Maheshvara said Listening to the mysteries of religion and duty, observance of the vows laid down in the Vedas, attention to the sacred fire, and accomplishment of the business of the preceptor, leading a mendicant life, always bearing the sacred thread, constant recitation of the Vedas, and rigid observance of the duties of a celebrate life, constitute the duties of the Brahmana.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच रहस्यश्रवणं धर्मो वेदव्रतनिषेवणम्। अग्निकार्य तथा धर्मो गुरुकार्यप्रसाधनम्॥ भैक्षचर्या परो धर्मो नित्ययज्ञोपवीतिता। नित्यं स्वाध्यायिता धर्मो ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमस्तथा॥