The Rule of Right Conduct

Verse 1 (skanda.4.36.1)

स्कंद उवाच॥ पुनर्विशेषं वक्ष्यामि सदाचारस्य कुंभज॥ यं श्रुत्वापि नरो धीमान्नाज्ञानतिमिरं विशेत्

skaṁda uvāca punarviśeṣaṁ vakṣyāmi sadācārasya kuṁbhaja yaṁ śrutvāpi naro dhīmānnājñānatimiraṁ viśet

Skanda said: "O Kumbhaja, again I shall speak in detail of right conduct, hearing which even a wise man will never fall into the darkness of ignorance."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.36.2)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्यास्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजाः स्मृताः॥ प्रथमं मातृतो जाता द्वितीयं चोपनायनात्

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāstrayo varṇā dvijāḥ smṛtāḥ prathamaṁ mātṛto jātā dvitīyaṁ copanāyanāt

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas -- these three classes are called the twice-born. Their first birth comes from the mother, and their second birth comes from the rite of sacred investiture.

Verse 3 (skanda.4.36.3)

एषां क्रियानिषेकादि श्मशानांता च वैदिकी॥ आदधीत सुधीर्गर्भमृतौमूलं मघां त्यजेत्

eṣāṁ kriyāniṣekādi śmaśānāṁtā ca vaidikī ādadhīta sudhīrgarbhamṛtaumūlaṁ maghāṁ tyajet

The sacraments of these classes are Vedic, beginning with the rite of conception and ending with the funeral rites. The wise man should perform conception in the proper season, but avoiding the lunar mansions of Mula and Magha.

Verse 4 (skanda.4.36.4)

स्पंदनात्प्राक्पुंसवनं सीमंतोन्नयनं ततः॥ मासि षष्ठेऽष्टमे वापि जातेथो जातकर्म च

spaṁdanātprākpuṁsavanaṁ sīmaṁtonnayanaṁ tataḥ māsi ṣaṣṭhe'ṣṭame vāpi jātetho jātakarma ca

Before the quickening of the womb, the rite of Pumsavana should be performed; then, in the sixth or eighth month, the Simantonnayana; and when the child is born, the birth-rite of Jatakarma.

Verse 5 (skanda.4.36.5)

नामाह्न्येकादशे गेहाच्चतुर्थेमासि निष्क्रमः॥ मासेन्नप्राशनं षष्ठे चूडाब्दे वा यथाकुलम्

nāmāhnyekādaśe gehāccaturthemāsi niṣkramaḥ māsennaprāśanaṁ ṣaṣṭhe cūḍābde vā yathākulam

On the eleventh day the naming rite is performed; in the fourth month, the child is first carried out of the house; in the sixth month, the first feeding of solid food; and the tonsure in the first year, or according to family custom.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.36.6)

शममेनो व्रजेदेवं बैजं गर्भजमवे च॥ स्त्रीणामेताः क्रियास्तूष्णीं पाणिग्राहस्तु मंत्रवान्

śamameno vrajedevaṁ baijaṁ garbhajamave ca strīṇāmetāḥ kriyāstūṣṇīṁ pāṇigrāhastu maṁtravān

Thus both the fault inherited through the seed and that through the womb are appeased. For women these same rites are performed in silence, without mantras; only the bridegroom who takes her hand recites the sacred formulas.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.36.7)

सप्तमेथाष्टमेवाब्दे सावित्रीं ब्राह्मणोर्हति॥ नृपस्त्वेकादशे वैश्यो द्वादशे वा यथाकुलम्

saptamethāṣṭamevābde sāvitrīṁ brāhmaṇorhati nṛpastvekādaśe vaiśyo dvādaśe vā yathākulam

A Brahmin boy should receive the sacred Savitri in his seventh or eighth year; a Kshatriya in his eleventh, and a Vaishya in his twelfth, or according to the custom of his family.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.36.8)

ब्रह्मतेजोभिवृद्ध्यर्थं विप्रोब्देपंचमेर्हति॥ षष्ठे बलार्थी नृपतिर्मौजीं वैश्योष्टमे ध्रियेत्

brahmatejobhivṛddhyarthaṁ viprobdepaṁcamerhati ṣaṣṭhe balārthī nṛpatirmaujīṁ vaiśyoṣṭame dhriyet

A Brahmin desiring the fuller growth of Vedic radiance may be invested even in the fifth year; a Kshatriya desiring strength, in the sixth; and a Vaishya may take up the girdle of munja grass in the eighth.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.36.9)

महाव्याहृतिपूर्वं च वेदमध्यापयेद्गुरुः॥ उपनीय च तं शिष्यं शौचाचारे च योजयेत्

mahāvyāhṛtipūrvaṁ ca vedamadhyāpayedguruḥ upanīya ca taṁ śiṣyaṁ śaucācāre ca yojayet

Having invested the pupil, the teacher should instruct him in the Veda preceded by the great utterances Bhur, Bhuvah, Svah, and should establish him in the practice of purity.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.36.10)

पूर्वोक्तविधिना शौचं कुर्यादाचमनं तथा॥ दंताञ्जिह्वां विशोध्याथ कृत्वा मलविशोधनम्॥ स्नात्वांबुदैवतैर्मंत्रैः प्राणानायम्य यत्नतः॥ उपस्थानं रवेः कृत्वा संध्ययोरुभयोरपि

pūrvoktavidhinā śaucaṁ kuryādācamanaṁ tathā daṁtāñjihvāṁ viśodhyātha kṛtvā malaviśodhanam snātvāṁbudaivatairmaṁtraiḥ prāṇānāyamya yatnataḥ upasthānaṁ raveḥ kṛtvā saṁdhyayorubhayorapi

By the rule already stated, he should perform bodily purification and sipping of water, cleanse his teeth and tongue, evacuate impurities, bathe while reciting the mantras of the water-deities, restrain his breath with careful effort, and worship the sun at both the morning and evening twilights.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.36.11)

अग्निकार्यं ततः कृत्वा ब्राह्मणानभिवादयेत्॥ ब्रुवन्नमुक गोत्रोहमभिवादय इत्यपि

agnikāryaṁ tataḥ kṛtvā brāhmaṇānabhivādayet bruvannamuka gotrohamabhivādaya ityapi

Then, having performed the fire-offering, he should salute the Brahmins, saying: "I, of such-and-such a lineage, salute you."

