युधिष्ठिर उवाच शतायुरुक्तः पुरुषः शतवीर्यश्च जायते। कस्मान्नियन्ते पुरुषा बाला अपि पितामह॥
Yudhishthira said Man, it is said, is gifted with a period of life extending for a hundred years, and with great energy and power. Why then, O grandfather, do human beings die even in their youth?
आयुष्मान् केन भवति अल्पायुर्वाऽपि मानवः। केन वा लभते कीर्ति केन वा लभते श्रियम्॥
By what does a man become longlived, and by what is his life shortened? Through what does a man acquire the fame that depends upon great deeds? Through what does one acquire wealth and prosperity?
तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण जपहोमैस्तथौषधैः। कर्मणा मनसा वाचा तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह॥
Is it by penances, or celibacy or silent recitation of sacred Mantras, or drugs? Is it by his deeds, or mind, or speech? Do you explain to me this, O grandfather.
भीष्म उवाच अत्र तेऽहं प्रवक्ष्यामि यन्मां त्वमनुपृच्छसि। अल्पायुर्येन भवति दीर्घायुर्वाऽपि मानवः॥
Bhishma said I shall tell you what you ask me. In fact, I shall tell you what the reason is for which one becomes short lived, and what the reason is for which one becomes longlived.
येन वा लभते कीर्तिं येन वा लभते श्रियम्। यथा वर्तयन् पुरुषः श्रेयसा सम्प्रयुज्यते॥
I shall also explain to you the reason for which one succeeds in winning the fame that depends on great deeds, and the reason for which one succeeds in acquiring riches and prosperity. Indeed, I shall enlighten you about the manner in which one must live in order to be possessed of what is good for him. one own
आचाराल्लभते ह्यायुराचराल्लभते श्रियम्। आचारात् कीर्तिमाप्नोति पुरुषः प्रेत्य चेह च॥
It is by conduct that one acquires a long life, and it is by conduct that one acquires riches and prosperity. Indeed, it is by conduct that one acquires the fame that depends upon great deeds both in this world and in the next.
दुराचारो हि पुरुषो नेहायुर्विन्दते महत्। त्रसन्ति यस्माद् भूतानि तथा परिभवन्ति च॥
The man whose conduct is improper or wicked never acquires a long life. All creatures fear such a man and are oppressed by him.
तस्मात् कुर्यादिहाचारं यदीच्छेद् भूतिमात्मनः। अपि पापशरीरस्य आचारो हन्त्यलक्षणम्॥
If, therefore, wishes his advancement and prosperity, one should, in this world, follow the path of rightcousness and conduct himself properly. Good conduct succeeds in removing the inauspiciousness and misery of even one that is sinful.
आचारलक्षणो धर्मः सन्तश्चारित्रलक्षणाः। साधूनां च यथावृत्तमेतदाचारलक्षणम्॥
Virtue is singled out by conduct. The good and virtuous are so on account of the conduct they follow. The marks, again, of good conduct are afforded by the deeds of those that are good Or righteous.
अप्यदृष्टं श्रवादेव पुरुषं धर्मचारिणम्। भूतिकर्माणि कुर्वाणं तं जनाः कुर्वते प्रियम्॥
People regard that who righteously and who does good acts even if they only hear of him without actually seeing him.
ये नास्तिका निष्क्रियाश्च गुरुशास्त्राभिलंघिनः। अधर्मज्ञा दुराचारारते भवन्ति गतायुधः॥
The atheists they who are destitute of all acts, they who are disobedient to preceptors and violate the injunctions of the scriptures, they who are unacquainted with and, therefore, unobservant of duties, and they who are wicked of conduct, become shortlived. man acts
विशीला भिन्नमर्यादा नित्यं संकीर्णमैथुनाः। अल्पायुषो भवन्तीह नरा निरयगामिनः॥
They who are of improper conduct, they who violate all restraints, they who are unscrupulous about sexual congress, become shortlived here and have to go to Hell hereafter.
सर्वलक्षणहीनोऽपि समुदाचारवान् नरः। श्रद्वधानोऽनसूयुश्च शतं वर्षाणि जीवति॥
Even those men live for a hundred years who, though destitute of all accomplishments, follow propriety and righteousness of conduct and become endued with faith and freed from malice.
अक्रोधनः सत्यवादी भूतानामविहिसंकः। अनसूयुरजिह्मश्च शतं वर्षाणि जीवति॥
He who is free from anger, who is truthful in speech, who never does any injury to any creature in the universe, who is shorn of malice and crookedness and insincerity, succeeds in living for a hundred years.
लोष्ठमर्दी तृणच्छेदी नखखादी च यो नरः। नित्योच्छिष्ट: संकुसुको नेहायुर्विन्दते महत्॥
He who always breaks little clods of carth, or tears up the grass that grows under his feet, or cuts off his nails with his teeth, or is always impure, or very restless, never succeeds in living long.
