Right Conduct for the Attainment of Avimukta

Verse 1 (skanda.4.40.1)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ अविमुक्तेश माहात्म्यं वर्णितं तेग्रतो मया॥ अथो किमसि शुश्रूषुः कथयिष्यामि तत्पुनः

skaṁda uvāca avimukteśa māhātmyaṁ varṇitaṁ tegrato mayā atho kimasi śuśrūṣuḥ kathayiṣyāmi tatpunaḥ

Skanda said: "I have already declared to you the greatness of Avimuktesha; but if you still wish to hear more, I shall speak of it again."

Verse 2 (skanda.4.40.2)

॥ अगस्त्य उवाच॥ अविमुक्तेश माहात्म्यं श्रावं श्रावं श्रुती मम॥ अतीव सुश्रुते जाते तथापि न धिनोम्यहम्

agastya uvāca avimukteśa māhātmyaṁ śrāvaṁ śrāvaṁ śrutī mama atīva suśrute jāte tathāpi na dhinomyaham

Agastya said: "Hearing the greatness of Avimuktesha again and again, my ears have become most well-schooled indeed -- and yet even so, I find no full contentment."

Verse 3 (skanda.4.40.3)

अविमुक्तेश्वरं लिंगं क्षेत्रं चाप्यविमुक्तकम्॥ एतयोस्तु कथं प्राप्तिर्भवेत्षण्मुख तद्वद

avimukteśvaraṁ liṁgaṁ kṣetraṁ cāpyavimuktakam etayostu kathaṁ prāptirbhavetṣaṇmukha tadvada

"O Six-Faced One, how may one attain both the Linga Avimukteshvara and the Kshetra Avimukta? Tell me this."

Verse 4 (skanda.4.40.4)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ शृणु कुं भज वक्ष्यामि यथा प्राप्तिर्भवेदिह॥ स्वश्रेयो दातुरेतस्या विमुक्तस्य महामते

skaṁda uvāca śṛṇu kuṁ bhaja vakṣyāmi yathā prāptirbhavediha svaśreyo dāturetasyā vimuktasya mahāmate

Skanda said: "Listen, O Kumbhaja, O greatly wise one, and I shall tell you how this liberating Avimukta, the giver of one's own highest good, is here attained."

Verse 5 (skanda.4.40.5)

समीहितार्थ संसिद्धिर्लभ्यते पुण्यभारतः॥ तच्च पुण्यं भवेद्विप्र श्रुतिवर्त्मसभाजनात्

samīhitārtha saṁsiddhirlabhyate puṇyabhārataḥ tacca puṇyaṁ bhavedvipra śrutivartmasabhājanāt

The fulfillment of one's cherished aim is obtained through the weight of merit; and that merit, O brahmin, arises from adherence to the path taught by scripture.

Verse 6 (skanda.4.40.6)

श्रुतिवर्त्मजुषः पुंसः संस्पर्शान्नश्यतो मुने॥ कलिकालावपि सदा छिद्रं प्राप्य जिघांसतः

śrutivartmajuṣaḥ puṁsaḥ saṁsparśānnaśyato mune kalikālāvapi sadā chidraṁ prāpya jighāṁsataḥ

O sage, even the Kali age, which ceaselessly seeks an opening to strike and destroy, is undone by mere contact with a man devoted to the path of scripture.

Verse 7 (skanda.4.40.7)

वर्जितस्य विधानेन प्रोक्तस्याकरणेन वै॥ कलिकालावपि हतो ब्राह्मणं रंध्रदर्शनात्

varjitasya vidhānena proktasyākaraṇena vai kalikālāvapi hato brāhmaṇaṁ raṁdhradarśanāt

Even the Kali age, which seeks its chance through the doing of what is forbidden by rule and the neglect of what is enjoined, is struck down at the mere sight of a true Brahmin.

Verse 8 (skanda.4.40.8)

निषिद्धाचरणं तस्मात्कथयिष्ये तवाग्रतः॥ तद्दूरतः परित्यज्य नरो न निरयी भवेत्

niṣiddhācaraṇaṁ tasmātkathayiṣye tavāgrataḥ taddūrataḥ parityajya naro na nirayī bhavet

Therefore I shall now describe to you the forbidden ways of conduct; abandoning them diligently from afar, a man does not become bound for hell.

Verse 9 (skanda.4.40.9)

पलांडुं विड्वराहं च शेलुं लशुन गृंजने॥ गोपीयूषं तंडुलीयं वर्ज्यं च कवकं सदा

palāṁḍuṁ viḍvarāhaṁ ca śeluṁ laśuna gṛṁjane gopīyūṣaṁ taṁḍulīyaṁ varjyaṁ ca kavakaṁ sadā

Onion, the flesh of the excrement-eating boar, the shelu fruit, garlic and the gṛinjana bulb, the froth of cow's milk, tanduliya greens, and mushrooms -- these are always to be shunned.

Verse 10 (skanda.4.40.10)

व्रश्चनान्वृक्षनिर्यासान्पायसापूपशष्कुलीः॥ अदेवपित्र्यं पललमवत्सागोपयस्त्यजेत्॥ पय ऐकशफं हेयं तथा क्रामेलकाविकम्॥ रात्रौ न दधि भोक्तव्यं दिवा न नवनीतकम्

vraścanānvṛkṣaniryāsānpāyasāpūpaśaṣkulīḥ adevapitryaṁ palalamavatsāgopayastyajet paya aikaśaphaṁ heyaṁ tathā krāmelakāvikam rātrau na dadhi bhoktavyaṁ divā na navanītakam

One should give up resins cut from trees, and defective milk-puddings, cakes, and shashkuli-sweets; also flesh not offered to gods and ancestors, and the milk of a cow without her calf. The milk of single-hoofed animals is to be rejected, as is that of the camel and the ewe. Curd should not be eaten at night, nor fresh butter by day.

Verse 11 (skanda.4.40.11)

टिट्टिभं कलविंकं च हंसं चक्रं प्लवंबकम्॥ त्यजेन्मांसाशिनः सर्वान्सारसं कुक्कुटं शुकम्

ṭiṭṭibhaṁ kalaviṁkaṁ ca haṁsaṁ cakraṁ plavaṁbakam tyajenmāṁsāśinaḥ sarvānsārasaṁ kukkuṭaṁ śukam

A meat-eater should give up the plover, the sparrow, the swan, the ruddy shelduck, and the plava-heron, as well as the sarasa-crane, the domestic cock, and the parrot.

Verse 12 (skanda.4.40.12)

जालपादान्खंजरीटान्बुडित्वा मत्स्यभक्षकान्॥ मत्स्याशी सर्वमांसाशी तन्मत्स्यान्सर्वथा त्यजेत्

jālapādānkhaṁjarīṭānbuḍitvā matsyabhakṣakān matsyāśī sarvamāṁsāśī tanmatsyānsarvathā tyajet

Webbed-foot birds, wagtails, and diving fish-eating birds excepted, one who eats fish, and one who eats all flesh, should altogether shun those fish that such birds themselves feed upon.

Verse 13 (skanda.4.40.13)

हव्यकव्यनियुक्तौ तु भक्ष्यौ पाठीनरोहितौ॥ मांसाशिभिस्त्वमी भक्ष्याः शश शल्लक कच्छपाः

havyakavyaniyuktau tu bhakṣyau pāṭhīnarohitau māṁsāśibhistvamī bhakṣyāḥ śaśa śallaka kacchapāḥ

But the pathina and rohita fish are permitted, being fit for offerings to gods and ancestors. For those who eat flesh, the hare, the porcupine, and the tortoise are likewise permitted.

Verse 14 (skanda.4.40.14)

श्वाविद्गोधे प्रशस्ते च ज्ञाताश्च मृगपक्षिणः॥ आयुष्कामैः स्वर्गकामैस्त्याज्यं मांसं प्रयत्नतः

śvāvidgodhe praśaste ca jñātāśca mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ āyuṣkāmaiḥ svargakāmaistyājyaṁ māṁsaṁ prayatnataḥ

The hedgehog and the iguana are also approved, as are the wild animals and birds known through scripture; yet one who desires long life and heaven should diligently abstain from meat altogether.

Verse 15 (skanda.4.40.15)

यज्ञार्थं पशुहिंसा या सा स्वर्ग्या नेतरा क्वचित्॥ त्यजेत्पर्युषितं सर्वमखंडस्नेह वर्जितम्

yajñārthaṁ paśuhiṁsā yā sā svargyā netarā kvacit tyajetparyuṣitaṁ sarvamakhaṁḍasneha varjitam

Only the slaying of an animal for the sake of sacrifice leads to heaven, never any other kind of killing. One should give up all food that has become stale, lacking its unbroken freshness.

Verse 16 (skanda.4.40.16)

प्राणात्यये क्रतौ श्राद्धे भैषजे विप्रकाम्यया॥ अलौल्यमित्थं पललं भक्षयन्नैव दोषभाक्

prāṇātyaye kratau śrāddhe bhaiṣaje viprakāmyayā alaulyamitthaṁ palalaṁ bhakṣayannaiva doṣabhāk

In peril of life, in a sacrifice, in a shraddha rite, as medicine, or to please a Brahmin -- eating meat thus, without craving, incurs no fault.

Verse 17 (skanda.4.40.17)

न तादृशं भवेत्पापं मृगयावृत्तिकांक्षिणः॥ यादृशं भवति प्रेत्य लौल्यान्मांसोपसेविनः

na tādṛśaṁ bhavetpāpaṁ mṛgayāvṛttikāṁkṣiṇaḥ yādṛśaṁ bhavati pretya laulyānmāṁsopasevinaḥ

The sin incurred by one who hunts for his livelihood is not as great as that which befalls, after death, one who indulges in meat out of sheer craving.

Verse 18 (skanda.4.40.18)

मखार्थं ब्रह्मणा सृष्टाः पशु द्रुम मृगौषधीः॥ निघ्नन्नहिंसको विप्रस्तासामपि शुभा गतिः

makhārthaṁ brahmaṇā sṛṣṭāḥ paśu druma mṛgauṣadhīḥ nighnannahiṁsako viprastāsāmapi śubhā gatiḥ

Animals, trees, deer, and herbs were created by Brahma expressly for the sake of sacrifice; a Brahmin who slays them for this purpose is not accounted a killer, and even those creatures attain a blessed end.

Verse 19 (skanda.4.40.19)

पितृदेवक्रतुकृते मधुपर्कार्थमेव च॥ तत्र हिंसाप्यहिंसा स्याद्धिंसान्यत्र सुदुस्तरा॥ यो जंतूनात्मपुष्ट्यर्थं हिनस्ति ज्ञानदुर्बलः॥ दुराचारस्य तस्येह नामुत्रापि सुखं क्वचित्

pitṛdevakratukṛte madhuparkārthameva ca tatra hiṁsāpyahiṁsā syāddhiṁsānyatra sudustarā yo jaṁtūnātmapuṣṭyarthaṁ hinasti jñānadurbalaḥ durācārasya tasyeha nāmutrāpi sukhaṁ kvacit

Violence done for the sake of rites to ancestors and gods, and for the honey-mixture offered to a guest, is in truth non-violence; violence apart from this is exceedingly hard to overcome. One weak in understanding, who kills creatures merely to feed himself, finds happiness neither here nor hereafter, given his wicked conduct.

