CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Instructions for
Civilized Human Beings

The summary of the Fifteenth Chapter is as follows. In the previous
chapter, Sri Narada Muni proved the importance of the brahmana in
society. Now, in this chapter, he will show the differences between dif-
ferent grades of brahmanas. Among the brdhmanas, some are house-
holders and are mostly attached to fruitive activities or the betterment of
social conditions. Above them, however, are brahmanas who are very
much attracted by austerities and penances and who retire from family
life. They are known as vanaprasthas. Other brahmanas are very much
interested in studying the Vedas and explaining the purport of the Vedas
to others. Such bréhmanas are called brahmacaris. And still other
braéhmanas are interested in different types of yoga, especially bhakti-
yoga and jndna-yoga. Such bréhmanas are mostly sannydsis, members
of the renounced order of life.

As far as householders are concerned, they engage in different types of
scriptural activities, especially in offering oblations to their forefathers
and giving as charity to other brahmanas the paraphernalia engaged in
such sacrifices. Generally the charity is given to sannydsis, brahmanas in
the renounced order of life. If such a sannyadsi is not available, the
charity is given to brahmana householders engaged in fruitive activities.

One should not make very elaborate arrangements to perform the
Srdddha ceremony of offering oblations to one’s forefathers. The best
process for the srdddha ceremony is to distribute bhagavata-prasdda
(remnants of food that has first been offered to Krsna) to all of one’s
forefathers and relatives. This makes a first-class sradddha ceremony. In
the srdddha ceremony there is no need to offer meat or eat meat. Unnec-
essary killing of animals must be avoided. Those who are in the lower
grades of society prefer to perform sacrifices by killing animals, but one
who is advanced in knowledge must avoid such unnecessary violence.

Brdhmanas should execute their regulative duties in worshiping Lord
Visnu. Those who are advanced in knowledge of religious principles

195
