Karma-Yoga: The Brahmin's Code of Restraint

Verse 1 (padma.3.55.1)

व्यास उवाच । न हिंस्यात्सर्वभूतानि नानृतं वावदेत्क्वचित् । नाहितं नाप्रिंयं वाच्यं न स्तेनः स्यात्कदाचन ।

vyāsa uvāca na hiṁsyātsarvabhūtāni nānṛtaṁ vāvadetkvacit nāhitaṁ nāpriṁyaṁ vācyaṁ na stenaḥ syātkadācana

Vyasa said: One should not harm any being, nor ever speak falsehood; one should not say what is harmful or unpleasant; one should never be a thief.

Verse 2 (padma.3.55.2)

तृणं वा यदि वा शाकं मृदं वा जलमेव च । परस्यापहरञ्जंतुर्नरकं प्रतिपद्यते ।

tṛṇaṁ vā yadi vā śākaṁ mṛdaṁ vā jalameva ca parasyāpaharañjaṁturnarakaṁ pratipadyate

Even taking grass, or a vegetable, or clay, or water belonging to another, a creature who steals it goes to hell.

Verse 3 (padma.3.55.3)

न राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्णीयान्न शूद्रात्पतितादपि । न चान्यस्मादशक्तश्चेन्निंदितान्वर्जयेद्बुधः ।

na rājñaḥ pratigṛhṇīyānna śūdrātpatitādapi na cānyasmādaśaktaścenniṁditānvarjayedbudhaḥ

One should not accept gifts from a king, nor from a Shudra, nor from a fallen person, nor from anyone else unworthy — unless in dire need; a wise man should avoid the censured.

Verse 4 (padma.3.55.4)

नित्यं याचनको न स्यात्पुनस्तं नैव याचयेत् । प्राणानपहरत्येवं याचकस्तस्य दुर्मतेः ।

nityaṁ yācanako na syātpunastaṁ naiva yācayet prāṇānapaharatyevaṁ yācakastasya durmateḥ

One should not be a constant beggar, nor should one beg from the same person again and again; such an evil-minded beggar thereby steals away the giver's very life.

Verse 5 (padma.3.55.5)

न देवद्रव्यहारी स्याद्विशेषेण द्विजोत्तमः । ब्रह्मस्वं वा नापहरेदापत्स्वपि कदाचन ।

na devadravyahārī syādviśeṣeṇa dvijottamaḥ brahmasvaṁ vā nāpaharedāpatsvapi kadācana

One should not be a stealer of the god's property, especially the best of the twice-born; and one should never appropriate a Brahmin's property, even in times of distress.

Verse 6 (padma.3.55.6)

न विषं विषमित्याहुर्ब्रह्मस्वं विषमुच्यते । देवस्वं चापि यत्नेन सदा परिहरेत्ततः ।

na viṣaṁ viṣamityāhurbrahmasvaṁ viṣamucyate devasvaṁ cāpi yatnena sadā pariharettataḥ

They do not call poison mere 'poison'; a Brahmin's property is called true poison. Therefore one should diligently and always avoid the god's property as well.

Verse 7 (padma.3.55.7)

पुष्पं शाकोदकं काष्ठं तथा मूलं फलं तृणम् । अदत्तानि च न स्तेयं मनुः प्राह प्रजापतिः ।

puṣpaṁ śākodakaṁ kāṣṭhaṁ tathā mūlaṁ phalaṁ tṛṇam adattāni ca na steyaṁ manuḥ prāha prajāpatiḥ

Flowers, vegetables, water, wood, and likewise roots, fruit, and grass, even if not given, are not theft — so declared Manu Prajapati.

Verse 8 (padma.3.55.8)

गृहीतव्यानि पुष्पाणि देवार्चनविधौ द्विजः । नैकस्मादेव नियतमननुज्ञाय केवलम् ।

gṛhītavyāni puṣpāṇi devārcanavidhau dvijaḥ naikasmādeva niyatamananujñāya kevalam

Flowers may be taken by a twice-born for the rite of worshipping the gods; but they should not be taken solely from a single owned source without permission.

Verse 9 (padma.3.55.9)

तृणं काष्ठं फलं पुष्पं प्रकाशं वै हरेद्बुधः । धर्मार्थं केवलं प्राहुरन्यथा पतितो भवेत् ।

tṛṇaṁ kāṣṭhaṁ phalaṁ puṣpaṁ prakāśaṁ vai haredbudhaḥ dharmārthaṁ kevalaṁ prāhuranyathā patito bhavet

A wise man may take grass, wood, fruit, and flowers openly. This is declared permissible only for the sake of dharma; otherwise, one becomes a fallen man.

Verse 10 (padma.3.55.10)

तिलमुद्गयवादीनां मुष्टिर्ग्राह्या पथिस्थितैः । क्षुधितैर्नान्यथा विप्रा धर्मादिभिरिति स्थितिः ।

tilamudgayavādīnāṁ muṣṭirgrāhyā pathisthitaiḥ kṣudhitairnānyathā viprā dharmādibhiriti sthitiḥ

A handful of sesame, mung beans, barley, and the like may be taken by those on a journey, if hungry, O Brahmins — this is the settled rule of dharma, not otherwise.

Verse 11 (padma.3.55.11)

न धर्मस्यापदेशेन पापं कृत्वा व्रतं चरेत् । व्रतेन पापं व्यागुह्य कुर्वन्स्त्रीशूद्र दंभनम् ।

na dharmasyāpadeśena pāpaṁ kṛtvā vrataṁ caret vratena pāpaṁ vyāguhya kurvanstrīśūdra daṁbhanam

One should not commit sin under the pretext of dharma, and then observe a vow to appear righteous. Concealing sin through a vow, while deceiving women and Shudras —

Verse 12 (padma.3.55.12)

प्रेत्येह चेदृशो विप्रो गर्ह्यते ब्रह्मवादिभिः । छद्मनाचरितं यच्च व्रतं रक्षांसि गच्छति ।

pretyeha cedṛśo vipro garhyate brahmavādibhiḥ chadmanācaritaṁ yacca vrataṁ rakṣāṁsi gacchati

such a Brahmin, both here and after death, is condemned by the speakers of the Veda. And whatever vow is practiced deceitfully goes to the Rakshasas.

