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According to the Bhagavata Purana, the one whose samkaras (16 purifying rites) accompanied by mantras have been performed without any break, in succession, and to whom Brahma has designated as such, he is called as a dvija (twice-born).<ref name=":03">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n95 P.no.964-965].</ref><blockquote>संस्कारा यदविच्छिन्नाः स द्विजोऽजो जगाद यम् । saṁskārā yadavicchinnāḥ sa dvijo'jo jagāda yam । (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.13)<ref name=":13">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 11].</ref></blockquote>

According to the Bhagavata Purana, the one whose samkaras (16 purifying rites) accompanied by mantras have been performed without any break, in succession, and to whom Brahma has designated as such, he is called as a dvija (twice-born).<ref name=":03">Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150116/page/n95 P.no.964-965].</ref><blockquote>संस्कारा यदविच्छिन्नाः स द्विजोऽजो जगाद यम् । saṁskārā yadavicchinnāḥ sa dvijo'jo jagāda yam । (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.13)<ref name=":13">Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AD/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 11].</ref></blockquote>

===ब्राह्मणः ॥ Brahmana===

===ब्राह्मणः ॥ Brahmana===

According to the '''Bhagavata Purana''', scriptural study and others (such as teaching, performance of yajnas, dana and acceptance of gifts) six (in all) are prescribed for the Brahmanas. Non-acceptance of gifts is laid down for the other (Kshatriyas).<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>विप्रस्याध्ययनादीनि षडन्यस्याप्रतिग्रहः । viprasyādhyayanādīni ṣaḍanyasyāpratigrahaḥ । (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.14).<ref name=":13" /></blockquote>One who has the following activities as '''one's occupation''' are Brahmanas according to Mahabharata's Anushasana parva<blockquote>वृत्त्यर्थं ब्राह्मणानां वै शृणु धर्मान्सनातनान्॥ 13-141-66 (Maha. Anush. 13.141.66)

According to the '''Bhagavata Purana''', scriptural study and others (such as teaching, performance of yajnas, dana and acceptance of gifts) six (in all) are prescribed for the Brahmanas. Non-acceptance of gifts is laid down for the other (Kshatriyas).<ref name=":1" /> <blockquote>विप्रस्याध्ययनादीनि षडन्यस्याप्रतिग्रहः । viprasyādhyayanādīni ṣaḍanyasyāpratigrahaḥ । (Bhag. Pura. 7.11.14).<ref name=":13" /></blockquote>One who has the following activities as '''one's occupation''' are Brahmanas according to Mahabharata's Anushasana parva<blockquote>यजनं याजनं चैव दानं पात्रे प्रतिग्रहः। अध्यापनमध्ययनं षट्कर्मा धर्मभागृजुः।।13.211.9<ref name=":9">Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-13-%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-211 Adhyaya 211]</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Performing Yajna for oneself or others, giving or accepting dana, Studying or teaching the Vedas - A brahmana resorting to these 6 activities partakes in dharma.

यजनं याजनं चैव तथा दानप्रतिग्रहौ। अध्यापनं चाध्ययनं षट्कर्मा धर्मभाग्द्विजः॥ 13-141-67 (Maha. Anush. 13.141.67)</blockquote>The Mahabharata clearly emphasizes the six primary occupational dharmas (वृत्त्यर्थं ब्राह्मणानां..) of a Brahmana as given in Manusmrti.

Even among these being always engrossed in svadhyaya is a brahmana's main dharma, doing yajna is his sanatana dharma and giving dana appropriately according to one's ability is his praiseworthy dharma.<ref name=":8" />

 

नित्यः स्वाध्यायतो धर्मः नित्ययज्ञः सनातनः। दानं प्रशंसते नित्यं ब्राह्मणेषु त्रिकर्मसु।।13.211.10<ref name=":9" />

 

The Mahabharata clearly emphasizes the six primary occupational dharmas (वृत्त्यर्थं ब्राह्मणानां..) of a Brahmana as given in Manusmrti.

स्वाध्यायो यजनं दानं तस्य धर्म इति स्थितिः।

स्वाध्यायो यजनं दानं तस्य धर्म इति स्थितिः।

According to the Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva (Uma Shankara Samvada), one who has the knowledge of the three vedas ie. Rg, Yajur and Sama and is a scholar, one who doesn't make a living out of learning and teaching, one who always upholds dana, dharma and yajna, who has given up desire, anger and greed and has a friendly attitude towards all the living beings, such a person is indeed considered a brahmana.<ref name=":8" />

According to the Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva (Uma Shankara Samvada), one who has the knowledge of the three vedas ie. Rg, Yajur and Sama and is a scholar, one who doesn't make a living out of learning and teaching, one who always upholds dana, dharma and yajna, who has given up desire, anger and greed and has a friendly attitude towards all the living beings, such a person is indeed considered a brahmana.<ref name=":8" />

त्रैविद्यो ब्राह्मणो वृद्धो न चाध्ययनजीवकः। त्रिवर्गस्य व्यतिक्रान्तं तस्य धर्मः सनातनः।।13.211.7<ref name=":3" />  

त्रैविद्यो ब्राह्मणो वृद्धो न चाध्ययनजीवकः। त्रिवर्गस्य व्यतिक्रान्तं तस्य धर्मः सनातनः।।13.211.7<ref name=":9" />  

===Modes of Subsistence===

===Modes of Subsistence===

The Manusmrti elaborates on the modes of subsistence prescribed for a brahmana stepping into the second phase of life - the Grhasthashrama as follows: <blockquote>अध्यापनम् अध्ययनं यजनं याजनं तथा । दानं प्रतिग्रहं चैव ब्राह्मणानाम् अकल्पयत् ॥ १.८८ ॥<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1]</ref>

The Manusmrti elaborates on the modes of subsistence prescribed for a brahmana stepping into the second phase of life - the Grhasthashrama as follows: <blockquote>अध्यापनम् अध्ययनं यजनं याजनं तथा । दानं प्रतिग्रहं चैव ब्राह्मणानाम् अकल्पयत् ॥ १.८८ ॥<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1]</ref>