The Praise of the Brahmins

Verse 1 (skanda.7.106.1)

देव्युवाच। एवमद्वैतभावेन यद्ब्रह्म परिकीर्तितम्। तस्य पूजाविधानं मे कथयस्व यथार्थतः॥

devyuvāca| evamadvaitabhāvena yadbrahma parikīrtitam| tasya pūjāvidhānaṁ me kathayasva yathārthataḥ||

The Devi said: Now tell me truly the manner of worship of that Brahman which has thus been declared in terms of non-dual reality.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.106.2)

क्षेत्रे प्राभासिके देव बालरूपी पितामहः। स कथं पूज्यते लोकैः परब्रह्मस्वरूपवान्॥

kṣetre prābhāsike deva bālarūpī pitāmahaḥ| sa kathaṁ pūjyate lokaiḥ parabrahmasvarūpavān||

O God, in the Prabhasa field, the Grandsire who bears the form of a child, possessed of the very nature of the Supreme Brahman — how is he worshipped by people?

Verse 3 (skanda.7.106.3)

के मन्त्राः किं विधानं तद्ब्राह्मणास्तत्र कीदृशाः। तत्र स्थितानां विप्राणां कथं क्षेत्रफलं भवेत्॥

ke mantrāḥ kiṁ vidhānaṁ tadbrāhmaṇāstatra kīdṛśāḥ| tatra sthitānāṁ viprāṇāṁ kathaṁ kṣetraphalaṁ bhavet||

What mantras and what procedure are used there? What are the Brahmins there like? How do the Brahmins residing there obtain the fruit of the sacred field?

Verse 4 (skanda.7.106.4)

कतिप्रकारास्ते विप्रास्तत्र क्षेत्रनिवासिनः। किमाचारा महादेव किंशीलाः किंपरायणाः॥

katiprakārāste viprāstatra kṣetranivāsinaḥ| kimācārā mahādeva kiṁśīlāḥ kiṁparāyaṇāḥ||

O Mahadeva, of how many kinds are those Brahmins who dwell in that field? What are their observances, their character, and to what are they devoted?

Verse 5 (skanda.7.106.5)

एतद्विस्तरतो ब्रूहि ब्राह्मणानां महोदयम्॥

etadvistarato brūhi brāhmaṇānāṁ mahodayam||

Tell me in detail this great glory of the Brahmins.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.106.6)

ईश्वर उवाच। साधुसाधु महादेवि सम्यक्प्रश्नविशारदे। शृणुष्वैकमना भूत्वा माहात्म्यं विप्रदैवतम्॥

īśvara uvāca| sādhusādhu mahādevi samyakpraśnaviśārade| śṛṇuṣvaikamanā bhūtvā māhātmyaṁ vipradaivatam||

Ishvara said: Excellent, excellent, O Mahadevi, skilled in asking the right questions. Listen with a focused mind to the glory of the Brahmins, who are themselves divine.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.106.7)

यच्छ्रुत्वा मानवो देवि मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः। ये केचित्सागरांतायां पृथिव्यां कीर्तिता द्विजाः॥

yacchrutvā mānavo devi mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ| ye kecitsāgarāṁtāyāṁ pṛthivyāṁ kīrtitā dvijāḥ||

O Devi, by hearing which a man is freed from all sins. Whatever twice-born ones are celebrated upon this earth bounded by the ocean —

Verse 8 (skanda.7.106.8)

तद्रूपं मम देवेशि प्रत्यक्षं धरणीतले। प्रत्यक्षं ब्राह्मणा देवाः परोक्षं दिवि देवताः॥

tadrūpaṁ mama deveśi pratyakṣaṁ dharaṇītale| pratyakṣaṁ brāhmaṇā devāḥ parokṣaṁ divi devatāḥ||

O Goddess of gods, they are my own visible form upon the earth. Brahmins are gods manifest before the eyes, while the gods in heaven are unseen.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.106.9)

ब्राह्मणा मत्प्रिया नित्यं ब्राह्मणा मामकी तनुः। यस्तानर्चयते भक्त्या स मामर्चयते सदा॥

brāhmaṇā matpriyā nityaṁ brāhmaṇā māmakī tanuḥ| yastānarcayate bhaktyā sa māmarcayate sadā||

Brahmins are ever dear to me; Brahmins are my very body. Whoever worships them with devotion always worships me.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.106.10)

यस्तांस्तोषयते भक्त्या स च मां परितोषयेत्॥

yastāṁstoṣayate bhaktyā sa ca māṁ paritoṣayet||

Whoever pleases them with devotion thereby pleases me.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.106.11)