Verse 20 (skanda.4.40.20)

भोक्तानुमंता संस्कर्ता क्रयिविक्रयि हिंसकाः॥ उपहर्ता घातयिता हिंसकाश्चाष्टधा स्मृताः

bhoktānumaṁtā saṁskartā krayivikrayi hiṁsakāḥ upahartā ghātayitā hiṁsakāścāṣṭadhā smṛtāḥ

The eater, the one who consents, the preparer, the buyer, the seller, the slayer, the one who serves it up, and the one who orders the killing -- these eight are remembered as equally guilty of violence.

Verse 21 (skanda.4.40.21)

प्रत्यब्दमश्वमेधेन शतं वर्षाणि यो यजेत्॥ अमांसभक्षको यश्च तयोरंत्यो विशिष्यते

pratyabdamaśvamedhena śataṁ varṣāṇi yo yajet amāṁsabhakṣako yaśca tayoraṁtyo viśiṣyate

Between one who performs the horse-sacrifice every year for a hundred years, and one who abstains from meat -- the latter is the superior of the two.

Verse 22 (skanda.4.40.22)

यथैवात्मा परस्तद्वद्द्रष्टव्यः सुखमिच्छता॥ सुखदुःखानि तुल्यानि यथात्मनि तथा परे

yathaivātmā parastadvaddraṣṭavyaḥ sukhamicchatā sukhaduḥkhāni tulyāni yathātmani tathā pare

One who desires happiness should regard another exactly as he regards himself, for pleasure and pain are the same in another as they are in oneself.

Verse 23 (skanda.4.40.23)

सुखं वा यदि वा चान्यद्यत्किंचित्क्रियते परे॥ तत्कृतं हि पुनः पश्चात्सर्वमात्मनि संभवेत्

sukhaṁ vā yadi vā cānyadyatkiṁcitkriyate pare tatkṛtaṁ hi punaḥ paścātsarvamātmani saṁbhavet

Whether it be happiness or anything else, whatever is done toward another comes back, sooner or later, to affect oneself as well.

Verse 24 (skanda.4.40.24)

न क्लेशेन विना द्रव्यमर्थहीने कुतः क्रियाः॥ क्रियाहीने कुतो धर्मो धर्महीने कुतः सुखम्

na kleśena vinā dravyamarthahīne kutaḥ kriyāḥ kriyāhīne kuto dharmo dharmahīne kutaḥ sukham

Without hardship there is no wealth; without wealth, whence the means for rites? Without rites, whence dharma? And without dharma, whence happiness?

Verse 25 (skanda.4.40.25)

सुखं हि सर्वैराकांक्ष्यं तच्च धर्मसमुद्भवम्॥ तस्माद्धर्मोत्र कर्तव्यश्चातुर्वर्ण्येन यत्नतः

sukhaṁ hi sarvairākāṁkṣyaṁ tacca dharmasamudbhavam tasmāddharmotra kartavyaścāturvarṇyena yatnataḥ

Happiness is desired by all, and it arises from dharma alone; therefore dharma should be diligently practiced here by all four social orders.

Verse 26 (skanda.4.40.26)

न्यायागतेन द्रव्येण कर्तव्यं पारलौकिकम्॥ दानं च विधिना देयं काले पात्रे च भावतः

nyāyāgatena dravyeṇa kartavyaṁ pāralaukikam dānaṁ ca vidhinā deyaṁ kāle pātre ca bhāvataḥ

Acts done for the sake of the world beyond should be performed with wealth rightfully earned; and a gift should be given according to rule, at the proper time, to a worthy recipient, with heartfelt sincerity.

Verse 27 (skanda.4.40.27)

विधिहीनं तथाऽपात्रे यो ददाति प्रतिग्रहम्॥ न केवलं हि तद्याति शेषं तस्य च नश्यति

vidhihīnaṁ tathā'pātre yo dadāti pratigraham na kevalaṁ hi tadyāti śeṣaṁ tasya ca naśyati

One who gives a gift without following the proper rule, or to an unworthy recipient, not only loses that gift in vain, but the rest of his wealth is destroyed as well.

Verse 28 (skanda.4.40.28)

व्यसनार्थे कुटुंबार्थे यदृणार्थे च दीयते॥ तदक्षयं भवेदत्र परत्र च न संशयः॥ मातापितृविहीनं यो मौंजीपाणिग्रहादिभिः॥ संस्कारयेन्निजैरर्थैस्तस्य श्रेयस्त्वनंतकम्

vyasanārthe kuṭuṁbārthe yadṛṇārthe ca dīyate tadakṣayaṁ bhavedatra paratra ca na saṁśayaḥ mātāpitṛvihīnaṁ yo mauṁjīpāṇigrahādibhiḥ saṁskārayennijairarthaistasya śreyastvanaṁtakam

Whatever is given to relieve distress, for the sake of family, or to discharge a debt becomes imperishable, both here and hereafter, without doubt. One who, from his own wealth, performs the sacraments -- the sacred-thread rite, marriage, and the rest -- for a child bereft of mother and father earns endless merit.

Verse 29 (skanda.4.40.29)

अग्निहोत्रैर्न तच्छ्रेयो नाग्निष्टोमादिभिर्मखैः॥ यच्छ्रेयः प्राप्यते मर्त्यैर्द्विजे चैके प्रतिष्ठिते

agnihotrairna tacchreyo nāgniṣṭomādibhirmakhaiḥ yacchreyaḥ prāpyate martyairdvije caike pratiṣṭhite

Not through fire-oblations, nor through sacrifices such as the Agnishtoma, do men obtain the merit that they obtain simply through the establishing of even a single Brahmin in life.

Verse 30 (skanda.4.40.30)

यो ह्यनाथस्य विप्रस्य पाणिं ग्राहयते कृती॥ इह सौख्यमवाप्नोति सोक्षयं स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्

yo hyanāthasya viprasya pāṇiṁ grāhayate kṛtī iha saukhyamavāpnoti sokṣayaṁ svargamāpnuyāt

The virtuous man who arranges the marriage of a helpless Brahmin finds happiness here, and attains an imperishable heaven.

Verse 31 (skanda.4.40.31)

पितृगेहे तु या कन्या रजः पश्येदसंस्कृता॥ भ्रूणहा तत्पिता ज्ञेयो वृषली सापि कन्यका

pitṛgehe tu yā kanyā rajaḥ paśyedasaṁskṛtā bhrūṇahā tatpitā jñeyo vṛṣalī sāpi kanyakā

If a girl, still unmarried, sees her first menses in her father's house, her father is to be reckoned guilty of destroying the unborn, and that daughter too is deemed an outcaste.

Verse 32 (skanda.4.40.32)

यस्तां परिणयेन्मोहात्स भवेद्वृषलीपतिः॥ तेन संभाषणं त्याज्यमपाङ्क्तेयेन सर्वदा

yastāṁ pariṇayenmohātsa bhavedvṛṣalīpatiḥ tena saṁbhāṣaṇaṁ tyājyamapāṅkteyena sarvadā

One who, out of infatuation, marries her becomes the husband of an outcaste; conversation with such a man, unfit for the company of the pious, should always be avoided.

Verse 33 (skanda.4.40.33)

विज्ञाय दोषमुभयोः कन्यायाश्च वरस्य च॥ संबंधं रचयेत्पश्चादन्यथा दोषभाक्पिता

vijñāya doṣamubhayoḥ kanyāyāśca varasya ca saṁbaṁdhaṁ racayetpaścādanyathā doṣabhākpitā

Only after fully ascertaining the faults, if any, of both the bride and the groom should the marriage tie be arranged; otherwise the father himself becomes guilty of the fault.

Verse 34 (skanda.4.40.34)

स्त्रियः पवित्राः सततं नैता दुष्यंति केनचित्॥ मासिमासि रजस्तासां दुष्कृतान्यपकर्षति

striyaḥ pavitrāḥ satataṁ naitā duṣyaṁti kenacit māsimāsi rajastāsāṁ duṣkṛtānyapakarṣati

Women are ever pure; they are never truly defiled by anything; their monthly courses themselves carry away whatever misdeeds may have touched them.

Verse 35 (skanda.4.40.35)

पूर्वं स्त्रियः सुरैर्भुक्ताः सोमगंधर्व वह्निभिः॥ भुंजते मानुषाः पश्चान्नैतादुष्यं ति केनचित्

pūrvaṁ striyaḥ surairbhuktāḥ somagaṁdharva vahnibhiḥ bhuṁjate mānuṣāḥ paścānnaitāduṣyaṁ ti kenacit

By ancient reckoning, women are first hallowed by the gods -- by Soma, the Gandharvas, and Agni -- and only thereafter are they taken by men; for this reason they are never defiled by anything.

Verse 36 (skanda.4.40.36)

स्त्रीणां शौचं ददौ सोमः पावकः सर्वमेध्यताम्॥ कल्याणवाणीं गंधर्वास्तेन मेध्याः सदा स्त्रियः

strīṇāṁ śaucaṁ dadau somaḥ pāvakaḥ sarvamedhyatām kalyāṇavāṇīṁ gaṁdharvāstena medhyāḥ sadā striyaḥ

Soma gave women their purity, Agni gave them universal cleanliness, and the Gandharvas gave them auspicious speech; for this reason women are ever accounted pure.

Verse 37 (skanda.4.40.37)

कन्यां भुंक्ते रजःकालेऽग्निः शशी लोमदर्शने॥ स्तनोद्भेदेषु गंधर्वास्तत्प्रागेव प्रदीयते॥ दृश्यरोमात्वपत्यघ्नी कुलघ्न्युद्गतयौवना॥ पितृघ्न्याविष्कतरजास्ततस्ताः परिवर्जयेत्

kanyāṁ bhuṁkte rajaḥkāle'gniḥ śaśī lomadarśane stanodbhedeṣu gaṁdharvāstatprāgeva pradīyate dṛśyaromātvapatyaghnī kulaghnyudgatayauvanā pitṛghnyāviṣkatarajāstatastāḥ parivarjayet

By ancient reckoning, Agni claims the maiden at the time of her first menses, the Moon at the appearing of body-hair, and the Gandharvas at the budding of the breasts -- therefore she should be given in marriage before any of these. A girl whose pubic hair has become visible threatens her future offspring; one who has already reached full youth threatens her lineage; and one whose menses appear before she is given in marriage threatens her father -- these situations should therefore be avoided.