Verse 12 (skanda.4.36.12)

अभिवादनशीलस्य वृद्धसेवारतस्य च॥ आयुर्यशोबलं बुद्धिर्वर्धतेऽहरहोधिकम्

abhivādanaśīlasya vṛddhasevāratasya ca āyuryaśobalaṁ buddhirvardhate'harahodhikam

For one who is habituated to offering salutations and devoted to serving his elders, life, fame, strength, and understanding all increase day by day.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.36.13)

अधीते गुरुणा हूतः प्राप्तं तस्मै निवेदयेत्॥ कर्मणा मनसा वाचा हितं तस्याचरेत्सदा

adhīte guruṇā hūtaḥ prāptaṁ tasmai nivedayet karmaṇā manasā vācā hitaṁ tasyācaretsadā

When called by his teacher during study, the pupil should report to him what he has learned, and by deed, mind, and speech he should always act for his teacher's welfare.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.36.14)

अध्याप्याधर्मतोनार्थात्साध्वाप्तज्ञानवित्तदाः॥ शक्ताः कृतज्ञाः शुचयोऽद्रोहकाश्चानसूयकाः

adhyāpyādharmatonārthātsādhvāptajñānavittadāḥ śaktāḥ kṛtajñāḥ śucayo'drohakāścānasūyakāḥ

One should teach only such pupils as are free of unrighteousness and selfish motive, who make right use of the knowledge and wealth they receive, who are capable, grateful, pure in conduct, free from malice, and free from envy.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.36.15)

धारयेन्मेखलादंडोपवीताजिनमेव च॥ अनिंद्येषु चरेद्भैक्ष्यं ब्राह्मणेष्वात्मवृत्तये

dhārayenmekhalādaṁḍopavītājinameva ca aniṁdyeṣu caredbhaikṣyaṁ brāhmaṇeṣvātmavṛttaye

He should wear the girdle, the staff, the sacred thread, and the deerskin; and for his own subsistence he should beg alms only from blameless Brahmin households.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.36.16)

ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशामादिमध्यावसानतः॥ भैक्ष्यचर्या क्रमेण स्याद्भवच्छब्दोपलक्षिता

brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāmādimadhyāvasānataḥ bhaikṣyacaryā krameṇa syādbhavacchabdopalakṣitā

The alms-round should proceed first among Brahmin homes, then Kshatriya, and last among Vaishya, in that order, and each request should be marked by the respectful word "bhavat" -- "if it please you."

Verse 17 (skanda.4.36.17)

वाग्यतो गुर्वनुज्ञातो भुंजीतान्नमकुत्सयन्॥ एकान्नं न समश्नीयाच्छ्राद्धेऽश्नीयात्तथापदि

vāgyato gurvanujñāto bhuṁjītānnamakutsayan ekānnaṁ na samaśnīyācchrāddhe'śnīyāttathāpadi

With his guru's leave, keeping silence, he should eat without disparaging the food. He should not eat food gathered from a single house alone, though in a shraddha-rite or in times of hardship this is permitted.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.36.18)

अनारोग्यमनायुष्यमस्वर्ग्यंचातिभोजनम्॥ अपुण्यं लोकविद्विष्टं तस्मात्तत्परिवर्जयेत्

anārogyamanāyuṣyamasvargyaṁcātibhojanam apuṇyaṁ lokavidviṣṭaṁ tasmāttatparivarjayet

Overeating destroys health, shortens life, bars the way to heaven, breeds sin, and is despised by the world; therefore he should avoid it altogether.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.36.19)

न द्विर्भुंजीत चैकस्मिन्दिवा क्वापि द्विजोत्तमः॥ सायंप्रातर्द्विजोऽश्नीयादग्निहोत्रविधानवित्॥ मधुमांसं प्राणिहिंसां भास्करालोकनांजने॥ स्त्रियं पर्युषितोच्छिष्टंपरिवादं विवजर्येत्

na dvirbhuṁjīta caikasmindivā kvāpi dvijottamaḥ sāyaṁprātardvijo'śnīyādagnihotravidhānavit madhumāṁsaṁ prāṇihiṁsāṁ bhāskarālokanāṁjane striyaṁ paryuṣitocchiṣṭaṁparivādaṁ vivajaryet

Nowhere should a leading twice-born eat twice within a single day; one who knows the rule of the fire-offering should eat only at evening and at dawn. He should avoid honey, meat, injury to living beings, staring at the sun, applying collyrium, contact with women, stale or leftover food, and speaking ill of others.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.36.20)

औपनायनिकः कालो ब्रह्मक्षत्र विशां परः॥ आ षोडशादाद्वाविंशादा चतुर्विंशदब्दतः

aupanāyanikaḥ kālo brahmakṣatra viśāṁ paraḥ ā ṣoḍaśādādvāviṁśādā caturviṁśadabdataḥ

The outer limit for the rite of investiture is the sixteenth year for a Brahmin, the twenty-second for a Kshatriya, and the twenty-fourth for a Vaishya.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.36.21)

इतोप्यूर्ध्वं न संस्कार्याः पतिता धर्मवर्जिताः॥ व्रात्यस्तोमेन यज्ञेन तत्पातित्यं परिव्रजेत्

itopyūrdhvaṁ na saṁskāryāḥ patitā dharmavarjitāḥ vrātyastomena yajñena tatpātityaṁ parivrajet

Beyond this age, one who remains uninvested is reckoned fallen and excluded from dharma, and no longer eligible for the sacrament; yet that fallen state may still be removed through the Vratyastoma sacrifice.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.36.22)

सावित्रीपतितैः सार्धं संबंधं न समाचरेत्॥ ऐणं च रौरवं वास्तं क्रमाच्चर्म द्विजन्मनाम्

sāvitrīpatitaiḥ sārdhaṁ saṁbaṁdhaṁ na samācaret aiṇaṁ ca rauravaṁ vāstaṁ kramāccarma dvijanmanām

