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Harivaṃśa
209. Kurukshetra and the duty of the Brahmanas
VAISHAMPAYANA said:—Although they listened to the instructions of their preceptor in the shape of a mountain those Brāhmana house-holders, devoted to asceticism, could not give up bodily attachment.
So the worship of fire with oblations daily increased and the worship of Vishnu and preceptors was also introduced. Thus O king, for the purification of the souls of the Brāhmanas Karma Kānda was introduced in this world by those Brahmavādins (1-2).
Near the mount Vindhya on this earth there is a sacred province by the name of Kurukshetra which is even, shorn of thorns and full of woods and twigs by which fire may be lighted.
Performing God's work with pure heart the great Brāhmana householders lived there and practised ascetic penances. Even the Yatis with great eagerness live there for acquiring piety.
The Brāhmanas, who have followed the Vānaprastha mode of life, who perform Agnihotra ceremony, who have controlled their anger and passions, who wear bark and deer-skin and who live on unsolicited food, also wish to live there.
O king, gradually obtaining it by the will of the Providence, the Brāhmanas, with great care observe this mode of life. He, who knows this sacred initiation which was practised by the Brahmavadi Munis of old, attains to eternal virtue.
Without thoroughly mastering the Vedas one should not lead the life of a householder, should not observe the most difficult Brahmachārya, should not live the life of a hermit, and should not give up the duties of a householder.
Save by mastering the Vedas miseries will never end. To the reciters of the Saman and Yajur Vedas the Riks are their acquirement.
The ascetic Brāhmanas, who wish to live like householders, can receive instructions of the Vedānta from their preceptors and reap the fruits thereof.
A pious king should compell him who does not hear the Vedas or celebrate the Vedic rites to act like a Sudra. On the other hand there is none amongst the Brāhmanas who does not respect the Vedas.
A student or a householder, every Brāhmana controls his mind when he listens to the enunciation of his duties, reads the Vedas and receives the instructions.
Therefore no king should disregard a Brahmana. Therefore a Brahmana, who acquires the knowledge of Sāstras, who gains the transcendental knowledge, should thus read the Vedas and control his senses (3-15).
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