ये ब्राह्मणाः सोऽहमसंशयं प्रिये तेष्वर्चितेष्वर्चितोऽहं भवेयम्। तेष्वेव तुष्टेष्वहमेव तुष्टो वैरं च तैर्यस्य ममापि वैरम्॥

ye brāhmaṇāḥ so'hamasaṁśayaṁ priye teṣvarciteṣvarcito'haṁ bhaveyam| teṣveva tuṣṭeṣvahameva tuṣṭo vairaṁ ca tairyasya mamāpi vairam||

O beloved, the Brahmins are, without doubt, myself; when they are honored, I am honored. When they are pleased, I alone am pleased; and whoever bears enmity toward them bears enmity toward me as well.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.106.12)

यश्चन्दनैः सागरुगन्धमाल्यैरभ्यर्चयेच्छैलमयीं ममार्चाम्। असौ न मामर्चयतेर्चयन्वै विप्रार्चनादर्चित एव चाहम्॥

yaścandanaiḥ sāgarugandhamālyairabhyarcayecchailamayīṁ mamārcām| asau na māmarcayaterjayanvai viprārcanādarcita eva cāham||

Whoever worships my stone image with sandal-paste, aloeswood, fragrances, and garlands — even while worshipping, he does not truly worship me; it is only through the worship of a Brahmin that I am truly worshipped.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.106.13)

यावंतः पृथिवीमध्ये चीर्णवेदव्रता द्विजाः। अचीर्णव्रतवेदा वा तेऽपि पूज्या द्विजाः प्रिये॥

yāvaṁtaḥ pṛthivīmadhye cīrṇavedavratā dvijāḥ| acīrṇavratavedā vā te'pi pūjyā dvijāḥ priye||

O beloved, as many twice-born as there are on earth who observe the vows and vedic disciplines, and even those who do not observe such vows and vedic study, they too are worthy of worship as twice-born.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.106.14)

न ब्राह्मणान्परीक्षेत श्राद्धे क्षेत्रनिवासिनः। सुमहान्परिवादोऽस्य ब्राह्मणानां परीक्षणे॥

na brāhmaṇānparīkṣeta śrāddhe kṣetranivāsinaḥ| sumahānparivādo'sya brāhmaṇānāṁ parīkṣaṇe||

One dwelling in the sacred field should not scrutinize Brahmins at a shraddha rite; there is very great blame in examining and testing Brahmins.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.106.15)

काणाः खञ्जाश्च कृष्णाश्च दरिद्रा व्याधितास्तथा। सर्वे श्राद्धे नियोक्तव्या मिश्रिता वेदपारगैः॥

kāṇāḥ khañjāśca kṛṣṇāśca daridrā vyādhitāstathā| sarve śrāddhe niyoktavyā miśritā vedapāragaiḥ||

The one-eyed, the lame, the dark-complexioned, the poor, and the sick — all of these should be engaged at the shraddha rite, mixed together with those learned in the Vedas.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.106.16)

ब्राह्मणा जातितः पूज्या वेदाभ्यासात्ततः परम्। ततोर्थं हव्यकव्येषु न निन्द्या ब्राह्मणाः क्वचित्॥

brāhmaṇā jātitaḥ pūjyā vedābhyāsāttataḥ param| tato'rthaṁ havyakavyeṣu na nindyā brāhmaṇāḥ kvacit||

Brahmins are worthy of worship by birth itself, and still more so through the study of the Vedas; for this reason, Brahmins should never be disparaged in rites of oblation to gods and ancestors.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.106.17)

काणान्कुण्टांश्च कुब्जाश्च दरिद्रान्व्याधितानपि। नावमन्येद्द्विजान्प्राज्ञो मम रूपं यतः स्मृतम्॥

kāṇānkuṇṭāṁśca kubjāśca daridrānvyādhitānapi| nāvamanyeddvijānprājño mama rūpaṁ yataḥ smṛtam||

The one-eyed, the crippled, the hunchbacked, the poor, and the sick — a wise man should not disrespect these twice-born, for they are remembered as my very form.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.106.18)

बहवो हि न जानंति नरा ज्ञानबहिष्कृताः। यथाहं द्विजरूपेण चरामि पृथिवीमिमाम्॥

bahavo hi na jānaṁti narā jñānabahiṣkṛtāḥ| yathāhaṁ dvijarūpeṇa carāmi pṛthivīmimām||

Many people, deprived of true knowledge, do not know how I myself move about this earth in the form of a twice-born one.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.106.19)

मद्रूपान्घ्नन्ति ये विप्रान्विकर्म कारयंति च। अप्रेषणे प्रेषयंति दासत्वं कारयन्ति च॥

madrūpānghnanti ye viprānvikarma kārayaṁti ca| apreṣaṇe preṣayaṁti dāsatvaṁ kārayanti ca||

