O king, in the golden age, only the Brahmanas used to engage in asceticism. At that age save the Brāhmaṇas no other caste used to lead the life of an anchoret.
पुरा कृतयुगे राजन्ब्राह्मणा वै तपस्विनः।।।। अब्राह्मणस्तदा राजन्न तपस्वी कथंचन।