Verse 38 (skanda.4.40.38)

कन्यादानफलप्रेप्सुस्तस्माद्द द्यादनग्निकाम्॥ अन्यथा न फलं दातुः प्रतिग्राही पतेदधः

kanyādānaphalaprepsustasmādda dyādanagnikām anyathā na phalaṁ dātuḥ pratigrāhī patedadhaḥ

Therefore one who wishes for the merit of giving a daughter in marriage should give her before the fire of her first menses arrives; otherwise the giver gains no merit, and even the receiver falls into a lower state.

Verse 39 (skanda.4.40.39)

कन्यामभुक्तां सोमाद्यैर्ददद्दानफलं लभेत्॥ देवभुक्तां ददद्दाता न स्वर्गमधिगच्छति

kanyāmabhuktāṁ somādyairdadaddānaphalaṁ labhet devabhuktāṁ dadaddātā na svargamadhigacchati

One who gives a daughter not yet claimed by Soma and the other deities obtains the merit of the gift; but a giver who gives one already claimed by them does not attain heaven.

Verse 40 (skanda.4.40.40)

शयनासनयानानि कुणपं स्त्रीमुखं कुशाः॥ यज्ञपात्राणि सर्वाणि न दुष्यंति बुधाः क्वचित्

śayanāsanayānāni kuṇapaṁ strīmukhaṁ kuśāḥ yajñapātrāṇi sarvāṇi na duṣyaṁti budhāḥ kvacit

A bed, a seat, a vehicle, a corpse, a woman's face, kusha grass, and all sacrificial vessels -- the wise hold that these are never rendered impure.

Verse 41 (skanda.4.40.41)

वत्सः प्रस्रवणे मध्ये शकुनिः फलपातने॥ नार्यो रतिप्रयोगेषु श्वा मृग ग्रहणे शुचिः

vatsaḥ prasravaṇe madhye śakuniḥ phalapātane nāryo ratiprayogeṣu śvā mṛga grahaṇe śuciḥ

A calf is pure while suckling; a bird is pure while dropping fruit; women are pure in the act of love; and a dog is pure while seizing its prey.

Verse 42 (skanda.4.40.42)

अजाश्वयोर्मुखं मेध्यं गावो मेध्यास्तु पृष्ठतः॥ पादतो ब्राह्मणा मेध्याः स्त्रियो मेध्यास्तु सर्वतः

ajāśvayormukhaṁ medhyaṁ gāvo medhyāstu pṛṣṭhataḥ pādato brāhmaṇā medhyāḥ striyo medhyāstu sarvataḥ

The mouths of the goat and the horse are pure; a cow is pure from the hindquarters; a Brahmin is pure from the feet; and a woman is pure in every part.

Verse 43 (skanda.4.40.43)

बलात्कारोपभुक्ता वा चोरहस्तगतापि वा॥ न त्याज्या दयिता नारी नास्यास्त्यागो विधीयते

balātkāropabhuktā vā corahastagatāpi vā na tyājyā dayitā nārī nāsyāstyāgo vidhīyate

A beloved wife who has been violated by force, or who has fallen into the hands of thieves, should not be abandoned -- her abandonment is not sanctioned.

Verse 44 (skanda.4.40.44)

आम्लेन ताम्रशुद्धिः स्याच्छुद्धिः कांस्यस्य भस्मना॥ संशुद्धी रजसा नार्यास्तटिन्या वेगतः शुचिः

āmlena tāmraśuddhiḥ syācchuddhiḥ kāṁsyasya bhasmanā saṁśuddhī rajasā nāryāstaṭinyā vegataḥ śuciḥ

Copper is purified by acid, bronze by ashes, a woman by her monthly course, and a river is purified simply by the swiftness of its own current.

Verse 45 (skanda.4.40.45)

मनसापि हि या नेह चिंतयेत्पुरुषांतरम्॥ सोमया सह सौख्यानि भुंक्ते चात्रापि कीर्तिभाक्

manasāpi hi yā neha ciṁtayetpuruṣāṁtaram somayā saha saukhyāni bhuṁkte cātrāpi kīrtibhāk

The woman who, even in her mind, never dwells upon another man enjoys happiness together with her own husband, and becomes here too an object of praise.

Verse 46 (skanda.4.40.46)

पिता पितामहो भ्राता सकुल्यो जननी तथा॥ कन्याप्रदः पूर्वनाशे प्रकृतिस्थः परःपरः॥ अप्रयच्छन्समाप्नोति भूणहत्यामृतावृतौ॥ स्वयं त्वभावे दातॄणां कन्या कुर्यात्स्वयं वरम्

pitā pitāmaho bhrātā sakulyo jananī tathā kanyāpradaḥ pūrvanāśe prakṛtisthaḥ paraḥparaḥ aprayacchansamāpnoti bhūṇahatyāmṛtāvṛtau svayaṁ tvabhāve dātṝṇāṁ kanyā kuryātsvayaṁ varam

The father, the grandfather, a brother, a near kinsman, and likewise the mother -- these, in order, are the proper givers of a daughter, each stepping in when the one before is absent. Whoever among these is present, if he fails to give her in marriage once she has reached her fertile season, incurs the sin of destroying the unborn. In the absence of all such givers, the maiden may choose her own husband herself.

Verse 47 (skanda.4.40.47)

हृताधिकारां मलिनां पिंडमात्रोपजीविनीम्॥ परिभूतामधःशय्यां वासयेद्व्यभिचारिणीम्

hṛtādhikārāṁ malināṁ piṁḍamātropajīvinīm paribhūtāmadhaḥśayyāṁ vāsayedvyabhicāriṇīm

A woman guilty of infidelity should be stripped of her household authority, kept in soiled garments, given only bare sustenance, held in disregard, and made to sleep on a lowly bed.

Verse 48 (skanda.4.40.48)

व्यभिचारादृतौ शुद्धिर्गर्भे त्यागो विधीयते॥ गर्भभर्तृवधादौ तु महत्यपि च कल्मषे

vyabhicārādṛtau śuddhirgarbhe tyāgo vidhīyate garbhabhartṛvadhādau tu mahatyapi ca kalmaṣe

For ordinary infidelity, purification comes with the next fertile season; but if conception has occurred, separation is prescribed; while for so grave a stain as the killing of a husband and the like, a far harsher expiation is required.

Verse 49 (skanda.4.40.49)

शूद्रस्य भार्या शूद्रैव सा च स्वा च विशः स्मृते॥ ते च स्वा चैव राज्ञस्तु ताश्च स्वाचाग्रजन्मनः

śūdrasya bhāryā śūdraiva sā ca svā ca viśaḥ smṛte te ca svā caiva rājñastu tāśca svācāgrajanmanaḥ

By tradition, a Shudra's wife can only be a Shudra woman; a Vaishya's wife may be of his own class or of the Shudra class; a king's wife may be of any of these three; and the wife of the first-born, the Brahmin, may be of any of these four.

Verse 50 (skanda.4.40.50)

आरोप्य शूद्रां शयने विप्रो गच्छेदधोगतिम्॥ उत्पाद्य पुत्रं शूद्रायां ब्राह्मण्यादेव हीयते

āropya śūdrāṁ śayane vipro gacchedadhogatim utpādya putraṁ śūdrāyāṁ brāhmaṇyādeva hīyate

A Brahmin who receives a Shudra woman into his bed descends to a lower state; and having begotten a son upon her, he falls away from his very Brahminhood.

Verse 51 (skanda.4.40.51)

दैवपित्र्यातिथेयानि तत्प्रधानानि यस्य तु॥ देवाद्यास्तन्न चाश्नंति स च स्वर्गं न गच्छति

daivapitryātitheyāni tatpradhānāni yasya tu devādyāstanna cāśnaṁti sa ca svargaṁ na gacchati

One for whom rites to the gods, the ancestors, and guests are not held foremost -- his offerings are not accepted by the gods and the rest, and he does not reach heaven.

Verse 52 (skanda.4.40.52)

जामयो यानि गेहानि शपंत्यप्रतिपूजिताः॥ कृत्याभिर्निहतानीव नश्येयुस्तान्यसंशयम्

jāmayo yāni gehāni śapaṁtyapratipūjitāḥ kṛtyābhirnihatānīva naśyeyustānyasaṁśayam

Those households whose female kin, when left unhonored, utter curses against them are destroyed without doubt, as though struck down by black magic.

Verse 53 (skanda.4.40.53)

तदभ्यर्च्याः सुवासिन्यो भूषणाच्छादनाशनैः॥ भूतिकामैर्नरैर्नित्यं सत्कारेषूत्सवेषु च

tadabhyarcyāḥ suvāsinyo bhūṣaṇācchādanāśanaiḥ bhūtikāmairnarairnityaṁ satkāreṣūtsaveṣu ca

Therefore men who desire prosperity should always honor married women, at ceremonies and festivals alike, with ornaments, clothing, and food.

Verse 54 (skanda.4.40.54)

यत्र नार्यः प्रमुदिता भूषणाच्छादनाशनैः॥ रमंते देवतास्तत्र स्युस्तत्र सफलाः क्रियाः

yatra nāryaḥ pramuditā bhūṣaṇācchādanāśanaiḥ ramaṁte devatāstatra syustatra saphalāḥ kriyāḥ

Where women, made joyful with ornaments, clothing, and food, take delight, there the gods too take delight, and there every rite bears fruit.

Verse 55 (skanda.4.40.55)

यत्र तुष्यति भर्त्रा स्त्री स्त्रिया भर्ता च तुष्यति॥ तत्र वेश्मनि कल्याणं संपद्येत पदे पदे॥ अहुतं च हुतं चैव प्रहुतं प्राशितं तथा॥ ब्राह्मं हुतं पंचमं च पंचयज्ञा इमे शुभाः

yatra tuṣyati bhartrā strī striyā bhartā ca tuṣyati tatra veśmani kalyāṇaṁ saṁpadyeta pade pade ahutaṁ ca hutaṁ caiva prahutaṁ prāśitaṁ tathā brāhmaṁ hutaṁ paṁcamaṁ ca paṁcayajñā ime śubhāḥ

Where the wife is pleased with her husband, and the husband is pleased with his wife, prosperity comes to that household at every step. The Unoffered, the Offered, the Further-offered, the Partaken, and, fifth, the Brahma-offering -- these five sacrifices are held auspicious.

Verse 56 (skanda.4.40.56)

जपोऽहुतोहुतो होमः प्रहुतो भौतिको बलिः॥ प्राशितं पितृसंतृप्तिर्हुतं ब्राह्मं द्विजार्चनम्

japo'hutohuto homaḥ prahuto bhautiko baliḥ prāśitaṁ pitṛsaṁtṛptirhutaṁ brāhmaṁ dvijārcanam

Silent recitation is the "Unoffered"; the fire-oblation is the "Offered"; the food-offering to beings is the "Further-offered"; the satisfying of the ancestors is the "Partaken"; and the honoring of a Brahmin is the "Brahma-offering."

Verse 57 (skanda.4.40.57)

पंचयज्ञानिमान्कुर्वन्ब्राह्मणो नावसीदति॥ एतेषामननुष्ठानात्पंचसूना अवाप्नुयात्

paṁcayajñānimānkurvanbrāhmaṇo nāvasīdati eteṣāmananuṣṭhānātpaṁcasūnā avāpnuyāt

A Brahmin who performs these five sacrifices never falls into distress; by neglecting them, he becomes liable to the fault of the five sources of unavoidable harm.