Those who strike Brahmins, who are my own form, who make them perform forbidden acts, who send them on errands they should not undertake, and who force them into servitude —

Verse 20 (skanda.7.106.20)

मृतांस्तान्करपत्रेण यमदूता महाबलाः। निकृंतंति यथा काष्ठं सूत्रमार्गेण शिल्पिनः॥

mṛtāṁstānkarapatreṇa yamadūtā mahābalāḥ| nikṛṁtaṁti yathā kāṣṭhaṁ sūtramārgeṇa śilpinaḥ||

When they die, the mighty messengers of Yama cut them with a saw, just as craftsmen cut wood along a marked chalk-line.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.106.21)

ये चैवाश्लक्ष्णया वाचा तर्जयन्ति नराधमाः। वदंति परुषं क्रोधात्पादेन निहनंति च॥

ye caivāślakṣṇayā vācā tarjayanti narādhamāḥ| vadaṁti paruṣaṁ krodhātpādena nihanaṁti ca||

Those vilest of men who intimidate Brahmins with harsh speech, who speak cruelly out of anger, and who strike them with the foot —

Verse 22 (skanda.7.106.22)

मृतांस्तान्यमलोका हि निहत्य धरणीतले। क्रूरपादेन चाक्रम्य क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनाः॥

mṛtāṁstānyamalokā hi nihatya dharaṇītale| krūrapādena cākramya krodhasaṁraktalocanāḥ||

The denizens of Yama's realm, their eyes red with fury, when those men die, throw them down upon the ground and trample them with cruel feet.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.106.23)

अग्निवर्णैश्च संदंशैर्जिह्वामुद्धरते यमः। ये नु विप्रान्निरीक्षन्ते पापाः पापेन चक्षुषा॥

agnivarṇaiśca saṁdaṁśairjihvāmuddharate yamaḥ| ye nu viprānnirīkṣante pāpāḥ pāpena cakṣuṣā||

Yama tears out their tongue with tongs glowing like fire. Those sinners who look upon Brahmins with a sinful eye —

Verse 24 (skanda.7.106.24)

अब्रह्मण्यास्तु ते बाह्या नित्यं ब्रह्मद्विषो नराः। तेषां घोरा महाकाया वज्रतुंडा भयानकाः। उद्धरंति मुहूर्तेन चक्षुः काका यमाज्ञया॥

abrahmaṇyāstu te bāhyā nityaṁ brahmadviṣo narāḥ| teṣāṁ ghorā mahākāyā vajratuṁḍā bhayānakāḥ| uddharaṁti muhūrtena cakṣuḥ kākā yamājñayā||

Such men are hostile to Brahman, outcast, forever hateful of Brahman. At Yama's command, terrible crows of huge form with beaks like thunderbolts tear out their eyes in a mere instant.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.106.25)

यस्ताडयति विप्रं वै क्षते कुर्याद्धि शोणितम्। अस्थिभंगं च वा कुर्यात्प्राणैर्वापि वियोजयेत्॥

yastāḍayati vipraṁ vai kṣate kuryāddhi śoṇitam| asthibhaṁgaṁ ca vā kuryātprāṇairvāpi viyojayet||

Whoever strikes a Brahmin, causing a wound that draws blood, or breaks his bones, or even deprives him of life —

Verse 26 (skanda.7.106.26)

ब्रह्मघ्नः स तु विज्ञेयो न तस्मै निष्कृतिः स्मृता। पञ्चाशत्कोटिसंख्येषु नरकेष्वनुपूर्वशः॥

brahmaghnaḥ sa tu vijñeyo na tasmai niṣkṛtiḥ smṛtā| pañcāśatkoṭisaṁkhyeṣu narakeṣvanupūrvaśaḥ||

He is to be known as a slayer of a Brahmin; no expiation is prescribed for him. He is made to pass, one after another, through fifty crore hells.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.106.27)

स बहूनि सहस्राणि वर्षाणि पच्यते भृशम्॥ तस्माद्विप्रो वरारोहे नमस्कार्यो नृभिः सदा॥

sa bahūni sahasrāṇi varṣāṇi pacyate bhṛśam| tasmādvipro varārohe namaskāryo nṛbhiḥ sadā||

He suffers grievous torment there for many thousands of years. Therefore, O fair one, men should always offer salutation to the Brahmin.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.106.28)

अन्नपानप्रदानैस्तु पूज्या हि सततं द्विजाः। सर्वेषां चैव दानानां विप्राः सर्वेऽधिकारिणः॥

annapānapradānaistu pūjyā hi satataṁ dvijāḥ| sarveṣāṁ caiva dānānāṁ viprāḥ sarve'dhikāriṇaḥ||

Twice-born ones should constantly be honored with gifts of food and drink; Brahmins are the rightful recipients of every kind of gift.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.106.29)

