Exposition of the Duties of the Householder

Verse 1 (skanda.2.211.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । गृही बुभूषुर्गुरवे दक्षिणां स्वस्य शक्तितः । दत्त्वा तदाज्ञयैवाऽसौ समावर्त्तनमाचरेत्

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca gṛhī bubhūṣurgurave dakṣiṇāṁ svasya śaktitaḥ dattvā tadājñayaivā'sau samāvarttanamācaret

Shri Narayana said: One wishing to become a householder should, having given his guru a fee according to his own means, perform the rite of Samavartana only with the guru's leave.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.211.2)

ततः कुलोचितां योषां वयसोनामरोगिणीम् । पुँल्लक्षणेन रहितामपापां विधिनोद्वहेत्

tataḥ kulocitāṁ yoṣāṁ vayasonāmarogiṇīm pum̐llakṣaṇena rahitāmapāpāṁ vidhinodvahet

Then, according to the prescribed rites, he should marry a woman suitable to his family, of fitting age, free from disease, without masculine traits, and free from sin.

Verse 3 (skanda.2.211.3)

स्वाधिकारानुसारेण कृष्णसंप्रीतयेऽन्वहम् । देवर्षिपितृभूतानि यजेत विधिना ततः

svādhikārānusāreṇa kṛṣṇasaṁprītaye'nvaham devarṣipitṛbhūtāni yajeta vidhinā tataḥ

Then, according to his own standing, for the pleasure of Krishna, he should daily worship the gods, sages, ancestors, and beings, according to rule.

Verse 4 (skanda.2.211.4)

स्नानं संध्यां जपं होमं स्वाध्यायं विष्णुपूजनम् । तर्पणं वैश्वदेवं च कुर्याच्चातिथ्यमन्वहम्

snānaṁ saṁdhyāṁ japaṁ homaṁ svādhyāyaṁ viṣṇupūjanam tarpaṇaṁ vaiśvadevaṁ ca kuryāccātithyamanvaham

He should daily perform his bath, the Sandhya rite, japa, the fire-offering, personal Vedic study, worship of Vishnu, the ancestral libations, the Vaishvadeva rite, and the reception of guests.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.211.5)

कुर्यात्पुण्यं यथाशक्ति न्यायार्जितधनेन च । अनासक्तः पोष्यवर्गं पुष्णीयान्न तु पीडयेत्

kuryātpuṇyaṁ yathāśakti nyāyārjitadhanena ca anāsaktaḥ poṣyavargaṁ puṣṇīyānna tu pīḍayet

With wealth earned by righteous means he should perform meritorious acts according to his ability; remaining unattached he should support his dependents, but never cause them any hardship.

Verse 6 (skanda.2.211.6)

देहं च दैहिकान्वासावुद्दिश्य पशुवत्परैः । वैरं न कुर्याद्देहादावहन्तां ममतां त्यजेत्

dehaṁ ca daihikānvāsāvuddiśya paśuvatparaiḥ vairaṁ na kuryāddehādāvahantāṁ mamatāṁ tyajet

For the sake of the body and its attachments he should not, like an animal, harbor enmity toward others; he should give up the sense of 'I' and 'mine' in regard to the body and the like.

Verse 7 (skanda.2.211.7)

कुर्याद्भागवतानां च सतां संगमतन्द्रितः । न स्त्रैणानां व्यसनिनां संगं कुर्यान्न लोभिनाम्

kuryādbhāgavatānāṁ ca satāṁ saṁgamatandritaḥ na straiṇānāṁ vyasanināṁ saṁgaṁ kuryānna lobhinām

He should, untiringly, keep company with the devotees of the Lord and with the good; but he should never associate with the effeminate, the vice-ridden, or the greedy.

Verse 8 (skanda.2.211.8)

कामभावेन नेक्षेत परयोषां तु कर्हिचित् । श्राद्धपर्वव्रताहादौ नोपेयाच्च स्वयोषितम्

kāmabhāvena nekṣeta parayoṣāṁ tu karhicit śrāddhaparvavratāhādau nopeyācca svayoṣitam

He should never look upon another man's wife with desire; nor should he approach even his own wife on the days of shraddha, festivals, vows, and the like.

Verse 9 (skanda.2.211.9)

प्राप्तोपि पुरुषः सांख्ये योगे च परिपक्वताम्। पुत्र्या अपि प्रसंगेन रहःस्थाने तु मुह्यति

prāptopi puruṣaḥ sāṁkhye yoge ca paripakvatām putryā api prasaṁgena rahaḥsthāne tu muhyati

Even a man who has attained maturity in Sankhya and Yoga can fall into delusion through close contact, in a secluded place, even with his own daughter.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.211.10)

अतो मात्रा भगिन्या वा दुहित्रापि रहःस्थले । सह नासीत मतिमान्युवत्या किमुताऽन्यया

ato mātrā bhaginyā vā duhitrāpi rahaḥsthale saha nāsīta matimānyuvatyā kimutā'nyayā

Therefore a wise man should never sit alone in a secluded place even with his mother, sister, or daughter -- how much less, then, with any other young woman.

