Bhishma on the Duties of the Four Varnas

Verse 1 (12.59.1)

ततः पुनः स गाङ्गेयमभिवाद्य पितामहम् । प्राञ्जलिर्नियतो भूत्वा पर्यपृच्छद्युधिष्ठिरः ॥

tataḥ punaḥ sa gāṅgeyamabhivādya pitāmaham | prāñjalirniyato bhūtvā paryapṛcchadyudhiṣṭhiraḥ

Then Yudhishthira again bowed to his grandfather, the son of Ganga, and, standing with joined palms and self-controlled, put this question to him:

Verse 2 (12.59.2)

के धर्माः सर्ववर्णानां चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य के पृथक् । चातुर्वर्ण्याश्रमाणां च राजधर्माश्च के मताः ॥

ke dharmāḥ sarvavarṇānāṃ cāturvarṇyasya ke pṛthak | cāturvarṇyāśramāṇāṃ ca rājadharmāśca ke matāḥ

What are the duties of all the varnas, and what are those of the four varnas separately? What are held to be the duties belonging to the stages of life of the four varnas, and what are the duties of kings?

Note on the text: Speaker: Yudhishthira's question, which fills verses 2-7 (the page's printed heading "वैशंपायन उवाच" introduces verse 1; the question itself has no printed heading). Wikisource 59 corresponds to critical-edition adhyaya 12.60.

Verse 3 (12.59.3)

केन वै वर्धते राष्ट्रं राजा केन विवर्धते । केन पौराश्च भृत्याश्च वर्धन्ते भरतर्षभ ॥

kena vai vardhate rāṣṭraṃ rājā kena vivardhate | kena paurāśca bhṛtyāśca vardhante bharatarṣabha

By what does a kingdom flourish, and by what does a king prosper? By what do the townsfolk and the king's servants thrive, O best of the Bharatas?

Verse 4 (12.59.4)

कोशं दण्डं च दुर्गं च सहायान्मन्त्रिणस्तथा । ऋत्विक्पुरोहिताचार्यान्कीदृशान्वर्जयेन्नृपः ॥

kośaṃ daṇḍaṃ ca durgaṃ ca sahāyānmantriṇastathā | ṛtvikpurohitācāryānkīdṛśānvarjayennṛpaḥ

What kinds of treasury, army, fortress, allies and ministers, and of officiating priests, household priests and teachers, should a king avoid?

Verse 5 (12.59.5)

केषु विश्वसितव्यं स्याद्राज्ञा कस्यांचिदापदि । कुतो वाऽऽत्मा दृढं रक्ष्यस्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥

keṣu viśvasitavyaṃ syādrājñā kasyāṃcidāpadi | kuto vā''tmā dṛḍhaṃ rakṣyastanme brūhi pitāmaha

In whom may a king place his trust in some time of danger, and from whom should he guard himself most firmly? Tell me this, grandfather.

Verse 6 (12.59.6)

द्वैधीभावे च भृत्यानां शपथः कीदृशो भवेत् । अधर्मस्य फलं यच्च शपथस्य विलङ्घने ॥

dvaidhībhāve ca bhṛtyānāṃ śapathaḥ kīdṛśo bhavet | adharmasya phalaṃ yacca śapathasya vilaṅghane

When the loyalty of his servants is divided, what kind of oath should be taken? And what is the penalty of unrighteousness for the breaking of an oath?

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki mark (backtick) before the first word. Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): the critical edition has these lines only as star passage 12.60.5d*0134_01-02 (dvaidhībhāve ca bhūtānāṃ …, with bhūtānām where Wikisource has भृत्यानाम्). Wikisource's verses 6-7 are the four lines 0134_01-04.

Verse 7 (12.59.7)

सर्वमेतद्यथातत्वं व्यवहारं च तादृशम् । समासव्यासयोगेन कथयस्व पितामह ॥

sarvametadyathātatvaṃ vyavahāraṃ ca tādṛśam | samāsavyāsayogena kathayasva pitāmaha

Explain all this to me as it truly is, together with the conduct that fits each case, both briefly and in full, grandfather.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks at the end (a doubled danda and a closing quote mark), leaving one verse-end mark. Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): critical-edition star passage 12.60.5d*0134_03-04 (sarvam etad yathātattvaṃ vyavahāraṃ ca tādṛśam / samāsavyāsayogena kathayasva pitāmaha).