One should form no marriage tie with those fallen from the Savitri, who lack investiture. The hide worn by the three twice-born classes is, in order, that of the black antelope, the spotted deer, and the goat.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.36.23)

वसीरन्नानुपूर्व्येण शाण क्षौमाविकानि च॥ द्विजस्य मेखला मौंजी मौर्वी च भुजजन्मनः॥ भवेत्त्रिवृत्समाश्लक्ष्णा विशस्तु शणतांतवी

vasīrannānupūrvyeṇa śāṇa kṣaumāvikāni ca dvijasya mekhalā mauṁjī maurvī ca bhujajanmanaḥ bhavettrivṛtsamāślakṣṇā viśastu śaṇatāṁtavī

They should wear, in order, garments of hemp, of flax, and of wool. The girdle of a Brahmin is of munja grass; that of the Kshatriya, born of the arms, is of bowstring fibre, three-stranded, even, and smooth; that of the Vaishya is of hemp thread.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.36.24)

मुंजाभावे विधातव्या कुशाश्मंतकबल्वजैः॥ ग्रंथिनैकेन संयुक्ता त्रिभिः पंचभिरेव वा

muṁjābhāve vidhātavyā kuśāśmaṁtakabalvajaiḥ graṁthinaikena saṁyuktā tribhiḥ paṁcabhireva vā

In the absence of munja grass, the girdle may be made of kusha grass, of ashmantaka, or of balvaja reed, tied with a single knot, or with three, or with five.

Verse 25 (skanda.4.36.25)

उपवीतक्रमेण स्यात्कार्पासं शाणमाविकम्॥ त्रिवृदूर्ध्ववृतं तच्च भवेदायुर्विवृद्धये

upavītakrameṇa syātkārpāsaṁ śāṇamāvikam trivṛdūrdhvavṛtaṁ tacca bhavedāyurvivṛddhaye

In due order, the sacred thread should be of cotton, hemp, or wool, twisted upward in three strands; worn thus, it leads to the increase of life.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.36.26)

बिल्वपालाशयोर्दंडो ब्राह्मणस्य नृपस्य तु॥ न्यग्रोधबालदलयोः पीलूदुंबरयोर्विशः

bilvapālāśayordaṁḍo brāhmaṇasya nṛpasya tu nyagrodhabāladalayoḥ pīlūduṁbarayorviśaḥ

The staff of a Brahmin should be of bilva or palasha wood; that of the king, of the banyan or a young-leaved tree; and that of the Vaishya, of pilu or udumbara wood.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.36.27)

आमौलिं वाऽऽललाटंवाऽऽनासमूर्ध्वप्रमाणतः॥ ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशां दंडस्त्वगाढ्योनाग्निदूषितः

āmauliṁ vā''lalāṭaṁvā''nāsamūrdhvapramāṇataḥ brahmakṣatraviśāṁ daṁḍastvagāḍhyonāgnidūṣitaḥ

The staff should reach, in height, up to the crown of the head, or to the forehead, or to the tip of the nose. For all three -- Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya -- it should be neither too thick nor scorched by fire.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.36.28)

प्रदक्षिणं परीत्याग्निमुपस्थाय दिवाकरम्॥ दंडाजिनोपवीताढ्यश्चरेद्भैक्ष्यं यथोदितम्॥ मातृमातृष्वसृस्वसृपितृस्वसृपुरःसराः॥ प्रथमं भिक्षणीयाः स्युरेतायाचन नो वदेत्

pradakṣiṇaṁ parītyāgnimupasthāya divākaram daṁḍājinopavītāḍhyaścaredbhaikṣyaṁ yathoditam mātṛmātṛṣvasṛsvasṛpitṛsvasṛpuraḥsarāḥ prathamaṁ bhikṣaṇīyāḥ syuretāyācana no vadet

Having circumambulated the fire and paid homage to the sun, adorned with staff, deerskin, and sacred thread, he should go on his begging round as prescribed. His mother, his maternal aunt, his sister, and his paternal aunt are to be asked first, and he should never hesitate to beg from them.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.36.29)

यावद्वेदमधीते च चरन्वेदव्रतानि च॥ ब्रह्मचारी भवेत्तावदूर्ध्वं स्नातो गृही भवेत्

yāvadvedamadhīte ca caranvedavratāni ca brahmacārī bhavettāvadūrdhvaṁ snāto gṛhī bhavet

As long as he studies the Veda and observes the Vedic vows, he remains a brahmachari; thereafter, having taken the concluding bath, he becomes a householder.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.36.30)

प्रोक्तोसावुपकुर्वाणो द्वितीयस्तत्र नैष्ठिकः॥ तिष्ठेत्तावद्गुरुकुले यावत्स्यादायुषः क्षयः

proktosāvupakurvāṇo dvitīyastatra naiṣṭhikaḥ tiṣṭhettāvadgurukule yāvatsyādāyuṣaḥ kṣayaḥ

This first kind of brahmachari is called Upakurvana; the second kind is the Naishthika, who remains in the teacher's household until the very end of his life.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.36.31)

गृहाश्रमं समाश्रित्य यः पुनर्ब्रह्मचर्यभाक्॥ नासौ यतिर्वनस्थो वा स्यात्सर्वाश्रमवर्जितः

gṛhāśramaṁ samāśritya yaḥ punarbrahmacaryabhāk nāsau yatirvanastho vā syātsarvāśramavarjitaḥ

One who, having taken up the householder's stage, again lays claim to brahmacharya, is neither an ascetic nor a forest-dweller -- he stands excluded from every stage of life.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.36.32)

अनाश्रमी न तिष्ठेत दिनमेकमपि द्विजः॥ आश्रमं तु विना तिष्ठन्प्रायश्चित्ती यतो हि सः

anāśramī na tiṣṭheta dinamekamapi dvijaḥ āśramaṁ tu vinā tiṣṭhanprāyaścittī yato hi saḥ