ब्राह्म मुहूर्ते बुध्येत धर्मार्थो चानुचिन्तयेत्। उत्थायाचम्य तिष्ठेत पूर्वो संध्यां कृताञ्जलिः॥
One should wake up from sleep at the hour known as the Brahma Muhurta and then think of both religion and worldly profit. Getting up from bed, one should then wash his face and mouth, and joining his hands in an attitude of respect, then say the morning prayers.
एवमेवापरां संध्या समुपासीत वाग्यतः। नेक्षेतादित्यमुद्यन्तं नास्तं यान्तं कदाचन॥
In this way, one should when evening sets in say his evening prayers also, controlling speech the while. One should never look at the rising sun, nor at the setting sun.
नोपसृष्टं न वारिस्थं न मध्यं नभसो गतम्। ऋषयो नित्यसंध्यत्वाद् दीर्घमायुरवाप्नुवन्॥
Nor should one look at the sun when he is in eclipse; nor at his image in the water, nor at midday when he is at the meridian. The Rishis, on account of their worshipping the two twilight's, with great regularity succeeded in acquiring longevity.
तस्मात् तिष्ठेत् सदा पूर्वो पश्चिमां चैव वाग्यतः। ये न पूर्वामुपासन्ते द्विजाः संध्यां न पाश्चिमाम्॥ सर्वोस्तान् धार्मिको राजा शूद्रकर्माणि कारयेत्। परदारा न गन्तव्या सर्ववर्णेषु कर्हिचित्॥
Hence one should controlling speech, say his prayers regularly at the two twilight's. As regards those Brahmanas who do not say their prayers at the two twilight's, a righteous king should set them to perform such deeds as are ordained for the Shudras. Persons of every caste should never have sexual congress with other people's wives.
न हीदृशमनायुष्यं लोके किंचन विद्यते। यादृशं पुरुषस्येह परदारोपसेवनम्॥
There is nothing that shortens life so: cffcctually as sexual union with other people's wives.
यावन्तो रोमकूपाः स्युः स्त्रीणां गात्रेषु निर्मिताः। तावद् वर्षसहस्राणि नरकं पर्युपासते॥
The adulterer shall have to live in Hell for as many thousand years as the number of pores on the bodies of the women with whom he may cominit the offence.
प्रसाधनं च केशानामञ्जनं दन्तधावनम्। पूर्वाह्न एव कार्याणि देवतानां च पूजनम्॥
One should dress one's hair, apply collyrium to one's eyes, and wash one's teeth, as also worship the celestials in the forenoon.
पुरीषमूत्रे नोदीक्षेन्नाधितिष्ठेत् कदाचन। नातिकल्यं नातिसायं न च मध्यन्दिने स्थिते॥ नाज्ञातैः सह गच्छेत नैको न वृषलैः सह। पन्था देयो ब्राह्मणाय गोभ्यो राजभ्य एव च॥ वृद्धाय भारतप्ताय गर्भिण्यै दुर्बलाय च। प्रदक्षिणं च कुर्वीत परिज्ञातान् वनस्पतीन्॥ चतुष्पथान् प्रकुर्वीत सर्वानेव प्रदक्षिणान्। मध्यन्दिने निशाकाले अर्धरात्रे च सर्वदा॥ चतुष्पथं न सेवेत उभे संध्ये तथैव च। उपानही च वस्त्रं च धृतमन्यैर्न धारयेत्॥
One should not gaze at urine or faeces, or tread on it or touch it with one's feet. One should not see out on a journey at early dawn, or at midday, or in the evening twilight, or with a companion that is unknown, or with a Shudra, or alone. While passing along a road, one should standing aside, always give way to a Brahmana, to kine, to kings, to an old man, to one that is loaded with a burthen, to a woman big with child, or to one that is weak. When one meets a large tree that is known, one should walk round it. One should also, when coming upon the crossing of four roads, walk round it before pursuing his journey. At midday, or at midnight, or at night in general, or at the two twilight's, one should not proceed the crossings of the four roads. One should never wear sandals or clothes that have been worn by another.
ब्रह्मचारी च नित्यं स्यात् पादं पादेन नाक्रमेत्। अमावास्यां पौर्णमास्यां चतुर्दश्यां च सर्वशः॥ अष्टम्यां सर्वपक्षाणां ब्रह्मचारी सदा भवेत्। आक्रोशं परिवादं च पैशुन्यं च विवर्जयेत्॥
One should always observe the vow of celibacy, and should never cross his legs. One should observe the vow of celibacy on the day of the new moon, as also, on that of the full moon, as also on the eighth lunar day of both fortnights. One should never cat the flesh of animals not killed in sacrifices. One should never eat the flesh of the back of an animal. One should avoid censuring and calumniating others, as also all kinds of deceitful conduct.