Verse 11 (skanda.2.211.11)

अमङ्गलानां सर्वेषां विधवा ह्यत्यमंगलम् । तद्दर्शनं च तत्स्पर्शो नॄणां सुकृतहृत्ततः

amaṅgalānāṁ sarveṣāṁ vidhavā hyatyamaṁgalam taddarśanaṁ ca tatsparśo nṝṇāṁ sukṛtahṛttataḥ

Of all ill omens, the chance sighting of a widow while setting out is held to be the most inauspicious; the sight and touch of her in that circumstance take away men's merit.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.211.12)

प्रयाणकाले विधवादर्शनं सन्मुखे यदि । स्यात्तदा नैव गन्तव्यमन्यथा मरणं धुवम्

prayāṇakāle vidhavādarśanaṁ sanmukhe yadi syāttadā naiva gantavyamanyathā maraṇaṁ dhuvam

If, at the moment of setting out on a journey, a widow is sighted directly ahead, one should not proceed on the journey at that time; otherwise death is certain.

Verse 13 (skanda.2.211.13)

आशिषो विधवास्त्रीणां समाः कालाहिफूत्कृतैः । ततश्च बिभियात्ताभ्यो राक्षसीभ्यो यथा गृही

āśiṣo vidhavāstrīṇāṁ samāḥ kālāhiphūtkṛtaiḥ tataśca bibhiyāttābhyo rākṣasībhyo yathā gṛhī

The blessings of widowed women are held to be like the hiss of a black serpent; therefore the householder should fear them as he would demonesses.

Verse 14 (skanda.2.211.14)

मद्यं मांसं मादकं च द्यूतादीन्दूरतस्त्यजेत् । न द्रोहं प्राणिमात्रस्य कुर्याद्वाचापि कर्हिचित्

madyaṁ māṁsaṁ mādakaṁ ca dyūtādīndūratastyajet na drohaṁ prāṇimātrasya kuryādvācāpi karhicit

He should shun from afar wine, meat, intoxicants, gambling, and the like; he should never wrong any living being, not even by word.

Verse 15 (skanda.2.211.15)

अवतारचरित्राणि शृणुयादन्वहं हरेः । सर्वा अपि क्रियाः कुर्याद्वासुदेवार्थमास्तिकः

avatāracaritrāṇi śṛṇuyādanvahaṁ hareḥ sarvā api kriyāḥ kuryādvāsudevārthamāstikaḥ

He should daily listen to the deeds of Hari's incarnations; and, holding true faith, he should perform all his actions for the sake of Vasudeva alone.

Verse 16 (skanda.2.211.16)

ऊर्जे माघे च वैशाखे चातुर्मास्ये मलिम्लुचे । अन्येषु पुण्यकालेषु विशेषनियमांश्चरेत्

ūrje māghe ca vaiśākhe cāturmāsye malimluce anyeṣu puṇyakāleṣu viśeṣaniyamāṁścaret

In the months of Kartika, Magha, and Vaishakha, during the Chaturmasya, in Bhadrapada, and at other sacred times, he should observe special rules.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.211.17)

पुण्यदेशे पुण्यकाले सत्पात्रे विधिना गृही। दद्याद्दानं यथाशक्ति दयां कुर्वीत जन्तुषु

puṇyadeśe puṇyakāle satpātre vidhinā gṛhī dadyāddānaṁ yathāśakti dayāṁ kurvīta jantuṣu

In a sacred place, at a sacred time, to a worthy recipient, the householder should give gifts according to rule and to the best of his ability, and should show compassion to living creatures.

Verse 18 (skanda.2.211.18)

पुण्यान्देशान्पुण्यकालान्पुण्यपात्राणि चानघ । कथयामि विशेषेण धर्मवृद्धिकराणि ते

puṇyāndeśānpuṇyakālānpuṇyapātrāṇi cānagha kathayāmi viśeṣeṇa dharmavṛddhikarāṇi te

O sinless one, I shall now tell you in particular of the sacred lands, sacred times, and worthy recipients that increase dharma.

