to be the foremost of all.  That course of conduct which has been prescribed for Brahmanas who follow the three Vedas, and those modes of life that have been laid down for Brahmanas, should, before everything else, be observed by every Brahmana.  If a Brahmana acts otherwise, he should be punished like a Sudra.  The duties of the four modes of life and the ritual prescribed in the Vedas, O king, should ever be followed by a Brahmana.  Know that he has no other duties.  For a Brahmana acting otherwise, a Kshatriya should not make any arrangement for sustenance.  His religious merit grows in consequence of his acts.  A Brahmana, indeed, is like Dharma’s self.  That Brahmana who is employed in acts that are not laid down for him, deserves no respect.  If not engaged in his proper acts, he should not be trusted.  These are the duties that appertain to the several orders.  Kshatriyas should take care of them so that their observance may be improved.  Even these are the duties of Kshatriyas.  For these reasons also, kingly duties and no other, are the foremost of all.  They are, as I believe, the duties of heroes, and they that are heroes are foremost in practising them.’

“Mandhatri said, ’What duties should be performed by the Yavanas, the Kiratas, the Gandharvas, the Chinas, the Savaras, the Barbaras, the Sakas, the Tusharas, the Kankas, the Pathavas, the Andhras, the Madrakas, the Paundras, the Pulindas, the Ramathas, the Kamvojas, the several castes that have sprung Lip from Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, the Vaisyas, and the Sudras, that reside in the dominions of (Arya) kings?  What are those duties again to the observance of which kings like ourselves should force those tribes that subsist by robbery?  I desire to hear all this.  O illustrious god, instruct me.  O chief of all the deities, thou art the friend of us Kshatriyas.’

“Indra said, ’All the robber tribes should serve their mothers and fathers, their preceptors and other seniors, and recluses living in the woods.  All the robber tribes should also serve their kings.  The duties and rites inculcated in the Vedas should also be followed by them.  They should perform sacrifices in honour of the Pitris, dig wells, (and dedicate them to universal service), give water to thirsty travellers, give away beds and make other seasonable presents unto Brahmanas.  Abstention from injury, truth, suppression of wrath, supporting Brahmanas and kinsmen by giving them their dues, maintenance of wives and children, purity, peacefulness, making presents to Brahmanas at sacrifices of every kind, are duties that should be practised by every person of this class who desire his own prosperity.  Such a person should also perform all kinds of Paka-yajnas with costly presents of food and wealth.  These and similar duties, O sinless one, were laid down in olden days for persons of this class.  All these acts which have been laid down for all others should be done by persons of also the robber class, O king.’