Discrimination Between Worthy and Unworthy Recipients

Verse 1 (skanda.7.207.1)

ईश्वर उवाच। अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि श्राद्धदानान्यनुक्रमात्। तारणाय च भूतानां सरस्वत्यब्धिसंगमे

īśvara uvāca| ataḥ paraṁ pravakṣyāmi śrāddhadānānyanukramāt| tāraṇāya ca bhūtānāṁ sarasvatyabdhisaṁgame

Ishvara said: Now, beyond this, I shall describe in order the gifts of the shraddha rite, for the deliverance of beings, at the confluence of the Sarasvati and the ocean.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.207.2)

लोके श्रेष्ठतमं सर्वं ह्यात्मनश्चापि यत्प्रियम्। सर्वं पितॄणां दातव्यं तदेवाक्षय्यमिच्छताम्

loke śreṣṭhatamaṁ sarvaṁ hyātmanaścāpi yatpriyam| sarvaṁ pitṝṇāṁ dātavyaṁ tadevākṣayyamicchatām

Whatever in this world is the very best, and whatever is dear to oneself — all that should be given to the ancestors, by those who desire imperishable merit.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.207.3)

जांबूनदमयं दिव्यं विमानं सूर्यसन्निभम्। दिव्याप्सरोभिः संकीर्णमन्नदो लभतेऽक्षयम्

jāṁbūnadamayaṁ divyaṁ vimānaṁ sūryasannibham| divyāpsarobhiḥ saṁkīrṇamannado labhate'kṣayam

The giver of food obtains a divine chariot made of gold, radiant like the sun, thronged with celestial nymphs — and it is imperishable.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.207.4)

आच्छादनं तु यो दद्यादहतं श्राद्धकर्मणि। आयुः प्रकाशमैश्वर्यं रूपं तु लभते च सः

ācchādanaṁ tu yo dadyādahataṁ śrāddhakarmaṇi| āyuḥ prakāśamaiśvaryaṁ rūpaṁ tu labhate ca saḥ

Whoever gives an unused garment in the shraddha rite obtains long life, radiance, sovereignty, and beauty of form.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.207.5)

कमण्डलुं च यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे। मधुक्षीरस्रवा धेनुर्दातारमनुगच्छति

kamaṇḍaluṁ ca yo dadyādbrāhmaṇe vedapārage| madhukṣīrasravā dhenurdātāramanugacchati

Whoever gives a water-pot to a brahmin learned in the Vedas is followed by a cow flowing with streams of honey and milk.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.207.6)

यः श्राद्धे अभयं दद्यात्प्राणिनां जीवितैषिणाम्। अश्वदानसहस्रेण रथदानशतेन च। दन्तिनां च सहस्रेण अभयं च विशिष्यते

yaḥ śrāddhe abhayaṁ dadyātprāṇināṁ jīvitaiṣiṇām| aśvadānasahasreṇa rathadānaśatena ca| dantināṁ ca sahasreṇa abhayaṁ ca viśiṣyate

Whoever, at the time of shraddha, grants freedom from fear to creatures desiring to live — that gift of fearlessness excels even the gift of a thousand horses, a hundred chariots, and a thousand elephants.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.207.7)

यानि रत्नानि मेदिन्यां वाहनानि स्त्रियस्तथा। क्षिप्रं प्राप्नोति तत्सर्वं पितृभक्तस्तु मानवः

yāni ratnāni medinyāṁ vāhanāni striyastathā| kṣipraṁ prāpnoti tatsarvaṁ pitṛbhaktastu mānavaḥ

Whatever jewels, vehicles, and consorts exist upon the earth, a man devoted to his ancestors swiftly obtains them all.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.207.8)

पितरः सर्वलोकेषु तिथिकालेषु देवताः। सर्वे पुरुषमायांति निपानमिव धेनवः

pitaraḥ sarvalokeṣu tithikāleṣu devatāḥ| sarve puruṣamāyāṁti nipānamiva dhenavaḥ

The ancestors dwelling in all the worlds, becoming as deities on the appointed tithi, all come to that man, just as cows come together to a watering place.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.207.9)

मा स्म ते प्रतिगच्छेयुः पर्वकाले ह्यपूजिताः। मोघास्तेषां भवन्त्वाशाः परत्रेह च मा क्वचित्

mā sma te pratigaccheyuḥ parvakāle hyapūjitāḥ| moghāsteṣāṁ bhavantvāśāḥ paratreha ca mā kvacit

May they never turn back unworshipped at the time of the sacred occasion; may their hopes never be in vain, here or in the world beyond.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.207.10)

सरस्वत्यास्तु सान्निध्यं यस्त्वेकं भोजयेद्द्विजम्। कोटिभोज्यफलं तस्य जायते नात्र संशयः

sarasvatyāstu sānnidhyaṁ yastvekaṁ bhojayeddvijam| koṭibhojyaphalaṁ tasya jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever, in the presence of the Sarasvati, feeds even a single brahmin obtains the fruit of feeding ten million — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.207.11)

अमावास्यां नरो यस्तु परान्नमुपभुञ्जते। तस्य मासकृतं पुण्यमन्नदातुः प्रजायते

amāvāsyāṁ naro yastu parānnamupabhuñjate| tasya māsakṛtaṁ puṇyamannadātuḥ prajāyate

Whoever eats another's food on the new-moon day — the whole month's merit accrues instead to the one who gave the food.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.207.12)