Verse 13 (padma.3.55.13)

अलिंगी लिंगिवेषेण यो वृत्तिमुपतिष्ठति । सलिगिंनो हरेदेनस्तिर्यग्योनौ च जायते ।

aliṁgī liṁgiveṣeṇa yo vṛttimupatiṣṭhati saligiṁno haredenastiryagyonau ca jāyate

Whoever, without true spiritual marks, adopts the outward garb of an ascetic to earn a livelihood, steals the merit of those who genuinely bear such marks, and is born in an animal womb.

Verse 14 (padma.3.55.14)

याचनं योनिसंबंधं सहवासं च भाषणम् । कुर्वाणः पतते नित्यं तस्माद्यत्नेन वर्जयेत् ।

yācanaṁ yonisaṁbaṁdhaṁ sahavāsaṁ ca bhāṣaṇam kurvāṇaḥ patate nityaṁ tasmādyatnena varjayet

Begging in this false guise, sexual relations, cohabitation, and even conversation undertaken deceitfully — one who does these constantly falls; therefore one should carefully avoid them.

Verse 15 (padma.3.55.15)

देवद्रोहं न कुर्वीत गुरुद्रोहं तथैव च । देवद्रोहाद्गुरुद्रोहः कोटिकोटिगुणाधिकः ।

devadrohaṁ na kurvīta gurudrohaṁ tathaiva ca devadrohādgurudrohaḥ koṭikoṭiguṇādhikaḥ

One should not commit treachery against the gods, nor likewise against one's guru. Treachery against the guru is worse than treachery against the gods by ten million times ten million.

Verse 16 (padma.3.55.16)

जनापवादो नास्तिक्यं तस्मात्कोटिगुणाधिकम् । गोभिश्च दैवतैर्विप्रैः कृष्या राजोपसेवया ।

janāpavādo nāstikyaṁ tasmātkoṭiguṇādhikam gobhiśca daivatairvipraiḥ kṛṣyā rājopasevayā

Public disgrace and atheism are worse than that by ten million times. Through misuse of cattle, deities, or Brahmins, through farming, or through service to a king —

Verse 17 (padma.3.55.17)

कुलान्यकुलतां यांति यानि हीनानि धर्म्मतः । कुविचारैः क्रियालोपैर्वेदानध्ययनेन च ।

kulānyakulatāṁ yāṁti yāni hīnāni dharmmataḥ kuvicāraiḥ kriyālopairvedānadhyayanena ca

families that are deficient in dharma lose their noble status. Through wrong judgment, neglect of proper rites, and non-study of the Vedas —

Verse 18 (padma.3.55.18)

कुलान्यकुलतां यांति ब्राह्मणाऽतिक्रमेण च । अनृतात्पारदार्याच्च तथाऽभक्ष्यस्य भक्षणात् ।

kulānyakulatāṁ yāṁti brāhmaṇā'tikrameṇa ca anṛtātpāradāryācca tathā'bhakṣyasya bhakṣaṇāt

and also through transgression against Brahmins, families lose their status. Through falsehood, adultery, and eating forbidden food —

Verse 19 (padma.3.55.19)

अगोत्रधर्म्माचरणात्क्षिप्रं नश्यति वै कुलम् । अश्रोत्रियेषु दानाच्चा वृषलेषु तथैव च ।

agotradharmmācaraṇātkṣipraṁ naśyati vai kulam aśrotriyeṣu dānāccā vṛṣaleṣu tathaiva ca

and through practicing conduct unworthy of one's lineage, a family swiftly perishes. Through giving gifts to those unlearned in the Veda, and to outcastes,

Verse 20 (padma.3.55.20)

विहिताचारहीनेषु क्षिप्रं नश्यति वै कुलम् । अधार्मिकैर्वृते ग्रामे न व्याधिबहुले वसेत् ।

vihitācārahīneṣu kṣipraṁ naśyati vai kulam adhārmikairvṛte grāme na vyādhibahule vaset

and to those devoid of prescribed conduct, a family swiftly perishes. One should not dwell in a village surrounded by unrighteous people, nor in one rife with disease.

Verse 21 (padma.3.55.21)

शूद्रराज्ये च न वसेन्न पाखंडजनैर्वृते । हिमवद्विंध्ययोर्मध्यं पूर्वपश्चिमयोः शुभम् ।

śūdrarājye ca na vasenna pākhaṁḍajanairvṛte himavadviṁdhyayormadhyaṁ pūrvapaścimayoḥ śubham

One should not dwell in a kingdom ruled by a Shudra, nor in one surrounded by heretics. Between the Himalaya and the Vindhya, and bounded by east and west — this region is auspicious.

Verse 22 (padma.3.55.22)

मुक्त्वा समुद्रयोर्देशं नान्यत्र निवसेद्द्विजः । कृष्णो वा यत्र चरति मृगो नित्यं स्वभावतः ।

muktvā samudrayordeśaṁ nānyatra nivaseddvijaḥ kṛṣṇo vā yatra carati mṛgo nityaṁ svabhāvataḥ

Apart from the region between the two oceans, a twice-born should not dwell elsewhere. Or wherever the black antelope roams naturally by its own nature —

Verse 23 (padma.3.55.23)

पुण्या वा विश्रुता नद्यस्तत्र वा निवसेद्द्विजः । अर्धक्रोशं नदीकूलं वर्जयित्वा द्विजोत्तमः ।

puṇyā vā viśrutā nadyastatra vā nivaseddvijaḥ ardhakrośaṁ nadīkūlaṁ varjayitvā dvijottamaḥ

or where sacred and renowned rivers flow — there a twice-born may dwell. Excepting the half-krosha riverbank, O best of the twice-born —

Verse 24 (padma.3.55.24)