Verse 58 (skanda.4.40.58)

ब्राह्मणं कुशलं पृच्छेद्बाहुजातमनामयम्॥ वैश्यं सुखं समागम्य शूद्रं संतोषमेव च

brāhmaṇaṁ kuśalaṁ pṛcchedbāhujātamanāmayam vaiśyaṁ sukhaṁ samāgamya śūdraṁ saṁtoṣameva ca

On meeting, one should ask a Brahmin of his welfare, a Kshatriya of his health, a Vaishya of his prosperity, and a Shudra merely of his contentment.

Verse 59 (skanda.4.40.59)

जातमात्रः शिशुस्तावद्यावदष्टौ समाः स्मृताः॥ भक्ष्याभक्ष्येषु नो दु्ष्येद्यावन्नैवोपनीयते

jātamātraḥ śiśustāvadyāvadaṣṭau samāḥ smṛtāḥ bhakṣyābhakṣyeṣu no duṣyedyāvannaivopanīyate

A child remains a mere infant until he reaches eight years of age; until he has been invested with the sacred thread, he incurs no fault regarding what is fit or unfit to eat.

Verse 60 (skanda.4.40.60)

भरणं पोष्यवर्गस्य दृष्टादृष्टफलोदयम्॥ प्रत्यवायो ह्यभरणे भर्तव्यस्तत्प्रयत्नतः

bharaṇaṁ poṣyavargasya dṛṣṭādṛṣṭaphalodayam pratyavāyo hyabharaṇe bhartavyastatprayatnataḥ

The support of one's dependents yields fruit both visible and unseen; failing to support them is a fault, and so they should be diligently maintained.

Verse 61 (skanda.4.40.61)

मातापितागुरुपत्नीः त्वपत्यानि समाश्रिताः॥ अभ्यागतोतिथिश्चाग्निः पोष्यवर्गा अमी नव

mātāpitāgurupatnīḥ tvapatyāni samāśritāḥ abhyāgatotithiścāgniḥ poṣyavargā amī nava

Mother, father, guru, the guru's wife, one's children, those who have taken refuge, an unexpected visitor, an invited guest, and the sacred fire -- these nine are declared to be one's proper dependents.

Verse 62 (skanda.4.40.62)

स जीवति पुमान्योऽत्र बहुभिश्चोपजीव्यते॥ जीवन्मृतोथ विज्ञेयः पुरुषः स्वोदरंभरिः

sa jīvati pumānyo'tra bahubhiścopajīvyate jīvanmṛtotha vijñeyaḥ puruṣaḥ svodaraṁbhariḥ

That man truly lives upon whom many others here depend; but a man who merely fills his own belly should be known as, in effect, a living corpse.

Verse 63 (skanda.4.40.63)

दीनानाथविशिष्टेभ्यो दातव्यं भूतिकाम्यया॥ अदत्तदाना जायंते परभाग्योपजीविनः

dīnānāthaviśiṣṭebhyo dātavyaṁ bhūtikāmyayā adattadānā jāyaṁte parabhāgyopajīvinaḥ

One who desires prosperity should give to the poor, the destitute, and the deserving; those who fail to give are born, in time, dependent upon the fortune of others.

Verse 64 (skanda.4.40.64)

विभागशीलसंयुक्तो दयावांश्च क्षमायुतः॥ देवतातिथिभक्तस्तु गृहस्थो धार्मिकः स्मृतः॥ शर्वरीमध्य यामौ यौ हुतशेषं च यद्धविः॥ तत्र स्वपंस्तदश्नंश्च ब्राह्मणो नावसीदति

vibhāgaśīlasaṁyukto dayāvāṁśca kṣamāyutaḥ devatātithibhaktastu gṛhastho dhārmikaḥ smṛtaḥ śarvarīmadhya yāmau yau hutaśeṣaṁ ca yaddhaviḥ tatra svapaṁstadaśnaṁśca brāhmaṇo nāvasīdati

One who is naturally inclined to share, compassionate, forbearing, and devoted to gods and guests -- such a householder is remembered as righteous. Even sleeping and eating there, in the middle watches of the night, on the remnant of the oblation offered to the fire, a Brahmin does not come to grief.

Verse 65 (skanda.4.40.65)

नवैतानि गृहस्थस्य कार्याण्यभ्यागते सदा॥ सुधा व्ययानि यत्सौम्यं वाक्यं चक्षुर्मनोमुखम्

navaitāni gṛhasthasya kāryāṇyabhyāgate sadā sudhā vyayāni yatsaumyaṁ vākyaṁ cakṣurmanomukham

Toward every guest, these nine are ever the householder's duties, expenditures precious as nectar: a gracious word, a welcoming glance, an open mind and countenance...

Verse 66 (skanda.4.40.66)

अभ्युत्थानमिहायात सस्नेहं पूर्वभाषणम्॥ उपासनमनुव्रज्या गृहस्थोन्नति हेतवे

abhyutthānamihāyāta sasnehaṁ pūrvabhāṣaṇam upāsanamanuvrajyā gṛhasthonnati hetave

...rising to greet him upon arrival, speaking to him first with warmth, attending upon him, and accompanying him as he departs -- these bring about the householder's flourishing.

Verse 67 (skanda.4.40.67)

तथेषद्व्यययुक्तानि कार्याण्येतानि वै नव॥ आसनं पादशौचं च यथाशक्त्याशनं क्षितिः

tatheṣadvyayayuktāni kāryāṇyetāni vai nava āsanaṁ pādaśaucaṁ ca yathāśaktyāśanaṁ kṣitiḥ

And these nine duties, likewise, require only a slight expense: offering a seat, washing his feet, providing food according to one's means, ground [to rest upon]...

Verse 68 (skanda.4.40.68)

शय्यातृणजलाभ्यंग दीपा गार्हस्थ्य सिद्धिदाः॥ तथा नव विकर्माणि त्याज्यानि गृहमेधिनाम्

śayyātṛṇajalābhyaṁga dīpā gārhasthya siddhidāḥ tathā nava vikarmāṇi tyājyāni gṛhamedhinām

...a bed, grass for a mat, water, oil for anointing, and a lamp -- these bring fulfillment in household life. And likewise, these nine wrongful deeds are to be shunned by householders:

Verse 69 (skanda.4.40.69)

पैशुन्यं परदाराश्च द्रोहः क्रोधानृताप्रियम्॥ द्वेषो दंभश्च माया च स्वर्गमार्गार्गलानि हि

paiśunyaṁ paradārāśca drohaḥ krodhānṛtāpriyam dveṣo daṁbhaśca māyā ca svargamārgārgalāni hi

Slander, lusting after another's wife, treachery, anger, falsehood, harsh speech, hatred, hypocrisy, and deceit -- these truly bar the very path to heaven.

Verse 70 (skanda.4.40.70)

नवावश्यककर्माणि कार्याणि प्रतिवासरम्॥ स्नानं संध्या जपो होमः स्वाध्यायो देवतार्चनम्

navāvaśyakakarmāṇi kāryāṇi prativāsaram snānaṁ saṁdhyā japo homaḥ svādhyāyo devatārcanam

These nine essential duties should be performed every day: bathing, twilight worship, recitation, the fire-oblation, Vedic study, worship of the deity...

Verse 71 (skanda.4.40.71)

वेश्वदेवं तथातिथ्यं नवमं पितृतर्पणम्॥ नव गोप्यानि यान्यत्र मुने तानि निशामय

veśvadevaṁ tathātithyaṁ navamaṁ pitṛtarpaṇam nava gopyāni yānyatra mune tāni niśāmaya

...the Vaishvadeva rite, hospitality to guests, and, ninth, libation to the ancestors. Now, O sage, hear the nine things which should here be kept secret.

Verse 72 (skanda.4.40.72)

जन्मर्क्षं मैथुनं मंत्रो गृहच्छिद्रं च वंचनम्॥ आयुर्धनापमानं स्त्री न प्रकाश्यानि सर्वथा

janmarkṣaṁ maithunaṁ maṁtro gṛhacchidraṁ ca vaṁcanam āyurdhanāpamānaṁ strī na prakāśyāni sarvathā

One's birth-constellation, intimate union, a sacred mantra, a weakness of one's household, deception one has suffered, one's lifespan, one's wealth, an insult received, and matters concerning a woman -- these should never, under any circumstance, be disclosed.

Verse 73 (skanda.4.40.73)

नवैतानि प्रकाश्यानि रहः पापमकुत्सितम्॥ प्रायोग्यमृणशुद्धिश्च सान्वयः क्रयविक्रयौ॥ कन्यादानं गुणोत्कर्षो नान्यत्केनापि कुत्रचित्॥ पात्र मित्र विनीतेषु दीनानाथोपकारिषु॥ मातापितुगुरूष्वेतन्नवकं दत्तमक्षयम्

navaitāni prakāśyāni rahaḥ pāpamakutsitam prāyogyamṛṇaśuddhiśca sānvayaḥ krayavikrayau kanyādānaṁ guṇotkarṣo nānyatkenāpi kutracit pātra mitra vinīteṣu dīnānāthopakāriṣu mātāpitugurūṣvetannavakaṁ dattamakṣayam

But these nine things may be disclosed: an ordinary private matter, a fault that is not shameful, a practical undertaking, the clearing of a debt, matters of lineage, buying and selling, the giving of a daughter in marriage, and excellence of character -- nothing beyond these should ever be revealed to anyone, anywhere. And whatever is given to these nine -- a worthy recipient, a friend, the humble, benefactors of the poor and helpless, and one's mother, father, and guru -- becomes imperishable.

Verse 74 (skanda.4.40.74)

निष्फलं नवसूत्सृष्टं चाटचारणतस्करे॥ कुवैद्ये कितवे धूर्ते शठे मल्ले च बंदिनि

niṣphalaṁ navasūtsṛṣṭaṁ cāṭacāraṇataskare kuvaidye kitave dhūrte śaṭhe malle ca baṁdini

But that same ninefold gift becomes fruitless when given to a flatterer, a wandering minstrel, a thief, a quack physician, a gambler, a swindler, a cheat, a wrestler, or a professional bard.

Verse 75 (skanda.4.40.75)

आपस्त्वपि न देयानि नववस्तूनि सर्वथा॥ अन्वये सति सर्वस्वं दारांश्च शरणागतान्

āpastvapi na deyāni navavastūni sarvathā anvaye sati sarvasvaṁ dārāṁśca śaraṇāgatān

But even in dire distress, these nine things should never, under any circumstance, be given away: while one's line still continues, the whole of one's estate, one's wife, one who has taken refuge with oneself...