Verse 8 (12.59.8)

नमो धर्माय महते नमः कृष्णाय वेधसे । ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य धर्मान्वक्ष्यामि शाश्वतान् ॥

namo dharmāya mahate namaḥ kṛṣṇāya vedhase | brāhmaṇebhyo namaskṛtya dharmānvakṣyāmi śāśvatān

Homage to the great Dharma, homage to Krishna the Creator. Having bowed to the Brahmins, I shall declare the eternal duties.

Verse 9 (12.59.9)

अक्रोधः सत्यवचनं संविभागश्च सर्वशः । प्रजनं स्वेषु दारेषु शौचमद्रोह एव च ॥

akrodhaḥ satyavacanaṃ saṃvibhāgaśca sarvaśaḥ | prajanaṃ sveṣu dāreṣu śaucamadroha eva ca

Freedom from anger, truthful speech, sharing in all things with others, begetting children on one's own wives, purity, and freedom from malice —

Verse 10 (12.59.10)

आर्जवं भृत्यभरणं त एते सार्ववर्णिकाः । ब्राह्मणस्य तु यो धर्मस्तं ते वक्ष्यामि केवलम् ॥

ārjavaṃ bhṛtyabharaṇaṃ ta ete sārvavarṇikāḥ | brāhmaṇasya tu yo dharmastaṃ te vakṣyāmi kevalam

uprightness and the maintenance of dependants: these are the duties common to all the varnas. Now I shall tell you the duty that belongs to the Brahmin alone.

Verse 11 (12.59.11)

दममेव महाराज धर्ममाहुः पुरातनम् । स्वाध्यायोऽध्यापनं चैव तत्र कर्म समाप्यते ॥

damameva mahārāja dharmamāhuḥ purātanam | svādhyāyo'dhyāpanaṃ caiva tatra karma samāpyate

Self-restraint alone, O great king, is called the Brahmin's ancient duty. Study and teaching: with these his work is accomplished.

Verse 12 (12.59.12)

तं चेद्द्विजमुपागच्छेद्वर्तमानं स्वकर्मणि । अकुर्वाणं विकर्माणि शान्तं प्रज्ञानतर्पितम् ॥

taṃ ceddvijamupāgacchedvartamānaṃ svakarmaṇi | akurvāṇaṃ vikarmāṇi śāntaṃ prajñānatarpitam

If wealth should come to that twice-born man as he abides in his own work, doing nothing forbidden, peaceful and content with wisdom,

Verse 13 (12.59.13)

कुर्वीतापत्यसंतानमथो दद्याद्यजेत च । संविभज्य च भोक्तव्यं धनं सद्भिरीतीष्यते ॥

kurvītāpatyasaṃtānamatho dadyādyajeta ca | saṃvibhajya ca bhoktavyaṃ dhanaṃ sadbhirītīṣyate

let him raise offspring, give, and sacrifice; for the good hold that wealth is to be enjoyed after sharing it with others.

Verse 14 (12.59.14)

परिनिष्ठितकार्यस्तु स्वाध्यायेनैव वै द्विजः । कुर्यादन्यन्न वा कुर्यान्मैत्रो ब्राह्मण उच्यते ॥

pariniṣṭhitakāryastu svādhyāyenaiva vai dvijaḥ | kuryādanyanna vā kuryānmaitro brāhmaṇa ucyate

A twice-born man whose tasks are fully done may rest in the study of the Veda alone; whether he does other work or not, he is called a Brahmin of the friendly kind.

Verse 15 (12.59.15)

क्षत्रियस्यापि यो धर्मस्तं ते वक्ष्यामि भारत । दद्याद्राजा न याचेत यजेत न च याजयेत् ॥

kṣatriyasyāpi yo dharmastaṃ te vakṣyāmi bhārata | dadyādrājā na yāceta yajeta na ca yājayet

Now the duty of the Kshatriya as well I shall tell you, O Bharata: the king should give but not beg; he should sacrifice but not officiate for others.