नान्यत्र निवसेत्पुण्यं नांत्यजग्रामसन्निधौ । न संवसेच्च पतितैर्न चांडालैर्न पुल्कसैः ।

nānyatra nivasetpuṇyaṁ nāṁtyajagrāmasannidhau na saṁvasecca patitairna cāṁḍālairna pulkasaiḥ

he should not dwell in any other sacred spot elsewhere, nor near the village of the lowest castes. One should not dwell together with fallen persons, nor Chandalas, nor Pulkasas,

Verse 25 (padma.3.55.25)

न मूर्खैर्नावलिप्तैश्च नान्यैर्जायावसायिभिः । एकशय्यासने पंक्तिर्भांडे पक्वान्नमिश्रणम् ।

na mūrkhairnāvaliptaiśca nānyairjāyāvasāyibhiḥ ekaśayyāsane paṁktirbhāṁḍe pakvānnamiśraṇam

nor with fools, nor with the arrogant, nor with others of low pursuits. Sharing a single bed or seat, sitting together in a row, mixing cooked food in a common vessel,

Verse 26 (padma.3.55.26)

यजनाध्यापने योनिस्तथैव सहभोजनम् । सहाध्यायस्तु दशमः सहयाजनमेव च ।

yajanādhyāpane yonistathaiva sahabhojanam sahādhyāyastu daśamaḥ sahayājanameva ca

performing sacrifice or teaching together, marriage-relation, and eating together — studying together is the tenth, and sacrificing together as well —

Verse 27 (padma.3.55.27)

एकादश समुद्दिष्टा दोषाः सांकर्यसंस्थिताः । समीपे चाप्यवस्थानात्पापं संक्रमते नृणाम् ।

ekādaśa samuddiṣṭā doṣāḥ sāṁkaryasaṁsthitāḥ samīpe cāpyavasthānātpāpaṁ saṁkramate nṛṇām

eleven faults have been enumerated, arising from improper mixing. Even by dwelling nearby, sin spreads among men.

Verse 28 (padma.3.55.28)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सांकर्य्यं परिवर्जयेत् । एकपंक्त्युपविष्टा ये न स्पृशंति परस्परम् ।

tasmātsarvaprayatnena sāṁkaryyaṁ parivarjayet ekapaṁktyupaviṣṭā ye na spṛśaṁti parasparam

Therefore one should carefully avoid such mixing in every way. Those seated in a single row who do not touch one another —

Verse 29 (padma.3.55.29)

भस्मना कृतमर्य्यादा न तेषां संकरो भवेत् । अग्निना भस्मना चैव सलिलेन विलेखतः ।

bhasmanā kṛtamaryyādā na teṣāṁ saṁkaro bhavet agninā bhasmanā caiva salilena vilekhataḥ

with a boundary marked by ash — for them, there is no mixing. By fire, by ash, by water, by drawing a line,

Verse 30 (padma.3.55.30)

द्वारेण स्तंभमार्गेण षड्भिः पंक्तिर्विभिद्यते । न कुर्याच्छुष्कवैराणि विवादं न च पैशुनम् ।

dvāreṇa staṁbhamārgeṇa ṣaḍbhiḥ paṁktirvibhidyate na kuryācchuṣkavairāṇi vivādaṁ na ca paiśunam

by a doorway, and by a pillar's path — by these six, a row is separated into distinct groups. One should not create baseless enmities, nor disputes, nor backbiting.

Verse 31 (padma.3.55.31)

परक्षेत्रे गां चरंतीं न चाचक्षीत कर्हिचित् । न संवसेत्सूचकेन न कं वै मर्मणि स्पृशेत् ।

parakṣetre gāṁ caraṁtīṁ na cācakṣīta karhicit na saṁvasetsūcakena na kaṁ vai marmaṇi spṛśet

One should never report a cow grazing in another's field. One should not associate with an informer; one should not touch anyone at his vulnerable point.

Verse 32 (padma.3.55.32)

न सूर्यपरिवेषं वा नेंद्रचापं पराह्निकम् । परस्मै कथयेद्विद्वान्शशिनं वाथ कांचनम् ।

na sūryapariveṣaṁ vā neṁdracāpaṁ parāhnikam parasmai kathayedvidvānśaśinaṁ vātha kāṁcanam

A wise man should not point out to another the halo around the sun, nor an evening rainbow, nor the moon, nor gold — inviting undue covetousness.

Verse 33 (padma.3.55.33)

न कुर्याद्बहुभिः सार्द्धं विरोधं बंधुभिस्तथा । आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत् ।

na kuryādbahubhiḥ sārddhaṁ virodhaṁ baṁdhubhistathā ātmanaḥ pratikūlāni pareṣāṁ na samācaret

He should not create conflict with many people, nor with kinsfolk. He should not do to others what is unpleasant to himself.

Verse 34 (padma.3.55.34)

तिथिं पक्षस्य न ब्रूयान्नक्षत्राणि न निर्दिशेत् । नोदक्यामभिभाषेत नाशुचिं वा द्विजोत्तमः ।

tithiṁ pakṣasya na brūyānnakṣatrāṇi na nirdiśet nodakyāmabhibhāṣeta nāśuciṁ vā dvijottamaḥ

He should not announce the lunar day of the fortnight, nor point out the constellations. The best of the twice-born should not converse with a menstruating woman, nor with an impure person.

Verse 35 (padma.3.55.35)

न देवगुरुविप्राणां दीयमानं तु वारयेत् । न चात्मानं प्रशंसेद्वा परनिंदां च वर्जयेत् ।

na devaguruviprāṇāṁ dīyamānaṁ tu vārayet na cātmānaṁ praśaṁsedvā paraniṁdāṁ ca varjayet

He should not obstruct a gift being made to a god, guru, or Brahmin. He should not praise himself, and should avoid criticizing others.