Verse 19 (skanda.2.211.19)

देशः सर्वोत्तमस्त्वेष भुवि यो मदधिष्ठितः । महामुनिगणा यत्र तपस्यन्ति महाव्रताः

deśaḥ sarvottamastveṣa bhuvi yo madadhiṣṭhitaḥ mahāmunigaṇā yatra tapasyanti mahāvratāḥ

That land upon the earth is the most excellent of all where I Myself dwell, and where hosts of great sages bound by great vows practice austerity.

Verse 20 (skanda.2.211.20)

हरितद्भक्तमाहात्म्याद्देशानामस्ति पुण्यता । गंगाद्वारं मधुपुरी नैमिषारण्यमेव च

haritadbhaktamāhātmyāddeśānāmasti puṇyatā gaṁgādvāraṁ madhupurī naimiṣāraṇyameva ca

Lands become sacred through the greatness of Hari and His devotees: Gangadwara, Madhupuri, and Naimisharanya.

Verse 21 (skanda.2.211.21)

कुरुक्षेत्रमयोध्या च प्रयागश्च गयाशिरः । पुरी वाराणसी चैव पुण्यश्च पुलहाश्रमः

kurukṣetramayodhyā ca prayāgaśca gayāśiraḥ purī vārāṇasī caiva puṇyaśca pulahāśramaḥ

Kurukshetra, Ayodhya, Prayaga, Gaya-shira, the city of Varanasi, and the sacred hermitage of Pulaha.

Verse 22 (skanda.2.211.22)

कपिलाश्रमः श्रीरंगः प्रभासश्च कुशस्थली । क्षेत्रं सिद्धपदाख्यं च पौष्करं च महत्सरः

kapilāśramaḥ śrīraṁgaḥ prabhāsaśca kuśasthalī kṣetraṁ siddhapadākhyaṁ ca pauṣkaraṁ ca mahatsaraḥ

Kapilashrama, Srirangam, Prabhasa, Kushasthali, the region called Siddhapada, and the great lake of Pushkara.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.211.23)

क्रीडास्थानं भगवतः सश्रियो रैवताचलः । तथा गोवर्द्धनगिरिः पुण्यं वृन्दावनं वनम्

krīḍāsthānaṁ bhagavataḥ saśriyo raivatācalaḥ tathā govarddhanagiriḥ puṇyaṁ vṛndāvanaṁ vanam

Mount Raivataka, the playground of the Lord together with Lakshmi; and also Mount Govardhana and the sacred forest of Vrindavana.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.211.24)

महेन्द्रमलयाद्याश्च सप्तापि कुलपर्वताः । भागीरथी महापुण्या यमुना च सरस्वती

mahendramalayādyāśca saptāpi kulaparvatāḥ bhāgīrathī mahāpuṇyā yamunā ca sarasvatī

Mahendra, Malaya, and the other seven great mountain ranges; the greatly sacred river Bhagirathi, the Yamuna, and the Sarasvati.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.211.25)

गोदावरी च सरयूः कावेरी गोमतीमुखाः । पुराणप्रथिताः पुण्या महानद्यो नदास्तथा

godāvarī ca sarayūḥ kāverī gomatīmukhāḥ purāṇaprathitāḥ puṇyā mahānadyo nadāstathā

The Godavari, Sarayu, Kaveri, Gomati, and other great sacred rivers and streams celebrated in the Puranas.

Verse 26 (skanda.2.211.26)

महोत्सवैर्भवेद्यत्र भगवत्प्रतिमार्चनम् । प्रभोरनन्यभक्ताश्च भवेयुर्यत्रयत्र च

mahotsavairbhavedyatra bhagavatpratimārcanam prabhorananyabhaktāśca bhaveyuryatrayatra ca

Wherever the image of the Lord is worshipped with great festivals, and wherever exclusive devotees of the Lord are found...

Verse 27 (skanda.2.211.27)

अहिंस्राश्च स्वधर्मस्था यत्र स्युर्ब्राह्मणोत्तमाः । मृगाद्याः पशवो यत्र विचरेयुश्च निर्भयाः

ahiṁsrāśca svadharmasthā yatra syurbrāhmaṇottamāḥ mṛgādyāḥ paśavo yatra vicareyuśca nirbhayāḥ

...and wherever non-violent brahmins established in their own dharma dwell, and wherever deer and other creatures roam about fearlessly...