नान्यः समर्थो देवेशि गृह्णन्यात्यधमां गतिम्। तपसा पावितो देवि ब्राह्मणो धृतकिल्विषः॥

nānyaḥ samartho deveśi gṛhṇanyātyadhamāṁ gatim| tapasā pāvito devi brāhmaṇo dhṛtakilviṣaḥ||

O Goddess of gods, no other than a Brahmin is capable of receiving a gift; one unfit who accepts it falls to a base state. But, O Devi, a Brahmin purified by austerity can bear even sin, received through a gift, without harm.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.106.30)

न सीदेत्प्रतिगृह्णानः पृथिवीमनुसागराम्॥ नास्ति किंचिन्महादेवि दुष्कृतं ब्राह्मणस्य तु॥

na sīdetpratigṛhṇānaḥ pṛthivīmanusāgarām| nāsti kiṁcinmahādevi duṣkṛtaṁ brāhmaṇasya tu||

Even if he were to accept the entire earth bounded by the ocean as a gift, he would not suffer for it. O Mahadevi, there is nothing that constitutes wrongdoing for a Brahmin.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.106.31)

यस्तु स्थितः सदाऽध्यात्मे नित्यं सद्भावभावितः। ब्राह्मणो हि महद्भूतं जन्मना सह जायते॥

yastu sthitaḥ sadā'dhyātme nityaṁ sadbhāvabhāvitaḥ| brāhmaṇo hi mahadbhūtaṁ janmanā saha jāyate||

He who is ever established in the spiritual self and constantly imbued with true being is the true Brahmin. Indeed, a Brahmin is born together with his birth as a great and sacred being.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.106.32)

लोके लोकेश्वराश्चापि सर्वे ब्राह्मणपूजकाः। ततस्तान्नावमन्येत यदीच्छेज्जीवितं चिरम्॥

loke lokeśvarāścāpi sarve brāhmaṇapūjakāḥ| tatastānnāvamanyeta yadīcchejjīvitaṁ ciram||

In this world, even the lords of the world are all worshippers of Brahmins; therefore, one who desires a long life should not disrespect them.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.106.33)

ब्राह्मणाः कुपिता हन्युर्भस्मीकुर्युः स्वतेजसा। लोकानन्यान्सृजेयुश्च लोकपालांस्तथाऽपरान्॥

brāhmaṇāḥ kupitā hanyurbhasmīkuryuḥ svatejasā| lokānanyānsṛjeyuśca lokapālāṁstathā'parān||

When angered, Brahmins can slay, and can reduce their foes to ashes by their own spiritual power; and they can create other worlds and other guardians of the worlds as well.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.106.34)

अपेयः सागरो यैश्च कृतः कोपान्महात्मभिः। येषां कोपाग्निरद्यापि दंडके नोपशाम्यति॥

apeyaḥ sāgaro yaiśca kṛtaḥ kopānmahātmabhiḥ| yeṣāṁ kopāgniradyāpi daṁḍake nopaśāmyati||

By those great souls who, out of anger, once rendered the ocean undrinkable, whose fire of wrath even now has not been quenched in the Dandaka forest —

Verse 35 (skanda.7.106.35)

एते स्वर्गस्य नेतारो देवदेवाः सनातनाः॥ एभिश्चापि कृतः पंथा देवयानः स उच्यते॥

ete svargasya netāro devadevāḥ sanātanāḥ| ebhiścāpi kṛtaḥ paṁthā devayānaḥ sa ucyate||

These very ones are the leaders to heaven, the eternal gods of the gods. By them too was made that path which is called the Devayana, the path of the gods.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.106.36)

ते पूज्यास्ते नमस्कार्यास्तेषु सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्। ते वै लोकानिमान्सर्वान्पारयंति परस्परम्॥

te pūjyāste namaskāryāsteṣu sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam| te vai lokānimānsarvānpārayaṁti parasparam||

They alone are to be worshipped, they alone are to be saluted; in them everything is established. It is they who, helping one another, carry all these worlds across.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.106.37)

गूढस्वाध्यायतपसो ब्राह्मणाः शंसितव्रताः। विद्यास्नाता व्रतस्नाता अनपाश्रित्य जीविनः॥

gūḍhasvādhyāyatapaso brāhmaṇāḥ śaṁsitavratāḥ| vidyāsnātā vratasnātā anapāśritya jīvinaḥ||

Brahmins keep their study and austerity concealed, and are of praiseworthy vows; bathed in learning and bathed in observance, they sustain their lives without depending on anyone else.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.106.38)