Verse 36 (padma.3.55.36)

वेदनिंदां देवनिंदां प्रयत्नेन विवर्जयेत् । यस्तु देवानृषींश्चैव वेदान्वा निंदते द्विजः ।

vedaniṁdāṁ devaniṁdāṁ prayatnena vivarjayet yastu devānṛṣīṁścaiva vedānvā niṁdate dvijaḥ

He should diligently avoid disparaging the Vedas or the gods. Whatever twice-born disparages the gods, the sages, or the Vedas —

Verse 37 (padma.3.55.37)

न तस्य निष्कृतिर्दृष्टा शास्त्रेष्विह मुनीश्वराः । निंदयेद्वा गुरुं देवं वेदं वासोपबृंहणम् ।

na tasya niṣkṛtirdṛṣṭā śāstreṣviha munīśvarāḥ niṁdayedvā guruṁ devaṁ vedaṁ vāsopabṛṁhaṇam

for him no expiation is prescribed in the scriptures, O lords of sages. And whoever disparages the guru, the deity, the Veda, or the shastra —

Verse 38 (padma.3.55.38)

कल्पकोटिशतं साग्रं रौरवे पच्यते नरः । तूष्णीमासीत निंदायां न ब्रूयात्किंचिदुत्तरम् ।

kalpakoṭiśataṁ sāgraṁ raurave pacyate naraḥ tūṣṇīmāsīta niṁdāyāṁ na brūyātkiṁciduttaram

such a man is cooked in the Raurava hell for more than a hundred million kalpas. In the face of slander, one should remain silent, and say nothing in reply;

Verse 39 (padma.3.55.39)

कर्णौ पिधाय गंतव्यं न चैनमवलोकयेत् । वर्ज्जयेद्वै रहस्यानि परेषां गर्हणं बुधः ।

karṇau pidhāya gaṁtavyaṁ na cainamavalokayet varjjayedvai rahasyāni pareṣāṁ garhaṇaṁ budhaḥ

one should stop one's ears and depart, and not even look at the slanderer. A wise man should avoid revealing others' secrets, and their reproach.

Verse 40 (padma.3.55.40)

विवादं स्वजनैः सार्द्धं नकुर्य्याद्वै कदाचन । न पापं पापिनां ब्रूयादपापं वा द्विजोत्तमः ।

vivādaṁ svajanaiḥ sārddhaṁ nakuryyādvai kadācana na pāpaṁ pāpināṁ brūyādapāpaṁ vā dvijottamaḥ

He should never engage in dispute with his own kinsfolk. The best of the twice-born should not accuse the sinful of sin, nor the innocent falsely.

Verse 41 (padma.3.55.41)

सत्येन तुल्यो दोषः स्यादसत्याद्दोषवान्भवेत् । नृणां मिथ्याभिशस्तानां पतंत्यश्रूणि रोदनात् ।

satyena tulyo doṣaḥ syādasatyāddoṣavānbhavet nṛṇāṁ mithyābhiśastānāṁ pataṁtyaśrūṇi rodanāt

Even from truthfully accusing someone an equal fault arises, and from falsehood one becomes still more at fault. From men falsely accused, the tears that fall from their weeping —

Verse 42 (padma.3.55.42)

तानि पुत्रान्पशून्घ्नंति तेषां मिथ्याभिशंसिनाम् । ब्रह्महत्या सुरापाने स्तेये गुर्वंगनागमे ।

tāni putrānpaśūnghnaṁti teṣāṁ mithyābhiśaṁsinām brahmahatyā surāpāne steye gurvaṁganāgame

destroy the sons and cattle of those who make false accusations. For the killing of a Brahmin, drinking liquor, theft, and violating the guru's wife —

Verse 43 (padma.3.55.43)

दृष्टं वै शोधनं वृद्धैर्नास्ति मिथ्याभिशंसने । नेक्षेतोद्यंतमादित्यं शशिनं वाऽनिमित्ततः ।

dṛṣṭaṁ vai śodhanaṁ vṛddhairnāsti mithyābhiśaṁsane nekṣetodyaṁtamādityaṁ śaśinaṁ vā'nimittataḥ

means of purification have been declared by the elders — but there is none for false accusation. One should not gaze at the rising sun, or the moon, without cause.

Verse 44 (padma.3.55.44)

नास्तं यांतं न वारिस्थं नोपस्पृष्टं न मध्यगम् । तिरोहितं समीक्षेत नादर्शाद्यनुगामिनम् ।

nāstaṁ yāṁtaṁ na vāristhaṁ nopaspṛṣṭaṁ na madhyagam tirohitaṁ samīkṣeta nādarśādyanugāminam

Nor at it setting, nor reflected in water, nor obstructed, nor at zenith; one should look at it only when partly obscured, and not view its reflection trailing in a mirror or the like.

Verse 45 (padma.3.55.45)

न नग्नां स्त्रियमीक्षेत पुरुषं वा कदाचन । न च मूत्रं पुरीषं वा न च संसृष्टमैथुनम् ।

na nagnāṁ striyamīkṣeta puruṣaṁ vā kadācana na ca mūtraṁ purīṣaṁ vā na ca saṁsṛṣṭamaithunam

He should never look at a naked woman, nor a naked man; nor at urine or feces, nor at a couple engaged in intercourse.

Verse 46 (padma.3.55.46)

नाशुचिः सूर्यसोमादीन्ग्रहानालोकयेद्बुधः । नाभिभाषेत च परमुच्छिष्टो वावगुंठितः ।

nāśuciḥ sūryasomādīngrahānālokayedbudhaḥ nābhibhāṣeta ca paramucchiṣṭo vāvaguṁṭhitaḥ

A wise man, while impure, should not look at the sun, moon, and other heavenly bodies. Nor should he speak to another while polluted or head covered.

Verse 47 (padma.3.55.47)

न पश्येत्प्रेतसंस्पर्शं न क्रुद्धस्य गुरोर्मुखम् । न तैलोदकयोश्छायां न पंक्तिं भोजने सति ।

na paśyetpretasaṁsparśaṁ na kruddhasya gurormukham na tailodakayośchāyāṁ na paṁktiṁ bhojane sati

He should not look upon contact with a corpse, nor the face of his angry guru; nor his own reflection in oil or water; nor at the row of diners while eating.