Verse 76 (skanda.4.40.76)

न्यासाधीकुलवृत्तिं च निक्षेपं स्त्रीधनं सुतम्॥ यो ददाति स मूढात्मा प्रायश्चित्तैर्विशुध्यति

nyāsādhīkulavṛttiṁ ca nikṣepaṁ strīdhanaṁ sutam yo dadāti sa mūḍhātmā prāyaścittairviśudhyati

...property held in trust, the family's livelihood, a deposit, a wife's own wealth, or one's own son. Whoever gives these away is a deluded soul; he may be purified only through acts of penance.

Verse 77 (skanda.4.40.77)

एतन्नवानां नवकं ज्ञात्वा प्रियमवाप्नुयात्॥ अन्यच्च नवकं वच्मि सर्वेषां स्वर्गमार्गदम्

etannavānāṁ navakaṁ jñātvā priyamavāpnuyāt anyacca navakaṁ vacmi sarveṣāṁ svargamārgadam

Knowing these nine groups of nine, a man obtains what is dear to him. I shall now speak yet another group of nine, which grants the path to heaven for all.

Verse 78 (skanda.4.40.78)

सत्यं शौचमहिंसा च क्षांतिर्दानं दया दमः॥ अस्तेयमिंद्रियाकोचः सर्वेषां धर्मसाधनम्

satyaṁ śaucamahiṁsā ca kṣāṁtirdānaṁ dayā damaḥ asteyamiṁdriyākocaḥ sarveṣāṁ dharmasādhanam

Truthfulness, purity, non-violence, forbearance, generosity, compassion, self-restraint, non-stealing, and mastery over the senses -- these are the means to dharma for everyone.

Verse 79 (skanda.4.40.79)

अभ्यस्य नवतिं चैतां स्वर्गमार्गप्रदीपिकाम्॥ सतामभिमतां पुण्यां गृहस्थो नावसीदति

abhyasya navatiṁ caitāṁ svargamārgapradīpikām satāmabhimatāṁ puṇyāṁ gṛhastho nāvasīdati

By practicing this whole body of teaching -- a lamp lighting the path to heaven, holy and dear to the virtuous -- a householder never comes to grief.

Verse 80 (skanda.4.40.80)

जिह्वा भार्या सुतो भ्राता मित्र दास समाश्रिताः॥ यस्यैते विनयाढ्याश्च तस्य सर्वत्र गौरवम्

jihvā bhāryā suto bhrātā mitra dāsa samāśritāḥ yasyaite vinayāḍhyāśca tasya sarvatra gauravam

The man whose tongue, wife, son, brother, friends, servants, and dependents are all marked by humility and discipline is honored everywhere.

Verse 81 (skanda.4.40.81)

पानं दुर्जन संसर्गः पत्या च विरहोटनम्॥ स्वप्नोन्यगृहवासश्च नारीणां दूषणानि षट्

pānaṁ durjana saṁsargaḥ patyā ca virahoṭanam svapnonyagṛhavāsaśca nārīṇāṁ dūṣaṇāni ṣaṭ

Drinking, keeping company with the wicked, wandering about while separated from her husband, excessive sleeping, and dwelling in another's house -- these are the six blemishes for women.

Verse 82 (skanda.4.40.82)

समर्घं धान्यमुद्धत्य महर्घं यः प्रयच्छति॥ स हि वार्धुषिको नाम तस्यान्नं नैव भक्षयेत्॥ अग्रे माहिषिकं दृष्ट्वा मध्ये च वृषलीपतिम्॥ अंते वार्धुषिकं चैव निराशाः पितरो गताः

samarghaṁ dhānyamuddhatya maharghaṁ yaḥ prayacchati sa hi vārdhuṣiko nāma tasyānnaṁ naiva bhakṣayet agre māhiṣikaṁ dṛṣṭvā madhye ca vṛṣalīpatim aṁte vārdhuṣikaṁ caiva nirāśāḥ pitaro gatāḥ

One who buys grain cheap and sells it dear is called a usurer; one should never eat his food. Seeing at the start of a shraddha feast a consort of a fallen woman, in the middle the husband of an outcaste, and at the end a usurer, the ancestors turn back disappointed.

Verse 83 (skanda.4.40.83)

महिषीत्युच्यते नारी या च स्याद्व्यभिचारिणी॥ तां दुष्टां कामयेद्यस्तु स वै माहिषिकः स्मृतः

mahiṣītyucyate nārī yā ca syādvyabhicāriṇī tāṁ duṣṭāṁ kāmayedyastu sa vai māhiṣikaḥ smṛtaḥ

An unchaste woman is spoken of as a "mahishi"; and the man who desires such a fallen woman is called a "mahishika."

Verse 84 (skanda.4.40.84)

स्व वृषं या परित्यज्य परवृषे वृषायते॥ वृषली सा हि विज्ञेया न शूद्री वृषली भवेत्

sva vṛṣaṁ yā parityajya paravṛṣe vṛṣāyate vṛṣalī sā hi vijñeyā na śūdrī vṛṣalī bhavet

The woman who abandons her own husband and gives herself to another is truly to be known as "vrishali"; mere birth in a Shudra family does not by itself make a woman an outcaste.

Verse 85 (skanda.4.40.85)

यावदुष्णं भवत्यन्नं यावन्मौनेन भुज्यते॥ तावदश्नंति पितरो यावन्नोक्ता हविर्गुणाः

yāvaduṣṇaṁ bhavatyannaṁ yāvanmaunena bhujyate tāvadaśnaṁti pitaro yāvannoktā havirguṇāḥ

So long as the food remains hot, so long as it is eaten in silence, and so long as its qualities are not praised aloud, so long do the ancestors partake of it.

Verse 86 (skanda.4.40.86)

विद्याविनयसंपन्ने श्रोत्रिये गृहमागते॥ क्रीडंत्यौषधयः सर्वा यास्यामः परमां गतिम्

vidyāvinayasaṁpanne śrotriye gṛhamāgate krīḍaṁtyauṣadhayaḥ sarvā yāsyāmaḥ paramāṁ gatim

When a Brahmin accomplished in learning and humility, versed in the Veda, comes to one's house, all the food-grains seem to rejoice, as if saying, "Now we shall attain the highest state."

Verse 87 (skanda.4.40.87)

भ्रष्टशौचवताचारे विप्रे वेदविवर्जिते॥ रोदित्यन्नं दीयमानं किं मया दुष्कृतं कृतम्

bhraṣṭaśaucavatācāre vipre vedavivarjite rodityannaṁ dīyamānaṁ kiṁ mayā duṣkṛtaṁ kṛtam

But when food is given to a Brahmin fallen from purity and right conduct, devoid of Vedic learning, that food seems to weep, as if saying, "What evil have I done, that I am given to him?"

Verse 88 (skanda.4.40.88)

यस्य कोष्ठगतं चान्नं वेदाभ्यासेन जीर्यति॥ स तारयति दातारं दशपूर्वान्दशापरान्

yasya koṣṭhagataṁ cānnaṁ vedābhyāsena jīryati sa tārayati dātāraṁ daśapūrvāndaśāparān

The Brahmin in whose belly food is digested through the very practice of Vedic recitation redeems the giver of that food, together with ten generations before him and ten after.

Verse 89 (skanda.4.40.89)

न स्त्रीणां वपनं कार्यं न च गाः समनुव्रजेत्॥ न च रात्रौ वसेद्गोष्ठे न कुर्याद्वैदिकीं श्रुतिम्

na strīṇāṁ vapanaṁ kāryaṁ na ca gāḥ samanuvrajet na ca rātrau vasedgoṣṭhe na kuryādvaidikīṁ śrutim

One should never fully shave a woman's head; should not walk directly behind cows; should not dwell in a cow-shed at night; and should not recite the sacred Veda at an improper occasion.

Verse 90 (skanda.4.40.90)

सर्वान्केशान्समुद्धृत्य च्छेदयेदंगुलद्वयम्॥ एवमेव तु नारीणां शिरसो मुंडनं भवेत्

sarvānkeśānsamuddhṛtya cchedayedaṁguladvayam evameva tu nārīṇāṁ śiraso muṁḍanaṁ bhavet

If it must be done, all the hair should be gathered and cut, leaving just two fingers' length; this alone constitutes the tonsuring of a woman's head, and no more.

Verse 91 (skanda.4.40.91)

राजा वा राजपुत्रो वा ब्राह्मणो वा बहुश्रुतः॥ अकारयित्वा वपनं प्रायश्चित्तं विनिर्दिशेत्॥ केशानां रक्षणार्थाय द्विगुणं व्रतमादिशेत्॥ द्विगुणा दक्षिणा देया ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे

rājā vā rājaputro vā brāhmaṇo vā bahuśrutaḥ akārayitvā vapanaṁ prāyaścittaṁ vinirdiśet keśānāṁ rakṣaṇārthāya dviguṇaṁ vratamādiśet dviguṇā dakṣiṇā deyā brāhmaṇe vedapārage

For a king, a prince, or a widely learned Brahmin, one should prescribe an appropriate penance instead of having the head shaved. To preserve the hair, a doubled vow should be enjoined, and a doubled fee should be given to a Brahmin fully versed in the Veda.

Verse 92 (skanda.4.40.92)

योऽगृहीत्वा विवाहाग्निं गृहस्थ इति मन्यते॥ अन्नं तस्य न भोक्तव्यं वृथा पाको हि स स्मृतः

yo'gṛhītvā vivāhāgniṁ gṛhastha iti manyate annaṁ tasya na bhoktavyaṁ vṛthā pāko hi sa smṛtaḥ

One who considers himself a householder without having established the marriage-fire should never have his food eaten, for his cooking is held to be entirely in vain.

Verse 93 (skanda.4.40.93)

दाराग्निहोत्र दीक्षां च कुरुते योऽग्रजे स्थिते॥ परिवेत्ता स विज्ञेयः परिवित्तिस्तु पूर्वजः

dārāgnihotra dīkṣāṁ ca kurute yo'graje sthite parivettā sa vijñeyaḥ parivittistu pūrvajaḥ

One who takes up marriage and the initiation into the fire-rites while his elder brother remains unmarried is to be known as the "parivetta"; and that elder brother is the "parivitti," the one overtaken.

Verse 94 (skanda.4.40.94)

परिवित्तिः परिवेत्ता यया च परिविद्यते॥ सर्वे ते नरकं यांति दातृयाजकपंचमाः

parivittiḥ parivettā yayā ca parividyate sarve te narakaṁ yāṁti dātṛyājakapaṁcamāḥ

The "parivitti," the "parivetta," and the bride through whom this overtaking occurs -- all of these go to hell, along with, fifth, the girl's giver and the officiating priest.

Verse 95 (skanda.4.40.95)

क्लीबे देशांतरस्थे च मूके प्रत्रजिते जडे॥ कुब्जे खर्वे च पतिते न दोषः परिवेदने

klībe deśāṁtarasthe ca mūke pratrajite jaḍe kubje kharve ca patite na doṣaḥ parivedane

If the elder brother is impotent, dwelling in a foreign land, mute, a renunciate, feeble-minded, hunchbacked, a dwarf, or fallen, there is no fault in the younger brother marrying before him.