Verse 28 (skanda.2.211.28)

यत्रयत्रावताराश्च हरेर्वासश्च यत्र वा । एते पुण्यतमा देशा भुवि सन्ति विशेषतः

yatrayatrāvatārāśca harervāsaśca yatra vā ete puṇyatamā deśā bhuvi santi viśeṣataḥ

...and wherever Hari's incarnations occurred, or wherever He dwells -- these are the most sacred lands existing especially upon this earth.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.211.29)

अल्पोप्येषु कृतो धर्मः स्यात्सहस्रगुणो नृणाम् । पुण्यवृद्धिकरान्कालाञ्छृण्वथो वच्मि नारद

alpopyeṣu kṛto dharmaḥ syātsahasraguṇo nṛṇām puṇyavṛddhikarānkālāñchṛṇvatho vacmi nārada

Even a small act of dharma performed in these places becomes a thousandfold for men; now, O Narada, hear as I tell you the times that increase merit.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.211.30)

अयने द्वे च विषुवं ग्रहणं सूर्यसोमयोः । दिनक्षयो व्यतीपातः श्रवणर्क्षाणि सर्वशः

ayane dve ca viṣuvaṁ grahaṇaṁ sūryasomayoḥ dinakṣayo vyatīpātaḥ śravaṇarkṣāṇi sarvaśaḥ

The two solstices, the equinoxes, the eclipses of the sun and moon, the shortest day, Vyatipata, and all days under the Shravana asterism.

Verse 31 (skanda.2.211.31)

द्वादश्य एकादश्यश्च मन्वाद्याश्च युगादयः । पुण्याः स्युस्तिथयः सर्वा अमावास्या च वैधृतिः

dvādaśya ekādaśyaśca manvādyāśca yugādayaḥ puṇyāḥ syustithayaḥ sarvā amāvāsyā ca vaidhṛtiḥ

The Dvadashis and Ekadashis, the Manvadi and Yugadi days, every sacred lunar day, the Amavasya, and the Vaidhriti -- all these are sacred times.

Verse 32 (skanda.2.211.32)

मासर्क्षयुक्पौर्णमास्यश्चतस्रोप्यष्टकास्तथा । स्वजन्मर्क्षाणि च हरेर्जन्मोत्सवदिनानि च

māsarkṣayukpaurṇamāsyaścatasropyaṣṭakāstathā svajanmarkṣāṇi ca harerjanmotsavadināni ca

The full-moon days joined with their monthly asterism, the four Ashtaka days, the day of one's own birth-star, and the festival days of Hari's birth.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.211.33)

स्वस्य स्त्रियाश्चार्भकाणां संस्कारोभ्युदयस्तथा । सत्पात्रलब्धिश्च यदा कालाः पुण्यतमा इमे

svasya striyāścārbhakāṇāṁ saṁskārobhyudayastathā satpātralabdhiśca yadā kālāḥ puṇyatamā ime

The sacraments performed for oneself, one's wife, and one's children, occasions of prosperity, and whenever a worthy recipient is found -- all these are supremely sacred times.

Verse 34 (skanda.2.211.34)

देवपितृद्विजसतामेषां शक्त्या समर्चनम् । स्नानदानजपादीनि स्युरनन्तफलानि हि

devapitṛdvijasatāmeṣāṁ śaktyā samarcanam snānadānajapādīni syuranantaphalāni hi

Worship of gods, ancestors, brahmins, and the good, offered according to one's ability at these times, together with acts of bathing, giving, and japa, bear infinite fruit.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.211.35)

सत्पात्रं तु स्वयं साक्षाद्भगवानेव नारद । शाखानामिव मूलाम्बु यद्दत्तं सर्वतुष्टिकृत्

satpātraṁ tu svayaṁ sākṣādbhagavāneva nārada śākhānāmiva mūlāmbu yaddattaṁ sarvatuṣṭikṛt

O Narada, the Lord Himself, directly, is the supreme worthy recipient; what is given to Him satisfies all, just as water poured on the root of a tree satisfies every one of its branches.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.211.36)

अहिंसा वेदविद्याभिस्तुष्टिः सद्धर्मभक्तिभिः । हृदि विष्णुं दधीरन्ये ते सत्पात्राणि वै द्विजाः

ahiṁsā vedavidyābhistuṣṭiḥ saddharmabhaktibhiḥ hṛdi viṣṇuṁ dadhīranye te satpātrāṇi vai dvijāḥ

Those brahmins who are endowed with non-violence and Vedic learning, contented in true dharma and devotion, and who hold Vishnu within their heart -- these indeed are worthy recipients.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.211.37)

एकान्तिकाश्च भगवद्भक्ता बद्धविमोचकाः । सत्पात्राणीति जानीहि येष्वास्ते भगवान्स्वयम्

ekāntikāśca bhagavadbhaktā baddhavimocakāḥ satpātrāṇīti jānīhi yeṣvāste bhagavānsvayam

Know that the exclusive devotees of the Lord, who set free those bound in samsara, are worthy recipients, for the Lord Himself dwells within them.