षण्मासमयने भुंक्ते त्रीन्मासान्विषुवे स्मृतम्। वर्षैर्द्वादशभिश्चैव यत्पुण्यं समुपार्जितम्। तत्सर्वं विलयं याति भुक्त्वा सूर्येन्दुसंप्लवे

ṣaṇmāsamayane bhuṁkte trīnmāsānviṣuve smṛtam| varṣairdvādaśabhiścaiva yatpuṇyaṁ samupārjitam| tatsarvaṁ vilayaṁ yāti bhuktvā sūryendusaṁplave

Eating another's food at the solstice destroys six months' merit, and at the equinox, three months'; but eating during a solar or lunar eclipse destroys all the merit gathered over twelve years.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.207.13)

साग्रं मासं रवेः क्रान्तावाद्यश्राद्धे त्रिवत्सरम्। मासिकेऽप्यथ वर्षस्य षण्मासे त्वर्धवत्सरम्

sāgraṁ māsaṁ raveḥ krāntāvādyaśrāddhe trivatsaram| māsike'pyatha varṣasya ṣaṇmāse tvardhavatsaram

At the sun's transit, more than a month's merit is lost; at the initial shraddha, three years'; at the monthly shraddha, a year's; and at the six-monthly rite, half a year's.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.207.14)

तथा संचयनश्राद्धे जातिजन्मकृतं नृणाम्। मृत शय्याप्रतिग्राही वेदस्यैव च विक्रयी। ब्रह्मस्वहारी च नरस्तस्य शुद्धिर्न विद्यते

tathā saṁcayanaśrāddhe jātijanmakṛtaṁ nṛṇām| mṛtaśayyāpratigrāhī vedasyaiva ca vikrayī| brahmasvahārī ca narastasya śuddhirna vidyate

Likewise, at the bone-gathering shraddha, the merit of a man's whole life is lost. One who accepts a dead man's bed, one who sells the Veda, and one who steals brahmin property — for such a man there is no purification.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.207.15)

तडागानां सहस्रेण ह्यश्वमेधशतेन च। गवां कोटि प्रदानेन भूमिहर्ता न शुद्ध्यति

taḍāgānāṁ sahasreṇa hyaśvamedhaśatena ca| gavāṁ koṭi pradānena bhūmihartā na śuddhyati

Not by digging a thousand tanks, nor by a hundred ashvamedha sacrifices, nor by the gift of ten million cows, is a usurper of land purified.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.207.16)

सुवर्णमाषं गामेकां भूमेरप्यर्धमंगुलम्। हरन्नरकमाप्नोति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्

suvarṇamāṣaṁ gāmekāṁ bhūmerapyardhamaṁgulam| harannarakamāpnoti yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam

One who steals even a masha of gold, a single cow, or half a finger's breadth of land dwells in hell until the dissolution of the universe.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.207.17)

ब्रह्महत्या सुरापानं दरिद्रस्य तु यद्धनम्। गुरोः पत्नी हिरण्यं च स्वर्गस्थमपि पातयेत्

brahmahatyā surāpānaṁ daridrasya tu yaddhanam| guroḥ patnī hiraṇyaṁ ca svargasthamapi pātayet

The killing of a brahmin, drinking liquor, seizing a poor man's wealth, violating the teacher's wife, and stealing the teacher's gold — these cast down even one established in heaven.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.207.18)

सहस्रसंमिता धेनुरनड्वान्दश धेनवः। दशानडुत्समं यानं दशयानसमो हयः

sahasrasaṁmitā dhenuranaḍvāndaśa dhenavaḥ| daśānaḍutsamaṁ yānaṁ daśayānasamo hayaḥ

A cow is reckoned equal to a thousand; a bull is equal to ten cows; a vehicle is equal to ten bulls; and a horse is equal to ten vehicles.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.207.19)

दशहयसमा कन्या भूमिदानं ततोऽधिकम्। तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन विक्रयं नैव कारयेत्

daśahayasamā kanyā bhūmidānaṁ tato'dhikam| tasmātsarvaprayatnena vikrayaṁ naiva kārayet

A maiden given in marriage is equal to ten horses, and the gift of land exceeds even that; therefore one should by every effort avoid ever selling land.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.207.20)

विशेषतो महाक्षेत्रे सर्वपातकनाशने। चितिकाष्ठं च वै स्पृष्ट्वा यज्ञयूपांस्तथैव च। वेदविक्रयकर्तारं स्पृष्ट्वा स्नानं विधीयते

viśeṣato mahākṣetre sarvapātakanāśane| citicāṣṭhaṁ ca vai spṛṣṭvā yajñayūpāṁstathaiva ca| vedavikrayakartāraṁ spṛṣṭvā snānaṁ vidhīyate

Especially in this great tirtha, destroyer of all sins, one is enjoined to bathe after touching the wood of a funeral pyre, after touching a sacrificial post, and after touching one who sells the Veda.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.207.21)

आदेशं पठते यस्तु आदेशं च ददाति यः। द्वावेतौ पापकर्माणौ पातालतलवासिनौ

ādeśaṁ paṭhate yastu ādeśaṁ ca dadāti yaḥ| dvāvetau pāpakarmāṇau pātālatalavāsinau

Whoever recites Vedic teaching for hire, and whoever teaches it for hire — both these sinners dwell in the netherworld.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.207.22)

