Yudhishthira Defines the Brahmana by Conduct

The serpent asked: "Who is a brahmana and what should he know?" Yudhishthira answered without hesitation. "A brahmana is one in whom truthfulness, charity, forgiveness, good conduct, lack of cruelty, self-control and compassion can be seen. He obtains knowledge of the supreme brahman — that which is beyond happiness and unhappiness, on attaining which there is no sorrow." The serpent pressed him. "Truthfulness and knowledge of the brahman can be found in all four varnas. Truthfulness, charity, lack of anger, lack of cruelty, non-violence and compassion can also be found among shudras. And you have said that the object of knowledge is beyond happiness and unhappiness. But there is nothing that is free from either. I do not think such a thing exists." Yudhishthira did not retreat. "If these traits, not even found in a brahmana, are seen in a shudra, he is not a shudra. A brahmana in whom a brahmana's traits are not found, is a shudra. One in whom these traits are found is a brahmana. One in whom they are not found is marked as a shudra." Then he addressed the serpent's second objection — the claim that nothing exists beyond happiness and unhappiness. "There is a state between cold and heat that is neither cold nor heat. Like that, there is something in between that is neither happiness, nor unhappiness. That is my view." The serpent acknowledged the logic. "If you assert that a brahmana is known by his conduct, birth has no meaning, as long as those characteristics can be seen." Yudhishthira went further. He spoke of the difficulty of determining birth in a world where all varnas mixed, where men fathered children on women from every class. He cited the authority of the ancient rishis, who had said "We sacrifice" — basing everything on conduct, not lineage. He quoted Svayambhuva Manu himself: "The observance of rituals determines varna. If conduct cannot be seen, mixed races overwhelmingly dominate." "I have earlier defined as a brahmana one in whom the principles of good conduct are seen," Yudhishthira concluded. The serpent was silent for a moment. Then it spoke. "O Yudhishthira! I have listened to your words. You know what should be known. How can I now devour your brother Vrikodara?"