आशीविषा इव क्रुद्धा उपचर्या हि ब्राह्मणाः॥ तपसा दीप्यमानास्ते दहेयुः सागरानपि॥

āśīviṣā iva kruddhā upacaryā hi brāhmaṇāḥ| tapasā dīpyamānāste daheyuḥ sāgarānapi||

When angered, Brahmins are like venomous serpents, and are therefore to be attended upon with care. Blazing with their austerity, they could burn up even the oceans.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.106.39)

ब्राह्मणेषु च तुष्टुषु तुष्यंते सर्वदेवताः॥ ते गतिः सर्वभूतानामध्यात्मगतिचिन्तकाः॥

brāhmaṇeṣu ca tuṣṭuṣu tuṣyaṁte sarvadevatāḥ| te gatiḥ sarvabhūtānāmadhyātmagaticintakāḥ||

When Brahmins are satisfied, all the gods are satisfied. They, contemplating the path of the inner self, are themselves the refuge of all beings.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.106.40)

आदिमध्यावसानानां ज्ञानानां छिन्नसंशयाः॥ परापरविशेषज्ञा नेतारः परमां गतिम्। अवध्या ब्राह्मणास्तस्मात्पापेष्वपि रताः सदा॥

ādimadhyāvasānānāṁ jñānānāṁ chinnasaṁśayāḥ| parāparaviśeṣajñā netāraḥ paramāṁ gatim| avadhyā brāhmaṇāstasmātpāpeṣvapi ratāḥ sadā||

They are free of doubt concerning the knowledge of the beginning, middle, and end of all things; knowers of the distinction between the higher and the lower, they are the leaders to the supreme goal. Therefore Brahmins are inviolable, even should they ever remain engaged in sinful acts.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.106.41)

यश्च सर्वमिदं हन्याद्ब्राह्मणं चापि तत्समम्। सोऽग्निः सोऽर्को महातेजा विषं भवति कोपितः॥

yaśca sarvamidaṁ hanyādbrāhmaṇaṁ cāpi tatsamam| so'gniḥ so'rko mahātejā viṣaṁ bhavati kopitaḥ||

Whoever could destroy this entire world — a Brahmin is his equal; when angered, that greatly radiant Brahmin becomes like fire, like the sun, like poison.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.106.42)

भूतानामग्रभुग्विप्रो वर्णश्रेष्ठः पिता गुरुः। न स्कन्दते न व्यथते न विनश्यति कर्हिचित्॥

bhūtānāmagrabhugvipro varṇaśreṣṭhaḥ pitā guruḥ| na skandate na vyathate na vinaśyati karhicit||

The Brahmin is the foremost enjoyer among beings, the noblest of the classes, a father and a teacher; he never falls, never suffers, and never perishes.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.106.43)

वरिष्ठमग्निहोत्राद्धि ब्राह्मणस्य मुखे हुतम्। विप्राणां वपुराश्रित्य सर्वास्तिष्ठंति देवताः॥

variṣṭhamagnihotrāddhi brāhmaṇasya mukhe hutam| viprāṇāṁ vapurāśritya sarvāstiṣṭhaṁti devatāḥ||

An oblation offered into a Brahmin's mouth is more excellent even than the fire-oblation. All the gods dwell, taking refuge in the bodies of Brahmins.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.106.44)

अतः पूज्यास्तु ते विप्रा अलाभे प्रतिमादयः॥

ataḥ pūjyāstu te viprā alābhe pratimādayaḥ||

Therefore those Brahmins alone are to be worshipped; images and the like are to be worshipped only in their absence.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.106.45)

अविद्यो वा सविद्यो वा ब्राह्मणो मम दैवतम्। प्रणीतश्चाप्रणीतश्च यथाग्निर्दैवतं महत्॥

avidyo vā savidyo vā brāhmaṇo mama daivatam| praṇītaścāpraṇītaśca yathāgnirdaivataṁ mahat||

Whether unlearned or learned, the Brahmin is my deity; just as fire, whether kindled or unkindled, remains ever a great deity.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.106.46)

स्मशानेष्वपि तेजस्वी पावको नैव दुष्यति। हव्यकव्यव्यपेतोऽपि ब्राह्मणो नैव दुष्यति॥

smaśāneṣvapi tejasvī pāvako naiva duṣyati| havyakavyavyapeto'pi brāhmaṇo naiva duṣyati||

Even in cremation grounds, radiant fire is never defiled; likewise, even when devoid of the rites of oblation to gods and ancestors, a Brahmin is never defiled.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.106.47)

महापातकवर्ज्यं हि पूज्यो विप्रो वरानने। सर्वथा ब्राह्मणाः पूज्याः सर्वथा दैवतं महत्। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन रक्षेदापद्गतं द्विजम्॥

mahāpātakavarjyaṁ hi pūjyo vipro varānane| sarvathā brāhmaṇāḥ pūjyāḥ sarvathā daivataṁ mahat| tasmātsarvaprayatnena rakṣedāpadgataṁ dvijam||