आदेशं पठते यस्तु राजद्वारे तु मानवः। सोऽपि देवि भवेद्वृक्ष ऊषरे कंटकावृतः। स्थितो वै नृपतिद्वारि यः कुर्याद्वेदविक्रयम्

ādeśaṁ paṭhate yastu rājadvāre tu mānavaḥ| so'pi devi bhavedvṛkṣa ūṣare kaṁṭakāvṛtaḥ| sthito vai nṛpatidvāri yaḥ kuryādvedavikrayam

The man who recites this teaching at a king's court, O Goddess, becomes a thorn-covered tree in barren ground; and he who, standing at a king's gate, sells the Veda meets the same fate.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.207.23)

ब्रह्महत्यासमं पापं न भूतं न भविष्यति। वरं कुर्वन्ध्रुवं देवि न कुर्याद्वेदविक्रयम्

brahmahatyāsamaṁ pāpaṁ na bhūtaṁ na bhaviṣyati| varaṁ kurvandhruvaṁ devi na kuryādvedavikrayam

There has never been, nor will there be, a sin equal to the killing of a brahmin; yet, O Goddess, one should surely rather commit that than ever sell the Veda.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.207.24)

हत्वा गाश्च वरं मांसं भक्षयीत द्विजाधमः। वरं जीवेत्समं म्लेच्छैर्न कुर्याद्वेदविक्रयम्

hatvā gāśca varaṁ māṁsaṁ bhakṣayīta dvijādhamaḥ| varaṁ jīvetsamaṁ mlecchairna kuryādvedavikrayam

It is better for a degraded twice-born to kill a cow and eat its flesh, better even to live like an outcaste, than ever to sell the Veda.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.207.25)

प्रत्यक्षोक्तिः प्रत्ययश्च प्रश्नपूर्वः प्रतिग्रहः। याजनाऽध्यापने वादः षड्विधो वेदविक्रयः

pratyakṣoktiḥ pratyayaśca praśnapūrvaḥ pratigrahaḥ| yājanā'dhyāpane vādaḥ ṣaḍvidho vedavikrayaḥ

Direct assertion for pay, teaching on trust of payment, accepting a fee contingent on a question, and bargaining over the fees for officiating or teaching — the sale of the Veda is of these six kinds.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.207.26)

वेदाक्षराणि यावन्ति नियुंक्ते स्वार्थकारणात्। तावतीर्भ्रूणहत्या वै प्राप्नुयाद्वेदविक्रयी

vedākṣarāṇi yāvanti niyuṁkte svārthakāraṇāt| tāvatīrbhrūṇahatyā vai prāpnuyādvedavikrayī

For as many syllables of the Veda as he employs for his own gain, the seller of the Veda incurs that many sins equal to the slaying of an embryo.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.207.27)

वेदानुयोगाद्यो दद्याद्ब्राह्मणाय प्रतिग्रहम्। स पूर्वं नरकं याति ब्राह्मणस्तदनन्तरम्

vedānuyogādyo dadyādbrāhmaṇāya pratigraham| sa pūrvaṁ narakaṁ yāti brāhmaṇastadanantaram

Whoever gives a fee to a brahmin for the recitation of the Veda goes to hell first, and that brahmin follows him there afterward.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.207.28)

वैश्वदेवेन हीना ये हीनाश्चातिथ्यतोऽपि ये। कर्मणा सर्ववृषला वेदयुक्ता ह्यपि द्विजाः

vaiśvadevena hīnā ye hīnāścātithyato'pi ye| karmaṇā sarvavṛṣalā vedayuktā hyapi dvijāḥ

Those who neglect the vaishvadeva rite, and those who lack hospitality toward guests — such twice-born, even though versed in the Veda, are by their conduct altogether like shudras.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.207.29)

येषामध्ययनं नास्ति ये च केचिदनग्नयः। कुलं वाऽश्रोत्रियं येषां ते सर्वे शूद्रजातयः

yeṣāmadhyayanaṁ nāsti ye ca kecidanagnayaḥ| kulaṁ vā'śrotriyaṁ yeṣāṁ te sarve śūdrajātayaḥ

Those who have not undertaken Vedic study, those without the sacred fire, and those whose family lacks any shrotriya — all these are of the nature of shudras.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.207.30)

मृतेऽहनि पितुर्यस्तु न कुर्याच्छ्राद्धमादरात्। मातुश्चैव वरारोहे स द्विजः शूद्रसंनिभः

mṛte'hani pituryastu na kuryācchrāddhamādarāt| mātuścaiva varārohe sa dvijaḥ śūdrasannibhaḥ

The twice-born who fails to perform shraddha with reverence on the death anniversary of his father, or, O fair one, of his mother, is to be regarded as a shudra.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.207.31)

मृतके यस्तु भुञ्जीत गृहीतशशिभास्करे। गजच्छायासु यः कश्चित्तं च शूद्रवदाचरेत्

mṛtake yastu bhuñjīta gṛhītaśaśibhāskare| gajacchāyāsu yaḥ kaścittaṁ ca śūdravadācaret

Whoever eats at a funeral rite, during an eclipse, or on the occasion of gajachhaya — treat him too as one would a shudra.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.207.32)

ब्रह्मचारिणि यज्ञे च यतौ शिल्पिनि दीक्षिते। यज्ञे विवाहे सत्रे च सूतकं न कदाचन

brahmacāriṇi yajñe ca yatau śilpini dīkṣite| yajñe vivāhe satre ca sūtakaṁ na kadācana