Verse 48 (padma.3.55.48)

न मुक्तबंधनं पश्येन्नोन्मत्तं गजमेव वा । नाश्नीयाद्भार्यया सार्द्धं नैनामीक्षेत चाश्नतीम् ।

na muktabaṁdhanaṁ paśyennonmattaṁ gajameva vā nāśnīyādbhāryayā sārddhaṁ naināmīkṣeta cāśnatīm

He should not look at one released from bonds, nor at a mad elephant. He should not eat together with his wife, nor look at her while she is eating,

Verse 49 (padma.3.55.49)

क्षुवतीं जृंभमाणां वा नासनस्थां यथासुखम् । नोदके चात्मनो रूपं शुभं वाशुभमेव वा ।

kṣuvatīṁ jṛṁbhamāṇāṁ vā nāsanasthāṁ yathāsukham nodake cātmano rūpaṁ śubhaṁ vāśubhameva vā

nor while sneezing or yawning, nor while seated at ease. He should not look at his own reflection in water, whether it appears auspicious or inauspicious.

Verse 50 (padma.3.55.50)

न लंघयेच्च मतिमान्नाधितिष्ठेत्कदाचन । न शूद्राय मतिं दद्यात्कृसरं पायसं दधि ।

na laṁghayecca matimānnādhitiṣṭhetkadācana na śūdrāya matiṁ dadyātkṛsaraṁ pāyasaṁ dadhi

A wise man should not step over an object, nor stand upon it. He should not give instruction to a Shudra; nor should he give him kṛisara, payasa, or curd —

Verse 51 (padma.3.55.51)

नोच्छिष्टं वा मधु घृतं न च कृष्णाजिनं हविः । न चैवास्मै व्रतं ब्रूयान्न च धर्मं वदेद्बुधः ।

nocchiṣṭaṁ vā madhu ghṛtaṁ na ca kṛṣṇājinaṁ haviḥ na caivāsmai vrataṁ brūyānna ca dharmaṁ vadedbudhaḥ

nor his own leftovers, nor honey, nor ghee, nor a black antelope skin, nor sacrificial food. A wise man should neither teach him a vow, nor tell him of dharma.

Verse 52 (padma.3.55.52)

न च क्रोधवशं गच्छेद्द्वेषं रागं च वर्जयेत् । लोभं दंभं तथा शाठ्यं ह्यसूयां ज्ञानकुत्सनम् ।

na ca krodhavaśaṁ gaccheddveṣaṁ rāgaṁ ca varjayet lobhaṁ daṁbhaṁ tathā śāṭhyaṁ hyasūyāṁ jñānakutsanam

He should not come under the sway of anger; he should avoid hatred and undue attachment. Greed, hypocrisy, deceitfulness, envy, and disparaging knowledge —

Verse 53 (padma.3.55.53)

ईर्ष्यां मदं तथाशोकं मोहं च परिवर्जयेत् । न कुर्यात्कस्यचित्पीडां सुतं शिष्यं तु ताडयेत् ।

īrṣyāṁ madaṁ tathāśokaṁ mohaṁ ca parivarjayet na kuryātkasyacitpīḍāṁ sutaṁ śiṣyaṁ tu tāḍayet

jealousy, pride, grief, and delusion should be avoided. He should cause pain to no one; only a son or a disciple he may chastise.

Verse 54 (padma.3.55.54)

न हीनानुपसेवेत न च तृष्णामतिः क्वचित् । नात्मानं चावमन्येत दैन्यं यत्नेन वर्जयेत् ।

na hīnānupaseveta na ca tṛṣṇāmatiḥ kvacit nātmānaṁ cāvamanyeta dainyaṁ yatnena varjayet

He should not associate with those of low character, nor let his mind be attached to worldly craving. He should not disparage himself; he should carefully avoid meanness of spirit.

Verse 55 (padma.3.55.55)

न विशिष्टमसत्कुर्यान्नात्मानं वासनाद्बुधः । न नखेन लिखेद्भूमिं गां च संवेशयन्नहि ।

na viśiṣṭamasatkuryānnātmānaṁ vāsanādbudhaḥ na nakhena likhedbhūmiṁ gāṁ ca saṁveśayannahi

A wise man should not disrespect one who is distinguished, nor himself through indulgence in bad habits. He should not scratch the ground with his fingernail, and should not detain an approaching cow.

Verse 56 (padma.3.55.56)

न नदीषु नदीं ब्रूयात्पर्वतेषु च पर्वतान् । आवासे भोजने वापि न त्यजेत्सहयायिनम् ।

na nadīṣu nadīṁ brūyātparvateṣu ca parvatān āvāse bhojane vāpi na tyajetsahayāyinam

While in one river, he should not idly speak of another river; nor of other mountains while on a mountain. Neither in lodging nor in eating should he abandon a fellow traveler.

Verse 57 (padma.3.55.57)

नावगाहेदपो नग्नो वह्निं नातिव्रजेत्तथा । शिरोभ्यंगावशिष्टेन तैलेनांगं न लेपयेत् ।

nāvagāhedapo nagno vahniṁ nātivrajettathā śirobhyaṁgāvaśiṣṭena tailenāṁgaṁ na lepayet

He should not bathe naked, nor step over fire. He should not smear his body with the oil left over from anointing his head.

Verse 58 (padma.3.55.58)

न सर्प शस्त्रैः क्रीडेत स्वानि खानि न संस्पृशेत् । रोमाणि च रहस्यानि नाशिष्टेन सह व्रजेत् ।

na sarpa śastraiḥ krīḍeta svāni khāni na saṁspṛśet romāṇi ca rahasyāni nāśiṣṭena saha vrajet

He should not play with serpents or weapons; he should not touch his own bodily orifices, hair, or private parts indiscriminately; he should not travel together with the uncultured.

