direction), thou wilt behold the gardens of Kuvera, guarded by Yakshas and Rakshasas.  Do thou not pluck the flowers (there) personally by thy own force; for the gods deserve regard specially from mortals.  O best of the Bharata race, the gods confer their favour (upon men), (being propitiated) by offerings, and homas, and reverential salutations, and recitation of mantras, and veneration, O Bharata.  Do thou not, therefore, act with rashness, O child; and do thou not deviate from the duties of thy order.  Sticking to the duties of thy order, do thou understand and follow the highest morality.  Without knowing duties and serving the old, even persons like unto Vrihaspati cannot understand profit and religion.  One should ascertain with discrimination those cases in which vice goeth under the name of virtue, and virtue goeth under the name of vice,—­(cases) in which people destitute of intelligence become perplexed.  From religious observances proceedeth merit; and in merit are established the Vedas; and from the Vedas sacrifices come into existence; and by sacrifices are established the gods.  The gods are maintained by the (celebration of) sacrifices prescribed by the Vedas and the religious ordinances; while men maintain themselves by (following) the ordinances of Vrihaspati and Usanas and also by these avocations, by which the world is maintained,—­serving for wages, (receiving) taxes, merchandise, agriculture and tending kine and sheep.  The world subsisteth by profession.  The (study of the) three Vedas and agriculture and trade and government constitutes, it is ordained by the wise, the professions of the twice born ones; and each order maintaineth itself by following the profession prescribed for it.  And when these callings are properly pursued, the world is maintained with ease.  If, however, people do not righteously lead their lives, the world becometh lawless, in consequence of the want of Vedic merit and government.  And if people do not resort to (their) prescribed vocations, they perish, but by regularly following the three professions, they bring about religion.  The religion of the Brahmanas consisteth in the knowledge of the soul and the hue of that order alone is universally the same.  The celebration of sacrifices, and study and bestowal of gifts are well-known to be the three duties common (to all these orders).  Officiating at sacrifices, teaching and the acceptance of gifts are the duties of a Brahmana.  To rule (the subjects) is the duty of the Kshatriya; and to tend (cattle), that of the Vaisya, while to serve the twice-born orders is said to be the duty of the Sudra.  The Sudras cannot beg alms, or perform homas, or observe vows; and they must dwell in the habitation of their masters.  Thy vocation, O son of Kunti, is that of the Kshatriya, which is to protect (the subjects).  Do thou carry out thy own duties, in an humble spirit, restraining thy senses.  That king alone can govern, who taketh counsel of experienced men, and is helped by honest,