For a celibate student, in a sacrifice, for an ascetic, a craftsman, one who has undergone initiation, and during a sacrifice, a wedding, or a sacrificial session, birth- or death-impurity never applies.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.207.33)

गोरक्षकान्वणिजकांस्तथा कारुकुशीलवान्। स्पृश्यान्वार्धुषिकांश्चैव विप्रान्शूद्रवदाचरेत्

gorakṣakānvaṇijakāṁstathā kārukuśīlavān| spṛśyānvārdhuṣikāṁścaiva viprānśūdravadācaret

Cowherds, merchants, craftsmen, actors, and usurers — even brahmins of this kind, though touchable, should be treated as one would a shudra.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.207.34)

ब्राह्मणः पतनीयेषु वर्तमानो विकर्मसु। दाम्भिको दुष्कृतप्रायः स च शूद्रसमः स्मृतः

brāhmaṇaḥ patanīyeṣu vartamāno vikarmasu| dāmbhiko duṣkṛtaprāyaḥ sa ca śūdrasamaḥ smṛtaḥ

A brahmin engaged in degrading misdeeds, a hypocrite, one mostly given to wrongdoing, is likewise reckoned equal to a shudra.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.207.35)

अस्नाताशी मलं भुंक्ते अजापी पूयशोणितम्। अहुत्वा तु कृमीन्भुंक्ते अदत्त्वा विषभोजनम्

asnātāśī malaṁ bhuṁkte ajāpī pūyaśoṇitam| ahutvā tu kṛmīnbhuṁkte adattvā viṣabhojanam

One who eats without bathing eats filth; one who eats without reciting his prayers eats pus and blood; one who eats without offering oblation eats worms; and one who eats without giving alms eats poison.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.207.36)

परान्नेन तु भुक्तेन मिथुनं योऽधिगच्छति। यस्यान्नं तस्य ते पुत्रा अन्नाच्छुक्रं प्रवर्तते

parānnena tu bhuktena mithunaṁ yo'dhigacchati| yasyānnaṁ tasya te putrā annācchukraṁ pravartate

Whoever unites with his wife after eating another's food — the sons born of that union truly belong to the one whose food it was, for it is from food that seed arises.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.207.37)

राजान्नं तेज आदत्ते शूद्रान्नं ब्रह्मवर्चसम्। आयुः सुवर्णकारान्नं यशश्चर्मावकर्तिनः

rājānnaṁ teja ādatte śūdrānnaṁ brahmavarcasam| āyuḥ suvarṇakārānnaṁ yaśaścarmāvakartinaḥ

A king's food takes away one's vigor; a shudra's food takes away Vedic radiance; a goldsmith's food takes away longevity; and a leather-cutter's food takes away renown.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.207.38)

कारुकान्नं प्रजा हन्ति बलं निर्णेजकस्य च। गणान्नं गणिकान्नं च लोकेभ्यः परिकृन्तति

kārukānnaṁ prajā hanti balaṁ nirṇejakasya ca| gaṇānnaṁ gaṇikānnaṁ ca lokebhyaḥ parikṛntati

A craftsman's food destroys progeny; a washerman's food destroys strength; food from a guild-feast and a courtesan's food cut a man off from all the worlds.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.207.39)

पूयं चिकित्सकस्यान्नं पुंश्चल्यास्त्वन्नमिन्द्रियम्। विष्ठा वार्धुषिकस्यान्नं शस्त्रविक्रयिणो मलम्

pūyaṁ cikitsakasyānnaṁ puṁścalyāstvannamindriyam| viṣṭhā vārdhuṣikasyānnaṁ śastravikrayiṇo malam

A physician's food is like pus; a harlot's food robs the senses; a usurer's food is like excrement; and the food of an arms-dealer is like filth.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.207.40)

गायत्रीसारमात्रोऽपि वरं विप्रः सुयन्त्रितः। नायंत्रितश्चतुर्वेदी सर्वाशी सर्वविक्रयी

gāyatrīsāramātro'pi varaṁ vipraḥ suyantritaḥ| nāyaṁtritaścaturvedī sarvāśī sarvavikrayī

A brahmin who knows only the essence of the Gayatri, but is well self-controlled, is superior; better than an unrestrained knower of all four Vedas who eats anything and sells everything.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.207.41)

सद्यः पतति मांसेन लाक्षया लवणेन च। त्र्यहेण शूद्रो भवति ब्राह्मणः क्षीरविक्रयात्

sadyaḥ patati māṁsena lākṣayā lavaṇena ca| tryaheṇa śūdro bhavati brāhmaṇaḥ kṣīravikrayāt

By selling meat, lac, or salt, a brahmin falls at once; and by selling milk, he becomes a shudra within three days.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.207.42)

रसा रसैर्नियंतव्या न त्वेव लवणं रसैः। कृतान्नं च कृतान्नेन तिला धान्येन तत्समाः

rasā rasairniyaṁtavyā na tveva lavaṇaṁ rasaiḥ| kṛtānnaṁ ca kṛtānnena tilā dhānyena tatsamāḥ

Liquids should be bartered only for liquids, never salt for liquids; cooked food for cooked food, and sesame for grain are likewise equivalent exchanges.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.207.43)

