The course of conduct that was fist laid down by Brahman himself was duly followed by the wise and pious persons of yore viz., the great Rishis of ancient times.
व्यास उवाच यथा वै विहिता वृत्तिः पुर ताद् ब्रह्मणा स्वयम्। एषा पूर्वतरैः सद्भिराचीर्णा परमर्षिभिः॥