Verse 16 (12.59.16)

नाध्यापयेदधीयीत प्रजाश्च परिपालयेत् । नित्योद्युक्तो दस्युवधे रणे कुर्यात्पराक्रमम् ॥

nādhyāpayedadhīyīta prajāśca paripālayet | nityodyukto dasyuvadhe raṇe kuryātparākramam

He should not teach but should study, and he should protect his subjects. Ever diligent, he should show his valour in battle for the slaying of bandits.

Note on the text: Corrected दस्युवदे → दस्युवधे (misprint in Wikisource; द for ध, giving a meaningless word; the critical edition reads dasyuvadhe).

Verse 17 (12.59.17)

ये तु क्रतुभिरीजानाः श्रुतवन्तश्च भूमिपाः । य एवाहवजेतारस्त एषां लोकजित्तमाः ॥

ye tu kratubhirījānāḥ śrutavantaśca bhūmipāḥ | ya evāhavajetārasta eṣāṃ lokajittamāḥ

Of those kings who have worshipped with sacrifices and are learned in the sacred lore, the ones who are victors in battle are the best of the winners of worlds.

Verse 18 (12.59.18)

अविक्षतेन देहेन समराद्यो निवर्तते । क्षत्रियो नास्य तत्कर्म प्रशंसन्ति पुराविदः ॥

avikṣatena dehena samarādyo nivartate | kṣatriyo nāsya tatkarma praśaṃsanti purāvidaḥ

The Kshatriya who returns from battle with his body unwounded — those who know the ancient lore do not praise that deed of his.

Verse 19 (12.59.19)

एवं हि क्षत्रबन्धूनां धर्ममाहुः प्रधानतः । नास्य कृत्यतमं किंचिदन्यद्दस्युनिबर्हणात् ॥

evaṃ hi kṣatrabandhūnāṃ dharmamāhuḥ pradhānataḥ | nāsya kṛtyatamaṃ kiṃcidanyaddasyunibarhaṇāt

So they declare the chief duty of those born to the warrior class; for him there is no task more needful than the destruction of bandits.

Verse 20 (12.59.20)

दानमध्ययनं यज्ञो राज्ञां क्षेमो विधीयते । तस्माद्राज्ञा विशेषेण योद्धव्यं धर्ममीप्सता ॥

dānamadhyayanaṃ yajño rājñāṃ kṣemo vidhīyate | tasmādrājñā viśeṣeṇa yoddhavyaṃ dharmamīpsatā

Giving, study and sacrifice are ordained for kings as their welfare. Therefore a king who desires dharma must above all be ready to fight.

Verse 21 (12.59.21)

स्वेषु धर्मेष्ववस्थाप्यः प्रजाः सर्वा महीपतिः । धर्मेण सर्वकृत्यानि शमनिष्ठानि कारयेत् ॥

sveṣu dharmeṣvavasthāpyaḥ prajāḥ sarvā mahīpatiḥ | dharmeṇa sarvakṛtyāni śamaniṣṭhāni kārayet

The king should set all his subjects in their own duties, and through dharma should bring every undertaking to a peaceful close.

Verse 22 (12.59.22)

परिनिष्ठितकार्यस्तु नृपतिः परिपालनात् । कुर्यादन्यन्न वा कुर्यादैन्द्रो राजन्य उच्यते ॥

pariniṣṭhitakāryastu nṛpatiḥ paripālanāt | kuryādanyanna vā kuryādaindro rājanya ucyate

A king whose tasks are fully done through the protection of his people may do other things or not; he is called a ruler of Indra's kind.

Verse 23 (12.59.23)

वैश्यस्यापि हि यो धर्मस्तं ते वक्ष्यामि शाश्वतम् । दानमध्ययनं यज्ञः शौचेन धनसंचयः ॥

vaiśyasyāpi hi yo dharmastaṃ te vakṣyāmi śāśvatam | dānamadhyayanaṃ yajñaḥ śaucena dhanasaṃcayaḥ

Now the duty of the Vaishya also I shall tell you, the eternal one: giving, study and sacrifice, and the gathering of wealth by honest means.

Verse 24 (12.59.24)

पितृवत्पालयेद्वैश्यो युक्तः सर्वान्पशूनिह । विकर्म तद्भवेदन्यत्कर्म यत्स समाचरेत् ॥

pitṛvatpālayedvaiśyo yuktaḥ sarvānpaśūniha | vikarma tadbhavedanyatkarma yatsa samācaret

The Vaishya, devoted to it, should look after all cattle here as a father would; any other work he undertakes would be forbidden action for him.