Verse 96 (skanda.4.40.96)

वेदाक्षरणि यावंति नियुंज्यादर्थकारणे॥ तावतीर्वै भ्रूणहत्या वेदविक्रयकृल्लभेत्

vedākṣarāṇi yāvaṁti niyuṁjyādarthakāraṇe tāvatīrvai bhrūṇahatyā vedavikrayakṛllabhet

For as many syllables of the Veda as he employs for the sake of earning money, one who sells the Veda incurs that many counts of the sin of destroying the unborn.

Verse 97 (skanda.4.40.97)

यस्तु प्रव्रजितो भूत्वा सेवते मैथुनं पुनः॥ षष्टिर्वर्षसहस्राणि विष्ठायां जायते कृमिः

yastu pravrajito bhūtvā sevate maithunaṁ punaḥ ṣaṣṭirvarṣasahasrāṇi viṣṭhāyāṁ jāyate kṛmiḥ

One who, having become a renunciate, indulges again in sexual union is reborn, for sixty thousand years, as a worm in excrement.

Verse 98 (skanda.4.40.98)

शूद्रान्नं शूद्रसंपर्कः शूद्रेण च सहासनम्॥ शूद्राद्विद्यागमः कश्चिज्ज्वलंतमपि पातयेत्

śūdrānnaṁ śūdrasaṁparkaḥ śūdreṇa ca sahāsanam śūdrādvidyāgamaḥ kaścijjvalaṁtamapi pātayet

A Shudra's food, association with a Shudra, sitting together with a Shudra, or acquiring learning from a Shudra -- any one of these can bring down even a man ablaze with spiritual radiance.

Verse 99 (skanda.4.40.99)

शूद्रादाहृत्य निर्वापं ये पचंत्यबुधा द्विजाः॥ ते यांति नरकं घोरं ब्रह्मतेजोविवर्जिताः

śūdrādāhṛtya nirvāpaṁ ye pacaṁtyabudhā dvijāḥ te yāṁti narakaṁ ghoraṁ brahmatejovivarjitāḥ

Ignorant twice-born who fetch fire from a Shudra's hearth to cook their food go to a terrible hell, stripped of their Brahminical radiance.

Verse 100 (skanda.4.40.100)

माक्षिकं फाणितं शाकं गोरसं लवणं घृतम्॥ हस्तदत्तानि भुक्तानि दिनमेकमभोजनम्॥ हस्तदत्ताश्च ये स्नेहा लवणं व्यजनानि च॥ दातारं नोपतिष्ठंते भोक्ता भुंक्ते तु किल्बिषम्

mākṣikaṁ phāṇitaṁ śākaṁ gorasaṁ lavaṇaṁ ghṛtam hastadattāni bhuktāni dinamekamabhojanam hastadattāśca ye snehā lavaṇaṁ vyajanāni ca dātāraṁ nopatiṣṭhaṁte bhoktā bhuṁkte tu kilbiṣam

Honey, treacle, vegetables, dairy foods, salt, and ghee -- when given and eaten directly by hand, these do not break a day's fast. Likewise, oils, salt, and fans given by hand do not touch the giver with fault; rather, it is the one who receives them who partakes of the resulting demerit.

Verse 101 (skanda.4.40.101)

आयसेनैव पात्रेण यदन्नमुपदीयते॥ भोक्ता तद्विट्समं भुंक्ते दाता च नरकं व्रजेत्

āyasenaiva pātreṇa yadannamupadīyate bhoktā tadviṭsamaṁ bhuṁkte dātā ca narakaṁ vrajet

Food served in an iron vessel -- the eater partakes of it as though it were filth, and the giver of it goes to hell.

Verse 102 (skanda.4.40.102)

अंगुल्या दंतकाष्ठं च प्रत्यक्षलवणं च यत्॥ मृत्तिकाभक्षणं यच्च समं गोमांसभक्षणैः

aṁgulyā daṁtakāṣṭhaṁ ca pratyakṣalavaṇaṁ ca yat mṛttikābhakṣaṇaṁ yacca samaṁ gomāṁsabhakṣaṇaiḥ

Cleaning the teeth with a finger, taking salt directly with no intermediary, and eating clay -- these are equal in fault to eating the flesh of a cow.

Verse 103 (skanda.4.40.103)

पानीयं पायसं भैक्षं घृतं लवणमेव च॥ हस्तदत्तं न गृह्णीयात्तुल्यगोमांसभक्षणैः

pānīyaṁ pāyasaṁ bhaikṣaṁ ghṛtaṁ lavaṇameva ca hastadattaṁ na gṛhṇīyāttulyagomāṁsabhakṣaṇaiḥ

Water, milk-pudding, alms-food, ghee, and salt, if given by hand in an improper manner, should not be accepted -- doing so is equal to eating the flesh of a cow.

Verse 104 (skanda.4.40.104)

अग्रतो निवसेन्मूर्खो दूरतश्च गुणान्वितः॥ गुणान्विताय दातव्यं नास्ति मूर्खे व्यतिक्रमः

agrato nivasenmūrkho dūrataśca guṇānvitaḥ guṇānvitāya dātavyaṁ nāsti mūrkhe vyatikramaḥ

Let the fool be seated in the ordinary place, while one endowed with true virtue is honored and called forth even from afar; gifts should go to the virtuous, and there is no fault in showing no such regard to a fool.

Verse 105 (skanda.4.40.105)

ब्राह्मणातिक्रमो नास्ति विप्रे वेदविवर्जिते॥ ज्वलंतमग्निमुत्सृज्य नहि भस्मनि हूयते

brāhmaṇātikramo nāsti vipre vedavivarjite jvalaṁtamagnimutsṛjya nahi bhasmani hūyate

There is no wrong in passing over a Brahmin devoid of Vedic learning, just as no one leaves a blazing fire to pour an oblation into mere ash.

Verse 106 (skanda.4.40.106)

सन्निकृष्टमधीयानं ब्राह्मणं यो व्यतिक्रमेत्॥ भोजने चैव दाने च दहेदासप्तमं कुलम्

sannikṛṣṭamadhīyānaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ yo vyatikramet bhojane caiva dāne ca dahedāsaptamaṁ kulam

One who passes over a nearby Brahmin engaged in Vedic study, in matters both of feeding and of gift-giving, burns his own family down to the seventh generation.

Verse 107 (skanda.4.40.107)

गोरक्षकान्वाणिजकांस्तथा कारुकुशीलवान्॥ प्रेष्यान्वार्धुषिकांश्चैव विप्राञ्शूद्रवदाचरेत्

gorakṣakānvāṇijakāṁstathā kārukuśīlavān preṣyānvārdhuṣikāṁścaiva viprāñśūdravadācaret

Brahmins who have become cowherds, traders, artisans, actors, servants, or usurers should be treated, in matters of ritual honor, just as Shudras are.

Verse 108 (skanda.4.40.108)

देवद्रव्यविभागेन ब्रह्मस्व हरणेन च॥ कुलान्याशु विनश्यंति ब्राह्मणातिक्रमेण च

devadravyavibhāgena brahmasva haraṇena ca kulānyāśu vinaśyaṁti brāhmaṇātikrameṇa ca

Through the misappropriation of temple property, through seizing a Brahmin's rightful wealth, and through disregard of Brahmins, families are swiftly destroyed.

Verse 109 (skanda.4.40.109)

मा देहीति च यो ब्रूयाद्गवाग्निब्राह्मणेषु च॥ तिर्यग्योनिशतं गत्वा चांडालेष्वभिजायते॥ वाचा यच्च प्रतिज्ञातं कर्मणानोपपादितम्॥ ऋणं तद्धर्मसंयुक्तमिहलोके परत्र च

mā dehīti ca yo brūyādgavāgnibrāhmaṇeṣu ca tiryagyoniśataṁ gatvā cāṁḍāleṣvabhijāyate vācā yacca pratijñātaṁ karmaṇānopapāditam ṛṇaṁ taddharmasaṁyuktamihaloke paratra ca

One who, when asked, says "I will not give" regarding a cow, the sacred fire, or Brahmins is reborn a hundred times in the wombs of beasts, and is finally born among outcastes. Whatever is promised by word but not fulfilled by deed remains a debt bound up with dharma, both in this world and the next.

Verse 110 (skanda.4.40.110)

विघसाशी भवेन्नित्यं नित्यं चामृतभोजनः॥ यज्ञशेषोऽमृतंभुक्तशेषं तु विघसं विदुः

vighasāśī bhavennityaṁ nityaṁ cāmṛtabhojanaḥ yajñaśeṣo'mṛtaṁbhuktaśeṣaṁ tu vighasaṁ viduḥ

One should ever eat only what remains -- and thus one is truly a partaker of nectar. What remains of a sacrifice is called nectar; what remains after an ordinary meal is called "vighasa."

Verse 111 (skanda.4.40.111)

सव्यादंसात्परिभ्रष्टे नाभिदेशे व्यवस्थिते॥ वस्त्रे स एकवासास्तं देवे पित्र्ये च वर्जयेत्

savyādaṁsātparibhraṣṭe nābhideśe vyavasthite vastre sa ekavāsāstaṁ deve pitrye ca varjayet

A man wearing only a single garment that has slipped from the left shoulder down to around the navel should be considered unfit for rites to gods and ancestors.

Verse 112 (skanda.4.40.112)

यदेव तर्पयत्यद्भिः पितॄन्स्नात्वा द्विजोत्तमः॥ तेनैव सर्वमाप्नोति पितृयज्ञक्रियाफलम्

yadeva tarpayatyadbhiḥ pitṝnsnātvā dvijottamaḥ tenaiva sarvamāpnoti pitṛyajñakriyāphalam

By the very water with which a leading twice-born, after bathing, offers libation to his ancestors, he obtains the entire fruit of the rite of ancestor-worship.

Verse 113 (skanda.4.40.113)

हस्तौ प्रक्षाल्य गंडूषं यः पिबेद्भोजनोत्तरम्॥ दैवं पित्र्यं तथात्मानं त्रयं स उपघातयेत्

hastau prakṣālya gaṁḍūṣaṁ yaḥ pibedbhojanottaram daivaṁ pitryaṁ tathātmānaṁ trayaṁ sa upaghātayet

One who, after eating, washes his hands and drinks a mouthful of water without the proper form thereby brings harm upon all three -- the gods, the ancestors, and himself.

Verse 114 (skanda.4.40.114)

गणान्नं गणिकान्नं च यदन्नं ग्रामयाजके॥ स्त्रीणां प्रथमगर्भेषु भुक्त्वा चांद्रायणं चरेत

gaṇānnaṁ gaṇikānnaṁ ca yadannaṁ grāmayājake strīṇāṁ prathamagarbheṣu bhuktvā cāṁdrāyaṇaṁ careta

Food from a communal feast, food of a courtesan, and food of a village-priest hired for pay -- having eaten such food during a woman's first pregnancy, one should perform the Chandrayana penance.

