Yudhishthira Defends the Householder's Duty

Yudhishthira heard Shounaka's teaching on detachment. Then he answered. "O brahmana! I do not desire riches because I wish to enjoy them after acquisition. I do not desire them out of avarice. I desire them so that I can support the brahmanas." How could someone like him, who was in the householder stage, fail to support and sustain those who followed him? It was taught that one must divide among all beings. One who is a householder should give to those who do not cook themselves. "The houses of good men should never lack four things — grass, ground, water, and welcoming words. Those who are sick must be given a bed. Those who are tired of standing must be given a seat. Those who are thirsty must be given a drink and those who are hungry must be given food. One's eyesight must be given. One's heart must be given. One's pleasant words must be given. One must stand up to greet the guest and offer him proper homage." Agnihotra (the sacred fire ritual), bulls, kin, guests, relatives, sons, wives, and servants — burn down those who do not offer homage. No one should cook food only for one's own self. Nor should animals be killed in vain. No one should eat food oneself without having offered it in the proper fashion. "In the morning and in the evening, let food be spread out on the ground for dogs, svapachas (outcastes), birds, and the Vishvadevas (the all-gods). Eating the food that is left is like partaking of ambrosia. What is left at the end of a sacrifice is also like ambrosia. It is said that one who leads the life of a householder while following these practices follows the supreme dharma." He turned to Shounaka. "O brahmana! What do you think?"