A twice-born should not remain without an established stage of life even for a single day, for one who lives outside every ashrama becomes liable to penance.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.36.33)

जपं होमं व्रतं दानं स्वाध्यायं पितृतर्पणम्॥ कुर्वाणोथाश्रमभ्रष्टो नासौ तत्फलमाप्नुयात्

japaṁ homaṁ vrataṁ dānaṁ svādhyāyaṁ pitṛtarpaṇam kurvāṇothāśramabhraṣṭo nāsau tatphalamāpnuyāt

Even one who performs recitation, fire-offering, vows, charity, Vedic study, and offerings to the ancestors does not obtain the fruit of these if he has fallen away from his proper stage of life.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.36.34)

मेखलाजिनदंडाश्च लिंगं स्याद्ब्रह्मचारिणः॥ गृहिणो वेदयज्ञादि नखलोमवनस्थितेः

mekhalājinadaṁḍāśca liṁgaṁ syādbrahmacāriṇaḥ gṛhiṇo vedayajñādi nakhalomavanasthiteḥ

The girdle, deerskin, and staff are the marks of a brahmachari. Vedic study and sacrifice are the marks of the householder; and uncut nails and hair are the marks of the forest-dweller.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.36.35)

त्रिदंडादि यतेरुक्तमुपलक्षणमत्र वै॥ एतल्लक्षणहीनस्तु प्रायश्चित्ती दिने दिने

tridaṁḍādi yateruktamupalakṣaṇamatra vai etallakṣaṇahīnastu prāyaścittī dine dine

The triple staff and its like are said to mark the ascetic. One who lacks the mark proper to his own stage becomes liable to penance day after day.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.36.36)

जीर्णं कमंडलुं दंडमुपवीताजिने अपि॥ अप्स्वेव तानि निक्षिप्य गृह्णीतान्यच्च मंत्रवत्

jīrṇaṁ kamaṁḍaluṁ daṁḍamupavītājine api apsveva tāni nikṣipya gṛhṇītānyacca maṁtravat

The worn-out water-pot, staff, sacred thread, and deerskin should be surrendered into water, and new ones taken up with the appropriate mantras.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.36.37)

विदध्यात्षोडशे वर्षे केशांतकर्म च क्रमात्॥ द्वाविंशे च चतुर्विंशे गार्हस्थ्य प्रतिपत्तये॥ तपो यज्ञ व्रतेभ्यश्च सर्वस्माच्छुभकर्मणः॥ द्विजातीनां श्रुतिर्ह्येका हेतुर्निश्रेयस श्रियः

vidadhyātṣoḍaśe varṣe keśāṁtakarma ca kramāt dvāviṁśe ca caturviṁśe gārhasthya pratipattaye tapo yajña vratebhyaśca sarvasmācchubhakarmaṇaḥ dvijātīnāṁ śrutirhyekā heturniśreyasa śriyaḥ

In the sixteenth year the hair-cutting rite should be performed, and preparation for entry into the householder's stage should proceed in the twenty-second and twenty-fourth years respectively. Above austerity, sacrifice, vows, and every auspicious act, for the twice-born, Vedic learning alone is the true cause of highest good.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.36.38)

वेदारंभे विसर्गे च विदध्यात्प्रणवं सदा॥ अफलोऽनोंकृतो यस्मात्पठितोपि न सिद्धये

vedāraṁbhe visarge ca vidadhyātpraṇavaṁ sadā aphalo'noṁkṛto yasmātpaṭhitopi na siddhaye

At the beginning and at the close of Vedic recitation, he should always utter the sacred syllable Om, for study without Om is fruitless and, however much recited, does not bring accomplishment.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.36.39)

वेदस्य वदनं प्रोक्तं गायत्री त्रिपदा परा॥ तिसृभिः प्रणवाद्याभिर्महाव्याहृतिभिः सह

vedasya vadanaṁ proktaṁ gāyatrī tripadā parā tisṛbhiḥ praṇavādyābhirmahāvyāhṛtibhiḥ saha

The supreme Gayatri of three feet is declared to be the very mouth of the Veda, recited together with the three great utterances -- Bhur, Bhuvah, Svah -- preceded by Om.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.36.40)

सहस्रं साधिकं किंचित्त्रिकमैतज्जपन्यमी॥ मासं बहिः प्रतिदिनं महाघादपि मुच्यते

sahasraṁ sādhikaṁ kiṁcittrikamaitajjapanyamī māsaṁ bahiḥ pratidinaṁ mahāghādapi mucyate

One who recites this threefold formula a little more than a thousand times each day, outdoors, for the space of a month, is freed even from the gravest sin.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.36.41)

अत्यब्दमिति योभ्यस्येत्प्रतिघस्रमनन्यधीः॥ स व्योममूर्तिः शुद्धात्मा परं ब्रह्माधिगच्छति

atyabdamiti yobhyasyetpratighasramananyadhīḥ sa vyomamūrtiḥ śuddhātmā paraṁ brahmādhigacchati

One who, with single-minded devotion, practices this every day for more than a year attains a being vast as the sky, becomes pure in soul, and reaches the Supreme Brahman.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.36.42)

त्रिवर्णमयमोंकारं भूर्भुवःस्वरिति त्रयम्॥ पादत्रयं च सावित्र्यास्त्रयोवेदा अदूदुहन्

trivarṇamayamoṁkāraṁ bhūrbhuvaḥsvariti trayam pādatrayaṁ ca sāvitryāstrayovedā adūduhan

The three-syllabled Om, the triad Bhur-Bhuvah-Svah, and the three feet of the Savitri -- from these the three Vedas themselves were milked forth.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.36.43)

एतदक्षरमेनां च जपेद्व्याहृतिपूर्विकाम्॥ संध्ययोर्वेदविद्विप्रो वेदपुण्येन युज्यते

etadakṣaramenāṁ ca japedvyāhṛtipūrvikām saṁdhyayorvedavidvipro vedapuṇyena yujyate

The Brahmin learned in the Veda, who recites this syllable together with the Savitri, preceded by the great utterances, at both twilights, becomes united with the merit of the Veda itself.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.36.44)