Verse 59 (padma.3.55.59)

न पाणि पाद वाङ्नेत्र चापल्यं समुपाश्रयेत् । न शिश्नोदरचापल्यं न च श्रवणयोः क्वचित् ।

na pāṇi pāda vāṅnetra cāpalyaṁ samupāśrayet na śiśnodaracāpalyaṁ na ca śravaṇayoḥ kvacit

He should not indulge in restlessness of hand, foot, speech, or eye; nor restlessness of the genitals or the belly, nor of the ears at any time.

Verse 60 (padma.3.55.60)

न चांगनखवाद्यं वै कुर्यान्नांजलिना पिबेत् । नाभिहन्याज्जलं पद्भ्यां पाणिना वा कदाचन ।

na cāṁganakhavādyaṁ vai kuryānnāṁjalinā pibet nābhihanyājjalaṁ padbhyāṁ pāṇinā vā kadācana

He should not make a sound by cracking his limbs and nails; he should not drink with cupped hands only. He should never strike water with his feet or hand.

Verse 61 (padma.3.55.61)

न शातयेदिष्टिकाभिर्मूलानि च फलानि च । न म्लेच्छभाषणं शिक्षेन्नाकर्षेच्च पदासनम् ।

na śātayediṣṭikābhirmūlāni ca phalāni ca na mlecchabhāṣaṇaṁ śikṣennākarṣecca padāsanam

He should not knock down roots or fruit with clods of earth. He should not learn the language of the mlecchas; he should not drag a seat with his foot.

Verse 62 (padma.3.55.62)

नखभेदनमास्फोटं छेदनं वा विलेखनम् । कुर्य्याद्विमर्द्दनं धीमान्नाकस्मादेव निष्फलम् ।

nakhabhedanamāsphoṭaṁ chedanaṁ vā vilekhanam kuryyādvimarddanaṁ dhīmānnākasmādeva niṣphalam

A wise man should not, without cause, engage in nail-biting, hand-clapping, cutting, scratching, or aimless rubbing.

Verse 63 (padma.3.55.63)

नोत्संगे भक्षयेद्भक्ष्यं वृथा चेष्टां न चाचरेत् । न नृत्येदथवा गायेन्न वादित्राणि वादयेत् ।

notsaṁge bhakṣayedbhakṣyaṁ vṛthā ceṣṭāṁ na cācaret na nṛtyedathavā gāyenna vāditrāṇi vādayet

He should not eat food held in his lap; he should not perform futile gestures. He should not dance, or sing, or play musical instruments.

Verse 64 (padma.3.55.64)

न संहताभ्यां पाणिभ्यां कंडूयेदात्मनः शिरः । न लौकिकैस्तवैर्देवांस्तोषयेद्वाक्पतेरपि ।

na saṁhatābhyāṁ pāṇibhyāṁ kaṁḍūyedātmanaḥ śiraḥ na laukikaistavairdevāṁstoṣayedvākpaterapi

He should not scratch his own head with both hands clasped together. He should not seek to please the gods, or even Brihaspati, with worldly hymns.

Verse 65 (padma.3.55.65)

नाक्षैः क्रीडेन्न धावेत नाप्सु विण्मूत्रमाचरेत् । नोच्छिष्टः संविशेन्नित्यं न नग्नः स्नानमाचरेत् ।

nākṣaiḥ krīḍenna dhāveta nāpsu viṇmūtramācaret nocchiṣṭaḥ saṁviśennityaṁ na nagnaḥ snānamācaret

He should not gamble with dice, nor run aimlessly; he should not relieve himself in water. He should never lie down while polluted, and should not bathe naked.

Verse 66 (padma.3.55.66)

न गच्छंस्तु पठेद्वापि न चैव स्वशिरः स्पृशेत् । न दंतैर्नखरोमाणि च्छिंद्यात्सुप्तं न बोधयेत् ।

na gacchaṁstu paṭhedvāpi na caiva svaśiraḥ spṛśet na daṁtairnakharomāṇi cchiṁdyātsuptaṁ na bodhayet

He should not recite the Veda while walking, nor touch his own head while reciting. He should not cut his nails or hair with his teeth; he should not wake a sleeping person.

Verse 67 (padma.3.55.67)

नाबालातपमासेवेत्प्रेतधूमं विवर्जयेत् । नैव स्वप्याच्छून्यगेहे स्वयं नोपानहौ हरेत् ।

nābālātapamāsevetpretadhūmaṁ vivarjayet naiva svapyācchūnyagehe svayaṁ nopānahau haret

He should not expose himself to intense sunlight; he should avoid the smoke of a cremation pyre. He should never sleep in an empty house; he himself should not carry another's sandals.

Verse 68 (padma.3.55.68)

नाकारणाद्वा निष्ठीवेन्न बाहुभ्यां नदीं तरेत् । न पादक्षालनं कुर्यात्पादेनैव कदाचन ।

nākāraṇādvā niṣṭhīvenna bāhubhyāṁ nadīṁ taret na pādakṣālanaṁ kuryātpādenaiva kadācana

He should not spit without cause; he should not swim across a river with his bare arms. He should never wash one foot with the other foot itself.

Verse 69 (padma.3.55.69)

नाग्नौ प्रतापयेत्पादौ न कांस्ये धावयेद्बुधः । नाभिप्रसारयेद्देवं ब्राह्मणान्गामथापि वा ।

nāgnau pratāpayetpādau na kāṁsye dhāvayedbudhaḥ nābhiprasārayeddevaṁ brāhmaṇāngāmathāpi vā

He should not warm his feet at the fire; a wise man should not rinse in a bronze vessel. He should not stretch out his feet toward a deity, Brahmins, or a cow —

Verse 70 (padma.3.55.70)

वाय्वग्निनृपविप्रान्वा सूर्यं वा शशिनं प्रति । अशुद्धः शयनं पानं स्वाध्यायं स्नान भोजनम् ।

vāyvagninṛpaviprānvā sūryaṁ vā śaśinaṁ prati aśuddhaḥ śayanaṁ pānaṁ svādhyāyaṁ snāna bhojanam

nor toward wind, fire, a king, a Brahmin, the sun, or the moon. While impure, sleeping, drinking, self-study, bathing, or eating —

Verse 71 (padma.3.55.71)