Note on the text: Wikisource divides the critical edition's three-line verse 12.60.22 into couplets: this verse is 22a, 22c.

Verse 25 (12.59.25)

रक्षया स हि तेषां वै महत्सुखमवाप्नुयात् । प्रजापतिर्हि वैश्याय सृष्ट्वा परिददौ पशून् ॥

rakṣayā sa hi teṣāṃ vai mahatsukhamavāpnuyāt | prajāpatirhi vaiśyāya sṛṣṭvā paridadau paśūn

By guarding them he would win great happiness. For the Lord of creatures, having created the cattle, entrusted them to the Vaishya,

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.22e + 23a (the first line closes the critical edition's three-line verse 22).

Verse 26 (12.59.26)

ब्राह्मणाय च राज्ञे च सर्वाः परिददे प्रजाः । तस्य वृत्तिं प्रवक्ष्यामि यच्च तस्योपजीवनम् ॥

brāhmaṇāya ca rājñe ca sarvāḥ paridade prajāḥ | tasya vṛttiṃ pravakṣyāmi yacca tasyopajīvanam

and entrusted all the people to the Brahmin and the king. I shall tell you his livelihood and what he lives upon:

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.23c + 24a (the critical edition's star line 12.60.24b*0135_01, "avaśyabharaṇīyo hi vaiśyo rājñā janādhipa", is not in Wikisource at this point).

Verse 27 (12.59.27)

षण्णामेकां पिबेद्धेनुं शताच्च मिथुनं हरेत् । लये च सप्तमो भागस्तथा शृङ्गे कला खुरे ॥

ṣaṇṇāmekāṃ pibeddhenuṃ śatācca mithunaṃ haret | laye ca saptamo bhāgastathā śṛṅge kalā khure

From six cows he may take the milk of one, and from a hundred he may take a pair; and a seventh part of the profit from trade, and a sixteenth part on horn and hoof.

Note on the text: Corrected पण्णामेकां → षण्णामेकां (misprint in Wikisource; प for ष, giving a meaningless word; the critical edition reads ṣaṇṇām ekāṃ and the page's own commentary reads षण्णां). Lines: 12.60.24c + 25a.

Verse 28 (12.59.28)

सस्यानां सर्वबीजानामेषा सांवत्सरी भृतिः ॥

sasyānāṃ sarvabījānāmeṣā sāṃvatsarī bhṛtiḥ

And from the crops, from every kind of seed: this is the yearly wage.

Note on the text: Line: 12.60.25c (a one-line verse in Wikisource, as the page prints it: 12-59-28a only).

Verse 29 (12.59.29)

न च वैश्यस्य कामः स्यान्न रक्षेयं पशूनिति । वैश्ये चेच्छति नान्येन रक्षितव्याः कथंचन ॥

na ca vaiśyasya kāmaḥ syānna rakṣeyaṃ paśūniti | vaiśye cecchati nānyena rakṣitavyāḥ kathaṃcana

The Vaishya should never wish to say, "I shall not guard the cattle"; and if the Vaishya is willing, the cattle must on no account be guarded by anyone else.

Verse 30 (12.59.30)

शूद्रस्यापि हि यो धर्मस्तं ते वक्ष्यामि भारत । प्रजापतिर्हि वर्णानां दासं शूद्रमकल्पयत् ॥

śūdrasyāpi hi yo dharmastaṃ te vakṣyāmi bhārata | prajāpatirhi varṇānāṃ dāsaṃ śūdramakalpayat

Now the duty of the Shudra also I shall tell you, O Bharata. The Lord of creatures made the Shudra a servant of the varnas.

Verse 31 (12.59.31)

तस्माच्छूद्रस्य वर्णानां परिचर्या विधीयते । तेषां शुश्रूषणाच्चैव महत्सुखमवाप्नुयात् ॥

tasmācchūdrasya varṇānāṃ paricaryā vidhīyate | teṣāṃ śuśrūṣaṇāccaiva mahatsukhamavāpnuyāt

Therefore service of the varnas is ordained for the Shudra, and by serving them he would win great happiness.

