ijyÄdhyayana-dÄnÄni
sarveá¹£Äá¹ ca dvi-janmanÄm
pratigraho 'dhyÄpanaá¹ ca
brÄhmaṇasyaiva yÄjanam
ijyÄ - sacrifice; adhyayana - Vedic study; dÄnÄni - charity; sarveá¹£Äm - of all; ca - also; dvi-janmanÄm - those who are twice-born; pratigrahaḥ - acceptance of charity; adhyÄpanam - teaching Vedic knowledge; ca - also; brÄhmaṇasya - of the brÄhmaṇa; eva - only; yÄjanam - performing sacrifices for others.
All twice-born men — brÄhmaṇas, ká¹£atriyas and vaiÅ›yas — must perform sacrifice, study the Vedic literature and give charity. Only the brÄhmaṇas, however, accept charity, teach the Vedic knowledge and perform sacrifice on behalf of others.
All civilized men must participate in sacrificial performances, give charity and study the Vedic literature. The best of the twice-born, namely the brÄhmaṇas, are specifically empowered to lead sacrificial performances on behalf of all members of society, teach everyone Vedic knowledge and receive everyone’s charity. Without the assistance or participation of qualified brÄhmaṇas, the lower classes cannot properly study the Vedic literature, perform sacrifices or give in charity, because they do not have the required intelligence to perfectly execute such functions. When ká¹£atriyas and vaiÅ›yas take shelter of bona fide brÄhmaṇas, they are able to properly execute their respective duties, and society functions smoothly and efficiently.