Verse 115 (skanda.4.40.115)

पक्षे वा यदि वा मासे यस्य गेहेत्ति न द्विजः॥ भुक्त्वा दुरात्मनस्तस्य चरेच्चांद्रायणव्रतम्

pakṣe vā yadi vā māse yasya gehetti na dvijaḥ bhuktvā durātmanastasya careccāṁdrāyaṇavratam

If, for a fortnight or a month, a twice-born cannot recall in whose house he has eaten, he should perform the Chandrayana vow, as though he had eaten the food of a wicked man.

Verse 116 (skanda.4.40.116)

सत्रिणां दीक्षितानां च यतीनां ब्रह्मचारिणाम्॥ एतेषां सूतकं नास्ति ऋत्विजां कर्मकुर्वताम्

satriṇāṁ dīkṣitānāṁ ca yatīnāṁ brahmacāriṇām eteṣāṁ sūtakaṁ nāsti ṛtvijāṁ karmakurvatām

Those engaged in a sacrificial session, the ritually consecrated, ascetics, celibate students, and officiating priests engaged in their rites incur no birth-or-death impurity.

Verse 117 (skanda.4.40.117)

अजीर्णेऽभ्युदिते वाते श्मश्रुकर्मणि मैथुने॥ दुःस्वप्ने दुर्जनस्पर्शे स्नानमेव विधीयते

ajīrṇe'bhyudite vāte śmaśrukarmaṇi maithune duḥsvapne durjanasparśe snānameva vidhīyate

In cases of indigestion, when flatulence has arisen, after a shave or haircut, after intercourse, after a bad dream, and after contact with a wicked person -- a bath alone is prescribed.

Verse 118 (skanda.4.40.118)

चैत्यवृक्षं चितिं यूपं शिवनिर्माल्यभोजिनम्॥ वेदविक्रयिणं स्पृष्ट्वा सचैलो जलमाविशेत्॥ अग्न्यगारे गवां गोष्ठे देव ब्राह्मणसन्निधौ॥ स्वाध्याये भोजने पाने पादुके वै विसर्जयेत्

caityavṛkṣaṁ citiṁ yūpaṁ śivanirmālyabhojinam vedavikrayiṇaṁ spṛṣṭvā sacailo jalamāviśet agnyagāre gavāṁ goṣṭhe deva brāhmaṇasannidhau svādhyāye bhojane pāne pāduke vai visarjayet

Having touched a sacred grove-tree, a funeral pyre, a sacrificial post, one who eats the remains offered to Shiva, or a seller of the Veda, one should enter water fully clothed. In the fire-chamber, in a cow-pen, in the presence of a deity or a Brahmin, and during Vedic study, eating, or drinking, one should remove one's sandals.

Verse 119 (skanda.4.40.119)

खलक्षेत्रगतं धान्यं कूपवापीषु यज्जलम्॥ अग्राह्यादपि तद्ग्राह्यं यच्च गोष्ठगतं पयः

khalakṣetragataṁ dhānyaṁ kūpavāpīṣu yajjalam agrāhyādapi tadgrāhyaṁ yacca goṣṭhagataṁ payaḥ

Grain lying on the threshing-floor or in a field, water in a well or reservoir, and milk kept in a cow-shed -- these are, unlike other things, taken to be freely accessible even without special permission.

Verse 120 (skanda.4.40.120)

यद्वेष्टितशिरा भुंक्ते यो भुंक्ते दक्षिणामुखः॥ सोपानत्कश्च यद्भुंक्ते तद्वै रक्षांसि भुंजते

yadveṣṭitaśirā bhuṁkte yo bhuṁkte dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ sopānatkaśca yadbhuṁkte tadvai rakṣāṁsi bhuṁjate

One who eats with head wrapped, one who eats facing south, and one who eats while wearing sandals -- what such a man eats is, in truth, consumed by demons.

Verse 121 (skanda.4.40.121)

यातुधानाः पिशाचाश्च राक्षसाः क्रूरकर्मिणः॥ हरंति रसमन्नस्य मंडलेन विवर्जितम्

yātudhānāḥ piśācāśca rākṣasāḥ krūrakarmiṇaḥ haraṁti rasamannasya maṁḍalena vivarjitam

Malignant spirits, ghouls, and cruel-acting demons steal away the essence of food that is eaten without a protective circle drawn around it.

Verse 122 (skanda.4.40.122)

ब्रह्माद्याश्च सुराः सर्वे वसिष्ठाद्या महर्षयः॥ मंडलं चोपजीवंति ततः कुर्वीत मंडलम्

brahmādyāśca surāḥ sarve vasiṣṭhādyā maharṣayaḥ maṁḍalaṁ copajīvaṁti tataḥ kurvīta maṁḍalam

Brahma and all the other gods, and the great sages beginning with Vasishtha, likewise rely upon this protective circle; therefore one should always draw it before eating.

Verse 123 (skanda.4.40.123)

ब्राह्मणे चतुरस्रं स्यात्त्र्यस्रं वै बाहुजन्मनः॥ वर्तुलं च विशः प्रोक्तं शूद्रस्याभ्युक्षणं स्मृतम्

brāhmaṇe caturasraṁ syāttryasraṁ vai bāhujanmanaḥ vartulaṁ ca viśaḥ proktaṁ śūdrasyābhyukṣaṇaṁ smṛtam

For a Brahmin, this circle should be foursquare; for one born of the arms, the Kshatriya, three-cornered; for a Vaishya it is declared round; and for a Shudra, mere sprinkling of water is held sufficient.

Verse 124 (skanda.4.40.124)

नोत्संगे भोजनं कृत्वा नो पाणौ नैव कर्पटे॥ नासनेन च शय्यायां भुंजीत न मलार्दितः

notsaṁge bhojanaṁ kṛtvā no pāṇau naiva karpaṭe nāsanena ca śayyāyāṁ bhuṁjīta na malārditaḥ

One should not eat food held in the lap, nor in the bare hand, nor on a scrap of cloth; nor should one eat while seated in an ordinary chair, nor upon a bed, nor while in a state of impurity.

Verse 125 (skanda.4.40.125)

धर्मशास्त्र रथारूढा वेदखड्गधरा द्विजाः॥ क्रीडार्थमपि यद्ब्रूयुः स धर्मः परमः स्मृतः

dharmaśāstra rathārūḍhā vedakhaḍgadharā dvijāḥ krīḍārthamapi yadbrūyuḥ sa dharmaḥ paramaḥ smṛtaḥ

Whatever the twice-born, mounted on the chariot of dharmashastra and bearing the Veda as their sword, may say -- even in jest -- is held to be the highest dharma.

Verse 126 (skanda.4.40.126)

रात्रौ धाना दधियुतं धर्मकामो न भक्षयेत्॥ अश्नतो धर्महानिः स्याद्व्याधिभिश्चोपपीड्यते

rātrau dhānā dadhiyutaṁ dharmakāmo na bhakṣayet aśnato dharmahāniḥ syādvyādhibhiścopapīḍyate

One who desires dharma should not eat parched grain mixed with curd at night; one who eats it suffers a loss of dharma and becomes afflicted with disease.

Verse 127 (skanda.4.40.127)

फाणितं गोरसं तोयं लवणं मधुकांजिकम्॥ हस्तेन ब्राह्मणो दत्त्वा कृच्छ्रं चांद्रायणं चरेत्॥ गंधाभरणमाल्यानि यः प्रयच्छति धर्मवित्॥ ससुगंधिः सदा हृष्टो यत्रयत्रोपजायते

phāṇitaṁ gorasaṁ toyaṁ lavaṇaṁ madhukāṁjikam hastena brāhmaṇo dattvā kṛcchraṁ cāṁdrāyaṇaṁ caret gaṁdhābharaṇamālyāni yaḥ prayacchati dharmavit sasugaṁdhiḥ sadā hṛṣṭo yatrayatropajāyate

A Brahmin who improperly gives treacle, dairy foods, water, salt, honey, or sour gruel by hand should perform the severe Chandrayana penance. But one learned in dharma who offers fragrance, ornaments, and garlands remains, wherever he is born, fragrant and ever joyful.

Verse 128 (skanda.4.40.128)

नीलीरक्तं तु यद्वस्त्रं दूरतः परिवर्जयेत्॥ स्त्रीणां क्रीडार्थसंयोगे शयनीयेन दुष्यति

nīlīraktaṁ tu yadvastraṁ dūrataḥ parivarjayet strīṇāṁ krīḍārthasaṁyoge śayanīyena duṣyati

Cloth dyed with indigo should be shunned from afar, for it becomes defiled through its use as bedding for women's amorous encounters.

Verse 129 (skanda.4.40.129)

पालनाद्विक्रयाच्चैव तद्वृत्तेरुपजीवनात्॥ अपवित्रो भवेद्विप्रस्त्रिभिः कृच्छ्रैर्विशुध्यति

pālanādvikrayāccaiva tadvṛtterupajīvanāt apavitro bhavedviprastribhiḥ kṛcchrairviśudhyati

Through cultivating indigo, through trading in it, or through earning his livelihood by that trade, a Brahmin becomes impure; he is purified only through three severe penances.

Verse 130 (skanda.4.40.130)

स्नानं दानं तपो होमः स्वाध्यायः पितृतर्पणम्॥ वृथा तस्य महायज्ञा नीली वासो बिभर्ति यः

snānaṁ dānaṁ tapo homaḥ svādhyāyaḥ pitṛtarpaṇam vṛthā tasya mahāyajñā nīlī vāso bibharti yaḥ

For one who wears indigo-dyed cloth, bathing, giving, austerity, the fire-oblation, Vedic study, and libation to the ancestors -- all these great sacrifices become fruitless.

Verse 131 (skanda.4.40.131)

नीलीरक्तं यदावस्त्रं विप्रः स्वांगेषु धारयेत्॥ तं तु संततिसंख्याके नरके स वसेद्ध्रुवम्

nīlīraktaṁ yadāvastraṁ vipraḥ svāṁgeṣu dhārayet taṁ tu saṁtatisaṁkhyāke narake sa vaseddhruvam

The Brahmin who wears indigo-dyed cloth upon his own body certainly comes to dwell in the hell named "Santati," one of the unending hells.

Verse 132 (skanda.4.40.132)

अहोरात्रोषितो भूत्वा पंचगव्येन शुध्यति

ahorātroṣito bhūtvā paṁcagavyena śudhyati

Having fasted for a full day and night, he is purified through the five products of the cow.

Verse 133 (skanda.4.40.133)

नीलीरक्तेन वस्त्रेण यदन्नमुपकल्पयेत्॥ भोक्ता विष्ठासमं भुंक्ते दाता च नरकं व्रजेत्

nīlīraktena vastreṇa yadannamupakalpayet bhoktā viṣṭhāsamaṁ bhuṁkte dātā ca narakaṁ vrajet

Food prepared while wearing indigo-dyed cloth -- the one who eats it eats, in effect, filth, and the one who serves it goes to hell.