नारुन्तुदः स्यान्न नृशंसवादी न हीनतः परमभ्याददीत। ययास्य वाचा पर उद्विजेत न तां वदेद् रुशती पापलोक्याम्॥
One should never cut others with wordy arrows. Indeed, one should never utter any cruel speech. One should never accept anything in gift from a person who is low and vulgar. One should never utter such words as pain other people or as are inauspicious or as are sinful.
वाक्सायका वदनान्निष्पतन्ति यैराहतः शोचति रात्र्यहानि। परस्य वा मर्मसु ये पतन्ति तान् पण्डितो नावसृजेत् परेषु॥
Wordy arrows fall from the mouth. Pierced therewith, the victim grieves day and night. The wise man should never shoot them for cutting the vitals of other people.
रोहते सायकैर्विद्धं वनं परशुना हतम्। वाचा दुरुक्तं बीभत्सं न संरोहति वाक्क्षतम्॥
A forest, pierced with arrows or cut down with the axe, grows again. The man, however, who is pierced with words unwisely spoken, becomes the victim of wounds that fester and bring on death.
कर्णिनालीकनाराचान् निर्हरन्ति शरीरतः। वाक्शल्यस्तु न निहर्तुं शक्यो हृदिशयो हि सः॥३४
Barbed arrows and Nalikas and broadheaded arrows are capable of being extracted from the body. Wordy arrows, however, are incapable of being extracted, for they lie einbedded in the very heart.
हीनाङ्गानतिरिक्ताङ्गान् विद्याहीनान् विगर्हितान्। रूपद्रविणहीनांश्च सत्त्वहीनांश्च नाक्षिपेत्॥
One should not taunt a person who is defective of a limb or who has a limb in excess. or one who is shorn of learning, or one who is niserable, or one who is ugly or poor, or one who is shorn of strength.
नास्तिक्यं वेदनिन्दां च देवतानां च कुत्सनम्। द्वेषस्तम्भोऽभिमानं च तैक्ष्ण्यं च परिवर्जयेत्॥
One should avoid atheism, vilifying the Vedas, censuring the celestials, malice, pride, arrogance, and harshness.
परस्य दण्डं नोद्यच्छेत् क्रद्धो नैनं निपातयेत्। अन्यत्र पुत्राच्छिष्याच्च शिक्षार्थं ताडनं स्मृतम्॥
One should not angrily, take up the rod of punishment for laying it upon another. Only the son or the pupil, it has been said, can be mildly reprimanded for purposes of instruction.
न ब्राह्मणान् परिवदेन्नक्षत्राणि न निर्दिशेत्। तिथिं पक्षस्य न ब्रूयात् तथास्यायुर्न रिष्यते॥
One should not vilify Brahmanas; nor should point at the stars with one's fingers. If asked, one should not say what the lunation is on a particular day. By telling it, his life becomes shortened.
कृत्वा मूत्रपुरीषे तु रथ्यामाक्रम्य वा पुनः। पादप्रक्षालनं कुर्यात् स्वाध्याये भोजने तथा॥
Having answered calls of nature or having walked over a road, one should wash his feet. One should also wash his feet before sitting to recite the Vedas or to eat any food.
त्रीणि देवाः पवित्राणि ब्राह्मणानामकल्पयन्। अदृष्टमद्भिर्निर्णिक्तं यच्च वाचा प्रशस्यते॥
These are the three things which are considered as pure and sacred by the celestials and as such fit for the Brahmana's use, viz., that whose impurity is unknown, that which has been washed in water, and that which has been well spoken of.
संयावं कृसरं मांसं शष्कुलीं पायसं तथा। आत्मार्थं न प्रकर्तव्यं देवार्थं तु प्रकल्पयेत्॥
Samayava, Krishana, meat, Shashakuli, and Payasa should never be cooked for one's ownself. Whenever cooked, these should be offered to the celestials.
नित्यमग्निं परिचरेद् भिक्षां दद्याच्च नित्यदा। वाग्यतो दन्तकाष्ठं च नित्यमेव समाचरेत्॥
One should attend every day to his sacred fire. One should every day give alms. One should, controlling speech the while, clean his teeth with the tooth-stick.
न चाभ्युदितशायी स्यात् प्रायश्चित्ती तथा भवेत्। मातापितरमुत्थाय पूर्वमेवाभिवादयेत्॥ आचार्यमथवाप्यन्यं तथायुर्विन्दते महत्। वर्जयेद् दन्तकाष्ठानि वर्जनीयानि नित्यशः॥
One should never be in bed when the sun is up. If one fails any day to be up with the sun, he should then perform an expiation. Rising from bed, one should first salute his parents, and preceptors, or other elders worthy of respect. By so doing one acquires a long life. The toothstick should be thrown off when done with, and a new one should be used every day.