विधिक्रतोर्दशगुणं जपस्यफलमश्नुते॥ विधिक्रतोर्दशगुणो जपक्रतुरुदीरितः

vidhikratordaśaguṇaṁ japasyaphalamaśnute vidhikratordaśaguṇo japakraturudīritaḥ

The fruit of recitation aloud is tenfold that of a sacrifice performed strictly by rule; the sacrifice of recitation is thus declared to be tenfold greater than the sacrifice enjoined by ritual ordinance.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.36.45)

उपांशुस्तच्छतगुणः सहस्रो मानसस्ततः

upāṁśustacchataguṇaḥ sahasro mānasastataḥ

Whispered recitation is a hundredfold that; and silent, mental recitation is a thousandfold greater still.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.36.46)

अधीत्यवेदान्वेदौ वा वेदं वा शक्तितो द्विजः॥ सुवर्णपूर्ण धरणी दानस्य फलमश्नुते॥ श्रुतिमेव सदाभ्यस्येत्तपस्तप्तुं द्विजोत्तमः॥ श्रुत्यभ्यासो हि विप्रस्य परमं तप उच्यते

adhītyavedānvedau vā vedaṁ vā śaktito dvijaḥ suvarṇapūrṇa dharaṇī dānasya phalamaśnute śrutimeva sadābhyasyettapastaptuṁ dvijottamaḥ śrutyabhyāso hi viprasya paramaṁ tapa ucyate

A twice-born who studies the three Vedas, or two, or even one, according to his ability, obtains the fruit of donating the earth filled with gold. Let the best of the twice-born constantly practice the study of the Veda as his austerity, for such study is declared to be a Brahmin's supreme tapas.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.36.47)

हित्वा श्रुतेरध्ययनं योन्यत्पठितुमिच्छति॥ स दोग्ध्रीं धेनुमुत्सृज्य ग्रामक्रोडीं दुधुक्षति

hitvā śruteradhyayanaṁ yonyatpaṭhitumicchati sa dogdhrīṁ dhenumutsṛjya grāmakroḍīṁ dudhukṣati

One who abandons the study of the Veda to pursue other learning is like a man who forsakes the milk-giving cow and tries instead to milk the village sow.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.36.48)

उपनीय च वै शिष्यं वेदमध्यापयेद्द्विजः॥ सकल्पं सरहस्यं च तमाचार्यं विदु्र्बुधाः

upanīya ca vai śiṣyaṁ vedamadhyāpayeddvijaḥ sakalpaṁ sarahasyaṁ ca tamācāryaṁ vidurbudhāḥ

The wise call that twice-born an Acharya who, having invested a pupil, teaches him the Veda together with its ritual application and its inner meaning.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.36.49)

योध्यापयेदेकदेशं श्रुतेरंगान्यथापि वा॥ वृत्त्यर्थं स उपाध्यायो विद्वद्भिः परिगीयते

yodhyāpayedekadeśaṁ śruteraṁgānyathāpi vā vṛttyarthaṁ sa upādhyāyo vidvadbhiḥ parigīyate

One who, for the sake of livelihood, teaches only a portion of the Veda or its auxiliary disciplines is called by the learned an Upadhyaya.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.36.50)

यथाविधि निषेकादि यः कर्म कुरुते द्विजः॥ संभावयेत्तथान्नेन गुरुः स इह कीर्त्यते

yathāvidhi niṣekādi yaḥ karma kurute dvijaḥ saṁbhāvayettathānnena guruḥ sa iha kīrtyate

The twice-born who performs the sacraments beginning with conception according to due rule, and correspondingly sustains the child with food -- he is here spoken of as the Guru.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.36.51)

अग्न्याधेयं पाकयज्ञानग्निष्टोमादिकान्मखान्॥ यः करोति वृतो यस्य स तस्यर्त्त्विगिहोच्यते

agnyādheyaṁ pākayajñānagniṣṭomādikānmakhān yaḥ karoti vṛto yasya sa tasyarttvigihocyate

One who, engaged by another, performs the establishment of the sacred fire, the domestic offerings, and greater sacrifices such as the Agnishtoma, is here called that person's officiating priest.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.36.52)

उपाध्यायाद्दशाचार्य आचार्यात्तु शतं पिता॥ सहस्रं तु पितुर्माता गौरवेणातिरिच्यते

upādhyāyāddaśācārya ācāryāttu śataṁ pitā sahasraṁ tu piturmātā gauraveṇātiricyate

The Acharya is tenfold more venerable than the Upadhyaya, the father a hundredfold more than the Acharya, and the mother a thousandfold more than the father -- surpassing them all in reverence due.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.36.53)

विप्राणां ज्ञानतो ज्यैष्ठ्यं बाहुजानां तु वीर्यतः॥ वैश्यानां धान्यधनतः पज्जातानां तु जन्मतः

viprāṇāṁ jñānato jyaiṣṭhyaṁ bāhujānāṁ tu vīryataḥ vaiśyānāṁ dhānyadhanataḥ pajjātānāṁ tu janmataḥ

Among Brahmins, seniority is reckoned by learning; among those born of the arms, by valor; among Vaishyas, by grain and wealth; and among those born of the feet, by age alone.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.36.54)

यथा दारुमयो हस्ती यथा कृत्तिमयो मृगः॥ तथा विप्रोऽनधीयानस्त्रयोऽमी नामधारिणः

yathā dārumayo hastī yathā kṛttimayo mṛgaḥ tathā vipro'nadhīyānastrayo'mī nāmadhāriṇaḥ

As a wooden elephant is an elephant in name only, and a hide stuffed to resemble a deer is a deer in name only, so too is an unlearned Brahmin -- these three alike bear only the name, without the substance.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.36.55)