बहिर्निष्क्रमणं चैव न कुर्वीत कदाचन । स्वप्नमध्ययनं स्नानमुद्वर्तं भोजनं गतिम् ।

bahirniṣkramaṇaṁ caiva na kurvīta kadācana svapnamadhyayanaṁ snānamudvartaṁ bhojanaṁ gatim

and going outside — these should never be done while impure. Sleep, study, bathing, applying unguents, eating, and journeying —

Verse 72 (padma.3.55.72)

उभयोः संध्ययोर्नित्यं मध्याह्ने चैव वर्जयेत् । न स्पृशेत्पाणिनोच्छिष्टो विप्रो गो ब्राह्मणानलान् ।

ubhayoḥ saṁdhyayornityaṁ madhyāhne caiva varjayet na spṛśetpāṇinocchiṣṭo vipro go brāhmaṇānalān

these should always be avoided at both twilights and at midday. A Brahmin, when polluted, should not touch, with his hand, a cow, a Brahmin, or fires,

Verse 73 (padma.3.55.73)

न चालनं पदा वापि न देवप्रतिमां स्पृशेत् । नाशुद्धोग्निं परिचरेन्न देवान्कीर्तयेदृषीन् ।

na cālanaṁ padā vāpi na devapratimāṁ spṛśet nāśuddhogniṁ paricarenna devānkīrtayedṛṣīn

nor stir anything with his foot, nor touch an image of a deity. While impure, he should not attend upon the fire, nor invoke the gods or sages.

Verse 74 (padma.3.55.74)

नावगाहेदगाधांबु धावयेन्नाऽनिमित्ततः । न वामहस्तेनोद्धृत्य पिबेद्वक्त्रेण वा जलम् ।

nāvagāhedagādhāṁbu dhāvayennā'nimittataḥ na vāmahastenoddhṛtya pibedvaktreṇa vā jalam

He should not plunge into unfathomable water, nor rinse without cause. He should not drink water raised up with his left hand, nor directly with his mouth.

Verse 75 (padma.3.55.75)

नोत्तरेदनुपस्पृश्य नाप्सु रेतः समुत्सृजेत् । अमेध्यालिप्तमर्हं वा लोहितं वा विषाणि वा ।

nottaredanupaspṛśya nāpsu retaḥ samutsṛjet amedhyāliptamarhaṁ vā lohitaṁ vā viṣāṇi vā

He should not come out of water without first touching it; he should not discharge semen into water. Whatever is smeared with filth, or blood, or poison —

Verse 76 (padma.3.55.76)

व्यतिक्रामेन्न स्रवंतीं नाप्सु मैथुनमाचरेत् । चैत्यवृक्षं न वै छिंद्यान्नाप्सु ष्ठीवनमाचरेत् ।

vyatikrāmenna sravaṁtīṁ nāpsu maithunamācaret caityavṛkṣaṁ na vai chiṁdyānnāpsu ṣṭhīvanamācaret

he should not cross over a flowing stream. He should not engage in intercourse in water; he should never cut down a sacred chaitya tree; he should not spit into water.

Verse 77 (padma.3.55.77)

नास्थिभस्मकपालानि न केशान्न च कंटकान् । तुषांगारकरीषं वा नाधितिष्ठेत्कदाचन ।

nāsthibhasmakapālāni na keśānna ca kaṁṭakān tuṣāṁgārakarīṣaṁ vā nādhitiṣṭhetkadācana

He should never stand upon bones, ashes, skulls, hair, thorns, husks, embers, or cow-dung.

Verse 78 (padma.3.55.78)

न चाग्निं लंघयेद्धीमान्नोपदध्यादधः क्वचित् । न चैनं पादतः कुर्य्याच्छूर्पेण न धमेद्बुधः ।

na cāgniṁ laṁghayeddhīmānnopadadhyādadhaḥ kvacit na cainaṁ pādataḥ kuryyācchūrpeṇa na dhamedbudhaḥ

A wise man should not step over fire, nor place anything beneath it. He should not set it near his feet; a wise man should not blow upon it with a winnowing fan.

Verse 79 (padma.3.55.79)

न वृक्षमवरोहेत नावेक्षेताशुचिः क्वचित् । अग्नौ न च क्षिपेदग्निं नाद्भिः प्रशमयेत्तथा ।

na vṛkṣamavaroheta nāvekṣetāśuciḥ kvacit agnau na ca kṣipedagniṁ nādbhiḥ praśamayettathā

He should not descend hastily from a tree; while impure, he should not look at anything sacred. He should not throw fire into fire, and likewise should not extinguish it with water.

Verse 80 (padma.3.55.80)

सुहृन्मरणमात्रं वा स्वयं न श्रावयेत्परान् । अपण्यं कूटपण्यं वा विक्रयेन प्रयोजयेत् ।

suhṛnmaraṇamātraṁ vā svayaṁ na śrāvayetparān apaṇyaṁ kūṭapaṇyaṁ vā vikrayena prayojayet

He should not himself bluntly announce a friend's death to others. He should not sell what should not be sold, nor deceptive goods.

Verse 81 (padma.3.55.81)

न वह्निं मुखनिःश्वासैर्ज्वालयेन्नाशुचिर्बुधः । पुण्यस्थानोदकस्थाने सीमांतं वाहयेन्न तु ।

na vahniṁ mukhaniḥśvāsairjvālayennāśucirbudhaḥ puṇyasthānodakasthāne sīmāṁtaṁ vāhayenna tu

A wise man, while impure, should not kindle fire with the breath of his mouth. He should not draw a boundary line at a sacred place or a water-source.

Verse 82 (padma.3.55.82)

न भिंद्यात्पूर्वसमयमभ्युपेतं कदाचन । परस्परं पशून्व्याघ्रान्पक्षिणो न च योधयेत् ।

na bhiṁdyātpūrvasamayamabhyupetaṁ kadācana parasparaṁ paśūnvyāghrānpakṣiṇo na ca yodhayet

He should never break an agreement previously undertaken. He should not set animals, tigers, or birds to fight against one another.