भक्षयेच्छास्त्रदृष्टानि पर्वस्वपि विवर्जयेत्। उदङ्मुखश्च सततं शौचं कुर्यात् समाहितः॥
One should eat food which is not forbidden in the scriptures, abstaining from food of every kind on days of the new moon and the full moon. One should, with senses controlled, answer calls of nature, facing the north.
अकृत्वा देवपूजां च नाचरेद् दन्तधावनम्। अकृत्वा देवपूजां च नाभिगच्छेत् कदाचन। अन्यत्र तु गुरुं वृद्धं धार्मिकं वा विचक्षणम्॥ अवलोक्यो न चादर्शो मलिनो बुद्धिमत्तरैः।
One should not adore the celestials without having first washed his teeth. Without also adoring the celestials first, one should never repair to any person except his preceptor or one who is old in years or one who is righteous or one who is wise. Wise men should never see themselves in an unnolished or dirty mirror.
न चाज्ञातां स्त्रियं गच्छेद् गर्भिणी वा कदाचन॥ उदक्शिरा न स्वपेत तथा प्रत्यक्शिरा न च।
One should never know a woman that is unknown or with one that is big with child.
प्राक्शिरास्तु स्वपेद् विद्वानथवा दक्षिणाशिराः॥ न भग्ने नावशीर्णे च शयने प्रस्वपीत च।
One should never sleep with head turned towards the north or the west. One should not lie down upon a broken bedstead.
नान्तर्धाने न संयुक्ते न च तिर्यक् कदाचन॥ न चापि गच्छेत् कार्येण समयाद् वापि नास्तिकैः।
One should not sleep on a bed without having examined it first with the help of a light. Nor should one sleep on a bed with another by his side. One should never sleep in a transverse direction. One should never make agreement with atheists or do anything in conjunction with them. an one
आसनं तु पदाऽऽकृष्य न प्रसज्जेत् तथा नरः॥ न नग्न: कर्हिचित् स्नायान्न निशायां कदाचन।
One should never drag a seat with the foot and sit on it. One should never bathe in a nude state nor at night.
स्नात्वा च नावमृज्येत गात्राणि सुविचक्षणः॥ न चानुलिम्पेदस्नात्वा स्नात्वा वासो न निधुनेत्।
An intelligent person should never allow his limbs to be rubbed or pressed after bathing. One should never smear unguents upon his body without having first gone through bath. Having bathed, one should never wave his cloth in the air.
न चैवार्द्राणि वासांसि नित्यं सेवेत मानवः॥ सजश्च नावकृष्येत न बहिर्धारयीत च।
One should not wear wet clothes every day. One should never take off his body the garlands of flowers one may wear, Nor should wear such garlands over his outer garments.
उदक्यया च सम्भाषां न कुर्वीत कदाचन॥ नोत्सृजेत पुरीषं च क्षेत्रे ग्रामस्य चान्तिके।
One should never even talk with a woman during the period of her menses. One should not answer a call of nature on a field or at place too near an inhabited village.
उभे मूत्रपुरीषे तु नाप्से कुर्यात् कदाचन॥ अन्नं बुभुक्षमाणस्तु त्रिर्मुखेन स्पृशेदपः।
One should never answer a call of nature on a piece of water. One should first wash his mouth, thrice with water before eating any food.
भुक्त्वा चान्नं तथैव त्रिर्द्धिः पुनः परिमार्जयेत्॥ प्राङ्मुखो नित्यमश्रीयाद् वाग्यतोऽन्नमकुत्सयन्।
Having finished his meals, one should wash his mouth thrice with water and twice again. One should eat, with face turned east wards, his food, controlling speech the while and without censuring the food that is caten.
प्रस्कन्दयेच्च मनसा भुक्त्वा चाग्निमुपस्पृशेत्॥ आयुष्यं प्राङ्मुखो भुडक्ते यशस्य दक्षिणामुखः।
One should always leave a residue of the food that is placed before one for eating. Having finished his meals, one should mentally touch fire. If one eats with face turned eastwards, he becomes longlived. By eating with face turned south wards, one acquires great fame.
धन्यं पश्चान्मुखे भुङ्क्ते ऋतं भुङ्क्ते उदङ्मुखः॥ अग्निमालभ्य तोयेन सर्वान् प्राणानुपस्पृशेत्।
By eating with face turned westwards, one acquires great riches. By eating with face turned northwards, one becomes truthful in specch. Having finished his meals, one should wash all the upper holes of one's body with water.
गात्राणि चैव सर्वाणि नाभिं पाणितले तथा॥ नाधितिष्ठेत् तुषं जातु केशभस्मकपालिकाः।
Likewise, all the limbs, the navel, and the palms of the hands should be washed with water. One should never sit upon husk of corn or upon hair, or upon ashes, or upon bones.
