mendicancy, all reach the same high end by duly observing the duties of their respective modes of life.  Or, if one and the same person, freed from desire and aversion, practises (one after another) all these four modes of life according to the ordinances that have been laid down, he is certainly fitted (by such conduct) to understand Brahma.  The four modes of life constitute a ladder or flight of steps.  That flight is attached to Brahma.  By ascending that Right one—­succeeds in reaching the region of Brahma.  For the fourth part of his life, the Brahmacharin, conversant—­with the distinctions of duty and freed from malice, should live with his preceptor or his preceptor’s son.  While residing in the preceptor’s house, he should go to bed after the preceptor has gone to his, and rise therefrom before the preceptor rises from his.[994] All such acts again as should be done by the disciple, as also those which should be done by a menial servant, should be accomplished by him.  Finishing these he should humbly take his stand by the side of the preceptor.  Skilled in every kind of work, he should conduct himself like a menial servant, doing every act for his preceptor.  Having accomplished all acts (without leaving any portion undone), he should study, sitting at the feet of his preceptor, with eager desire to learn.  He should always behave with simplicity, avoid evil, speech, and take lessons only when his preceptor invites him for it.[995] Become pure in body and mind, and acquiring cleverness and other virtues, he should now and then speak what is agreeable.  Subduing his senses, he should look at his preceptor without eyes of longing curiosity.[996] He should never eat before his preceptor has eaten; never drink before his preceptor has drunk; never sit down before his preceptor has sat down; and never go to bed before his preceptor has gone to bed.  He should gently touch his preceptor’s feet with upturned palms, the right foot with the right and the left with the left.  Reverentially saluting the preceptor, he should say unto him, ’O illustrious one, teach me.  I shall accomplish this (work), O illustrious one!  This (other work) I have already accomplished.  O regenerate one, I am ready to