Karma-Yoga: Guru-Service, Vedic Study, and the Gayatri

Verse 1 (padma.3.53.1)

व्यास उवाच । एवं दंडादिभिर्युक्तः शौचाचारसमन्वितः । आहूतोध्यापनं कुर्याद्वीक्ष्यमाणो गुरोर्मुखम् ।

vyāsa uvāca evaṁ daṁḍādibhiryuktaḥ śaucācārasamanvitaḥ āhūtodhyāpanaṁ kuryādvīkṣyamāṇo gurormukham

Vyasa said: Thus equipped with staff and the rest, endowed with the practice of purity, when summoned he should undertake his lesson, watching the face of his guru.

Verse 2 (padma.3.53.2)

नित्यमुद्यतपाणिः स्यात्साध्वाचारः सुसंयतः । आस्यतामिति चोक्तः सन्नासीताभिमुखं गुरोः ।

nityamudyatapāṇiḥ syātsādhvācāraḥ susaṁyataḥ āsyatāmiti coktaḥ sannāsītābhimukhaṁ guroḥ

He should ever keep his hands ready, of virtuous conduct, well disciplined. When told 'be seated,' he should sit facing his guru.

Verse 3 (padma.3.53.3)

प्रतिश्रवणसंभाषे शयानो न समाचरेत् । आसीनो न च भुंजानो न तिष्ठेन्न पराङ्मुखः ।

pratiśravaṇasaṁbhāṣe śayāno na samācaret āsīno na ca bhuṁjāno na tiṣṭhenna parāṅmukhaḥ

He should not, while lying down, engage in acknowledging or conversing with the guru; nor while seated, nor while eating, nor standing, nor with his back turned.

Verse 4 (padma.3.53.4)

नीचैः शय्यासनं चास्य सर्वदा गुरुसन्निधौ । गुरोस्तु चक्षुर्विषयेन यथेष्टासनो भवेत् ।

nīcaiḥ śayyāsanaṁ cāsya sarvadā gurusannidhau gurostu cakṣurviṣayena yatheṣṭāsano bhavet

His bed and seat should always be lower than the guru's, in the guru's presence. Only outside the range of the guru's sight may he sit as he pleases.

Verse 5 (padma.3.53.5)

नोदाहरेदस्य नाम परोक्षमपि केवलम् । न चैवास्यानुकुर्वीत गतिभाषणचेष्टितम् ।

nodāharedasya nāma parokṣamapi kevalam na caivāsyānukurvīta gatibhāṣaṇaceṣṭitam

He should not utter his mere name, even in his absence. Nor should he imitate his gait, speech, or gestures.

Verse 6 (padma.3.53.6)

गुरोर्यत्र परीवादो निंदा वापि प्रवर्तते । कर्णौ तत्र पिधातव्यौ गंतव्यं वा ततोऽन्यतः ।

guroryatra parīvādo niṁdā vāpi pravartate karṇau tatra pidhātavyau gaṁtavyaṁ vā tato'nyataḥ

Where slander or criticism of the guru occurs, there one should stop up one's ears, or go elsewhere from that place.

Verse 7 (padma.3.53.7)

दूरस्थो नार्चयेदेनं न क्रुद्धो नांतिके स्त्रियः । न चैवास्योत्तरं ब्रूयात्स्थितो नासीत सन्निधौ ।

dūrastho nārcayedenaṁ na kruddho nāṁtike striyaḥ na caivāsyottaraṁ brūyātsthito nāsīta sannidhau

He should not offer him worship from a distance, nor while angry, nor in the presence of a woman near him. He should not answer him while standing, nor sit uninvited in his presence.

Verse 8 (padma.3.53.8)

उदकुंभं कुशान्पुष्पं समिधोऽस्याहरेत्सदा । मार्जनं लेपनं नित्यमंगानां वै समाचरेत् ।

udakuṁbhaṁ kuśānpuṣpaṁ samidho'syāharetsadā mārjanaṁ lepanaṁ nityamaṁgānāṁ vai samācaret

He should always fetch for him a water-pot, kusha grass, flowers, and sacrificial sticks. He should regularly perform the wiping and anointing of his limbs.

Verse 9 (padma.3.53.9)

नास्य निर्माल्यशयनं पादुकोपानहावपि । आक्रामेदासनं चास्य च्छायादीन्वा कदाचन ।

nāsya nirmālyaśayanaṁ pādukopānahāvapi ākrāmedāsanaṁ cāsya cchāyādīnvā kadācana

He should never step upon his discarded garland, bed, sandals, or shoes, nor upon his seat, nor upon his shadow and the like.

Verse 10 (padma.3.53.10)

साधयेद्दंतकाष्ठादींल्लब्धं चास्मै निवेदयेत् । अनापृच्छ्य न गंतव्यं भवेत्प्रियहिते रतः ।

sādhayeddaṁtakāṣṭhādīṁllabdhaṁ cāsmai nivedayet anāpṛcchya na gaṁtavyaṁ bhavetpriyahite rataḥ

He should procure tooth-cleaning twigs and the like for him, and report to him whatever he has obtained. He should not go anywhere without asking permission; he should be devoted to what is pleasing and beneficial to him.

Verse 11 (padma.3.53.11)

न पादौ सारयेदस्य सन्निधाने कदाचन । जृंभितं हसितं चैव कंठप्रावरणं तथा ।

na pādau sārayedasya sannidhāne kadācana jṛṁbhitaṁ hasitaṁ caiva kaṁṭhaprāvaraṇaṁ tathā

He should never stretch out his feet in his presence. Yawning, and laughing, and covering the throat —

Verse 12 (padma.3.53.12)

वर्जयेत्सन्निधौ नित्यमंगस्फोटनमेव च । यथाकालमधीयीत यावन्न विमना गुरुः ।

varjayetsannidhau nityamaṁgasphoṭanameva ca yathākālamadhīyīta yāvanna vimanā guruḥ

he should always avoid in his presence, and likewise cracking his joints. He should study at the proper time, so long as the guru is not distressed.