अन्यस्य चाप्यवस्नातं दूरतः परिवर्जयेत्॥ शान्तिहोमांश्च कुर्वीत सावित्राणि च धारयेत्।
One should, never use the water that has been used by another for bathing. One should always perform the Homa for propitiating the celestials, and recite the Savitri Mantras.
निषण्णश्चापि खादेत न तु गच्छन् कदाचन॥ मूत्रं नोत्तिष्ठता कार्यं न भस्मनि न गोव्रजे।
One should always eat in a seated posture. One should never eat while walking. One should never answer a call of nature standing. One should never answer a call of nature on ashes or in a cowpen.
आर्द्रपादस्तु भुञ्जीत नार्द्रपादस्तु संविशेत्॥ आर्द्रपादस्तु भुजानो वर्षाणां जीवते शतम्।
One should wash his feet before sitting to one's meals. One should never sit or lie down for slecp with wet feet. One who sits to his meals after having washed his feet, lives for a century.
त्रीणि तेजांसि नोच्छिष्ट आलभेत कदाचन॥ अग्निं गां ब्राह्मणं चैव तथा ह्यायुर्न रिष्यते।
One should never touch these three things, while one is in an impure state, viz., fire, a cow and a Brahmana. By observing this rule one lives long.
त्रीणि तेजांसि नोच्छिष्ट उदीक्षेत कदाचन॥ सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ चैव नक्षत्राणि च सर्वशः।
One should not, while he is in an impure state, cast one's eyes on these three things, viz., the sun, the moon and the stars.
ऊर्ध्वं प्राणा ह्युत्क्रामन्ति यूनः स्थविर आयति॥ प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादाभ्यां पुनस्तान् प्रतिपद्यते।
The lifebreaths of a young man go up wards, when an old and venerable person comes to his house. He gets them back by standing up and properly saluting the guest.
अभिवादयीत वृद्धांश्च दद्याच्चैवासनं स्वयम्॥ कृताञ्जलिरुपासीत गच्छन्तं पृष्ठतोऽन्वियात्।
Old men should always be saluted. One should, upon seeing them, offer seats with his own hand. After the old man has taken his seat, a person should sit and remain with hands joined in respect. When an old man goes along the road, one should always follow him instead of walking ahead.
न चासीतासने भिन्ने भिन्नकांस्यं च वर्जयेत्॥ नैकवस्त्रेण भोक्तव्यं न नग्नः स्नातुमर्हति।
One should never sit on a torn or broken seat. One should, without using it any longer, throw away a broken vessel of white brass. One should, never eat without a piece of upper garinent covering his body. One should never bathe in a nude state.
स्वप्तव्यं नैव नग्नेन न चोच्छिष्टोऽपि संविशेत्॥ उच्छिष्टो न स्पृशेच्छीर्षं सर्वे प्राणास्तदाश्रयाः।
One should never sleep in a naked state. One should never even touch the remnants of other people's dishes and plates. One should never, while he is in an impure state, touch another's head, for it is said in the scriptures that the vital airs are all concentrated in the head.
केशग्रहं प्रहारांश्च शिरस्येतान् विवर्जयेत्॥ न संहताभ्यां पाणिभ्यां कण्डूयेदात्मनः शिरः।
One should never strike another on the heads or seize another by the hair. One should prol join his hand together for scratching his head.
न चाभीक्ष्णं शिरःस्नायात् तथा यायुर्न रिष्यते॥ शिरःस्नातस्तु तैलैश्च नाङ्गं किंचिदपि स्पृशेत्।
One should not, while bathing, repeatedly dip his head in water. By so doing one shortens one's life. One who has bathed by dipping the head in water should not, afterwards put oil to any part of his body.
तिलसृष्टं न चाश्नीयात् तथास्यायुर्न रिष्यते॥ नाध्यापयेत् तथोच्छिष्टो नाधीयीत कदाचन।
One should never take his mcals without cating some sesame. One should never teach (the Vedas or any scriptures) at a time when he is impure. Nor should onc study while is impure.
वाते च पूतिगन्धे च मनसापि न चित्नयेत्॥ अत्र गाथा यमोद्गीताः कीर्तयन्ति पुराविदः। आयुरस्य निकृन्तामि प्रजास्तस्याददे तथा॥ उच्छिष्टो यः प्राद्रवति स्वाध्यायं चाधिगच्छति। यश्चानध्यायकालेऽपि मोहादभ्यस्यति द्विजः॥ तस्य वेदः प्रणश्येत आयुश्च परिहीयते।
When a storm rises or a bad smell spreads itself in the atmosphere, he should never think of the Vedas. Persons knowing ancient history recite a Gatha sung by Yama in days of yore. He who runs while impure or studies the Veda under similar circumstances, indeed, that twice born Brahman who studies the Veda at forbidden times loses his Veda and shortens his life.