Verse 38 (skanda.2.211.38)

आढ्यस्तु कारयेद्विष्णोर्मन्दिराणि दृढानि च । पूजाप्रवाहसिद्ध्यर्थं तद्वृत्तीश्चापि कारयेत्

āḍhyastu kārayedviṣṇormandirāṇi dṛḍhāni ca pūjāpravāhasiddhyarthaṁ tadvṛttīścāpi kārayet

The wealthy man should have sturdy temples of Vishnu built, and should also arrange for their upkeep so that worship there may continue without interruption.

Verse 39 (skanda.2.211.39)

जलाशयान्वाटिकाश्च विष्ण्वर्थमुपकल्पयेत् । सदन्नैः सुरसैः साधून्ब्राह्मणांश्चैव तर्पयेत्

jalāśayānvāṭikāśca viṣṇvarthamupakalpayet sadannaiḥ surasaiḥ sādhūnbrāhmaṇāṁścaiva tarpayet

He should have reservoirs and gardens made for Vishnu's sake, and should satisfy the good and the brahmins with excellent, delicious food.

Verse 40 (skanda.2.211.40)

अहिंसान्वैष्णवान्यज्ञान्कुर्याच्छक्त्या यथाविधि । व्रतजन्मोत्सवान्विष्णोः संभारेण च भूयसा

ahiṁsānvaiṣṇavānyajñānkuryācchaktyā yathāvidhi vratajanmotsavānviṣṇoḥ saṁbhāreṇa ca bhūyasā

According to his ability and by rule he should perform non-violent Vaishnava sacrifices, and celebrate Vishnu's vows and birth-festivals with abundant provision.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.211.41)

प्रौष्ठपदासितेपक्षे क्षयाहे तीर्थपर्वसु । पित्रोः श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वीत तद्बन्धूनां च शक्तितः

prauṣṭhapadāsitepakṣe kṣayāhe tīrthaparvasu pitroḥ śrāddhaṁ prakurvīta tadbandhūnāṁ ca śaktitaḥ

In the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada, on the anniversary of death, and at sacred fords and festivals, he should perform the shraddha for his parents, and, as he is able, for their kin as well.

Verse 42 (skanda.2.211.42)

दैवे कर्मणि पित्र्ये च भक्तान्भगवतो द्विजान् । पूजयेत स्वधर्मस्थान्भोजयेद्भगवद्धिया

daive karmaṇi pitrye ca bhaktānbhagavato dvijān pūjayeta svadharmasthānbhojayedbhagavaddhiyā

In rites for the gods and for the ancestors he should honour brahmins who are devotees of the Lord and established in their own dharma, feeding them in the spirit that they are the Lord Himself.

Verse 43 (skanda.2.211.43)

दैवे द्वौ भोजयेद्विप्रौ त्रींश्च पित्र्ये यथाविधि । एकैकं वोभयत्रापि नैव श्राद्धे तु विस्तरेत्

daive dvau bhojayedviprau trīṁśca pitrye yathāvidhi ekaikaṁ vobhayatrāpi naiva śrāddhe tu vistaret

He should duly feed two brahmins in the rite for the gods and three in the rite for the ancestors, or one in each at the least; but he should never make the shraddha an occasion for extravagant show.

Verse 44 (skanda.2.211.44)

देशकालद्रव्यपात्रपूजोपकरणानि च । विस्तरेण यथाशास्त्रं न स्यादेवेति निश्चितम्

deśakāladravyapātrapūjopakaraṇāni ca vistareṇa yathāśāstraṁ na syādeveti niścitam

It is settled beyond doubt that place, time, materials, recipients, and articles of worship should never be extended beyond what the scripture prescribes.

Verse 45 (skanda.2.211.45)

न श्राद्धे क्वापि मांसं तु दद्यान्नाऽद्याच्च मानवः । मुन्यन्नैः क्षीरसर्पिर्भ्यां तृप्यन्ति पितरो भृशम्

na śrāddhe kvāpi māṁsaṁ tu dadyānnā'dyācca mānavaḥ munyannaiḥ kṣīrasarpirbhyāṁ tṛpyanti pitaro bhṛśam

A man should never offer or eat meat at a shraddha; the ancestors are deeply satisfied by simple grains, milk, and ghee.

Verse 46 (skanda.2.211.46)

अहिंसा प्राणिमात्रस्य मनोवाक्तनुभिस्तु या । तयैव पितरः सर्वे तृप्यन्त्यतिदयालवः

ahiṁsā prāṇimātrasya manovāktanubhistu yā tayaiva pitaraḥ sarve tṛpyantyatidayālavaḥ

It is by non-violence toward every living being, in thought, word, and deed, that all the deeply compassionate ancestors are truly satisfied.