Verse 83 (padma.3.55.83)

परबाधां न कुर्वीत जलवातातपादिभिः । कारयित्वा सुकर्माणि गुरून्पश्चान्न वंचयेत् ।

parabādhāṁ na kurvīta jalavātātapādibhiḥ kārayitvā sukarmāṇi gurūnpaścānna vaṁcayet

He should not cause harm to others by water, wind, sunlight, and the like. Having had good works performed, he should not later cheat his elders.

Verse 84 (padma.3.55.84)

सायंप्रातर्गृहद्वारान्रक्षार्थं परिघट्टयेत् । बहिर्माल्यं सुगंधिं वा भार्यया सह भोजनम् ।

sāyaṁprātargṛhadvārānrakṣārthaṁ parighaṭṭayet bahirmālyaṁ sugaṁdhiṁ vā bhāryayā saha bhojanam

Morning and evening, he should shut the doors of his house for protection. Wearing a garland or perfume outside, and eating together with his wife —

Verse 85 (padma.3.55.85)

विगृह्य वादं कृत्वा वा प्रवेशं च विवर्जयेत् । नखादन्ब्राह्मणस्तिष्ठेन्न जल्पेद्वा हसेद्बुधः ।

vigṛhya vādaṁ kṛtvā vā praveśaṁ ca vivarjayet nakhādanbrāhmaṇastiṣṭhenna jalpedvā hasedbudhaḥ

having engaged in dispute or debate, he should avoid immediately entering. A Brahmin should not bite his nails; a wise man should not chatter or laugh excessively.

Verse 86 (padma.3.55.86)

स्वमग्निं चैव हस्तेन स्पृशेन्नाप्सुचिरं वसेत् । न पक्षकेणोपधमेन्न शूर्पेण च पाणिना ।

svamagniṁ caiva hastena spṛśennāpsuciraṁ vaset na pakṣakeṇopadhamenna śūrpeṇa ca pāṇinā

He may touch his own fire with his hand, but he should not remain in water for long. He should not blow with a fan, nor use his hand as a winnowing basket.

Verse 87 (padma.3.55.87)

मुखेनाग्निं समिंधीत मुखादग्निरजायत । परस्त्रियं न भाषेत नायाज्यं याजयेद्बुधः ।

mukhenāgniṁ samiṁdhīta mukhādagnirajāyata parastriyaṁ na bhāṣeta nāyājyaṁ yājayedbudhaḥ

He should kindle the fire with his mouth's breath, for fire was born from the mouth. He should not converse with another's wife; a wise man should not perform sacrifice for one unfit.

Verse 88 (padma.3.55.88)

नैकश्चरेत्सदा विप्रः समुदायं च वर्जयेत् । न देवायतनं गच्छेत्कदाचिद्वाऽप्रदक्षिणम् ।

naikaścaretsadā vipraḥ samudāyaṁ ca varjayet na devāyatanaṁ gacchetkadācidvā'pradakṣiṇam

A Brahmin should not always travel alone, yet he should also avoid undesirable crowds. He should never go to a temple without performing circumambulation.

Verse 89 (padma.3.55.89)

न पीडयेद्वा वस्त्राणि न देवायतने स्वपेत् । नैकोध्वानं प्रपद्येत नाधार्मिकजनै सह ।

na pīḍayedvā vastrāṇi na devāyatane svapet naikodhvānaṁ prapadyeta nādhārmikajanai saha

He should not wring out his garments improperly; he should not sleep in a temple. He should not travel a road alone, nor together with unrighteous people —

Verse 90 (padma.3.55.90)

न व्याधिदूषितैर्वापि न शूद्रैः पतितेन वा । नोपानद्वर्जितो वाथ जलादिरहितस्तथा ।

na vyādhidūṣitairvāpi na śūdraiḥ patitena vā nopānadvarjito vātha jalādirahitastathā

nor with the diseased, nor with Shudras or the fallen. Nor should he travel without sandals, nor without water and other provisions.

Verse 91 (padma.3.55.91)

न वर्त्मनि चितिं वाममतिक्रामेत्क्वचिद्द्विजः । न निंदेद्योगिनः सिद्धान्व्रतिनो वा यतींस्तथा ।

na vartmani citiṁ vāmamatikrāmetkvaciddvijaḥ na niṁdedyoginaḥ siddhānvratino vā yatīṁstathā

A twice-born should never pass a funeral pyre improperly on the road. He should not disparage yogis, Siddhas, those under vows, or ascetics.

Verse 92 (padma.3.55.92)

देवतायतनं प्राज्ञा देवानां चैव सत्रिणाम् । नाक्रामेत्कामतश्छायां ब्राह्मणानां च गोरपि ।

devatāyatanaṁ prājñā devānāṁ caiva satriṇām nākrāmetkāmataśchāyāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ ca gorapi

A wise man should not deliberately step upon the shadow of a temple, of the gods, of those engaged in a sacrificial session, of Brahmins, or even of a cow.

Verse 93 (padma.3.55.93)

स्वां तु नाक्रामयेच्छायां पतिताद्यैर्न रोगिभिः । नांगारभस्मकेशादिष्वधितिष्ठेत्कदाचन ।

svāṁ tu nākrāmayecchāyāṁ patitādyairna rogibhiḥ nāṁgārabhasmakeśādiṣvadhitiṣṭhetkadācana

He should not allow his own shadow to be stepped upon by fallen persons or the diseased. He should never stand upon embers, ashes, hair, and the like.

Verse 94 (padma.3.55.94)

वर्जयेन्मार्जनी रेणुं स्नानवस्त्र घटोदकम् । न भक्षयेदभक्ष्याणि नापेयं च पिबेद्द्विजः ।

varjayenmārjanī reṇuṁ snānavastra ghaṭodakam na bhakṣayedabhakṣyāṇi nāpeyaṁ ca pibeddvijaḥ

He should avoid the dust from a broom; he should keep his bathing garments and water-pot water separate. A twice-born should not eat what is forbidden, nor drink what is forbidden.