भोजनाभ्यञ्जनाद्दानाद्यदन्यत्कुरुते तिलैः। कृमिभूतः स विष्ठायां पितृभिः सह मज्जति

bhojanābhyañjanāddānādyadanyatkurute tilaiḥ| kṛmibhūtaḥ sa viṣṭhāyāṁ pitṛbhiḥ saha majjati

Whoever uses sesame for any purpose other than eating, anointing, or giving in charity becomes a worm and sinks in filth together with his ancestors.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.207.44)

अपूपश्च हिरण्यं च गामश्वं पृथिवीं तिलान्। अविद्वान्प्रतिगृह्णाति भस्मीभवति काष्ठवत्

apūpaśca hiraṇyaṁ ca gāmaśvaṁ pṛthivīṁ tilān| avidvānpratigṛhṇāti bhasmībhavati kāṣṭhavat

An ignorant man who accepts as a gift cakes, gold, a cow, a horse, land, or sesame is burned to ashes, like firewood.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.207.45)

हिरण्यमायु रत्नं च भूर्गौश्चाकर्षतस्तनुम्। अश्वश्चक्षुस्त्वचं वासो घृतं तेजस्तिलाः प्रजाः

hiraṇyamāyu ratnaṁ ca bhūrgauścākarṣatastanum| aśvaścakṣustvacaṁ vāso ghṛtaṁ tejastilāḥ prajāḥ

Gold, longevity, and jewels; land and a cow, the body; a horse, the eyes and skin; a garment and ghee, one's vigor; and sesame draws away one's offspring, when taken unwisely from an unworthy giver.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.207.46)

अग्निहोत्री तपस्वी च क्षणवान्क्रियते यदि। अग्निहोत्रं तपश्चैव सर्वं तद्धनिनो धनम्

agnihotrī tapasvī ca kṣaṇavānkriyate yadi| agnihotraṁ tapaścaiva sarvaṁ taddhanino dhanam

If one who maintains the sacred fire, or an ascetic, is made subservient for the sake of a moment's gain, then his fire-offering and his austerity — all of it becomes the wealth of the rich man he serves.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.207.47)

सोमविक्रयणे विष्ठा भेषजे पूयशोणितम्। नष्टं देवलके दानं ह्यप्रतिष्ठं च वार्धुके

somavikrayaṇe viṣṭhā bheṣaje pūyaśoṇitam| naṣṭaṁ devalake dānaṁ hyapratiṣṭhaṁ ca vārdhuke

In selling soma there is sin like filth; in selling medicine, sin like pus and blood; a gift given to a temple-priest is wasted, and one given to a usurer remains without foundation.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.207.48)

देवार्चनपरो विप्रो वित्तार्थी भुवनत्रये। असौ देवलकोनाम हव्यकव्येषु गर्हितः

devārcanaparo vipro vittārthī bhuvanatraye| asau devalakonāma havyakavyeṣu garhitaḥ

The brahmin who is devoted to worshipping the gods yet craves wealth throughout the three worlds is called a devala, and is condemned in both havya and kavya rites.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.207.49)

भ्रातुर्मृतस्यभायायां यो गच्छेत्कामपूर्वकम्। धर्मेणापि नियुक्तायां स ज्ञेयो दिधिषूपतिः

bhrāturmṛtasya bhāryāyāṁ yo gacchetkāmapūrvakam| dharmeṇāpi niyuktāyāṁ sa jñeyo didhiṣūpatiḥ

Whoever approaches his dead brother's wife out of lust, even though she has been duly assigned to him by custom, is to be known as a didhishupati.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.207.50)

दाराग्निहोत्रसंयोगं कुरुते योऽग्रजे स्थिते। परिवेत्ता स विज्ञेयः परिवित्तिस्तु पूर्वजः

dārāgnihotrasaṁyogaṁ kurute yo'graje sthite| parivettā sa vijñeyaḥ parivittistu pūrvajaḥ

A younger brother who marries and undertakes the fire-sacrifice while his elder brother remains unmarried is known as a parivetta; the elder brother himself is called a parivitti.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.207.51)

यो नरोऽन्यस्य वासांसि कूपोद्यानगृहाणि च। अदत्तान्युपयुंजानः स तत्पापतुरीयभाक्

yo naro'nyasya vāsāṁsi kūpodyānagṛhāṇi ca| adattānyupayuṁjānaḥ sa tatpāpaturīyabhāk

Whoever uses another's garments, well, garden, or house without permission incurs a quarter share of that person's sin.

Verse 52 (skanda.7.207.52)

आमन्त्रितस्तु यः श्राद्धे वृषल्या सह मोदते। दातुर्यद्दुष्कृतं किञ्चित्तत्सर्वं प्रतिपद्यते

āmantritastu yaḥ śrāddhe vṛṣalyā saha modate| dāturyadduṣkṛtaṁ kiñcittatsarvaṁ pratipadyate

Whoever, having been invited to a shraddha, dallies with a vrishali, takes upon himself the entirety of whatever wrongdoing belongs to the donor.