Verse 47 (skanda.2.211.47)

तस्मात्कुसङ्गतः क्वापि शास्त्रहार्दमबुध्य च । श्राद्धे मांसं नैव दद्याद्वासुदेवपरः पुमान्

tasmātkusaṅgataḥ kvāpi śāstrahārdamabudhya ca śrāddhe māṁsaṁ naiva dadyādvāsudevaparaḥ pumān

Therefore a man devoted to Vasudeva should never, whether through bad company or through failing to grasp the true intent of the scriptures, offer meat at a shraddha.

Verse 48 (skanda.2.211.48)

व्रतानि कुर्याद्विष्णोश्च ब्रह्मचर्यादिभिर्यमैः । सहैव तत्परो नान्यत्कार्यं कुयाच्च तद्दिने

vratāni kuryādviṣṇośca brahmacaryādibhiryamaiḥ sahaiva tatparo nānyatkāryaṁ kuyācca taddine

He should keep Vishnu's vows diligently, together with celibacy and the other restraints, and undertake no other business on that day.

Verse 49 (skanda.2.211.49)

स्वसंबन्धिजनानां चाप्याशौचं जनिनाशयोः । यथाशास्त्रं पालयेत ग्रहणे चार्कचन्द्रयोः

svasaṁbandhijanānāṁ cāpyāśaucaṁ janināśayoḥ yathāśāstraṁ pālayeta grahaṇe cārkacandrayoḥ

He should observe, in accordance with scripture, the period of impurity that falls upon a birth or death among his relatives, and likewise during eclipses of the sun and moon.

Verse 50 (skanda.2.211.50)

व्यावहारिककार्याणां विवादे निर्णयेपि च । गृहीतरास्त्यागिनो ये ते न कार्या न चाधवाः

vyāvahārikakāryāṇāṁ vivāde nirṇayepi ca gṛhītarāstyāgino ye te na kāryā na cādhavāḥ

In disputes over worldly transactions, and in rendering any decision, those who take bribes and those who go back on what they have accepted should never be engaged, nor should they be made parties to the matter.

Verse 51 (skanda.2.211.51)

यत्रैते स्युर्न्न तत्कार्यं सिध्येत्क्वापि द्विजोत्तम । सर्वस्वनाशस्तत्र स्यादित्येवं त्वस्ति निर्णयः

yatraite syurnna tatkāryaṁ sidhyetkvāpi dvijottama sarvasvanāśastatra syādityevaṁ tvasti nirṇayaḥ

O best of the twice-born, wherever such people are involved, the matter never succeeds at all; ruin alone follows there -- such is the settled conclusion.

Verse 52 (skanda.2.211.52)

धर्मा एते गृहस्थानां मया संक्षेपतोदिताः । यदनुष्ठानतो नॄणां स्यात्स्वेष्टसुखमक्षयम्

dharmā ete gṛhasthānāṁ mayā saṁkṣepatoditāḥ yadanuṣṭhānato nṝṇāṁ syātsveṣṭasukhamakṣayam

These duties of householders have I declared to you in brief, by observing which men attain the imperishable happiness they desire.

Verse 53 (skanda.2.211.53)

शिलादिजीविकावृत्तिभेदेन गृहिणो द्विजाः । चतुर्विधाः प्रकीर्त्यन्ते तत्तन्नाम्ना च नारद

śilādijīvikāvṛttibhedena gṛhiṇo dvijāḥ caturvidhāḥ prakīrtyante tattannāmnā ca nārada

O Narada, householders among the twice-born are declared to be of four kinds according to their different means of livelihood -- gleaning and the rest -- each named accordingly.

Verse 54 (skanda.2.211.54)

स्त्रीणामथ प्रवक्ष्यामि धर्मान्र्धर्मवतां वर । येषु स्थिताः स्त्रियः सर्वाः प्राप्नुवन्तीप्सितं सुखम्

strīṇāmatha pravakṣyāmi dharmānrdharmavatāṁ vara yeṣu sthitāḥ striyaḥ sarvāḥ prāpnuvantīpsitaṁ sukham

Now, O best of the righteous, I shall declare the duties of women, established in which all women attain the happiness they desire.

Verse 55 (skanda.2.211.55)

सुवासिनीभिर्न्नारीभिः स्वपतिर्देववत्सदा । सेवनीयोऽनुवर्त्त्यश्च जरन्रुग्णोऽधनोपि वा

suvāsinībhirnnārībhiḥ svapatirdevavatsadā sevanīyo'nuvarttyaśca jaranrugṇo'dhanopi vā

Married women should always serve and follow their own husband as a deity, whether he be aged, sick, or without wealth.