Verse 32 (12.59.32)

शूद्र एतान्परिचरेत्रीन्वर्णाननसूयकः । संचयांश्च न कुर्वीत जातु शूद्रः कथंचन ॥

śūdra etānparicaretrīnvarṇānanasūyakaḥ | saṃcayāṃśca na kurvīta jātu śūdraḥ kathaṃcana

A Shudra should serve these three varnas without resentment; and a Shudra should never, in any circumstance, amass hoards.

Verse 33 (12.59.33)

पापीयान्हि धनं लब्ध्वा वशे कुर्याद्गरीयसः । राज्ञा वा समनुज्ञातः कामं कुर्वीत धार्मिकः ॥

pāpīyānhi dhanaṃ labdhvā vaśe kuryādgarīyasaḥ | rājñā vā samanujñātaḥ kāmaṃ kurvīta dhārmikaḥ

For a lowly man who gains wealth brings his betters under his sway. But, with the king's leave, a righteous one may do as he wishes.

Verse 34 (12.59.34)

तस्य वृत्तिं प्रवक्ष्यामि यच्च तस्योपजीवनम् । अवश्यं भरणीयो हि वर्णानां शूद्र उच्यते ॥

tasya vṛttiṃ pravakṣyāmi yacca tasyopajīvanam | avaśyaṃ bharaṇīyo hi varṇānāṃ śūdra ucyate

I shall tell you his livelihood and what he lives upon. The Shudra is said to be one who must necessarily be maintained by the varnas.

Verse 35 (12.59.35)

छत्रं वेष्टनमौशीरमुपानद्व्यजनानि च । यातयामानि देयानि शूद्राय परिचारिणे ॥

chatraṃ veṣṭanamauśīramupānadvyajanāni ca | yātayāmāni deyāni śūdrāya paricāriṇe

An umbrella, a turban, a mat of usira grass, sandals and fans: these, already used, should be given to the Shudra who serves.

Verse 36 (12.59.36)

अधार्याणि विशीर्णानि वसनानि द्विजातिभिः । शूद्रायैव प्रदेयानि तस्य धर्मधनं हि तत् ॥

adhāryāṇi viśīrṇāni vasanāni dvijātibhiḥ | śūdrāyaiva pradeyāni tasya dharmadhanaṃ hi tat

Garments that the twice-born can no longer wear, worn and torn, should be given to the Shudra alone; for that is his wealth of dharma.

Verse 37 (12.59.37)

यंच कश्चिद्द्विजातीनां शूद्रः शुश्रूषुराव्रजेत् । कल्प्यां तेन तु तस्याहुर्वृत्तिं धर्मविदो जनाः ॥

yaṃca kaściddvijātīnāṃ śūdraḥ śuśrūṣurāvrajet | kalpyāṃ tena tu tasyāhurvṛttiṃ dharmavido janāḥ

And if any Shudra comes to any of the twice-born wishing to serve, those versed in dharma say that his livelihood should be provided by that man.

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.34a, 34c. The automatic alignment missed it because Wikisource divides the critical edition's three-line verse 34 into couplets.

Verse 38 (12.59.38)

देयः पिण्डोऽनपत्याय भर्तव्यौ वृद्धदुर्बलौ । शूद्रेण तु न हातव्यो भर्ता कस्यांचिदापदि ॥

deyaḥ piṇḍo'napatyāya bhartavyau vṛddhadurbalau | śūdreṇa tu na hātavyo bhartā kasyāṃcidāpadi

A portion of food should be given to one without children; the old and the weak are to be supported. And a Shudra must not abandon his master in any calamity.

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.34e + 35a (Wikisource's अनपत्याय where the critical edition has anapetāya; kept as a recension variant).

Verse 39 (12.59.39)

अतिरेकेण भर्तव्यो भर्ता द्रव्यपरिक्षये । न हि स्वमस्ति शूद्रस्य भर्तृहार्यधनो हि सः ॥

atirekeṇa bhartavyo bhartā dravyaparikṣaye | na hi svamasti śūdrasya bhartṛhāryadhano hi saḥ

When the master's wealth has run out, he should be supported from what the Shudra has beyond the needs of his own household; for a Shudra has nothing of his own, since his wealth can be taken by his master.

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.35c, 35e.