Verse 53 (skanda.7.207.53)

ऋतामृताभ्यां जीवेत मृतेन प्रमृतेन वा। सत्यानृताभ्यां जीवेत न श्ववृत्त्या कथंचन

ṛtāmṛtābhyāṁ jīveta mṛtena pramṛtena vā| satyānṛtābhyāṁ jīveta na śvavṛttyā kathaṁcana

One should live by rita and amrita, or by mrita and pramrita, or even by satya and anrita — but should never, under any circumstance, live by the dog's way of servile flattery.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.207.54)

भक्ष्यं नित्यमृतं ज्ञेयममृतं स्यादयाचितम्। मृतं तु वृद्ध्याजीवित्वं प्रमृतं कर्षणं स्मृतम्

bhakṣyaṁ nityamṛtaṁ jñeyamamṛtaṁ syādayācitam| mṛtaṁ tu vṛddhyājīvitvaṁ pramṛtaṁ karṣaṇaṁ smṛtam

Food regularly obtained is to be known as rita; food received unasked is amrita; living by lending at interest is mrita; and living by farming is called pramrita.

Verse 55 (skanda.7.207.55)

सत्यानृतं च वाणिज्यं तेन चैवोपजीव्यते। सेवा श्ववृत्तिराख्याता तस्मात्तां परिवर्जयेत

satyānṛtaṁ ca vāṇijyaṁ tena caivopajīvyate| sevā śvavṛttirākhyātā tasmāttāṁ parivarjayeta

'Satyanrita' means trade, by which too one may live; but service is declared to be the dog's way of life, and therefore one should avoid it.

Verse 56 (skanda.7.207.56)

विप्रयोनिं समासाद्य संकरं परिवर्जयेत्। मानुष्यं दुर्लभं लोके ब्राह्मण्यमधिकं ततः

viprayoniṁ samāsādya saṁkaraṁ parivarjayet| mānuṣyaṁ durlabhaṁ loke brāhmaṇyamadhikaṁ tataḥ

Having attained birth in a brahmin womb, one should avoid mixing with the impure; human birth is rare in this world, and brahminhood rarer still.

Verse 57 (skanda.7.207.57)

एकशय्यासनं पक्तिर्भाण्डपक्वान्नमिश्रणम्। याजनाध्यापनं योनिस्तथा च सह भोजनम्। नवधा संकरः प्रोक्तो न कर्तव्योऽधमैः सह

ekaśayyāsanaṁ paktirbhāṇḍapakvānnamiśraṇam| yājanādhyāpanaṁ yonistathā ca saha bhojanam| navadhā saṁkaraḥ prokto na kartavyo'dhamaiḥ saha

Sharing a bed or seat, cooking together, mixing vessels or cooked food, officiating as priest, teaching, intermarriage, and eating together — this ninefold mixing is declared, and it should never be undertaken with degraded persons.

Verse 58 (skanda.7.207.58)

अजीवन्कर्मणा स्वेन विप्रः क्षात्त्रं समाश्रयेत्। वैश्यकर्माऽथवा कुर्याद्वार्षलं परिवर्जयेत्

ajīvankarmaṇā svena vipraḥ kṣāttraṁ samāśrayet| vaiśyakarmā'thavā kuryādvārṣalaṁ parivarjayet

A brahmin unable to live by his own occupation should turn to the occupation of a kshatriya, or else take up that of a vaishya, but should always avoid a shudra's occupation.

Verse 59 (skanda.7.207.59)

कुसीदं कृषिवाणिज्यं प्रकुर्वीत स्वयं कृतम्। आपत्काले स्वयं कुर्वन्स्नानेन स्पृश्यते द्विजः

kusīdaṁ kṛṣivāṇijyaṁ prakurvīta svayaṁ kṛtam| āpatkāle svayaṁ kurvansnānena spṛśyate dvijaḥ

In time of distress, he may himself engage in usury, farming, or trade; a twice-born who does so is restored to touchability simply by bathing.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.207.60)

लब्धलाभः पितॄन्देवान्ब्रांह्मणांश्चैव तर्पयेत्। ते तृप्तास्तस्य तत्पापं शमयंति न संशयः

labdhalābhaḥ pitṝndevānbrāṁhmaṇāṁścaiva tarpayet| te tṛptāstasya tatpāpaṁ śamayaṁti na saṁśayaḥ

Having gained his profit, he should satisfy the ancestors, the gods, and the brahmins with it; once satisfied, they surely pacify that sin of his — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.207.61)

जलगोशकटारामयाञ्चावृद्धिवणिक्क्रियाः। अनूपं पर्वतो राजा दुर्भिक्षे जीविका स्मृताः

jalagośakaṭārāmayāñcāvṛddhivaṇikkriyāḥ| anūpaṁ parvato rājā durbhikṣe jīvikā smṛtāḥ

Water, cattle, carts, gardens, and begging — these are means akin to interest-taking and trade; wetlands, mountains, and royal service are declared to be livelihoods in time of famine.

Verse 62 (skanda.7.207.62)

असतोऽपि समादाय साधुभ्यो यः प्रयच्छति। धनं स्वामिनमात्मानं संतारयति दुस्तरात्

asato'pi samādāya sādhubhyo yaḥ prayacchati| dhanaṁ svāminamātmānaṁ saṁtārayati dustarāt

Whoever, taking even ill-gotten wealth, gives it to the virtuous, thereby delivers both its owner and himself across an otherwise insurmountable peril.

