25 - The Means of Livelihood of a Brahmana Householder

1. This chapter describes the means of livelihood of both types of Brahmaṇas-Sádhakas and Asadhakas which correspond to the classification into Shalina and Yayavara given in Baudhayana Dh, S. III, 1, 1. 3-5, 

The verses in this chapter are quoted in SMC. Pp. 454-56, and Parashara Madhava-Achara Kanda, p. 309. 

 Vyasa said:

1. Thus the entire great Dharma of a Brahmana house-holder has been described to you. (Now listen and) understand the means of livelihood (of a Brahmana householder). 

2. The householder is of two types. One is to be known as Sadhaka (one who works and achieves) and the other as Asadhaka (non-worker). They say that the means of livelihood of the former is teaching, presiding over Yajna or acceptance of monetary gifts. He can practise usury and look after agriculture or trading activities himself or through agents. 

3. If agriculture is not possible, trading activity be undertaken. In its absence usury may be pursued. This is the arrangement in time of emergency. What has been mentioned before (viz. teaching, priesthood and acceptance of dana) is desired to be the main occupation. 

4. He should himself pursue cultivation, business, activities or usury. Usury (of course) is a sinful activity involving pain and strain. One should (if possible) avoid it. 

5. Some say that martial activity as the greatest (occupation) and cultivation of the field by the Brahmanas themselves should be avoided. A Brahmana can pursue martial activity even when there is no emergency (?) 

6. If the Brahmana does not maintain himself by that (i.e., martial activity), he should pursue the means of livelihood of a Vaishya. But a Brahmana should by no means plough or till himself. 

7. Acquiring profit in these activities, he should worship and propitiate the Pitrus, Devas and the Brahmanas. There is no doubt in this that if they are satisfied they will quell his defects. 

8. A Brahmana who pursues agricultural occupation should offer one-twentieth of the produce to Devas and the Pitrus and one thirtieth to the Brahmanas. He shall then incur no sin. 

9. If he is engaged in trading activities, he should offer twice the previous offerings and one who practises usury should offer three times of what an agriculturist offers. He shall then be not involved in sin. There is no doubt about this. 

10. A Sadhaka householder may also live on gleanings of corns or by irregular occupations. There are many other means of livelihood like learning, craftsmanship, etc. 

11. Two means of livelihood have been prescribed by the great sages in regard to that type of householder who is mentioned as Asadhaka. They are gleaning of corns and irregular occupations. 

12. Or he should maintain himself by Amruta or Mruta. What he gets without begging is called Amruta and the alms received by begging is Mruta. 

13-14. There are four types of Asadhaka Brahmaṇas¹ who gather grain thus:

1. Kusuladhanyaka (i.e., one who has hoarded grain enough for three years (Medhatithi) in his granary.

2. Kumbhidhanyaka (i.e., one who has hoarded grain sufficient for six days for one year (according to the Medhatithi).

3. Truyahnika (i.e., one who has food-grains for three days, 

and

4. Ashvastanika (i.e., one who has the grain sufficient for the 

day but not for the morrow). 

The later ones are better than the earlier ones among these Brahmana householders. By means of piety he conquers the worlds (i.e., the last one). 

1. The same as Manu IV. 7. The explanation of the terms herein are based on Medhătithi’s com. of Manu. 

15. The first one shall be Shațkarman (i.e., one who performs all the six duties viz. study of Vedas, teachings of the Vedas, performance of the Yajnas, presiding over the Yajnas of others, gifts and acceptance of gifts). The second one shall perform three of them, the third, two of them and the fourth, one. He should maintain himself by Brahmasatra (study of the Vedas). 

16. He who maintains himself by gleaning corn (and such other irregular professions) and is devoted to Agnihotra should perform ordinary sacrifices ending with these on the New Moon and Full Moon day. 

17. A Brahmana should not pursue ordinary worldly professions. He should not pursue agriculture for livelihood. He should maintain himself with non-cooked, non-roguish (straight-forward, honest) pure Brahmana-like profession. 

18. After begging of moneyed good persons for alms, he should propitiate the Pitrus and Devas. Or he should beg of pure person with self-control. He should be himself satisfied thereby. 

19. He who after earning sufficient wealth does not duly propitiate Devas and the Pitrus, is reborn as a lower animal such as a dog etc. 

20-21. The four things-virtue, wealth, love and salvation are beneficial. In the case of Brahmana, the love shall not be against Dharma and not the other. That wealth which is for the propagation of Dharma is real wealth and not one which is used for the self. Hence after attaining wealth a Brahmana should offer, it to others and perform sacrifices to gods.