Verse 40 (12.59.40)

उक्तस्त्रयाणां वर्णानां यज्ञस्त्रय्येव भारत । स्वाहाकारवषट्‌कारौ मन्त्रः शूद्रे न विद्यते ॥

uktastrayāṇāṃ varṇānāṃ yajñastrayyeva bhārata | svāhākāravaṣaṭkārau mantraḥ śūdre na vidyate

The sacrifice of the three varnas is said to be performed by the threefold Veda alone, O Bharata. For the Shudra there are no cries of svaha and vashat, and no Vedic mantra.

Note on the text: Wikisource's second line (स्वाहाकारवषट्‌कारौ मन्त्रः शूद्रे न विद्यते) differs from the critical edition's 12.60.36c (svāhākāranamaskārau mantraḥ śūdre vidhīyate); Wikisource's reading is good Sanskrit and is kept as a recension variant.

Verse 41 (12.59.41)

तस्माच्छूद्रः पाकयज्ञैर्यजेताव्रतवान्स्वयम् । पूर्णपात्रमयीमाहुः पाकयज्ञस्य दक्षिणाम् ॥

tasmācchūdraḥ pākayajñairyajetāvratavānsvayam | pūrṇapātramayīmāhuḥ pākayajñasya dakṣiṇām

Therefore a Shudra, though without the Vedic vows, may himself offer the simple sacrifices of cooked food. The fee for such a sacrifice, they say, is a full vessel.

Note on the text: Corrected पाकयज्ञैयजेता° → पाकयज्ञैर्यजेता° (misprint in Wikisource; the र् of the sandhi is dropped; the critical edition reads pākayajñair yajeta). Wikisource's अव्रतवान् (CE vratavān) is kept as a recension variant.

Verse 42 (12.59.42)

शूद्रः पैजवनो नाम सहस्राणां शतं ददौ । ऐन्द्राग्नेन विधानेन दक्षिणामिति नः श्रुतम् ॥

śūdraḥ paijavano nāma sahasrāṇāṃ śataṃ dadau | aindrāgnena vidhānena dakṣiṇāmiti naḥ śrutam

A Shudra named Paijavana gave a hundred thousand as the fee, in the Indra-Agni mode of sacrifice: so we have heard.

Verse 43 (12.59.43)

यतो हि सर्ववर्णानां यज्ञस्तस्यैव भारत ॥

yato hi sarvavarṇānāṃ yajñastasyaiva bhārata

For the sacrifice of all the varnas, O Bharata, is his alone.

Note on the text: A one-line verse, as the page prints it (12-59-43a only). Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): the critical edition has the line only as star passage 12.60.39a*0136_01, printed there as "**** **** yajñas tasyaiva bhārata" (its first two words are lost in the critical edition itself, so nothing can be restored).

Verse 44 (12.59.44)

अग्रे सर्वेषु यज्ञेषु श्रद्धायज्ञो विधीयते । दैवतं हि महच्छ्रद्धा पवित्रं यजतां च यत् । दैवतं हि परं विप्राः स्वेनस्वेन परस्परम् ॥

agre sarveṣu yajñeṣu śraddhāyajño vidhīyate | daivataṃ hi mahacchraddhā pavitraṃ yajatāṃ ca yat | daivataṃ hi paraṃ viprāḥ svenasvena parasparam

Before all, in every sacrifice, the sacrifice of faith is ordained. Faith is the great deity and the purifier of those who sacrifice. It is indeed the highest deity, O Brahmins, each through his own, and one through another.

Note on the text: Three lines. Line 1 (अग्रे सर्वेषु यज्ञेषु श्रद्धायज्ञो विधीयते) stands in place of the critical edition's 12.60.39a (ato hi sarvavarṇānāṃ śraddhāyajño vidhīyate); the critical edition has the words "agre sarveṣu yajñeṣu" as star passage 12.60.39a*0136_02. Line 2 = 12.60.39c; line 3 = 12.60.40a.

Verse 45 (12.59.45)

अयजन्निह सत्रैस्ते तैस्तैः कामैः समाहिताः । संसृष्टा ब्राह्मणैरेव त्रिषु वर्णेषु सृष्टयः ॥

ayajanniha satraiste taistaiḥ kāmaiḥ samāhitāḥ | saṃsṛṣṭā brāhmaṇaireva triṣu varṇeṣu sṛṣṭayaḥ

Here they sacrificed with their various sacrificial sessions, each intent on his own desires; the lineages in the three varnas are intermixed with the Brahmins themselves.

