Agni Purāṇa
152 - Duties of a householder
Pushkara said:
1. A brahminshould live following the code of conduct laid down for him or those of the kshatriya or vaisya or sūdra. But heshould never live by doing such acts exclusively (laid down) for a sūdra.
2. A brahmin may engage himself in agriculture, trade, keeping cows and usury. But heshould abstain from taking milk, jaggery, salt and meat and using red-dye.
3. One gets purified from the sin accruing from ploughing the earth and cutting the plants and killing insects and ants by doing a sacrifice. The cultivator (gets free from the sin) by worshipping the god.
4. A virtuous man (should yoke) eight bullocks, one who lives by any means six bullocks, wicked men four bullocks and those who have transgressed rightful living two bullocks.
5. Oneshould live by picking grains in the field and on alms got without solicitation. (One may live) on alms got by solicitation or got without solicitation a second time. Otherwise (one may live) by truth and false (i.e., trade). But (oneshould never (live) on servitude.
Summary of chapter 152 of the Agni Purāṇa is as follows:
The proper livelihood and daily conduct of the gṛhastha (householder) are described. Agni outlines the five great sacrifices (pañca-mahāyajña)—brahmayajña, pitṛyajña, devayajña, bhūtayajña, and atithiyajña—as the householder's daily obligatory duties. Permitted means of livelihood according to varṇa are enumerated, along with forbidden occupations and prohibited trades. The gṛhastha's ideal daily schedule from predawn ablutions through evening sandhyā is sketched. The chapter declares the gṛhastha-āśrama the foundation of all other āśramas since it alone provides support to brahmacārins, vānaprasthas, and saṃnyāsins.
esc