Verse 56 (skanda.2.211.56)

तद्बन्धवश्चानुवर्त्याः सेवनेन यथोचितम् । उज्ज्वलानि विधेयानि गृहोपकरणानि च

tadbandhavaścānuvartyāḥ sevanena yathocitam ujjvalāni vidheyāni gṛhopakaraṇāni ca

They should also attend fittingly upon their husband's kinsfolk, and should keep the household articles bright and well kept.

Verse 57 (skanda.2.211.57)

गृहं मार्जनसेकाद्यैः स्वच्छं कार्यं दिनेदिने । प्रियं सत्यं च वक्तव्यं स्थेयं शुचितया सदा

gṛhaṁ mārjanasekādyaiḥ svacchaṁ kāryaṁ dinedine priyaṁ satyaṁ ca vaktavyaṁ stheyaṁ śucitayā sadā

The house should be kept clean every day by sweeping and sprinkling water; one should speak what is pleasant and true, and always remain in a state of purity.

Verse 58 (skanda.2.211.58)

चाञ्चल्यमतिलोभश्च क्रोधः स्तेयं च हिंसनम् । अधार्मिकाणां सङ्गश्च वर्ज्यः स्त्रीणां तथा नृणाम्

cāñcalyamatilobhaśca krodhaḥ steyaṁ ca hiṁsanam adhārmikāṇāṁ saṅgaśca varjyaḥ strīṇāṁ tathā nṛṇām

Fickleness, excessive greed, anger, theft, violence, and the company of the unrighteous -- these should be given up by women, and equally by men.

Verse 59 (skanda.2.211.59)

भवितव्यं तत्पराभिर्द्धर्मकार्येषु सर्वदा । त्यक्त्वौद्धत्यं विनीताभिः स्थेयं जित्वेन्द्रियाणि च

bhavitavyaṁ tatparābhirddharmakāryeṣu sarvadā tyaktvauddhatyaṁ vinītābhiḥ stheyaṁ jitvendriyāṇi ca

Women should always remain devoted to works of dharma; giving up arrogance, they should stay humble, and should master their senses.

Verse 60 (skanda.2.211.60)

पातिव्रत्ये स्थिताभिश्च धर्मे ताभी रमापतेः । भक्तिः कार्या स्वतन्त्राभिर्भवितव्यं न कुत्रचित्

pātivratye sthitābhiśca dharme tābhī ramāpateḥ bhaktiḥ kāryā svatantrābhirbhavitavyaṁ na kutracit

Remaining established in chastity and in dharma, they should render devotion to the Lord of Lakshmi; they should never act independently, without proper restraint, in any matter.

Verse 61 (skanda.2.211.61)

विधवा तु सदा विष्णुं सेवेत पतिभावतः । कामसंबन्धिनीर्वार्त्ता न शृण्वीत न कीर्तयेत्

vidhavā tu sadā viṣṇuṁ seveta patibhāvataḥ kāmasaṁbandhinīrvārttā na śṛṇvīta na kīrtayet

A widow should always serve Vishnu with the feeling of Him as her husband; she should neither listen to nor speak of matters touching on desire.

Verse 62 (skanda.2.211.62)

आसन्नसंबन्धवतो विनान्यान्पुरुषान्क्वचित् । अनापदि स्पृशेन्नैव पश्येन्नैव च कामतः

āsannasaṁbandhavato vinānyānpuruṣānkvacit anāpadi spṛśennaiva paśyennaiva ca kāmataḥ

Apart from close relations, she should, barring calamity, never touch other men, nor look upon them with desire.

Verse 63 (skanda.2.211.63)

स्तनपस्य तु नुः स्पर्शाद्वृद्धस्य च न दुष्यति । कार्य आवश्यके ताभ्यां भाषणे च विभर्तृका

stanapasya tu nuḥ sparśādvṛddhasya ca na duṣyati kārya āvaśyake tābhyāṁ bhāṣaṇe ca vibhartṛkā

A woman without a husband is not defiled by the touch of an infant or of an aged man, whether in necessary business or in conversing with them.

Verse 64 (skanda.2.211.64)

व्यावहारिककार्ये च विवादमधिकं नरैः । न कुर्वीतावश्यकार्ये तैर्भाषेत विना रहः

vyāvahārikakārye ca vivādamadhikaṁ naraiḥ na kurvītāvaśyakārye tairbhāṣeta vinā rahaḥ

In worldly matters she should not enter into much dispute with men; she may speak with them where necessary, but never in a secluded place.

Verse 65 (skanda.2.211.65)

नेक्षेत मिधुनीभूतं बुद्या पश्वाद्यपि क्वचित् । त्यजेच्च सकलान्भोगान्स्यात्सकृन्मितभुक्तथा

nekṣeta midhunībhūtaṁ budyā paśvādyapi kvacit tyajecca sakalānbhogānsyātsakṛnmitabhuktathā

She should never deliberately look even upon animals in the act of mating; she should renounce every luxury, and eat sparingly, once a day.

