’Bhrigu said, ’By pouring libations on the sacred fire, sin is burnt.  By study of the Vedas one obtains blessed tranquillity.  By gift, one obtains pleasure and articles of enjoyment.  By Penances, one acquires blessed heaven.  Gift is said to be of two kinds:  gifts for the other world, and those for this.  Whatever is given to the good attends the giver in the other world.  Whatever is given to those that are not good produces consequences enjoyable here.  The consequences of gifts are commensurate with the gifts themselves.’

“Bharadwaja said, ’What course of duties should be performed by whom?  What also are the characteristics of duty?  How many kinds of duty are there?  It behoveth thee to tell me these.’[572]

“Bhrigu said, ’Those wise men who are engaged in practising the duties laid down for them succeed in obtaining heaven as their reward.  By doing otherwise people become guilty of folly.’

“Bharadwaja said, ’It behoveth thee to tell me about the four modes of life that were formerly laid down by Brahman, and the practices ordained for each of them.’

“Bhrigu said, ’In days of yore, the divine Brahman, for benefiting the world, and for the protection of righteousness, indicated four modes of life.[573] Amongst them, residence in the abode of the preceptor is mentioned as the first (in order of time).  He who is in this mode of life should have his soul cleansed by purity of conduct, by Vedic rites, and by restraints and vows and humility.  He should worship the morning and evening twilights, the Sun, his own sacred fire, and the deities.  He should cast off procrastination and idleness.  He should cleanse his soul by saluting his preceptor, by studying the Vedas, and by listening to his preceptor’s instructions.  He should perform his ablutions thrice (viz., in the morning, noon, and evening).  He should lead a life of celibacy; attend to his sacred fire; dutifully serve his preceptor; daily go out on a round of mendicancy (for supporting himself); and give ungrudgingly unto his preceptor the whole of what is obtained in alms.  Willingly accomplishing everything that the commands of his preceptor may indicate, he should be ready to receive such Vedic instruction as his preceptor may give him as a favour.[574] On this subject there is a verse:  That Brahmana who obtains his Veda by attending with reverence upon his preceptor, succeeds in attaining to heaven and obtains the fruition of all his desires.  The domestic mode of life is called the second (in point of time).  We shall explain to you all the pious acts and indications of that mode.  Those who having completed their residence in the preceptor’s abode return home, who are of pious conduct, who desire the fruits of a virtuous course of behaviour with spouses in their company, have this mode of life ordained for them.  In it Virtue, Wealth, and Pleasure, may all be obtained.  It is (thus) suited to the cultivation of the triple aggregate.  Acquiring