तस्माद् युक्तो ह्यनध्याये नाधीयीत कदाचन॥ प्रत्यादित्यं प्रत्यनलं प्रति गां च प्रति द्विजान्। ये मेहन्ति च पन्थानं ते भवन्ति गतायुषः॥ उभे मूत्रपुरीषे तु दिवा कुर्यादुदङ्मुखः।
Hence, one should never study the Veda with rapt altention at forbidden times. They who answer a call of nature, with face towards the sun or towards a burning fire, or towards a cow, or towards a twice born person, or on the road, become shortlived. At day time both calls of nature should be answered with face turned towards the north.
दक्षिणाभिमुखो रात्रौ तथा ह्यायुर्न रिष्यते॥ त्रीन् कृशान् नावजानीयाद् दीर्घमायुर्जिजीविषुः। ब्राह्मणं क्षत्रियं सर्प सर्वे ह्याशीविषास्त्रयः॥ दहत्याशीविषः क्रद्धो यावत् पश्यति चक्षुषा।
At night, those calls should be answered facing the south. By so doing one does not shorten his life. One who wishes to live long should never disregard or insult any of these three, however weak or emaciated they may appear to be, viz., the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, and the snake. All three are gifted with dreadful poison. The snake, of angry, burns the victim with only a look of its eye.
क्षत्रियोऽपि दहेत् क्रूद्धो यावत् स्पृशति तेजसा॥ ब्राह्मणस्तु कुलं हन्याद् ध्यानेनावेक्षितेन च।
The Kshatriya also, if angry, burns the object of his anger, as soon as he sees him, with his energy. The Brahmana, stronger than any of these two, destroys, not only the object of his anger but his entire family as well, not by looks alone but by thought also.
तस्मादेतत् त्रयं यत्नादुपसेवेत पण्डितः॥ गुरुणा चैव निर्बधो न कर्तव्यः कदाचन।
A wise man should, therefore, tend these three carefully. One should never engage in any disputation with his preceptor.
अनुमान्यः प्रसाद्यश्च गुरुः क्रद्धो युधिष्ठिर॥ सम्यङ्गमिथ्या प्रवृत्तेऽपि वर्तितव्यं गुराविह।
O Yudhishthira, if the preceptor becomes angry, he should always be pacified with due honors. If the preceptor is entirely in the wrong, still one should follow and honour him.
गुरुनिन्दा दहत्यायुर्मनुष्याणां न संशयः॥ दूरादावसथान्मूत्रं दूरात् पादावसेचनम्।
Forsooth, calumnious sayings against the preceptor always consume the lives of those who utter them. One should always answer a call of nature at a spot far distant from his dwelling place. One should wash his feet at a distance from his dwelling place.
उच्छिष्टोत्सर्जनं चैव दूरे कार्यं हितैषिणा॥ रक्तमाल्यं न धार्य स्याच्छुक्लं धार्य तु पण्डितैः।
One should always throw the remnants of his dishes and plates at a spot distant from his dwelling place. Indeed, he who wishes for his own behoof should do all this. One should not wear garlands of red flowers. Indeed, the wise should wear garlands of white flowers.
वर्जयित्वा तु कमलं तथा कुवलयं प्रभो॥ रक्तं शिरसि धार्य तु तथा वानेयमित्यपि।
Rejecting the lotus and the lily, O you of great might, one may bear on his head, however, a flower that is red, even if it be an aquatic one.
काञ्चनीयापि माला या न सा दुष्यति कर्हिचित्।।८४ स्नातस्य वर्णकं नित्यमाई दद्याद् विशाम्पते।
A garland of gold can never become impure. After one has bathed, O king, he should use perfumes mixed with water.
विपर्ययं न कुर्वीत वाससो बुद्धिमान् नरः॥ तथा नान्यधृतं धार्य न चापदशमेव च।
One should never wear his upper garment for covering the lower limbs or the lower garments for covering the upper ones. Nor should one wear clothes used by another. One should not, again, wear a piece of cloth that has not its fringes.
अन्यदेव भवेद् वासः शयनीये नरोत्तम॥ अन्यद् रथ्यासु देवानामायामन्यदेव हि।
When one goes to bed, O king, he should wear a different piece of cloth. When passing along a road, one should wear a different piece of cloth. So also, when adoring the celestials, one should wear a different piece of cloth.
प्रियङ्गुचन्दनाभ्यां च बिल्वेन तगरेण च॥ पृथगेवानुलिम्पेत केसरेण च बुद्धिमान्।
The intelligent man should smear his limbs with unguents made of Priyangu, sandal wood, Bilva, Tagara, and Keshara.