Verse 13 (padma.3.53.13)

आसीनोऽधो गुरोः पार्श्वे सेवां च सुसमाहितः । आसने शयने याने नैव तिष्ठेत्कदाचन ।

āsīno'dho guroḥ pārśve sevāṁ ca susamāhitaḥ āsane śayane yāne naiva tiṣṭhetkadācana

Seated below, at the side of the guru, he should render service with full attention. He should never stand upon his seat, his bed, or his vehicle.

Verse 14 (padma.3.53.14)

धावंतमनुधावेत गच्छंतमनुगच्छति । गोश्वोष्ट्रयानप्रासादे तथाधोविष्टरेषु च ।

dhāvaṁtamanudhāveta gacchaṁtamanugacchati gośvoṣṭrayānaprāsāde tathādhoviṣṭareṣu ca

If he runs, he should run after him; if he goes, he should follow him. On a cow, a horse, a camel, a vehicle, a terrace, and on lower seats,

Verse 15 (padma.3.53.15)

आसीत गुरुणा सार्द्धं शिलाफलक नौषु च । जितेंद्रियः स्यात्सततं वश्यात्माक्रोधनः शुचिः ।

āsīta guruṇā sārddhaṁ śilāphalaka nauṣu ca jiteṁdriyaḥ syātsatataṁ vaśyātmākrodhanaḥ śuciḥ

he may sit together with his guru on stone slabs, planks, and boats. He should ever be of controlled senses, self-mastered, free of anger, pure.

Verse 16 (padma.3.53.16)

प्रयुंजीत सदा वाचं मधुरां हितकारिणीम् । गंधमाल्यं रसं कल्पं शुक्तिं प्राणिविहिंसनम् ।

prayuṁjīta sadā vācaṁ madhurāṁ hitakāriṇīm gaṁdhamālyaṁ rasaṁ kalpaṁ śuktiṁ prāṇivihiṁsanam

He should always use speech that is sweet and beneficial. Perfume, garlands, flavored substances, cosmetics, fermented drinks, and the harming of living creatures —

Verse 17 (padma.3.53.17)

अभ्यंजनांजनोन्मर्द्दच्छत्रधारणमेव च । कामं लोभं भयं निद्रां गीतवादित्रनर्तनम् ।

abhyaṁjanāṁjanonmarddacchatradhāraṇameva ca kāmaṁ lobhaṁ bhayaṁ nidrāṁ gītavāditranartanam

anointing oneself with oil, collyrium, massage, and bearing an umbrella — as well as desire, greed, fear, sleep, singing, playing instruments, dancing —

Verse 18 (padma.3.53.18)

आतर्जनं परीवादं स्त्रीप्रेक्षालंभनं तथा । परोपघातं पैशुन्यं प्रयत्नेन विवर्जयेत् ।

ātarjanaṁ parīvādaṁ strīprekṣālaṁbhanaṁ tathā paropaghātaṁ paiśunyaṁ prayatnena vivarjayet

threatening others, slander, and gazing at or touching women, and injuring others, and back-biting — he should carefully avoid all these.

Verse 19 (padma.3.53.19)

उदकुंभं सुमनसो गोशकृन्मृत्तिका कुशान् । आहरेद्यावदन्नानि भैक्ष्यं चाहरहश्चरेत् ।

udakuṁbhaṁ sumanaso gośakṛnmṛttikā kuśān āharedyāvadannāni bhaikṣyaṁ cāharahaścaret

He should fetch a water-pot, flowers, cow-dung, clay, and kusha grass, and enough food; he should go about daily for alms.

Verse 20 (padma.3.53.20)

घृतं च लवणं सर्वं वर्ज्यं पर्युषितं च यत् । अनृत्यदर्शी सततं भवेद्गीतादि निस्पृहः ।

ghṛtaṁ ca lavaṇaṁ sarvaṁ varjyaṁ paryuṣitaṁ ca yat anṛtyadarśī satataṁ bhavedgītādi nispṛhaḥ

Clarified butter, and all salt, and whatever is stale, should be avoided. He should never watch dancing, and should be constantly indifferent to song and the like.

Verse 21 (padma.3.53.21)

नादित्यं वै समीहेत नाचरेद्दंतधावनम् । एकांतमशुचिस्त्रीभिः शूद्राद्यैरभिभाषणम् ।

nādityaṁ vai samīheta nācareddaṁtadhāvanam ekāṁtamaśucistrībhiḥ śūdrādyairabhibhāṣaṇam

He should not gaze at the sun, nor should he clean his teeth on forbidden days. He should avoid solitary conversation with impure women, or with Shudras and the like.

Verse 22 (padma.3.53.22)

गुरूच्छिष्टं भेषजान्नं प्रयुंजीत न कामतः । मलापकर्षणं स्नानं नाचरेद्धि कदाचन ।

gurūcchiṣṭaṁ bheṣajānnaṁ prayuṁjīta na kāmataḥ malāpakarṣaṇaṁ snānaṁ nācareddhi kadācana

He should not, out of desire, partake of the guru's leftover food, unless it be given as medicine. He should never take a bath meant merely to remove dirt.

Verse 23 (padma.3.53.23)

न कुर्यान्मानसं विप्रो गुरोस्त्यागे कथंचन । मोहाद्वा यदि वा लोभात्त्यक्त्वा तु पतितो भवेत् ।

na kuryānmānasaṁ vipro gurostyāge kathaṁcana mohādvā yadi vā lobhāttyaktvā tu patito bhavet

A Brahmin should never even think in his mind of abandoning his guru. If, out of delusion or out of greed, he abandons him, he becomes a fallen man.