Verse 63 (skanda.7.207.63)

शूद्रे समगुणं दानं वैश्ये तद्द्विगुणं स्मृतम्। श्रोत्रिये तच्च साहस्रमनन्तं चाग्निहोत्रिके

śūdre samaguṇaṁ dānaṁ vaiśye taddviguṇaṁ smṛtam| śrotriye tacca sāhasramanantaṁ cāgnihotrike

A gift to a shudra yields ordinary merit; a gift to a vaishya, twice that; a gift to a shrotriya, a thousandfold; and a gift to one who maintains the sacred fire, infinite merit.

Verse 64 (skanda.7.207.64)

ब्राह्मणातिक्रमो नास्ति नाचरेद्यो व्यवस्थितिम्। ज्वलंतमग्निमुत्सृज्य न हि भस्मनि हूयते

brāhmaṇātikramo nāsti nācaredyo vyavasthitim| jvalaṁtamagnimutsṛjya na hi bhasmani hūyate

For one who does not observe this order of precedence, there is no fault in passing him over; no one abandons a blazing fire to offer oblations into ashes instead.

Verse 65 (skanda.7.207.65)

विद्यातपोभ्यां हीनेन नैव ग्राह्यः प्रतिग्रहः। गृह्णन्प्रदातारमधो नयत्यात्मानमेव च

vidyātapobhyāṁ hīnena naiva grāhyaḥ pratigrahaḥ| gṛhṇanpradātāramadho nayatyātmānameva ca

One devoid of both learning and austerity should not accept a gift; by accepting it, he drags down both the giver and himself.

Verse 66 (skanda.7.207.66)

तस्माच्छ्रोत्रिय एवार्हो गुणवाञ्छीलवाञ्छुचिः। अव्यंगस्तत्र निर्दोषः पात्राणां परमं स्मृतम्

tasmācchrotriya evārho guṇavāñchīlavāñchuciḥ| avyaṁgastatra nirdoṣaḥ pātrāṇāṁ paramaṁ smṛtam

Therefore only a shrotriya is truly worthy — one who is virtuous, of good character, pure, unblemished in body, and faultless; such a recipient is declared supreme.

Verse 67 (skanda.7.207.67)

कपालस्थं यथा तोयं श्वदृतौ च यथा पयः। दूषितं स्थानदोषेण वृत्तहीने तथा श्रुतम्

kapālasthaṁ yathā toyaṁ śvadṛtau ca yathā payaḥ| dūṣitaṁ sthānadoṣeṇa vṛttahīne tathā śrutam

Just as water kept in a skull, or milk kept in a dog-skin bag, is tainted by the fault of its container, so too is Vedic learning tainted when it dwells in one of bad character.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.207.68)

दत्तं पात्रमतिक्रम्य यदपात्रे प्रतिग्रहः। तद्दत्तं गामतिक्रम्य गर्दभस्य गवाह्निकम्

dattaṁ pātramatikramya yadapātre pratigrahaḥ| taddattaṁ gāmatikramya gardabhasya gavāhnikam

A gift given to an unworthy recipient, bypassing a worthy one, is like giving a cow's daily fodder to a donkey while passing over the cow.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.207.69)

वृत्तं तस्मात्तु संरक्षेद्वित्तमेति गतं पुनः। अक्षीणो वित्ततः क्षीणो वृत्ततस्तु हतो हतः

vṛttaṁ tasmāttu saṁrakṣedvittameti gataṁ punaḥ| akṣīṇo vittataḥ kṣīṇo vṛttatastu hato hataḥ

Therefore one should above all guard one's character, for lost wealth returns again; one poor in wealth is not truly diminished, but one poor in character is utterly ruined.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.207.70)

प्रथमं तु गुरौ दानं दत्त्वा श्रेष्ठमनुक्रमात्। ततोऽन्येषां तु विप्राणां दद्यात्पात्रानुरूपतः

prathamaṁ tu gurau dānaṁ dattvā śreṣṭhamanukramāt| tato'nyeṣāṁ tu viprāṇāṁ dadyātpātrānurūpataḥ

One should first give the finest gift to one's teacher, in due order, and thereafter give to other brahmins in accordance with their worthiness.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.207.71)

गुरौ च दत्तं यद्दानं दत्तं पात्रेषु मानवैः। निष्फलं तद्भवेत्प्रेत्य यात्युताधोगतिं प्रति

gurau ca dattaṁ yaddānaṁ dattaṁ pātreṣu mānavaiḥ| niṣphalaṁ tadbhavetpretya yātyutādhogatiṁ prati

A gift meant for one's teacher, if given instead by men to other recipients, becomes fruitless after death, and indeed leads toward a lower state.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.207.72)

अवमानं गुरोः कृत्वा कोपयित्वा तु दुर्मतिः। गुर्वमानहतो मूढो न शांतिमधि गच्छति

avamānaṁ guroḥ kṛtvā kopayitvā tu durmatiḥ| gurvamānahato mūḍho na śāṁtimadhi gacchati

The ill-minded man who insults his teacher and provokes his anger, struck down by that dishonor to his guru, never attains peace, deluded as he is.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.207.73)

गुरोरभावे तत्पुत्रं तद्भार्यां तत्सुतं विना। पुत्रं प्रपौत्रं दौहित्रं ह्यन्यं वा तत्कुलोद्भवम्

gurorabhāve tatputraṁ tadbhāryāṁ tatsutaṁ vinā| putraṁ prapautraṁ dauhitraṁ hyanyaṁ vā tatkulodbhavam

In the absence of the teacher, one should honor his son or his wife; and in the absence of a son, his grandson, his daughter's son, or any other born in his lineage.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.207.74)

पंचयोजनमध्ये तु श्रूयते स्वगुरुर्यदा। तदा नातिक्रमेद्दानं दद्यात्पात्रेषु मानवः

paṁcayojanamadhye tu śrūyate svagururyadā| tadā nātikrameddānaṁ dadyātpātreṣu mānavaḥ

If one's teacher is known to be within five yojanas, a man should not pass him by and give his gift to other recipients instead.