स्वप्ने सिक्त्वा ब्रह्मचारी द्विजः शुक्रमकामतः॥ स्नात्वार्कमर्चयित्वा त्रिः पुनर्मामित्यृचं जपेत्॥ स्वधर्मनिरतानां च वेदयज्ञक्रियावताम्॥ ब्रह्मचारी चरेद्भैक्ष्यं वेश्मसुप्रयतोऽन्वहम्

svapne siktvā brahmacārī dvijaḥ śukramakāmataḥ snātvārkamarcayitvā triḥ punarmāmityṛcaṁ japet svadharmaniratānāṁ ca vedayajñakriyāvatām brahmacārī caredbhaikṣyaṁ veśmasuprayato'nvaham

If a brahmachari involuntarily emits semen in a dream, he should bathe, worship the sun, and recite three times the verse beginning "punar mā." Purified, the brahmachari should beg his daily alms only in the homes of those devoted to their own duty and engaged in the rites of Veda and sacrifice.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.36.56)

अकृत्वा भैक्ष्यचरणमसमिध्य हुताशनम्॥ अनातुरः सप्तरात्रमवकीर्णि व्रतं चरेत्

akṛtvā bhaikṣyacaraṇamasamidhya hutāśanam anāturaḥ saptarātramavakīrṇi vrataṁ caret

One who, though not ill, fails for seven nights to go on his begging round or to feed the sacred fire with fuel, should undertake the Avakirni vow of penance.

Verse 57 (skanda.4.36.57)

यथेष्टचेष्टो नभवेद्गुरोर्नयनगोचरे॥ न नामपरिगृह्णीयात्परोक्षेप्यविशेषणम्

yatheṣṭaceṣṭo nabhavedgurornayanagocare na nāmaparigṛhṇīyātparokṣepyaviśeṣaṇam

In the sight of his guru he should never behave as he pleases. Even in the guru's absence, he should not utter his name without a title of respect.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.36.58)

गुरुनिंदाभवेद्यत्र परिवादस्तु यत्र च॥ श्रुती पिधाय वास्थेयं यातव्यं वा ततोन्यतः

guruniṁdābhavedyatra parivādastu yatra ca śrutī pidhāya vāstheyaṁ yātavyaṁ vā tatonyataḥ

Wherever the guru is reviled, or slander is spoken about him, one should either stop his own ears or leave that place at once.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.36.59)

खरो गुरोः परीवादाच्छ्वा भवेद्गुरुनिंदकः॥ मत्सरी क्षुद्रकीटःस्यात्परिभोक्ता भवेत्कृमिः

kharo guroḥ parīvādācchvā bhavedguruniṁdakaḥ matsarī kṣudrakīṭaḥsyātparibhoktā bhavetkṛmiḥ

One who speaks slander against his guru becomes a donkey; one who reviles him becomes a dog; the envious becomes a lowly insect; and one who exploits him becomes a worm.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.36.60)

नाभिवाद्या गुरोः पत्नी स्पृष्ट्वांघ्री युवती सती॥ क्वापि विंशतिवर्षेण ज्ञातृणा गुणदोषयोः

nābhivādyā guroḥ patnī spṛṣṭvāṁghrī yuvatī satī kvāpi viṁśativarṣeṇa jñātṛṇā guṇadoṣayoḥ

If the guru's wife is young, one should not salute her by touching her feet; this rule is relaxed, in the judgment of one who can discern what is proper, only once he has passed twenty years of age.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.36.61)

स्वभावश्चंचलः स्त्रीणां दोषः पुंसामतः स्मृतः॥ प्रमदासु प्रमाद्यंति क्वचिन्नैव विपश्चितः

svabhāvaścaṁcalaḥ strīṇāṁ doṣaḥ puṁsāmataḥ smṛtaḥ pramadāsu pramādyaṁti kvacinnaiva vipaścitaḥ

Fickleness is said to be the nature of women, and for this reason it is remembered as a peril for men as well -- for even the learned, at times, lose themselves and their good sense in the company of young women.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.36.62)

विद्वांसमप्यविद्वांसं यतस्ताधर्षयंत्यलम्॥ स्ववशं वापि कुर्वंति सूत्रबद्धशकुंतवत्

vidvāṁsamapyavidvāṁsaṁ yatastādharṣayaṁtyalam svavaśaṁ vāpi kurvaṁti sūtrabaddhaśakuṁtavat

They have the power to overwhelm the learned and the unlearned alike, and bring them under their own sway, as a bird is held captive by a cord.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.36.63)

न मात्रा न दुहित्रा वा न स्वस्रैकांतशीलता॥ बलवंतीद्रियाण्यत्र मोहयंत्यपि कोविदान्

na mātrā na duhitrā vā na svasraikāṁtaśīlatā balavaṁtīdriyāṇyatra mohayaṁtyapi kovidān

Not even with mother, daughter, or sister should one keep unbroken intimacy in solitude, for the senses are powerful here, and can bewilder even the learned.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.36.64)

प्रयत्नेन खनन्यद्वद्भूमेर्वार्यधिगच्छति॥ शुश्रूषया गुरोस्तद्वद्विद्या शिष्योधिगच्छति॥ शयानमभ्युदयते ब्रध्नश्चेद्ब्रह्मचारिणम्॥ प्रमादादथ निम्लोचेज्जपन्नपवसेद्दिनम्

prayatnena khananyadvadbhūmervāryadhigacchati śuśrūṣayā gurostadvadvidyā śiṣyodhigacchati śayānamabhyudayate bradhnaścedbrahmacāriṇam pramādādatha nimlocejjapannapavaseddinam

As one obtains water from the earth only by persistent digging, so the pupil obtains knowledge only through service to his guru. If, through carelessness, the sun rises upon a sleeping brahmachari, or sets while he still sleeps, he should fast that whole day while performing recitation.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.36.65)

सुतस्य संभवे क्लेशं सहेते पितरौ च यत्॥ शक्या वर्षशतेनापि नो कर्तुं तस्य निष्कृतिः

sutasya saṁbhave kleśaṁ sahete pitarau ca yat śakyā varṣaśatenāpi no kartuṁ tasya niṣkṛtiḥ

The suffering that parents endure at the birth of a son cannot be repaid, even over a hundred years.