Verse 24 (padma.3.53.24)

लौकिकं वैदिकं वापि तथाध्यात्मिकमेव वा । आददीत यतो ज्ञानं तं न द्रुह्येत्कदाचन ।

laukikaṁ vaidikaṁ vāpi tathādhyātmikameva vā ādadīta yato jñānaṁ taṁ na druhyetkadācana

Whether worldly, or Vedic, or spiritual — from whomever he receives knowledge, he should never do him harm.

Verse 25 (padma.3.53.25)

गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः । उत्पथप्रतिपन्नस्य न मनुस्त्यागमब्रवीत् ।

gurorapyavaliptasya kāryākāryamajānataḥ utpathapratipannasya na manustyāgamabravīt

Even of a guru who has become arrogant, who does not distinguish what should and should not be done, and who has fallen upon a wrong path — Manu did not declare that he should be abandoned.

Verse 26 (padma.3.53.26)

गुरोर्गुरौ सन्निहिते गुरुवद्वृत्तिमाचरेत् । नत्वाभिसृष्टो गुरुणा स्वान्गुरूनभिवादयेत् ।

gurorgurau sannihite guruvadvṛttimācaret natvābhisṛṣṭo guruṇā svāngurūnabhivādayet

When the guru's own guru is present, he should behave toward him just as toward his own guru. Even when sent forth by his guru, he should still salute his own kin who are gurus.

Verse 27 (padma.3.53.27)

विद्यागुरुष्वेतदेवं नित्यावृत्तिषु योगिषु । प्रतिषेधत्सु चाधर्माद्धितं चोपदिशत्सु च ।

vidyāguruṣvetadevaṁ nityāvṛttiṣu yogiṣu pratiṣedhatsu cādharmāddhitaṁ copadiśatsu ca

This same respect applies toward teachers of learning, toward yogis of constant practice, toward those who restrain one from unrighteousness, and toward those who instruct in what is beneficial.

Verse 28 (padma.3.53.28)

श्रेयः स्वगुरुवद्वृत्तिं नित्यमेव समाचरेत् । गुरुपुत्रेषु दारेषु गुरोश्चैव स्वबंधुषु ।

śreyaḥ svaguruvadvṛttiṁ nityameva samācaret guruputreṣu dāreṣu guroścaiva svabaṁdhuṣu

It is better that he should always behave toward these as toward his own guru. Toward the guru's sons, his wives, and toward his own kinsfolk —

Verse 29 (padma.3.53.29)

बालः संमानयेन्मान्याञ्छिष्टो वा यदि कर्म्मणि । अध्यापयन्गुरोः सूनुं गुरुवन्मानमर्हति ।

bālaḥ saṁmānayenmānyāñchiṣṭo vā yadi karmmaṇi adhyāpayanguroḥ sūnuṁ guruvanmānamarhati

even a young student should honor those worthy of respect, or one accomplished in the guru's work. One who teaches the guru's son deserves honor as if he were the guru himself.

Verse 30 (padma.3.53.30)

उत्सादनं च गात्राणां स्नापनोच्छिष्टभोजनः । न कुर्याद्गुरुपुत्रस्य पादयोः शौचमेव च ।

utsādanaṁ ca gātrāṇāṁ snāpanocchiṣṭabhojanaḥ na kuryādguruputrasya pādayoḥ śaucameva ca

He should not perform limb-massage, bathing, or eating of leftovers for the guru's son, nor washing of his feet.

Verse 31 (padma.3.53.31)

गुरुवत्प्रतिपूज्याश्च सवर्णा गुरुयोषितः । असवर्णाश्च संपूज्याः प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादनैः ।

guruvatpratipūjyāśca savarṇā guruyoṣitaḥ asavarṇāśca saṁpūjyāḥ pratyutthānābhivādanaiḥ

The guru's wives of the same caste as the student are to be honored like the guru himself; those of a different caste are to be honored by rising and by salutation.

Verse 32 (padma.3.53.32)

अभ्यंजनं स्नापनं च गात्रोत्सादनमेव च । गुरुपत्न्या न कार्याणि केशानां च प्रसाधनम् ।

abhyaṁjanaṁ snāpanaṁ ca gātrotsādanameva ca gurupatnyā na kāryāṇi keśānāṁ ca prasādhanam

Anointing, bathing, massaging the limbs of the guru's wife, and the dressing of her hair, should not be done by the student.

Verse 33 (padma.3.53.33)

गुरुपत्नी तु युवती नाभिवाद्या तु पादयोः । कुर्वीत वंदनं भूम्यामसावहमिति ब्रुवन् ।

gurupatnī tu yuvatī nābhivādyā tu pādayoḥ kurvīta vaṁdanaṁ bhūmyāmasāvahamiti bruvan

But a young guru's-wife should not be saluted by touching her feet; instead, one should bow upon the ground, saying 'I am so-and-so.'

Verse 34 (padma.3.53.34)

विप्रोष्य पादग्रहणपूर्वकं चाभिवादनम् । गुरुदारेषु कुर्वीत सतां धर्म्ममनुस्मरन् ।

viproṣya pādagrahaṇapūrvakaṁ cābhivādanam gurudāreṣu kurvīta satāṁ dharmmamanusmaran

Having been away on a journey, one should perform the salutation preceded by the grasping of the feet toward the guru's wives, remembering the dharma of the virtuous.

Verse 35 (padma.3.53.35)

मातृष्वसा मातुलानी श्वश्रूश्चाथ पितृष्वसा । संपूज्या गुरुपत्नीवत्समास्ता गुरुभार्यया ।

mātṛṣvasā mātulānī śvaśrūścātha pitṛṣvasā saṁpūjyā gurupatnīvatsamāstā gurubhāryayā

One's maternal aunt, the wife of one's maternal uncle, one's mother-in-law, and one's paternal aunt are to be honored like the guru's wife, equal to the guru's wife.

