Yudhishthira said O grandfather, amongst Brahmanas some follow the duties proper to their order while others follow other duties. Tell me the difference between tow lasses.

Those Brahmanas, o king, who are learned and beneficent, and who look upon all creatures impartially, are said to be equal to। Brahma.

Those who are conversant with the Rishis, the Yajus, and the Samans and who follow the practices of their order, are, O king, equal to the very gods.

Those, however, who are not well-born and do not follow the duties of their order, and are, addicted to evil practices, are like Shudras.

A virtuous king should realise tribute from and compel to enter the public service without any remuneration those Brahmanas who are not well read in the Vedas and who have not their own fires to worship.

Those, who are employed in law courts for summoning people, those who perform worship for other for money, those who perform the sacrifices of Vaishyas and Shudras, those who officiate in sacrifices on behalf of a whole village, and those who make voyages on the ocean,—these five are regarded as Chandalas among Brahmanas.

Those who become Ritwijas, Purohitas, counsellors, envoys and messengers become, O king, equal to Kshatriyas.

Those, who ride horses or elephants or cars or become foot-soldiers, become, O king, equal to Vaishyas.

If the king's treasury is not well replenished, he may take tribute from these. In realising tribute, the king, however, should except those Brahmanas who are equal to the gods or Brahma.

The Vedas say that the king is the master of the wealth of all the orders except Brahmanas. He can take the wealth of those Brahmanas who have neglected to perform their legitimate duties.

The king should never treat in-differently those Brahmanas who do not observe their duties. For the sake of making his people virtuous, he should punish and take them away from their betters.

That king, O monarch, in whose territories a Brahmana becomes a thief, is charged by the learned as the doer of that misdeed.

Persons conversant with the Vedas declare that if a Brahmana versed in the Vedas and observant of vows becomes, through want of means, a thief, it is the duty of the king to support him.

If, after provision has been made for his maintenance, he does not abstain from thefts, he should then, O scorcher of foes, be exiled from the kingdom with all his relatives.