Verse 66 (skanda.4.36.66)

अतस्तयोः प्रियं कुर्याद्गुरोरपि च सर्वदा॥ त्रिषु तेषु सुतुष्टेषु तपः सर्वं समाप्यते

atastayoḥ priyaṁ kuryādgurorapi ca sarvadā triṣu teṣu sutuṣṭeṣu tapaḥ sarvaṁ samāpyate

Therefore one should always seek to please them -- father, mother, and guru; when these three are truly satisfied, the whole of one's austerity is fulfilled.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.36.67)

तेषां त्रयाणां शुश्रूषा परमं तप उच्यते॥ तानतिक्रम्य यः कुर्यात्तन्नसिद्ध्येत्कदाचन

teṣāṁ trayāṇāṁ śuśrūṣā paramaṁ tapa ucyate tānatikramya yaḥ kuryāttannasiddhyetkadācana

Service to these three is declared to be the highest austerity; whoever undertakes any act while disregarding them will never see it succeed.

Verse 68 (skanda.4.36.68)

त्रीनेवामून्समाराध्य त्रीँल्लोकान्स जयेत्सुधीः॥ देववद्दिवि दीव्येत तेषां तोषं विवर्धयन्

trīnevāmūnsamārādhya trī~llokānsa jayetsudhīḥ devavaddivi dīvyeta teṣāṁ toṣaṁ vivardhayan

By honoring these three alone, the wise man conquers all three worlds, and, ever increasing their satisfaction, he moves through heaven like a god.

Verse 69 (skanda.4.36.69)

भूर्लोकं जननी भक्त्या भुवर्लोकं तथा पितुः॥ गुरोः शुश्रूषणात्तद्वत्स्वर्लोकं च जयेत्कृती

bhūrlokaṁ jananī bhaktyā bhuvarlokaṁ tathā pituḥ guroḥ śuśrūṣaṇāttadvatsvarlokaṁ ca jayetkṛtī

Through devotion to his mother, one conquers the world of Bhur; through service to his father, the world of Bhuvah; and likewise, through service to his guru, the accomplished man conquers the world of Svah.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.36.70)

एतदेव नृणां प्रोक्तं पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम्॥ यदेतेषां हि संतोष उपधर्मोन्य उच्यते

etadeva nṛṇāṁ proktaṁ puruṣārthacatuṣṭayam yadeteṣāṁ hi saṁtoṣa upadharmonya ucyate

This alone is declared to be the fourfold aim of human life; for the contentment of these three is spoken of as another, supporting form of dharma.

Verse 71 (skanda.4.36.71)

अधीत्य वेदान्वेदौ वा वेदं वापि क्रमाद्द्विजः॥ अप्रस्खलद्ब्रह्मचर्यो गृहाश्रममथाश्रयेत्

adhītya vedānvedau vā vedaṁ vāpi kramāddvijaḥ apraskhaladbrahmacaryo gṛhāśramamathāśrayet

Having thus studied the three Vedas, or two, or even one, in due order, and having kept his brahmacharya unbroken, the twice-born should then take up the householder's stage.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.36.72)

अविप्लुत ब्रह्मचर्यो विश्वेशानुग्रहाद्भवेत्॥ अनुग्रहश्च वैश्वेशः काशीप्राप्तिकरः परः

avipluta brahmacaryo viśveśānugrahādbhavet anugrahaśca vaiśveśaḥ kāśīprāptikaraḥ paraḥ

Unbroken brahmacharya comes about only by the grace of Vishveshvara, the Lord of All; and that supreme grace of Vishveshvara is what, above all, brings about the attaining of Kashi.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.36.73)

काशीप्राप्त्या भवेज्ज्ञानं ज्ञानान्निर्वाणमृच्छति॥ निर्वाणार्थं प्रयत्नो हि सदाचारस्य धीमताम्॥ सदाचारो गृहे यद्वन्न तथास्त्याश्रमांतरे॥ विद्याजातं पठित्वांते गृहस्थाश्रममाश्रयेत्

kāśīprāptyā bhavejjñānaṁ jñānānnirvāṇamṛcchati nirvāṇārthaṁ prayatno hi sadācārasya dhīmatām sadācāro gṛhe yadvanna tathāstyāśramāṁtare vidyājātaṁ paṭhitvāṁte gṛhasthāśramamāśrayet

By attaining Kashi comes knowledge, and from knowledge one reaches liberation. Thus the whole endeavor of the wise toward right conduct is directed toward liberation. Right conduct as it flourishes in the household stage exists in no other stage; therefore, having completed the whole body of learning, one should at last take up the householder's stage.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.36.74)

गृहाश्रमात्परं नास्ति यदि पत्नीवशंवदा॥ आनुकूल्यं हि दंपत्योस्त्रिवर्गोदय हेतवे

gṛhāśramātparaṁ nāsti yadi patnīvaśaṁvadā ānukūlyaṁ hi daṁpatyostrivargodaya hetave

There is nothing higher than the householder's stage, provided the wife is amenable; for the mutual harmony of husband and wife is itself the cause of the flowering of dharma, artha, and kama together.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.36.75)

आनुकूल्यं कलत्रं चेत्त्रिदिवेनापि किं ततः॥ प्रातिकूल्यं कलत्रं चेन्नरकेणापि किं ततः

ānukūlyaṁ kalatraṁ cettridivenāpi kiṁ tataḥ prātikūlyaṁ kalatraṁ cennarakeṇāpi kiṁ tataḥ

If a man's wife is favorable to him, what further need has he even of heaven? And if his wife is hostile to him, what further terror has even hell for him?