Verse 36 (padma.3.53.36)

भ्रातृभार्याश्च संग्राह्या सवर्णा हन्यहन्यपि । विप्रोष्य तूपसंग्राह्या ज्ञातिसंबंधियोषितः ।

bhrātṛbhāryāśca saṁgrāhyā savarṇā hanyahanyapi viproṣya tūpasaṁgrāhyā jñātisaṁbaṁdhiyoṣitaḥ

The wives of one's brothers, if of equal caste, are to be greeted daily; and the women who are one's kinswomen by relation, after having been away, are to be greeted properly.

Verse 37 (padma.3.53.37)

पितुर्भगिन्या मातुश्च जायस्यां च स्वसर्यपि । मातृवद्वृत्तिमातिष्ठेन्माता ताभ्यो गरीयसी ।

piturbhaginyā mātuśca jāyasyāṁ ca svasaryapi mātṛvadvṛttimātiṣṭhenmātā tābhyo garīyasī

Toward one's father's sister, and one's mother's sister, and toward one's wife's sister, one should behave as toward a mother; but one's own mother is greater than these.

Verse 38 (padma.3.53.38)

एवमाचारसंपन्नमात्मवंतमदांभिकम् । वेदमध्यापयेद्धर्म्मं पुराणांगानि नित्यशः ।

evamācārasaṁpannamātmavaṁtamadāṁbhikam vedamadhyāpayeddharmmaṁ purāṇāṁgāni nityaśaḥ

To such a one, endowed with proper conduct, self-possessed, and free of hypocrisy, one should teach the Veda, the dharma, the Puranas, and the Vedangas, continually.

Verse 39 (padma.3.53.39)

संवत्सरोषिते शिष्ये गुरुर्ज्ञानमनिर्दिशन् । हरते दुष्कृतं तस्य शिष्यस्य वसतो गुरुः ।

saṁvatsaroṣite śiṣye gururjñānamanirdiśan harate duṣkṛtaṁ tasya śiṣyasya vasato guruḥ

When a student has dwelt with him for a year, if the guru does not yet impart the knowledge, the guru nonetheless takes away the sin of that student who dwells in service.

Verse 40 (padma.3.53.40)

आचार्यपुत्रः शुश्रूषुर्ज्ञानदो धार्मिकः शुचिः । शक्तोन्नदोंबुदः साधुरध्याप्यादश धर्मतः ।

ācāryaputraḥ śuśrūṣurjñānado dhārmikaḥ śuciḥ śaktonnadoṁbudaḥ sādhuradhyāpyādaśa dharmataḥ

The teacher's son, one who is obedient, one who gives knowledge, one who is righteous, one who is pure, one who is capable, one who gives food, one who gives water, one who is virtuous — these ten, according to dharma, are all to be taught.

Verse 41 (padma.3.53.41)

कृतकंठस्तथाऽद्रोहः मेधावी गुरुकृन्नरः । आप्तः प्रियोऽथ विधिवत्षडध्याप्या द्विजातयः ।

kṛtakaṁṭhastathā'drohaḥ medhāvī gurukṛnnaraḥ āptaḥ priyo'tha vidhivatṣaḍadhyāpyā dvijātayaḥ

One with a trained voice, one who bears no malice, one of good memory, one who serves the guru, one who is trustworthy, and one who is dear — these six twice-born, according to rule, are also to be taught.

Verse 42 (padma.3.53.42)

एतेषु ब्राह्मणे दानमन्यत्र तु यथोचितम् । आचम्य संयतो नित्यमधीयीत उदङ्मुखः ।

eteṣu brāhmaṇe dānamanyatra tu yathocitam ācamya saṁyato nityamadhīyīta udaṅmukhaḥ

Among these, the gift of knowledge freely is proper toward a Brahmin; toward others, as is appropriate. Having sipped water, disciplined, he should always study facing north.

Verse 43 (padma.3.53.43)

उपसंगृह्य तत्पादौ वीक्ष्यमाणो गुरोर्मुखम् । अधीष्व भो इति ब्रूयाद्विरामोऽस्त्विति चाऽरमेत् ।

upasaṁgṛhya tatpādau vīkṣyamāṇo gurormukham adhīṣva bho iti brūyādvirāmo'stviti cā'ramet

Having grasped his guru's feet, watching his guru's face, he should say 'study, sir,' and when told 'let there be a pause,' he should rest.

Verse 44 (padma.3.53.44)

प्राक्कूलान्पर्युपासीत पवित्रैश्चैव पावकः । प्राणायामैस्त्रिभिः पूतस्ततोंकारमर्हति ।

prākkūlānparyupāsīta pavitraiścaiva pāvakaḥ prāṇāyāmaistribhiḥ pūtastatoṁkāramarhati

He should sit surrounded by kusha grass with tips pointing east, purified as if by sacred fire; purified by three pranayamas, he then becomes fit for the syllable Om.

Verse 45 (padma.3.53.45)

ब्राह्मणः प्रणवं कुर्यादंतेऽपि विधिवद्द्विजाः । कुर्यादध्यापनं नित्यं सब्रह्मांजलिपूर्वतः ।

brāhmaṇaḥ praṇavaṁ kuryādaṁte'pi vidhivaddvijāḥ kuryādadhyāpanaṁ nityaṁ sabrahmāṁjalipūrvataḥ

A Brahmin should utter the syllable Om at the end as well, duly, O twice-born ones; he should always conduct his teaching preceded by folded hands together with the recitation of the Veda.