Verse 75 (skanda.7.207.75)

यतिश्चेत्प्रार्थयेल्लोभाद्दीयमानं प्रतिग्रहम्। न तस्य देयं विद्वद्भिर्न लोभः शस्यते यतेः

yatiścetprārthayellobhāddīyamānaṁ pratigraham| na tasya deyaṁ vidvadbhirna lobhaḥ śasyate yateḥ

If an ascetic, out of greed, begs for a gift already being given, the wise should not give it to him; for greed is not praiseworthy in an ascetic.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.207.76)

धनं प्राप्य यतिर्लोके मौनं ज्ञानं च नाभ्यसेत्। उपभोगं तु दानेन जीवितं ब्रह्मचर्यया

dhanaṁ prāpya yatirloke maunaṁ jñānaṁ ca nābhyaset| upabhogaṁ tu dānena jīvitaṁ brahmacaryayā

Having gained wealth, an ascetic in this world can no longer practice silence and true knowledge; his enjoyment then comes through gifts, and his livelihood through mere celibacy in name.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.207.77)

कुले जन्म च दीक्षाभिर्ये गतास्ते नरोत्तमाः। सौभाग्यमाप्नुयाल्लोके नूनं रसविवर्जनात्

kule janma ca dīkṣābhirye gatāste narottamāḥ| saubhāgyamāpnuyālloke nūnaṁ rasavivarjanāt

The best of men, born in a good family and refined through the sacraments, surely attain good fortune in this world by renouncing rich flavors.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.207.78)

आयुष्मत्यः प्रजाः सर्वा भवन्त्यामिषवर्जनात्

āyuṣmatyaḥ prajāḥ sarvā bhavantyāmiṣavarjanāt

By the renunciation of meat, all one's offspring become long-lived.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.207.79)

चीरवल्कलधृक्त्यक्त्वा वस्त्राण्याभरणानि च। नागाधिपत्यं प्राप्नोति उपवासेन मानवः

cīravalkaladhṛktyaktvā vastrāṇyābharaṇāni ca| nāgādhipatyaṁ prāpnoti upavāsena mānavaḥ

By giving up garments and ornaments, wearing tree-bark instead, and through fasting, a man attains lordship over the serpent-beings.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.207.80)

क्रीडते सत्यवाक्येन स्वर्गे वै देवतैः सह। अहिंसया तथाऽऽरोग्यं दानात्कीर्तिमनुक्रमात्

krīḍate satyavākyena svarge vai devataiḥ saha| ahiṁsayā tathā'ārogyaṁ dānātkīrtimanukramāt

Through truthful speech, one sports with the gods in heaven; through non-violence, one gains health; and through charity, one gains fame in due course.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.207.81)

द्विजशुश्रूषया राज्यं द्विजत्वं चातिपुष्कलम्। दिव्यरूपमवाप्नोति देवशुश्रूषया नरः

dvijaśuśrūṣayā rājyaṁ dvijatvaṁ cātipuṣkalam| divyarūpamavāpnoti devaśuśrūṣayā naraḥ

By service to the twice-born, one gains sovereignty and abundant brahminhood; by service to the gods, a man attains a divine form.

Verse 82 (skanda.7.207.82)

अन्नदानाद्भवेत्तृप्तिः सर्वकामैरनुत्तमैः। दीपस्य तु प्रदानेन चक्षुष्माञ्जायते नरः

annadānādbhavettṛptiḥ sarvakāmairanuttamaiḥ| dīpasya tu pradānena cakṣuṣmāñjāyate naraḥ

By the gift of food, one attains satisfaction along with every supreme desire; by the gift of a lamp, a man is born with good eyesight.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.207.83)

तुष्टिर्भवेत्सर्वकालं प्रदानाद्गन्धमाल्ययोः। लवणस्य तु दातारस्तिलानां सर्पिषस्तथा। तेजस्विनोऽपि जायन्ते भोगिनश्चिरजीविनः

tuṣṭirbhavetsarvakālaṁ pradānādgandhamālyayoḥ| lavaṇasya tu dātārastilānāṁ sarpiṣastathā| tejasvino'pi jāyante bhoginaścirajīvinaḥ

By the gift of fragrance and garlands, one attains contentment forever; givers of salt, sesame, and ghee are born radiant, prosperous, and long-lived.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.207.84)

सुचित्रवस्त्राभरणोपधानं दद्यान्नरो यः शयनं द्विजाय। रूपान्वितां पक्ष्मवतीं मनोज्ञां भार्यामरालोपचितां लभेत्सः

sucitravastrābharaṇopadhānaṁ dadyānnaro yaḥ śayanaṁ dvijāya| rūpānvitāṁ pakṣmavatīṁ manojñāṁ bhāryāmarālopacitāṁ labhetsaḥ

The man who gives a brahmin a bed adorned with fine embroidered cloths, ornaments, and a pillow obtains a wife of beautiful form, with lovely lashes, charming, and richly adorned.