SECTION XCI
(Sambhava Parva continued)
"Ashtaka said, 'Those cognisant of the Vedas differ in opinion as to how the followers of each of the four modes of life viz., Grihasthas, Bhikshus, Brahmacharins, and Vanaprashthas, should conduct themselves in order to acquire religious merit,
"Yayati answered, "These are what a Brahmacharin must do. While dwelling in the abode of his preceptor, he must receive lessons only when his preceptor summons bim to do so ; he must attend to the service of his preceptor without waiting for the latter's command; he must rise from his bed before his preceptor riseth, and go to bed after his preceptor hath gone to bed. He must be humble, must have bis passions under complete control, must be patient, vigilant, and devoted to studies. It is then only that he can achieve success. It hath been said in the oldest Upanishada that a grihastha, acquiring wealth by honest means, should perform sacrifices : he should always give something in charity, should perform the rites of hospitality unto all arriving at his abode, and should never use any thing without giving a portion thereof to others. A Muni, without search for woods, depending on his own vigour; should abstain from all vicious acts; should give away something in charity, should never indlict pajn on any creature. It is then only that he can achieve success. He, indeed, is a true Bhikshu who doth not support himself by any manual arts, who possesseth numerous accomhlishments, who hath his passions under complete control, who is unconnected with worldly concerns, who sleepeth not under the shelter of a house-holder's roof, who is without wife, and who going a little way every day, travelleth over a large extent of the country. A learned man should adopt the Vanaprastha mode of life after performance of the necessary rites, when he bath been able to control his appetites for enjoyment and desire of acquiring valuable possessions. When one dieth in the woods while leading the Vanaprastha mode of life, he maketh bis ancestors and the successors, numbering ten generations including him. self, mix with the Divine essence,
"Ashtaka asked, "How many kinds of Munis are there, and how many kinds of Munis (observers of the vow of silence ) ?'
A'Yayati answered, 'He is, indeed, a Muni who, though dwelling in the woods, bath an inhabited place near, or who, thougb dwelling in an inhabited place, hath the woods near."
"Ashtaka enquired what is meant. Yayati replied,-'A Muni