Verse 46 (padma.3.53.46)

सर्वेषामेव भूतानां वेदश्चक्षुः सनातनः । अधीयीताप्ययं नित्यं ब्राह्मण्याद्धीयतेऽन्यथा ।

sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṁ vedaścakṣuḥ sanātanaḥ adhīyītāpyayaṁ nityaṁ brāhmaṇyāddhīyate'nyathā

The Veda is the eternal eye of all beings. This should always be studied; otherwise, one falls away from Brahminhood.

Verse 47 (padma.3.53.47)

अधीयीत ऋचो नित्यं क्षीराहुत्या सदेवताः । प्रीणाति तर्पयन्कालं कामैर्हूताः सदैवताः ।

adhīyīta ṛco nityaṁ kṣīrāhutyā sadevatāḥ prīṇāti tarpayankālaṁ kāmairhūtāḥ sadaivatāḥ

He who studies the Rig verses daily satisfies the deities with an offering of milk, propitiating in due time the gods invoked with desired oblations.

Verse 48 (padma.3.53.48)

यजूंष्यधीते नियतं दध्ना प्रीणाति देवताः । सामान्यधीते प्रीणाति घृताहुतिभिरन्वहम् ।

yajūṁṣyadhīte niyataṁ dadhnā prīṇāti devatāḥ sāmānyadhīte prīṇāti ghṛtāhutibhiranvaham

One who regularly studies the Yajus verses pleases the gods with curd. One who studies the Sama verses pleases them daily with oblations of ghee.

Verse 49 (padma.3.53.49)

अथर्वांगिरसो नित्यं मध्वा प्रीणाति देवताः । धर्मांगानि पुराणानि मांसैस्तर्पयतेसुरान् ।

atharvāṁgiraso nityaṁ madhvā prīṇāti devatāḥ dharmāṁgāni purāṇāni māṁsaistarpayatesurān

One who studies the Atharva Veda daily pleases the gods with honey. The Dharma-treatises, the Angas, and the Puranas satisfy the gods with fitting offerings.

Verse 50 (padma.3.53.50)

प्रातश्च सायं प्रयतो नैत्यकं विधिमाश्रितः । गायत्रीं समधीयीत गत्वारण्यं समाहितः ।

prātaśca sāyaṁ prayato naityakaṁ vidhimāśritaḥ gāyatrīṁ samadhīyīta gatvāraṇyaṁ samāhitaḥ

Morning and evening, with due care, resorting to the daily rite, having gone to a forest, composed in mind, he should study the Gayatri.

Verse 51 (padma.3.53.51)

सहस्रपरमां देवीं शतमध्यां दशावराम् । गायत्रीं वै जपेन्नित्यं जपयज्ञः प्रकीर्तितः ।

sahasraparamāṁ devīṁ śatamadhyāṁ daśāvarām gāyatrīṁ vai japennityaṁ japayajñaḥ prakīrtitaḥ

The goddess Gayatri should be recited a thousand times at most, a hundred times as a middling amount, ten times at the least; this is called the sacrifice of recitation.

Verse 52 (padma.3.53.52)

गायत्रीं चैव वेदांश्च तुलया तोलयत्प्रभुः । एकतश्चतुरोवेदा गायत्रीं च तथैकतः ।

gāyatrīṁ caiva vedāṁśca tulayā tolayatprabhuḥ ekataścaturovedā gāyatrīṁ ca tathaikataḥ

The Lord, weighing the Gayatri and the Vedas on a scale — on the one side the four Vedas, and on the other side the Gayatri —

Verse 53 (padma.3.53.53)

ॐकारमादितः कृत्वा व्याहृतीस्तदनंतरम् । ततोऽधीयीत सावित्रीमेकाग्रः श्रद्धयान्वितः ।

oṁkāramāditaḥ kṛtvā vyāhṛtīstadanaṁtaram tato'dhīyīta sāvitrīmekāgraḥ śraddhayānvitaḥ

having placed the syllable Om first, and then the Vyahritis, one should thereafter study the Savitri with one-pointed focus, filled with faith.

Verse 54 (padma.3.53.54)

पुराकल्पे समुत्पन्ना भूर्भुवः स्वः सनातनाः । महाव्याहृतयस्तिस्रः सर्वाशुभनिबर्हणाः ।

purākalpe samutpannā bhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥ sanātanāḥ mahāvyāhṛtayastisraḥ sarvāśubhanibarhaṇāḥ

Arising in the ancient kalpa, eternal, are Bhur, Bhuvah, Svah — the three great Vyahritis, which destroy every misfortune.

Verse 55 (padma.3.53.55)

प्रधानं पुरुषः कालो विष्णुब्रह्ममहेश्वराः । सत्वंरजस्तमस्तिस्रः क्रमाद्व्याहृतयः स्मृताः ।

pradhānaṁ puruṣaḥ kālo viṣṇubrahmamaheśvarāḥ satvaṁrajastamastisraḥ kramādvyāhṛtayaḥ smṛtāḥ

Prakriti, Purusha, and Time; Vishnu, Brahma, and Maheshvara; Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas — these three sets, in order, are remembered as represented by the Vyahritis.

Verse 56 (padma.3.53.56)

ॐकारस्तत्परं ब्रह्म सावित्री स्यात्तदुत्तरम् । एष मंत्रो महायोगः सारात्सार उदाहृतः ।

oṁkārastatparaṁ brahma sāvitrī syāttaduttaram eṣa maṁtro mahāyogaḥ sārātsāra udāhṛtaḥ

Om is the supreme Brahman; the Savitri comes after it. This mantra is a great yoga, declared to be the essence of essences.

Verse 57 (padma.3.53.57)

योऽधीतेऽहन्यहन्येतां गायत्रीं वेदमातरम् । विज्ञायार्थं ब्रह्मचारी स याति परमां गतिम् ।

yo'dhīte'hanyahanyetāṁ gāyatrīṁ vedamātaram vijñāyārthaṁ brahmacārī sa yāti paramāṁ gatim

Whoever, day after day, recites this Gayatri, the mother of the Vedas, and, as a celibate, understands its meaning, attains the supreme goal.