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.40c + 41a (Wikisource's समाहिताः where the critical edition has sanātanaiḥ; kept as a recension variant).

Verse 46 (12.59.46)

देवानामपि ये देवा यद्ब्रूयुस्ते परं हितम् । तस्माद्वर्णैः सर्वयज्ञाः संसृज्यन्ते न काम्यया ॥

devānāmapi ye devā yadbrūyuste paraṃ hitam | tasmādvarṇaiḥ sarvayajñāḥ saṃsṛjyante na kāmyayā

Even for the gods of the gods, what they declare is the supreme good. Therefore all sacrifices are carried out jointly by the varnas, not from mere wish.

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.41c, 41e.

Verse 47 (12.59.47)

ऋग्यजुः सामवित्पूज्यो नित्यं स्याद्देववद्द्विजः । अनृग्यजुरसामा च प्राजापत्य उपद्रवः । यज्ञो मनीषया तात सर्ववर्णेषु भारत ॥

ṛgyajuḥ sāmavitpūjyo nityaṃ syāddevavaddvijaḥ | anṛgyajurasāmā ca prājāpatya upadravaḥ | yajño manīṣayā tāta sarvavarṇeṣu bhārata

A twice-born man who knows the Rig, Yajus and Sama is always to be honoured like a god. One without Rig, Yajus and Sama, a mere attendant, belongs nonetheless to Prajapati. Sacrifice, dear one, is done through the mind in all the varnas, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Three lines: 12.60.42a, 42c, 43a.

Verse 48 (12.59.48)

नास्य यज्ञकृतो देवा ईहन्ते नेतरे जनाः । ततः सर्वेषु वर्णेषु श्रद्धायज्ञो विधीयते ॥

nāsya yajñakṛto devā īhante netare janāḥ | tataḥ sarveṣu varṇeṣu śraddhāyajño vidhīyate

Neither the gods nor other people stand in the way of one who offers such a sacrifice. Therefore in all the varnas the sacrifice of faith is ordained.

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.43c, 43e (Wikisource's यज्ञकृतः where the critical edition has yajñahanaḥ; kept as a recension variant).

Verse 49 (12.59.49)

स्वं दैवतं ब्राह्मणः स्वेन नित्यं । परान्वर्णानयजन्नैवमासीत् । अधरो वितानस्त्वथ तत्र सृष्टो । न ब्राह्मणस्त्रिषु वर्णेषु राजन् ॥

svaṃ daivataṃ brāhmaṇaḥ svena nityaṃ | parānvarṇānayajannaivamāsīt | adharo vitānastvatha tatra sṛṣṭo | na brāhmaṇastriṣu varṇeṣu rājan

The Brahmin, through his own rites, is always the proper deity of the other varnas; it was not so that he failed to sacrifice for them. A lower extension of the sacrifice was then made there; but among the three varnas, O king, there is no Brahmin.

Note on the text: The wording differs considerably from the critical edition's 12.60.44a, 44c (svaṃ daivataṃ brāhmaṇāḥ svena nityaṃ; parān varṇān ayajann evam āsīt / ārocitā naḥ sumahān sa dharmaḥ …); Wikisource's own reading is kept as a recension variant. The critical edition's star line 12.60.44d*0137_01 is not in Wikisource.

Verse 50 (12.59.50)

तस्माद्वर्णा ऋजवो ज्ञातिवर्णाः । संसृज्यन्ते तस्य विकार एव । एकं साम यजुरेकमृगेका । विप्रश्चैको निश्चये तेषु सृष्टः ॥

tasmādvarṇā ṛjavo jñātivarṇāḥ | saṃsṛjyante tasya vikāra eva | ekaṃ sāma yajurekamṛgekā | vipraścaiko niścaye teṣu sṛṣṭaḥ

Therefore the varnas, straightforward and one in kinship, are joined together, and each is but a transformation of him. There is one Sama, one Yajus, one Rik, and in the final reckoning one Brahmin, who was created among them.