उपवासं च कुर्वीत स्नातः शुचिरलंकृतः॥ पर्वकालेषु सर्वेषु ब्रह्मचारी सदा भवेत्।
In observing a fast, one should purify himself by a bath, and adorn his body with ornaments and unguents. One should always abstain from sexual union on days of the full moon and the new moon.
समानमेकपात्रे तु भुजेन्नान्नं जनेश्वर॥ नालीढया परिहतं भक्षयीत कदाचन।
One should never, O king, eat off the same plate with another even if he be of his own or equal rank. Nor should one ever eat any food that has been prepared by a woman in her menses.
तथा नोद्धृतसाराणि प्रेक्ष्यते नाप्रदाय च॥ न संनिकृष्टे मेधावी नाशुचेर्न च सत्सु च।
One should never eat any food or drink any liquid whose essence has been taken off. Nor should one eat anything without giving a part thereof to persons who wistfully gaze at the food that one happens to take. The intelligent man should never sit near an impure person. Nor should one sit near persons who are foremost in virtue.
प्रतिषिद्धान्नधर्मेषु भक्ष्यान् भुञ्जीत पृष्ठतः॥ पिप्पलं च वटं चैव शणशाकं तथैव च। उदुम्बरं न खादेच्च भवार्थी पुरुषोत्तमः॥ न पाणौ लवणं विद्वान् प्राश्नीयान्न च रात्रिषु।
All food that is forbidden in religious rites should never be taken even on other occasions. The fruits of the Ficus religiosa and the Ficus Bengalensis as also the leaves of the Crotolaria Juncea, and the fruits of the Ficus glomerata, should never be eaten by one who seeks his own good. The flesh of goats, of kine, and the peacock, should never be eaten. One should also abstain from dried flesh and all flesh that is stale. The intelligent man should never eat any salt, taking it up with his hand.
दधिसक्तून् न भुञ्जीत वृथा मासं च वर्जयेत्॥ सायंप्रातश्च भुञ्जीत नान्तराले समाहितः।
Nor should he eat curds and flour of fried barley at night. One should abstain also from flesh of animals not killed in sacrifices. One should, with rapt attention, eat once on the morning and once in the evening, abstaining entirely from all food in the interval.
वालेन तु न भुञ्जीत परश्राद्धं तथैव च॥ वाग्यतो नैकवस्त्रश्च नासंविष्टः कदाचन।
One should never eat any food in which he may find out a hair. Nor should one eat at the Shraddha of an enemy. One should eat silently; one should never eat without covering his body with an upper garment, and without sitting down.
भूमौ सदैव नाश्नीयान्नानासीनो न शब्दवत्॥ तोयपूर्वं प्रदायान्नमतिथिभ्यो विशाम्पते। पश्चाद् भुजीत मेधावी न चाप्यन्यमना नरः॥ समानमेकपक्त्यां तु भोज्यमनं नरेश्वर। विषं हालाहलं भुङ्क्ते योऽप्रदाय सुहृज्जने॥ पानीयं पायसं सक्तून् दधिसर्पिमधून्यपि। निरस्य शेषमन्येषां न प्रदेयं तु कस्यचित्॥ भुजानो मनुजव्याघ्र चैव शङ्कां समाचरेत्।
One should never eat any food placing it on the naked ground. One should never eat except in a sitting posture. One should never make any noise while eating. The intelligent man should first offer water and then food to one who has become his guest, and after liaving served the guest thus, should then take his meals himself. He who sits down to dinner in a line with friends and himself eats any food without giving thereof to his friends, is said to eat dreadful poison. As regards water and Payasa and flour of fried barley and curds and clarified butter and honey, one should never, after drinking or eating these, offer the residue thereof to others. One should never, O King, eat any foot hesitatingly.
दधि चाप्यनुपानं वै न कर्तव्यं भवार्थिना॥ आचम्य चैकहस्तेन परिप्लाव्यं तथोदकम्।
One seeking one's own good, should never drink curds finishing his meal. After the meal is finished, one should wash his mouth and face with the (right) hand only, and taking a little water should then dip the toe of the right food in it.
अङ्गुष्ठं चरणस्याथ दक्षिणस्यावसेचयेत्॥ पाणिं मूर्ध्नि समाधाय स्पृष्ट्वा चाग्निं समाहितः।
After washing, one should touch the crown of his head with the (right) hand. With rapt attention, one should next touch fire.
ज्ञातिश्रेष्ठ्यमवाप्नोति प्रयोगकुशलो नरः॥ अद्भिःप्राणान् समालभ्य नाभिं पाणितले तथा।
The man who knows how to observe all these ordinances carefully carefully succeeds in acquiring the foremost place among kinsmen. One should, after finishing his meals, wash his nose and eyes and ears and navel and both hands with water.