Verse 76 (skanda.4.36.76)

गृहाश्रमः सुखार्थाय भार्यामूलं च तत्सुखम्॥ सा च भार्या विनीताया त्रिवर्गो विनयो धुवम्

gṛhāśramaḥ sukhārthāya bhāryāmūlaṁ ca tatsukham sā ca bhāryā vinītāyā trivargo vinayo dhuvam

The household stage exists for the sake of happiness, and the wife is the root of that happiness. And such a well-disciplined wife becomes, in herself, the very embodiment of the threefold aim of life -- dharma, artha, and kama, brought into disciplined harmony.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.36.77)

जलौकयोपमीयंते प्रमदा मंदबुद्धिभिः॥ मृगीदृशां जलौकानां विचारान्महदतंरम्

jalaukayopamīyaṁte pramadā maṁdabuddhibhiḥ mṛgīdṛśāṁ jalaukānāṁ vicārānmahadataṁram

Dull-witted men compare young women to leeches; but on reflection there is, in truth, a vast difference between the doe-eyed woman and the leech.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.36.78)

जलौका केवलं रक्तमाददाना तपस्विनी॥ प्रमदा सर्वदा दत्ते चित्तं वित्तं बलं सुखम्

jalaukā kevalaṁ raktamādadānā tapasvinī pramadā sarvadā datte cittaṁ vittaṁ balaṁ sukham

The leech, modest in its demand, takes only blood; but a devoted wife constantly gives -- her heart, her resources, her strength, and her happiness.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.36.79)

दक्षा प्रजावती साध्वी प्रियवाक्च वशंवदा॥ गुणैरमीभिः संयुक्ता सा श्रीः स्त्रीरूपधारिणी

dakṣā prajāvatī sādhvī priyavākca vaśaṁvadā guṇairamībhiḥ saṁyuktā sā śrīḥ strīrūpadhāriṇī

Skillful, blessed with children, virtuous, sweet of speech, and devoted -- a woman endowed with such qualities is Shri, the Goddess of Fortune, in the very form of a woman.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.36.80)

गुरोरनुज्ञया स्नात्वा व्रतं वेदं समाप्य च॥ उद्वहेत ततो भार्यां सवर्णां साधुलक्षणाम्

guroranujñayā snātvā vrataṁ vedaṁ samāpya ca udvaheta tato bhāryāṁ savarṇāṁ sādhulakṣaṇām

With his guru's permission, having taken the concluding bath and completed both his vow and his study of the Veda, he should then marry a wife of his own caste, endowed with auspicious marks.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.36.81)

जने तु रसगोत्राया मातुर्याप्यसपिंडका॥ दारकर्मणि योग्या सा द्विजानां धर्मवृद्धये

jane tu rasagotrāyā māturyāpyasapiṁḍakā dārakarmaṇi yogyā sā dvijānāṁ dharmavṛddhaye

In common practice, a maiden who belongs to a lineage distinct in gotra, and who is also not a blood-relation on her mother's side, is the one held fit for a twice-born's marriage rite, for the growth of his dharma.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.36.82)

स्त्रीसंबंधेप्यपस्मारि क्षयि श्वित्रि कुलं त्यजेत्॥ अभिशस्तिसमायुक्तं तथा कन्याप्रसूं त्यजेत्॥ रोगहीनां भ्रातृमतीं स्वस्मात्किंचिल्लघीयसीम्॥ उद्वहेत द्विजो भार्यां सौम्यास्यां मृदुभाषिणीम्

strīsaṁbaṁdhepyapasmāri kṣayi śvitri kulaṁ tyajet abhiśastisamāyuktaṁ tathā kanyāprasūṁ tyajet rogahīnāṁ bhrātṛmatīṁ svasmātkiṁcillaghīyasīm udvaheta dvijo bhāryāṁ saumyāsyāṁ mṛdubhāṣiṇīm

One should avoid a family in whose women epilepsy, consumption, or leprous white patches run; likewise avoid one under the shadow of a curse or accusation, and one that has borne only daughters. A twice-born should marry a bride who is free from disease, who has brothers, who is somewhat younger than himself, gentle of countenance, and soft-spoken.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.36.83)

न पर्वतर्क्षवृक्षाह्वां न नदीसर्पनामिकाम्॥ न पक्ष्यहिप्रेष्यनाम्नीं सौम्याख्यामुद्वहेत्सुधीः

na parvatarkṣavṛkṣāhvāṁ na nadīsarpanāmikām na pakṣyahipreṣyanāmnīṁ saumyākhyāmudvahetsudhīḥ

A wise man should not marry a girl named after a mountain, a constellation, or a tree; nor one named after a river or a serpent; nor one bearing the name of a bird, a snake, or a servant -- but rather one whose name is gentle and auspicious.

Verse 84 (skanda.4.36.84)

न चातिरिक्तहीनांगीं नातिदीर्घां न वा कृशाम्॥ नालोमिकां नातिलोमां नास्निग्धस्थूलमौलिजाम्

na cātiriktahīnāṁgīṁ nātidīrghāṁ na vā kṛśām nālomikāṁ nātilomāṁ nāsnigdhasthūlamaulijām

He should not marry a girl whose limbs are in excess or deficient, who is excessively tall or excessively thin, who is either hairless or overly hairy, or whose hair is coarse, dull, and thick at the crown.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.36.85)

मोहात्समुपयच्छेत कुलहीनां न कन्यकाम्॥ हीनोपयमनाद्याति संतानमपि हीनताम्

mohātsamupayaccheta kulahīnāṁ na kanyakām hīnopayamanādyāti saṁtānamapi hīnatām

Out of infatuation, one should not marry a girl of a low family, for from such a lowly marriage even one's offspring come to share in that lowliness.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.36.86)

लक्षणानि परीक्ष्यादौ ततः कन्यां समुद्वहेत्॥ सुलक्षणा सदाचारा पत्युरायुर्विवर्धयेत्

lakṣaṇāni parīkṣyādau tataḥ kanyāṁ samudvahet sulakṣaṇā sadācārā patyurāyurvivardhayet

One should first thoroughly examine a girl's marks and qualities before marrying her; for a bride of good marks and good conduct increases the life of her husband.

Verse 87 (skanda.4.36.87)

ब्रह्मचारि समाचार इति ते समुदी रितः॥ घटोद्भव प्रसंगेन स्त्रीलक्षणमथ ब्रुवे

brahmacāri samācāra iti te samudī ritaḥ ghaṭodbhava prasaṁgena strīlakṣaṇamatha bruve

Thus, O Ghatodbhava, I have declared to you the right conduct of a brahmachari; now, continuing this same topic, I shall speak of the characteristics of a woman.