Note on the text: Corrected विप्रश्वैको → विप्रश्चैको (misprint in Wikisource; श्व for श्च, which breaks the sandhi विप्रः + च + एकः; the page's own commentary reads विप्रश्चैको). The wording otherwise differs from the critical edition's 12.60.45 (jātidharmāḥ … vipāka eṣaḥ; the CE's star lines 45b*0138_01-02 are not in Wikisource); kept as a recension variant.

Verse 51 (12.59.51)

अत्र गाथा यज्ञगीताः कीर्तयन्ति पुराविदः । वैखानसानां राजेन्द्र मुनीनां यष्टुमिच्छताम् ॥

atra gāthā yajñagītāḥ kīrtayanti purāvidaḥ | vaikhānasānāṃ rājendra munīnāṃ yaṣṭumicchatām

On this, those who know the ancient lore recite the verses sung about sacrifice, which were spoken by the Vaikhanasa sages who wished to sacrifice, O king of kings:

Verse 52 (12.59.52)

उदितेऽनुदिते वाऽपि श्रद्दधानो जितेन्द्रियः । वह्निं जुहोति धर्मेण श्रद्धा वै कारणं महत् ॥

udite'nudite vā'pi śraddadhāno jitendriyaḥ | vahniṃ juhoti dharmeṇa śraddhā vai kāraṇaṃ mahat

Whether the sun has risen or not, a man of faith and sense-control who offers into the fire according to dharma — faith is the great cause.

Verse 53 (12.59.53)

यत्स्कन्नमस्य तत्पूर्वं यदस्कन्नं तदुत्तरम् । बहूनि यज्ञरूपाणि नानाकर्मफलानि च ॥

yatskannamasya tatpūrvaṃ yadaskannaṃ taduttaram | bahūni yajñarūpāṇi nānākarmaphalāni ca

What of his offering is spilt comes first; what is not spilt comes after. Sacrifices have many forms, bearing the fruits of many kinds of work.

Verse 54 (12.59.54)

तानि यः संप्रजानाति ज्ञाननिश्चयनिश्चितः । द्विजातिः श्रद्धयोपेतः स यष्टुं पुरुषोऽर्हति ॥

tāni yaḥ saṃprajānāti jñānaniścayaniścitaḥ | dvijātiḥ śraddhayopetaḥ sa yaṣṭuṃ puruṣo'rhati

The twice-born man who knows them, firm in the certainty of knowledge and endowed with faith, is fit to sacrifice.

Verse 55 (12.59.55)

स्तेनो वा यदि वा पापो यदि वा पापकृत्तमः । यष्टुमिच्छति यज्ञं यः साधुमेव वदन्ति तम् ॥

steno vā yadi vā pāpo yadi vā pāpakṛttamaḥ | yaṣṭumicchati yajñaṃ yaḥ sādhumeva vadanti tam

Be he a thief or a sinner, or even the worst of evildoers, if he wishes to sacrifice, they call him good.

Verse 56 (12.59.56)

ऋषयस्तं प्रशंसन्ति साधु चैतदसंशयम् । सर्वथा सर्वदा वर्णैर्यष्टव्यमिति निर्णयः ॥

ṛṣayastaṃ praśaṃsanti sādhu caitadasaṃśayam | sarvathā sarvadā varṇairyaṣṭavyamiti nirṇayaḥ

The sages praise him, and this is surely good: the settled rule is that sacrifice should be performed by all the varnas, always and in every way.

Note on the text: Lines: 12.60.51a, 51c (the critical edition's three-line verse 51 is divided by Wikisource across verses 56 and 57).

Verse 57 (12.59.57)

न हि यज्ञसमं किंचित्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते । तस्माद्यष्टव्यमित्याहुः पुरुषेणानसूयता । श्रद्धापवित्रमाश्रित्य यथाशक्ति यथेच्छया ॥

na hi yajñasamaṃ kiṃcitriṣu lokeṣu vidyate | tasmādyaṣṭavyamityāhuḥ puruṣeṇānasūyatā | śraddhāpavitramāśritya yathāśakti yathecchayā

Nothing in the three worlds is equal to sacrifice. Therefore they say that a man should sacrifice without envy, relying on faith as his purifier, as he is able and as he wishes.

Note on the text: Three lines: 12.60.51e, 52a, 52c (Wikisource's यथेच्छया where the critical edition has prayacchatā; kept as a recension variant). Last verse of the table; the colophon follows.