The enormity of all crimes depends on who commits them, and against whom they are committed.

The three upper castes alone have religious privileges.

The lowest caste, outcasts, women, and diseased persons are not allowed to hear the holy texts or take part in ceremonies.[29] As to the rites, they are the inherited ones, sacrifices to gods, offerings to Manes and spirits, and all the ceremonies of house and individual, as explained above; with especial and very minute rules of observance for each of the four stadia of a priest's life.[30] There is no hint in any of this of the importance of the knowledge of the _[=a]tm[=a]._ But in their proper place the rules of morality and the higher philosophical views are taught.

The doctrine of re-birth is formally stated, and the attainment of the world of Brahm[=a] _( brahma)_ by union of ceremonies and knowledge is inculcated.

The ascetic should seek, by meditation, to go to Brahm[=a] (or _brahma_) for when he is utterly indifferent, then, both here and after death, he gains everlasting happiness.
Therefore he should study the Vedas, but especially the teachings in regard to the Supreme Spirit, and the Upanishads; studying the Ved[=a]nta is a regular part of his final discipline (VI, 74-94).