Verse 58 (padma.3.53.58)

गायत्री वेदजननी गायत्री लोकपावनी । गायत्र्या न परं जप्यमेतद्विज्ञायमुच्यते ।

gāyatrī vedajananī gāyatrī lokapāvanī gāyatryā na paraṁ japyametadvijñāyamucyate

Gayatri is the mother of the Vedas; Gayatri purifies the world. There is nothing higher to recite than the Gayatri — this is what is called true understanding.

Verse 59 (padma.3.53.59)

श्रावणस्य तु मासस्य पौर्णमास्यां द्विजोत्तमाः । आषाढ्यां प्रोष्ठपद्यां वा वेदोपाकरणं स्मृतम् ।

śrāvaṇasya tu māsasya paurṇamāsyāṁ dvijottamāḥ āṣāḍhyāṁ proṣṭhapadyāṁ vā vedopākaraṇaṁ smṛtam

On the full moon of the month of Shravana, O best of the twice-born, or on that of Ashadha, or of Proshthapada, the ceremonial commencement of Vedic study is prescribed.

Verse 60 (padma.3.53.60)

यत्सूर्ययाम्यगमनं मासान्विप्रोर्द्धपंचमान् । अधीयीत शुचौ देशे ब्रह्मचारी समाहितः ।

yatsūryayāmyagamanaṁ māsānviprorddhapaṁcamān adhīyīta śucau deśe brahmacārī samāhitaḥ

For the period when the sun moves toward the south — four and a half months — a Brahmin celibate student should study, composed, in a pure place.

Verse 61 (padma.3.53.61)

पुष्ये तुच्छंदसां कुर्याद्बहिरुत्सर्जनं द्विजः । मासि शुक्लस्य वा प्राप्ते पूर्वाह्णे प्रथमेऽहनि ।

puṣye tucchaṁdasāṁ kuryādbahirutsarjanaṁ dvijaḥ māsi śuklasya vā prāpte pūrvāhṇe prathame'hani

On the Pushya asterism, a twice-born should perform the ceremonial suspension of Vedic recitation, or when the bright fortnight arrives, in the forenoon of the first day.

Verse 62 (padma.3.53.62)

छदांसि च द्विजोऽभ्यस्येच्छुक्लपक्षे तु वै द्विजः । वेदांगानि पुराणानि कृष्णपक्षेषु मानवः ।

chadāṁsi ca dvijo'bhyasyecchuklapakṣe tu vai dvijaḥ vedāṁgāni purāṇāni kṛṣṇapakṣeṣu mānavaḥ

A twice-born should practice the Vedic meters in the bright fortnight; a person should study the Vedangas and Puranas in the dark fortnight.

Verse 63 (padma.3.53.63)

इमान्नित्यमनध्यायानधीयानो विवर्जयेत् । अध्यापनं च कुर्वाणोऽभ्यस्यन्नपि प्रयत्नतः ।

imānnityamanadhyāyānadhīyāno vivarjayet adhyāpanaṁ ca kurvāṇo'bhyasyannapi prayatnataḥ

One who is studying should always avoid these forbidden days for study; this applies both to one conducting teaching and to one practicing on his own, diligently.

Verse 64 (padma.3.53.64)

कर्णश्रवेऽनिले रात्रौ दिवापांसुसमूहने । विद्युत्स्तनितवर्षेषु महोल्कानां च संप्लवे ।

karṇaśrave'nile rātrau divāpāṁsusamūhane vidyutstanitavarṣeṣu maholkānāṁ ca saṁplave

When there is a wind loud enough to be heard, at night; when there is a dust-storm by day; during lightning, thunder, and rain; and when there is a shower of great meteors —

Verse 65 (padma.3.53.65)

अकालिकमनध्यायमेतेष्वाह प्रजापतिः । एतानभ्युदिनान्विद्याद्यदा प्रादुष्कृताग्निषु ।

akālikamanadhyāyameteṣvāha prajāpatiḥ etānabhyudinānvidyādyadā prāduṣkṛtāgniṣu

in these, Prajapati has declared an occasional suspension of study. One should know these as days when fire-like phenomena suddenly appear in the sky —

Verse 66 (padma.3.53.66)

तदा विद्यादनध्यायमनृतौ चाभ्रदर्शने । निर्घाते भूमिचलने ज्योतिषां चोपसर्जने ।

tadā vidyādanadhyāyamanṛtau cābhradarśane nirghāte bhūmicalane jyotiṣāṁ copasarjane

then one should know it as anadhyaya, even out of season, upon the sighting of clouds; at a thunderclap, at an earthquake, and at the falling of celestial bodies.

Verse 67 (padma.3.53.67)

एतानकालिकान्विद्यादनध्यायानृतावपि । प्रादुष्कृतेष्वग्निषु च विद्युत्स्तनितनिस्वने ।

etānakālikānvidyādanadhyāyānṛtāvapi prāduṣkṛteṣvagniṣu ca vidyutstanitanisvane

One should know these as occasional suspensions of study, even outside the regular season — upon the sudden appearance of fires in the sky, and at the sound of lightning and thunder.

Verse 68 (padma.3.53.68)

सज्योतिः स्यादनध्यायः शेषे रात्रौ यथा दिवा । नित्यानध्याय एव स्याद्ग्रामेषु नगरेषु च ।

sajyotiḥ syādanadhyāyaḥ śeṣe rātrau yathā divā nityānadhyāya eva syādgrāmeṣu nagareṣu ca

As long as such light persists, there is suspension of study for the rest of the night, just as in daytime. Study is permanently suspended in villages and towns —

Verse 69 (padma.3.53.69)

धर्मनैपुण्यकामानां पूतिगंधे च नित्यशः । अंतः शवगतेग्रामे वृषलस्य च सन्निधौ ।

dharmanaipuṇyakāmānāṁ pūtigaṁdhe ca nityaśaḥ aṁtaḥ śavagategrāme vṛṣalasya ca sannidhau

for those who desire skill in dharma — always, in the presence of a foul smell; when a corpse is within the village; and in the presence of an outcaste.