O fair-faced one, a Brahmin free from great sin is worthy of worship; Brahmins are in every way worthy of worship, in every way a great divinity. Therefore, one should protect with every effort a twice-born one who has fallen into distress.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.106.48)

एवं विप्रा महादेवि पूज्याः सर्वत्र मानवैः। किं पुनः संजितात्मानो विशेषात्क्षेत्रवासिनः॥

evaṁ viprā mahādevi pūjyāḥ sarvatra mānavaiḥ| kiṁ punaḥ saṁjitātmāno viśeṣātkṣetravāsinaḥ||

O Mahadevi, thus Brahmins are everywhere worthy of worship by men; how much more so, then, those who have mastered themselves and especially those who dwell in this sacred field!

Verse 49 (skanda.7.106.49)

अथ क्षेत्रस्थितानां च चतुराश्रमवासिनाम्। विप्राणां वृत्तितो भेदं प्रवक्ष्याम्यानुपूर्व्यशः॥

atha kṣetrasthitānāṁ ca caturāśramavāsinām| viprāṇāṁ vṛttito bhedaṁ pravakṣyāmyānupūrvyaśaḥ||

Now I shall describe, in due order, the distinctions among the Brahmins established in the field, dwelling in the four stages of life, according to their mode of livelihood.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.106.50)

क्षेत्रस्य संन्यासविधिं ये जानंति द्विजातयः। वृत्तिभेदं क्रमाच्चैव ते क्षेत्रफलभागिनः॥

kṣetrasya saṁnyāsavidhiṁ ye jānaṁti dvijātayaḥ| vṛttibhedaṁ kramāccaiva te kṣetraphalabhāginaḥ||

Those twice-born who know the discipline of renunciation proper to this field, and in due order the distinctions of livelihood, are the ones who share in the fruit of the field.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.106.51)

यथा क्षेत्रे निवसता वर्तितव्यं द्विजातिना। प्राजापत्यादिभेदेन तच्छृणु त्वं वरानने॥

yathā kṣetre nivasatā vartitavyaṁ dvijātinā| prājāpatyādibhedena tacchṛṇu tvaṁ varānane||

O fair-faced one, hear how a twice-born who dwells in this field should conduct himself, according to the distinctions beginning with the Prajapatya.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.106.52)

प्राजापत्या महीपालाः कपोता ग्रंथिकास्तथा। कुटिकाश्चाथ वैतालाः पद्महंसा वरानने॥

prājāpatyā mahīpālāḥ kapotā graṁthikāstathā| kuṭikāścātha vaitālāḥ padmahaṁsā varānane||

O fair-faced one — the Prajapatyas, Mahipalas, Kapotas, Granthikas, Kutikas, Vaitalas, Padmas, and Hamsas —

Verse 53 (skanda.7.106.53)

धृतराष्ट्रा बकाः कंका गोपालाश्चैव भामिनि। त्रुटिका मठराश्चैव गुटिका दंडिकाः परे॥

dhṛtarāṣṭrā bakāḥ kaṁkā gopālāścaiva bhāmini| truṭikā maṭharāścaiva guṭikā daṁḍikāḥ pare||

O radiant lady — the Dhritarashtras, Bakas, Kankas, Gopalas, Trutikas, Matharas, Gutikas, and further, the Dandikas —

Verse 54 (skanda.7.106.54)

क्षेत्रस्थानामिमे भेदा वृत्तिं तेषां शृणुष्व च॥

kṣetrasthānāmime bhedā vṛttiṁ teṣāṁ śṛṇuṣva ca||

These are the distinctions among those who dwell in the field; now hear their respective modes of livelihood.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.106.55)

अहिंसा गुरुशुश्रूषा स्वाध्यायः शौचसंयमः। सत्यमस्तेयमेतद्धि प्राजापत्यं व्रतं स्मृतम्॥

ahiṁsā guruśuśrūṣā svādhyāyaḥ śaucasaṁyamaḥ| satyamasteyametaddhi prājāpatyaṁ vrataṁ smṛtam||

Non-violence, service to one's teacher, study of scripture, purity, self-restraint, truthfulness, and non-stealing — this is remembered as the Prajapatya vow.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.106.56)

क्षयपुष्ट्यर्थविद्वेषकर्मभिः शांतिकादिभिः। पालयंति महीं यस्मान्महीपालास्ततः स्मृताः॥

kṣayapuṣṭyarthavidveṣakarmabhiḥ śāṁtikādibhiḥ| pālayaṁti mahīṁ yasmānmahīpālāstataḥ smṛtāḥ||

