After the period of study is over, the Brahmana,
receiving the command of his preceptor, should leave his preceptor's
abode for returning to his father's house. Upon his return he should duly
wed a wife that is fit for him. Another duty of the Brahmana consists in
avoiding the food prepared by the Sudra. Walking along the path of
righteousness, always observing fasts and the practices of Brahmacharya,
are his other duties.[561] The householder should keep up his domestic
fire for daily worship. He should study the Vedas. He should pour
libations in honour of the Pitris and the deities. He should keep his
senses under proper control. He should eat what remains after serving
gods and guests and all his dependants. He should be abstemious in food,
truthful in speech, and pure both externally and internally. Attending to
guests is another duty of the householder, as also the keeping up of the
three sacrificial fires. The householder should also attend to the
ordinary sacrifices that go by the name of Ishti and should also dedicate
animals to the deities according to the ordinances. Indeed, the
performance of sacrifices is his highest duty as also a complete
abstention from injury to all creatures. Never to eat before serving the
deities and guests and dependants is another duty of the householder.
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