Verse 66 (skanda.2.211.66)

सधातुसूक्ष्मवासांसि नालंकारांश्च धारयेत् । न दिवा शयनं कुर्यान्न खट्वायामनापदि

sadhātusūkṣmavāsāṁsi nālaṁkārāṁśca dhārayet na divā śayanaṁ kuryānna khaṭvāyāmanāpadi

She should not wear garments woven with metal thread or fine transparent cloth, nor ornaments; she should not sleep by day, nor, barring necessity, even upon a cot.

Verse 67 (skanda.2.211.67)

ताम्बूलभक्षणं नैव कुर्यान्नाभ्यङ्गमञ्जनम् । पुम्प्रसंगाच्च बिभियात्कृष्णाहेरिव नित्यदा

tāmbūlabhakṣaṇaṁ naiva kuryānnābhyaṅgamañjanam pumprasaṁgācca bibhiyātkṛṣṇāheriva nityadā

She should never chew betel, nor apply oil or collyrium; and she should always dread the company of men as she would a black serpent.

Verse 68 (skanda.2.211.68)

समीक्ष्य पुरुषं नारी या न मोहमुपाव्रजेत् । तादृशी तु विना लक्ष्मीमेकां नान्यास्ति कुत्रचित्

samīkṣya puruṣaṁ nārī yā na mohamupāvrajet tādṛśī tu vinā lakṣmīmekāṁ nānyāsti kutracit

A woman who, on beholding a man, does not fall into confusion of mind -- such a woman exists nowhere but in Lakshmi alone.

Verse 69 (skanda.2.211.69)

धर्मनिष्ठा ततो नारी स्वनिःश्रेयसमिच्छती । नेक्षेत पुरुषाकारं बुद्धिपूर्वं च न स्पृशेत्

dharmaniṣṭhā tato nārī svaniḥśreyasamicchatī nekṣeta puruṣākāraṁ buddhipūrvaṁ ca na spṛśet

Therefore a woman devoted to dharma, desiring her own highest good, should not gaze upon the form of a man, nor deliberately touch it.

Verse 70 (skanda.2.211.70)

कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणादीनि नैरन्तर्येण भक्तितः । व्रतानि कुर्याच्च सदा भवेन्नियमतत्परा

kṛcchracāndrāyaṇādīni nairantaryeṇa bhaktitaḥ vratāni kuryācca sadā bhavenniyamatatparā

With devotion she should continuously observe the Krichchhra, the Chandrayana, and other such vows, and should always remain intent on keeping her observances.

Verse 71 (skanda.2.211.71)

पित्रा पुत्रादिना वापि तरुणी तरुणेन च । सह तिष्ठेन्न रहसि कुसङ्गं सर्वथा त्यजेत्

pitrā putrādinā vāpi taruṇī taruṇena ca saha tiṣṭhenna rahasi kusaṅgaṁ sarvathā tyajet

A young woman should not remain alone in a secluded place even with her father or son; she should altogether avoid bad company.

Verse 72 (skanda.2.211.72)

सधवा विधवा वा स्त्री स्वरजोदर्शनं क्वचित् । न गोपयेत्त्रिरात्रं तु मनुष्यादींश्च न स्पृशेत्

sadhavā vidhavā vā strī svarajodarśanaṁ kvacit na gopayettrirātraṁ tu manuṣyādīṁśca na spṛśet

A woman, married or widowed, should not conceal the onset of her monthly courses, and for three nights she should not touch other people or the like.

Verse 73 (skanda.2.211.73)

प्रथमेऽहनि चण्डाली द्वितीये ब्रह्मघातिनी । तृतीये रजकी प्रोक्ता सा चतुर्थेऽह्नि शुद्ध्यति

prathame'hani caṇḍālī dvitīye brahmaghātinī tṛtīye rajakī proktā sā caturthe'hni śuddhyati

On the first day she is likened to an outcaste woman, on the second to one guilty of slaying a brahmin, and on the third to a washerwoman; on the fourth day she becomes pure again.

Verse 74 (skanda.2.211.74)

इति स्त्रीणां मया धर्माः संक्षेपात्कथितास्तव । युक्ता यैर्योषितो यायुरिहामुत्र महत्सुखम्

iti strīṇāṁ mayā dharmāḥ saṁkṣepātkathitāstava yuktā yairyoṣito yāyurihāmutra mahatsukham

Thus have I briefly declared to you the duties of women, endowed with which women attain great happiness both in this world and in the next.