Because they protect the earth through rites of decline, prosperity, wealth, and the overcoming of enmity, along with rites of appeasement and the like, they are accordingly remembered as Mahipalas, protectors of the earth.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.106.57)

पतिता ये कणा भूमौ संहरंति कपोतवत्। उद्धृत्याजीवनं येषां कपोतास्ते तु साधकाः॥

patitā ye kaṇā bhūmau saṁharaṁti kapotavat| uddhṛtyājīvanaṁ yeṣāṁ kapotāste tu sādhakāḥ||

Those who, like doves, gather up the fallen grains scattered on the ground, and sustain their lives by collecting them, are the ascetics called Kapotas, doves.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.106.58)

गृहं कृत्वा तु सद्ग्रंथाः सहसैव त्यजंति ये। कुटिका साधकास्ते वै शिवाराधनतत्पराः॥

gṛhaṁ kṛtvā tu sadgraṁthāḥ sahasaiva tyajaṁti ye| kuṭikā sādhakāste vai śivārādhanatatparāḥ||

Those who, having built a home and gathered good possessions, suddenly abandon it all, and remain devoted to the worship of Shiva, are the ascetics called Kutikas.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.106.59)

तीर्थासक्ताः सपत्नीका यथालब्धोपजीविनः। महासाहसयुक्तास्ते वैतालाख्यास्तु साधकाः॥

tīrthāsaktāḥ sapatnīkā yathālabdhopajīvinaḥ| mahāsāhasayuktāste vaitālākhyāstu sādhakāḥ||

Those who are devoted to sacred fords, who live with their wives, who subsist on whatever they happen to obtain, and who are endowed with great daring, are the ascetics called Vaitalas.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.106.60)

संयताः कामनासक्ता राज्यकामार्थसाधकाः। पद्मास्ते साधकाः ख्याता भिक्षाचर्यारताः सदा॥

saṁyatāḥ kāmanāsaktā rājyakāmārthasādhakāḥ| padmāste sādhakāḥ khyātā bhikṣācaryāratāḥ sadā||

Those who are self-controlled, yet still attached to desires and seeking the accomplishment of kingship, pleasure, and wealth, and who are ever devoted to the practice of begging, are the ascetics renowned as Padmas.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.106.61)

ज्ञानयोगसमायुक्ता द्वैताचाररताश्च ये। हंसास्ते साधकाः ख्याताः स्वयमुत्पन्नसंविदः॥

jñānayogasamāyuktā dvaitācāraratāśca ye| haṁsāste sādhakāḥ khyātāḥ svayamutpannasaṁvidaḥ||

Those who are united with the yoga of knowledge, who remain engaged in dualistic practice, yet have spontaneously arisen understanding of their own, are the ascetics renowned as Hamsas.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.106.62)

ब्रह्मचर्येण सत्त्वेन तथाऽलुब्धतयापि वा। जितं जगद्धारयन्तो धृतराष्ट्रा मतास्तु ये॥

brahmacaryeṇa sattvena tathā'lubdhatayāpi vā| jitaṁ jagaddhārayanto dhṛtarāṣṭrā matāstu ye||

Those who, through celibacy, through purity of being, and through freedom from greed, conquer and sustain the world, are regarded as the Dhritarashtras.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.106.63)

गूढाश्चरंति ये ज्ञानं व्रतं धर्ममथापि वा। स्वार्थैकागतनिष्ठास्तु बकास्ते साधका मताः॥

gūḍhāścaraṁti ye jñānaṁ vrataṁ dharmamathāpi vā| svārthaikāgataniṣṭhāstu bakāste sādhakā matāḥ||

Those who practice knowledge, vows, or dharma in secret, and remain solely and single-mindedly devoted to their own personal goal, are the ascetics regarded as Bakas, cranes.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.106.64)

जलाश्रयं समाश्रित्य स्थिता उत्कृष्टसिद्धये। बिसशृंगाटकाहारास्ते कंकाः साधकाः स्मृताः॥

jalāśrayaṁ samāśritya sthitā utkṛṣṭasiddhaye| bisaśṛṁgāṭakāhārāste kaṁkāḥ sādhakāḥ smṛtāḥ||

Those who, dwelling by the water's edge, remain established there in pursuit of the highest attainment, and who eat only lotus-stalks and water-chestnuts, are the ascetics remembered as Kankas, herons.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.106.65)

गोभिः सार्द्धं व्रजंत्यत्र गोष्ठे च निवसंति ये। पंचगव्यरसा ये वै गोपालास्ते तु साधकाः॥

gobhiḥ sārddhaṁ vrajaṁtyatra goṣṭhe ca nivasaṁti ye| paṁcagavyarasā ye vai gopālāste tu sādhakāḥ||

