The sages said: Kindly tell us the mode of good conduct (sadācāra) whereby the sensible man quickly attains higher worlds. Please tell us about virtue and evil that cause attainment of heaven or hell.
सूत उवाच । सदाचारयुतो विद्वान्ब्राह्मणो नाम नामतः । वेदाचारयुतो विप्रो ह्येतैरेकैकवान्द्विजः २ ।
Sūta said: A brahmin endowed with strict adherence to good conduct is perfectly wise. A brahmin learned in Vedas and of good conduct is called a Vipra. A brahmin endowed with only one of these two is a mere Dvija.
अल्पाचारोल्पवेदश्च क्षत्रियो राजसेवकः । किंचिदाचारवान्वैश्यः कृषिवाणिज्यकृत्तया ३ ।
A brahmin following some of the prescribed rules of conduct and with a smattering of the Vedas is a Kṣatriya brahmin, at best a royal servant. Very careless in following the rules of conduct the brahmin is really a Vaiśya brahmin. One engaged in agriculture and trading activities is also likewise.
पृथिवीपालको राजा इतरेक्षत्रिया मताः । धान्यादिक्रयवान्वैश्य इतरो वणिगुच्यते ५ ।
A Kṣatriya who rules over a kingdom is a “King”; others are mere Kṣatriyas. A merchant dealing in grains etc. is a Vaiśya and others of his caste are mere “Vaṇiks”