Verse 70 (padma.3.53.70)

अनध्यायोरुद्यमाने समये जलदस्य च । उदके चार्धरात्रे च विण्मूत्रं च विसर्जयन् ।

anadhyāyorudyamāne samaye jaladasya ca udake cārdharātre ca viṇmūtraṁ ca visarjayan

There is suspension of study while a rain-cloud is rising, and in water; and at midnight, and while relieving oneself of urine or feces —

Verse 71 (padma.3.53.71)

उच्छिष्टः श्राद्धभुक्चैव मनसापि न चिंतयेत् । प्रतिगृह्य द्विजो विद्वानेकोद्दिष्टस्य वेतनम् ।

ucchiṣṭaḥ śrāddhabhukcaiva manasāpi na ciṁtayet pratigṛhya dvijo vidvānekoddiṣṭasya vetanam

being unpurified, and one who has eaten at a shraddha rite, should not even think of the Veda in his mind. A learned twice-born who has accepted payment for a rite for a single deceased ancestor —

Verse 72 (padma.3.53.72)

त्र्यहं न कारयेद्ब्रह्म राज्ञो राहोश्च सूतके । यावदेकान्ननिष्ठा स्यात्स्नेहालोपश्च तिष्ठति ।

tryahaṁ na kārayedbrahma rājño rāhośca sūtake yāvadekānnaniṣṭhā syātsnehālopaśca tiṣṭhati

he should not conduct Vedic teaching for three days; nor during a king's birth-impurity, nor during an eclipse. As long as one relies on a single kind of food, and as long as the body's natural oiliness has not vanished —

Verse 73 (padma.3.53.73)

विप्रस्य विदुषो देहे तावद्ब्रह्म न कीर्तयेत् । शयानः प्रौढपादश्च कृत्वा चैवावसक्थिकाम् ।

viprasya viduṣo dehe tāvadbrahma na kīrtayet śayānaḥ prauḍhapādaśca kṛtvā caivāvasakthikām

from the body of a learned Brahmin, the Veda should not be recited. While lying down, or with feet stretched out, or having crossed his legs —

Verse 74 (padma.3.53.74)

नाधीयीतामिषं जग्ध्वा शूद्रश्राद्धान्नमेव च । नीहारे बाणशब्दे च संध्ययोरुभयोरपि ।

nādhīyītāmiṣaṁ jagdhvā śūdraśrāddhānnameva ca nīhāre bāṇaśabde ca saṁdhyayorubhayorapi

one should not study; nor after having eaten meat, or the food of a Shudra's shraddha rite. During fog, during the sound of an arrow, and during both twilights —

Verse 75 (padma.3.53.75)

अमावास्या चतुर्दश्योः पौर्णमास्यष्टमीषु च । उपाकर्मणि चोत्सर्गे त्रिरात्रं क्षपणं स्मृतम् ।

amāvāsyā caturdaśyoḥ paurṇamāsyaṣṭamīṣu ca upākarmaṇi cotsarge trirātraṁ kṣapaṇaṁ smṛtam

on the new moon, the fourteenth, the full moon, and the eighth day, and at the commencement and closing rite of Vedic study — a suspension of three nights is prescribed.

Verse 76 (padma.3.53.76)

अष्टकासु अहोरात्रमृत्वंतासु च रात्रिषु । मार्गशीर्षे तथा पौषे माघमासे तथैव च ।

aṣṭakāsu ahorātramṛtvaṁtāsu ca rātriṣu mārgaśīrṣe tathā pauṣe māghamāse tathaiva ca

On the Ashtaka days, for a full day and night, and on the nights at the changes of season, and in the months of Margashirsha, Pausha, and Magha —

Verse 77 (padma.3.53.77)

तिस्रोऽष्टकाः समाख्याता कृष्णपक्षेषु सूरिभिः । श्लेष्मातकस्य च्छायायां शाल्मलेर्मधुकस्य च ।

tisro'ṣṭakāḥ samākhyātā kṛṣṇapakṣeṣu sūribhiḥ śleṣmātakasya cchāyāyāṁ śālmalermadhukasya ca

the three Ashtaka days are declared by the learned to fall in the dark fortnights. In the shade of a shleshmataka, a shalmali, and a madhuka tree —

Verse 78 (padma.3.53.78)

कदाचिदपि नाध्येयं कोविदारकपित्थयोः । समानविद्ये च मृते तथा सब्रह्मचारिणि ।

kadācidapi nādhyeyaṁ kovidārakapitthayoḥ samānavidye ca mṛte tathā sabrahmacāriṇi

and never in the shade of a kovidara or kapittha tree should one study. Upon the death of one equally learned, or of a fellow student —

Verse 79 (padma.3.53.79)

आचार्ये संस्थिते चापि त्रिरात्रं क्षपणं स्मृतम् । छिद्राण्येतानि विप्राणामनध्यायाः प्रकीर्तिताः ।

ācārye saṁsthite cāpi trirātraṁ kṣapaṇaṁ smṛtam chidrāṇyetāni viprāṇāmanadhyāyāḥ prakīrtitāḥ

and even upon the death of one's teacher, a suspension of three nights is prescribed. These are the vulnerable openings for Brahmins; these are declared to be the times when study is forbidden.