Those who wander here together with cows, who dwell in the cow-pen, and who live on the essences of the five products of the cow, are the ascetics called Gopalas.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.106.66)

कृच्छ्रचांद्रायणैश्चैव क्षपयंति स्वकं वपुः। त्रुटिमात्राशनास्ते तु त्रुटिकाः साधका मताः॥

kṛcchracāṁdrāyaṇaiścaiva kṣapayaṁti svakaṁ vapuḥ| truṭimātrāśanāste tu truṭikāḥ sādhakā matāḥ||

Those who waste away their bodies through Krichchhra and Chandrayana fasts, and eat only the tiniest amount of food, are the ascetics regarded as Trutikas.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.106.67)

कृत्वा कुशमयीं पत्नीं मठे ये गृहमेधिनः। भैक्षवृत्तिरताः शुद्धा मठरास्ते तु साधकाः॥

kṛtvā kuśamayīṁ patnīṁ maṭhe ye gṛhamedhinaḥ| bhaikṣavṛttiratāḥ śuddhā maṭharāste tu sādhakāḥ||

Those who, fashioning a wife of kusha grass, maintain a householder's life within a monastery, and remain devoted to the pure practice of begging, are the ascetics called Matharas.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.106.68)

ग्रासमात्रसमानाभिर्गुटिकाभिरथाष्टभिः। कन्दमूलफलोत्थाभिर्गुटिकास्ते द्विजातयः॥

grāsamātrasamānābhirguṭikābhirathāṣṭabhiḥ| kandamūlaphalotthābhirguṭikāste dvijātayaḥ||

Those twice-born who sustain themselves on just eight morsels, in the form of pellets made of tubers, roots, and fruit, each no larger than a mouthful, are called Gutikas.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.106.69)

स्वदेहदण्डनैर्युक्ता रात्रौ वीरासने स्थिताः। दंडिनस्ते समाख्याताः सर्वमेतत्तवोदितम्॥

svadehadaṇḍanairyuktā rātrau vīrāsane sthitāḥ| daṁḍinaste samākhyātāḥ sarvametattavoditam||

Those who are engaged in the mortification of their own bodies, and who remain seated in virasana through the night, are called Dandins, staff-bearers. All this has now been told to you.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.106.70)

सामान्योऽपि विशेषश्च वृत्तिनो गृहिणोऽपि वा। तेषां भेदो मया ख्याताः सम्यक्क्षेत्रनिवासिनाम्॥

sāmānyo'pi viśeṣaśca vṛttino gṛhiṇo'pi vā| teṣāṁ bhedo mayā khyātāḥ samyakkṣetranivāsinām||

Whether general or particular, whether following a livelihood or a householder — I have thus fully described the distinctions among those who dwell in the field.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.106.71)

एवमादिधर्मयुक्ताः प्रभासक्षेत्रवासिनः। तैः पूज्यो भगवान्देवो बालरूपी पितामहः॥

evamādidharmayuktāḥ prabhāsakṣetravāsinaḥ| taiḥ pūjyo bhagavāndevo bālarūpī pitāmahaḥ||

Those who dwell in the Prabhasa field, endowed with these and similar observances, are the ones by whom the Lord God, the Grandsire in the form of a child, is to be worshipped.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.106.72)

महापातकिनो ये तु ये तु विप्रैर्बहिष्कृताः। न च ते संस्पृशेयुर्वै ब्रह्माणं बालरूपिणम्॥

mahāpātakino ye tu ye tu viprairbahiṣkṛtāḥ| na ca te saṁspṛśeyurvai brahmāṇaṁ bālarūpiṇam||

But those who are guilty of great sins, and those who have been cast out by the Brahmins, should not even touch Brahma in his form as a child.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.106.73)

ब्रह्मचारी सदा दांतो जितक्रोधो जितेंद्रियः। एवं ते ब्राह्मणाः ख्याताः क्षेत्रमध्यनिवासिनः॥

brahmacārī sadā dāṁto jitakrodho jitendriyaḥ| evaṁ te brāhmaṇāḥ khyātāḥ kṣetramadhyanivāsinaḥ||

Celibate, ever self-controlled, having conquered anger, having conquered the senses — such are the Brahmins renowned as dwelling in the midst of this field.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.106.74)

तैः पूज्यो भगवान्देवो बालरूपी पितामहः। ये वेदाध्ययने युक्तास्तैः प्रपूज्यः पितामहः॥

taiḥ pūjyo bhagavāndevo bālarūpī pitāmahaḥ| ye vedādhyayane yuktāstaiḥ prapūjyaḥ pitāmahaḥ||

By them is the Lord God, the Grandsire in the form of a child, worshipped. Those who are devoted to the study of the Vedas are the ones by whom the Grandsire is truly and properly worshipped.