Verse 134 (skanda.4.40.134)

अमृतं ब्राह्मणस्यान्नं क्षत्त्रियान्नं पयः स्मृतम्॥ वैश्यस्य चान्नमेवान्नं शूद्रस्य रुधिरं स्मृतम्

amṛtaṁ brāhmaṇasyānnaṁ kṣattriyānnaṁ payaḥ smṛtam vaiśyasya cānnamevānnaṁ śūdrasya rudhiraṁ smṛtam

The food of a Brahmin is declared to be like nectar; the food of a Kshatriya is held to be like milk; the food of a Vaishya is ordinary food itself; and the food of a Shudra is declared to be like blood.

Verse 135 (skanda.4.40.135)

वैश्वदेवेन होमेन देवताभ्यर्चनैर्जपैः॥ अमृतं तेन विप्रान्नमृग्यजुःसामसंस्कृतम्

vaiśvadevena homena devatābhyarcanairjapaiḥ amṛtaṁ tena viprānnamṛgyajuḥsāmasaṁskṛtam

Through the Vaishvadeva rite, the fire-oblation, worship of the gods, and recitation, refined by the mantras of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas, a Brahmin's food becomes nectar.

Verse 136 (skanda.4.40.136)

व्यवहारानुरूपेण न्यायेन तु यदर्जनम्॥ क्षत्रियस्य पयस्तेन प्रजापालनतो भवेत्॥ प्रहरानद्धवाहाद्यदन्नमुत्पाद्य यच्छति॥ सीतायज्ञविधानेन वैश्यान्नं तेन संस्कृतम्

vyavahārānurūpeṇa nyāyena tu yadarjanam kṣatriyasya payastena prajāpālanato bhavet praharānaddhavāhādyadannamutpādya yacchati sītāyajñavidhānena vaiśyānnaṁ tena saṁskṛtam

Through wealth rightfully earned in keeping with his proper occupation, and through the protection of his people, a Kshatriya's food becomes milk. Through the grain produced and given by the labor of yoked oxen at the plough, by the rite of the plough-sacrifice, a Vaishya's food is consecrated.

Verse 137 (skanda.4.40.137)

अज्ञानतिमिरांधस्य मद्यपानरतस्य च॥ रुधिरं तेन शूद्रान्नं वेदमंत्रविवर्जितम्

ajñānatimirāṁdhasya madyapānaratasya ca rudhiraṁ tena śūdrānnaṁ vedamaṁtravivarjitam

Blinded by the darkness of ignorance, given to drinking liquor, and devoid of Vedic mantras, a Shudra's food is therefore held to be like blood.

Verse 138 (skanda.4.40.138)

न वृथा शपथं कुर्यात्स्वल्पेप्यर्थे नरोत्तमः॥ वृथा हि शपथं कुर्वन्प्रेत्य चेह विनश्यति

na vṛthā śapathaṁ kuryātsvalpepyarthe narottamaḥ vṛthā hi śapathaṁ kurvanpretya ceha vinaśyati

A noble man should not swear a false oath even over the smallest matter, for one who swears falsely perishes both in this world and the next.

Verse 139 (skanda.4.40.139)

कामिनीषु विवाहे च गवां भुक्ते धनक्षये॥ ब्राह्मणाभ्युपपत्तौ च शपथैर्नास्ति पातकम्

kāminīṣu vivāhe ca gavāṁ bhukte dhanakṣaye brāhmaṇābhyupapattau ca śapathairnāsti pātakam

In matters concerning women, in marriage, in the care of cattle, in cases of financial ruin, and in coming to the aid of a Brahmin -- oaths sworn for these purposes incur no sin.

Verse 140 (skanda.4.40.140)

सत्येन शापयेद्विप्रं क्षत्रियं वाहनायुधैः॥ गोबीजकांचनैर्वैश्यं शूद्रं सर्वैस्तु पातकैः

satyena śāpayedvipraṁ kṣatriyaṁ vāhanāyudhaiḥ gobījakāṁcanairvaiśyaṁ śūdraṁ sarvaistu pātakaiḥ

A Brahmin should be made to swear by truth itself; a Kshatriya, by his mounts and weapons; a Vaishya, by cattle, seed-grain, and gold; and a Shudra, by the whole weight of every sin.

Verse 141 (skanda.4.40.141)

अग्निं वा हारयेदेनमप्सु चैनं निमज्जयेत्॥ स्पर्शयेत्पुत्रदाराणां शिरांस्येनं च वा पृथक्

agniṁ vā hārayedenamapsu cainaṁ nimajjayet sparśayetputradārāṇāṁ śirāṁsyenaṁ ca vā pṛthak

Or he may be made to carry fire, or be plunged into water, or made to touch the heads of his own sons and wife -- each a distinct form of the oath.

Verse 142 (skanda.4.40.142)

न यमं यममित्याहुरात्मा वै यम उच्यत॥ आत्मा संयमितो येन तं यमः किं करिष्यति

na yamaṁ yamamityāhurātmā vai yama ucyata ātmā saṁyamito yena taṁ yamaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati

Yama is not truly called Yama; it is the self that is truly called Yama. What can [death's] Yama do to one whose own self is already restrained?

Verse 143 (skanda.4.40.143)

न निस्त्रिंशस्तथा तीक्ष्णः फणी वा दुरतिक्रमः॥ रिपुर्वा नित्यसंकुद्धो यथात्मा दुरधिष्ठितः

na nistriṁśastathā tīkṣṇaḥ phaṇī vā duratikramaḥ ripurvā nityasaṁkuddho yathātmā duradhiṣṭhitaḥ

Not a sword, however sharp, nor a serpent, however hard to pass by, nor an enemy, however ceaselessly enraged, is as dangerous as one's own poorly governed self.

Verse 144 (skanda.4.40.144)

एकः क्षमावतां दोषो न द्वितीयः कथंचन॥ यदेनं क्षमया युक्तमशक्तं मन्यते जनः

ekaḥ kṣamāvatāṁ doṣo na dvitīyaḥ kathaṁcana yadenaṁ kṣamayā yuktamaśaktaṁ manyate janaḥ

There is one fault, and only one, in those who forgive -- and no second fault whatever -- that people mistake one who is capable of forgiveness for one who is merely powerless.

Verse 145 (skanda.4.40.145)

न शब्दशास्त्राभिरतस्य मोक्षो न चैव रम्या वसथप्रियस्य॥ न भोजनाच्छादन तत्परस्य न लोकवित्त ग्रहणे रतस्य॥ एकांतशीलस्य सदैव तस्य सर्वेंद्रियप्रीति निवर्तकस्य॥ स्वाध्याययोगे गतमानसस्य मोक्षो धुवं नित्यमहिंसकस्य

na śabdaśāstrābhiratasya mokṣo na caiva ramyā vasathapriyasya na bhojanācchādana tatparasya na lokavitta grahaṇe ratasya ekāṁtaśīlasya sadaiva tasya sarveṁdriyaprīti nivartakasya svādhyāyayoge gatamānasasya mokṣo dhuvaṁ nityamahiṁsakasya

There is no liberation for one absorbed merely in linguistic scholarship, nor for one fond of a comfortable dwelling; none for one intent on food and fine dress, nor for one bent on amassing worldly wealth. Liberation belongs, without fail, to one who ever lives in solitary discipline, who has turned away from every sensory delight, whose mind rests fixed in the practice of Vedic study, and who is ever non-violent.

Verse 146 (skanda.4.40.146)

क्वैकांतशीलत्वमिहास्ति पुंसः क्व चेंद्रियप्रीतिनिवृत्तिरस्ति॥ क्व योगयुक्तिः क्व च दैवतेज्या काश्यां विनैभिः सहजेन मुक्तिः

kvaikāṁtaśīlatvamihāsti puṁsaḥ kva ceṁdriyaprītinivṛttirasti kva yogayuktiḥ kva ca daivatejyā kāśyāṁ vinaibhiḥ sahajena muktiḥ

But where in this world is such solitary discipline found in a man? Where such turning away from sensory delight? Where such yogic practice, and where such worship of the divine? In Kashi, liberation comes naturally and effortlessly, without any of these.

Verse 147 (skanda.4.40.147)

विश्वेश संशीलनमेवयोगस्तपश्च विश्वेशपुरीनिवासः॥ व्रतानि दानं नियमा यमाश्च स्नानं द्युनद्यां यदुदग्वहायाम्

viśveśa saṁśīlanamevayogastapaśca viśveśapurīnivāsaḥ vratāni dānaṁ niyamā yamāśca snānaṁ dyunadyāṁ yadudagvahāyām

Constant devotion to Vishvesha is itself the true yoga, and dwelling in the city of Vishvesha is itself the true austerity; bathing in the heavenly river as it flows northward is itself every vow, gift, observance, and restraint.

Verse 148 (skanda.4.40.148)

॥ स्कंद उवाच॥ न्यायागतधनस्तत्त्वज्ञाननिष्ठोतिथिप्रियः॥ श्राद्धकृत्सत्यवादी च गृहस्थोपीह मुच्यते

skaṁda uvāca nyāyāgatadhanastattvajñānaniṣṭhotithipriyaḥ śrāddhakṛtsatyavādī ca gṛhasthopīha mucyate

Skanda said: "A householder whose wealth is rightfully earned, who is devoted to the knowledge of ultimate truth, fond of guests, a performer of shraddha rites, and truthful in speech -- even such a householder attains liberation here."

Verse 149 (skanda.4.40.149)

दीनांधकृपणार्थिभ्यो दत्त्वान्नानि विशेषतः॥ कृत्वा गार्ह्याणि कर्माणि गृहस्थः श्रेय आप्नुयात्

dīnāṁdhakṛpaṇārthibhyo dattvānnāni viśeṣataḥ kṛtvā gārhyāṇi karmāṇi gṛhasthaḥ śreya āpnuyāt

By giving food especially to the poor, the blind, the destitute, and the needy, and by fulfilling his household duties, a householder attains the highest good.

Verse 150 (skanda.4.40.150)

इत्थमाचरतां पुंसां काशीनाथः प्रसीदति॥ काशीनाथप्रसादेन काशीप्राप्तिस्तु मोक्षकृत्

itthamācaratāṁ puṁsāṁ kāśīnāthaḥ prasīdati kāśīnāthaprasādena kāśīprāptistu mokṣakṛt

The Lord of Kashi is well pleased with men who conduct themselves thus; and it is by the grace of the Lord of Kashi that the very attainment of Kashi becomes the cause of liberation.

Verse 151 (skanda.4.40.151)

स सर्वतीर्थसुस्नातः स सर्वक्रतुदीक्षितः॥ स दत्तसर्वदानस्तु काशी येन निषेविता

sa sarvatīrthasusnātaḥ sa sarvakratudīkṣitaḥ sa dattasarvadānastu kāśī yena niṣevitā

He by whom Kashi has been faithfully served is one who has bathed well in every sacred ford, who has been consecrated in every sacrifice, and who has given every possible gift.