Verse 80 (padma.3.53.80)

हिंसंति राक्षसास्तेषु तस्मादेतान्विवर्जयेत् । नैत्यकेनास्त्यनध्यायः संध्योपासनमेव च ।

hiṁsaṁti rākṣasāsteṣu tasmādetānvivarjayet naityakenāstyanadhyāyaḥ saṁdhyopāsanameva ca

Rakshasas do harm during these times; therefore one should avoid them. There is no suspension for the daily obligatory rites, nor for the worship of the twilights,

Verse 81 (padma.3.53.81)

उपाकर्म्मणि होमांते होममध्ये तथैव च । एकामृचमथैकं वा यजुः सामानि वा पुनः ।

upākarmmaṇi homāṁte homamadhye tathaiva ca ekāmṛcamathaikaṁ vā yajuḥ sāmāni vā punaḥ

nor for the commencement rite, nor at the end of a homa, nor in the middle of a homa — nor for reciting one single Rig, Yajus, or Sama verse.

Verse 82 (padma.3.53.82)

नाष्टकाद्यास्वधीयीत मारुते चाभिधावति । अनध्यायस्तु नांगेषु नेतिहासपुराणयोः ।

nāṣṭakādyāsvadhīyīta mārute cābhidhāvati anadhyāyastu nāṁgeṣu netihāsapurāṇayoḥ

One should not study on the Ashtaka days and the like, nor when a windstorm is rushing. But the suspension does not apply to the Vedangas, nor to the Itihasas and Puranas,

Verse 83 (padma.3.53.83)

न धर्मशास्त्रेष्वन्येषु सर्वाण्येतानि वर्जयेत् । एष धर्मः समासेन कीर्तितो ब्रह्मचारिणः ।

na dharmaśāstreṣvanyeṣu sarvāṇyetāni varjayet eṣa dharmaḥ samāsena kīrtito brahmacāriṇaḥ

nor to the other Dharma-shastras — all of these are exempt. This is the dharma of the celibate student, declared in brief,

Verse 84 (padma.3.53.84)

ब्रह्मणाऽभिहितः पूर्वमृषीणां भावितात्मनाम् । योऽन्यत्र कुरुते यत्नमनधीत्य श्रुतिं द्विजः ।

brahmaṇā'bhihitaḥ pūrvamṛṣīṇāṁ bhāvitātmanām yo'nyatra kurute yatnamanadhītya śrutiṁ dvijaḥ

as declared formerly by Brahma to the sages of purified soul. Whatever twice-born makes effort elsewhere without having studied the Shruti —

Verse 85 (padma.3.53.85)

स संमूढो न संभाष्यो वेदबाह्यो द्विजातिभिः । न वेदपाठमात्रेण संतुष्टो वै भवेद्द्विजः ।

sa saṁmūḍho na saṁbhāṣyo vedabāhyo dvijātibhiḥ na vedapāṭhamātreṇa saṁtuṣṭo vai bhaveddvijaḥ

he is deluded, not to be conversed with, excluded from the Veda by the twice-born. Nor should a twice-born be content with the mere recitation of the Veda —

Verse 86 (padma.3.53.86)

पाठमात्रावसानस्तु पंके गौरिव सीदति । योऽधीत्य विधिवद्वेदं वेदार्थं न विचारयेत् ।

pāṭhamātrāvasānastu paṁke gauriva sīdati yo'dhītya vidhivadvedaṁ vedārthaṁ na vicārayet

for one who stops at mere recitation sinks like a cow in mud. Whoever, having duly recited the Veda, does not reflect upon its meaning —

Verse 87 (padma.3.53.87)

स संमूढः शूद्रकल्पः पात्रतां न प्रपद्यते । यदित्वात्यंतिकं वासं कर्तुमिच्छति वै गुरौ ।

sa saṁmūḍhaḥ śūdrakalpaḥ pātratāṁ na prapadyate yaditvātyaṁtikaṁ vāsaṁ kartumicchati vai gurau

he is deluded, akin to a Shudra, and does not attain true worthiness. But if he wishes to remain permanently in residence with his guru —

Verse 88 (padma.3.53.88)

युक्तः परिचरेदेनमाशरीरविमोक्षणम् । गत्वा वनं च विधिवज्जुहुयाज्जातवेदसम् ।

yuktaḥ paricaredenamāśarīravimokṣaṇam gatvā vanaṁ ca vidhivajjuhuyājjātavedasam

disciplined, he should attend upon him until the release of his body. Or, having gone to the forest, he should duly offer oblations to the fire.

Verse 89 (padma.3.53.89)

अधीयीत तथा नित्यं ब्रह्मनिष्ठः समाहितः । सावित्रीं शतरुद्रीयं वेदांतांश्च विशेषतः । अभ्यसेत्सततं युक्तो भिक्षाशनपरायणः ।

adhīyīta tathā nityaṁ brahmaniṣṭhaḥ samāhitaḥ sāvitrīṁ śatarudrīyaṁ vedāṁtāṁśca viśeṣataḥ abhyasetsatataṁ yukto bhikṣāśanaparāyaṇaḥ

And he should thus study daily, established in Brahman, composed; the Savitri, the Shatarudriya, and especially the Vedanta texts — he should practice them constantly, disciplined, devoted to eating only alms-food.

Verse 90 (padma.3.53.90)

एतद्विधानं परमं पुराणं वेदागमे सम्यगिहोदितं वः । पुरा महर्षिप्रवराभिपृष्टः स्वायंभुवो यन्मनुराह देवः ।

etadvidhānaṁ paramaṁ purāṇaṁ vedāgame samyagihoditaṁ vaḥ purā maharṣipravarābhipṛṣṭaḥ svāyaṁbhuvo yanmanurāha devaḥ

This supreme, ancient rule, taught rightly here in accordance with the Vedic tradition, was declared to you — this which, formerly, when asked by the foremost great sages, the divine Svayambhuva Manu spoke.