He, however, that is born a Brahmana goes down from his status through his own evil deeds. Hence, the Brahmana, after having acquired the status of the first order, should always protect it.
कर्मणा दुष्कृतेनेह स्थानाद् भ्रश्यति वै द्विजः। ज्येष्ठं वर्णमनुप्राप्य तस्माद् रक्षेद् वै द्विजः॥