“Bhishma said, ’I like those regenerate persons whose highest wealth is Brahman, whose heaven consists in the knowledge of the soul, and whose penances are constituted by their diligent study of the Vedas.  My heart yearns after those in whose race persons, young and old diligently bear the ancestral burthens without languishing under them.  Brahmanas well-trained in several branches of knowledge, self-controlled, mild-speeched, conversant with the scriptures, well-behaved, possessed of the knowledge of Brahman and righteous in conduct, discourse in respectable assemblies like flights of swans.[11] Auspicious, agreeable, excellent, and well-pronounced are the words, O Yudhishthira, which they utter with a voice as deep as that of the clouds.  Fraught with happiness both temporal and spiritual, such words are uttered by them in the courts of monarchs, themselves being received with honour and attention and served with reverence by those rulers of men.  Indeed, my heart yearns after them who listen to the words uttered in assemblies or the courts of kings by persons endued with knowledge and all desirable attributes, and are respected by others.  My heart, O monarch, always yearns after them who, for the gratification of Brahmanas, O Yudhishthira, give unto them, with devotion, food that is well-cooked and clean and wholesome.  It is easy to fight in battle, but not so to make a gift without pride or vanity.  In this world, O Yudhishthira, there are brave men and heroes by hundreds.  While counting them, he that is a hero in gifts should be regarded as superior, O amiable one, if I had been even a vulgar Brahmana, I would have regarded myself as very great, not to speak of one born in a good Brahmana family endued with righteousness of conduct, and devoted to penances and learning.  There is no one, O son of Pandu, in this world that is dearer to me than thou, O chief of Bharata’s race but dearer to me than thou are the Brahmanas.  And since, O best of the Kurus, the Brahmanas are very much dearer to me than thou, it is by that truth that I hope to go to all those regions of felicity which have been acquired by my sire Santanu.  Neither my sire, nor my sire’s sire, nor any one else connected with me by blood, is dearer to me than the Brahmanas.  I do not expect any fruit, small or great, from my worship of the Brahmanas (for I worship them as deities because they are deserving of such worship).[12] In consequence of what I have done to the Brahmanas in thought, word, and deed, I do not feel any pain now (even though I am lying on a bed of arrows).  People used to call me as one devoted to the Brahmanas.  This style of address always pleased me highly.  To do good to the Brahmanas is the most sacred of all sacred acts.  I behold many regions of beautitude waiting for me that have reverentially walked behind the Brahmanas.  Very soon shall I repair to those regions for everlasting time, O son.  In this world, O Yudhishthira, the duties of women have reference