स्पृशंश्चैव प्रतिष्ठेत च चाप्याट्टैण पाणिना॥ अङ्गुष्ठस्यान्तराले च ब्राह्यं तीर्थमुदाहृतम्।
One should not, however, keep his hands wet. Between the tip and the root of the thumb is situate the sacred Tirtha known by the name of Brahma.
कनिष्ठिकायाः पश्चात् तु देवतीर्थमिहोच्यते॥ अङ्गुष्ठस्य च यन्मध्यं प्रदेशिन्याश्च भारत। तेन पित्र्याणि कुर्वीत स्पृष्ट्वापो न्यायतः सदा॥ परापवादं न ब्रूयानाप्रियं च कदाचन।
On the back of the little finger, it is said, is situate the Devatirtha. The intervening space between the thumb and the forefinger, Bharata, should be used for performing the Pitri rites, after touching water according to the ordinance. One should never vilify other people. Nor should one ever utter anything that is disagreeable.
न मन्युः कश्चिदुत्पाद्यः पुरुषेण भवार्थिना॥ पतितैस्तु कथां नेच्छेद् दर्शनं च विवर्जयेत्।
The man who desires his own good, should never seek to bring on himself the wrath of others. One should never seek to talk with an outcaste. The very sight of such a personi should be shunned.
संसर्ग च न गच्छेत तथाऽऽयुर्विन्दते महत्॥ न दिवा मैथुनं गच्छेन्न कन्यां न च बन्धकीम्।
One should never come in contact with degraded person. By avoiding such contact one succeeds in acquiring a long life. One should never indulge in sexual intercourse at day time. Nor should one know a maiden, or a harlot nor a barren woman.
न चास्नातां स्त्रियं गच्छेत् तथायुर्विन्दते महत्॥ स्वे स्वे तीर्थे समाचम्य कार्ये समुपकल्पिते। त्रिः पीत्वाऽऽपो द्विः प्रमृज्य कृतशौचो भवेन्नरः।। इन्द्रियाणि सकृत्स्पृश्य त्रिरभ्युक्ष्य च मानवः।
One should never know a woman who has not bathed after the expiry of her menses. By avoiding such acts one succeeds in acquiring a long life. After washing the several limbs directed, in view of religious acts, one should wash his lips thrice, and once more twice. By doing this, one becomes purified and fit for religious rites. The several organs of sense should each be washed once, and water should also be sprinkled over the entire body.
कुर्वीत पित्र्यं दैवं च वेददृष्टेन कर्मणा॥ ब्राह्मणार्थे च यच्छौचं तच्च मे शृणु कौरव। पवित्रं च हितं चैव भोजनाद्यंन्तयोस्तथा॥ सर्वशौचेषु ब्राह्मण तीर्थेन समुपस्पृशेत् निष्ठीव्य तु
Having done this, one should perforin the adoration of the departed Manes and celestials, according to the ordinances of Vedas. Listen to me, O you of Kuru's race, as I tell you what purification is cleansing and beneficial for a Brahmana. Before beginning to eat and after finishing the meal, and in all deeds requiring purification, the Brahmana should rinse his mouth with water placed on the limb called the Brahmatirtha.
तथा क्षुत्त्वा स्पृश्यापो हि शुचिर्भवेत्॥ वृद्धो ज्ञातिस्तथा मित्रं दरिद्रो यो भवेदपि। गृहे वासयितव्यास्ते धन्यमायुष्यमेव च॥ गृहे पारावता धन्याः शुकाश्च सहसारिकाः।
After ejecting any matter from the throat or spitting, one should wash his mouth before he can become pure. A kinsman who happens to be old, or a friend who happens to be poor, should be accommodated in one's house and his comforts looked after as if he were a member of the family. By doing this, one succeeds in winning both fame and longevity. To keep pigeons as also parrots both male and female, in one's house is highly blessed.
गृहेष्वेते न पापाय तथा वै तैलपायिकाः॥ उद्वीपकाश्च गृध्राश्च कपोता भ्रमरास्तथा। निवेशेयुर्यदा तत्र शान्तिमेव तदाऽऽचरेत्। अमङ्गल्यानि चैतानि तथाक्रोशो महात्मनाम्॥ महात्मनोऽतिगुह्यानि न वक्तव्यानि कर्हिचित्। अगम्याश्च न गच्छेत राज्ञः पत्नी सखीस्तथा॥
If these live in one's house, they succeed in removing calamity. The same is the case with cockroaches. If fireflies and vultures and woodpigeons and bees enter a house and live in it, acts of propitiating the celestials should be performed. These are creatures of evil omen, as also ospreys. One should never give out the secrets of great men; one should never have sexual union with a forbidden woman. Nor should one ever have such union with the consort of a king or with women who are the friends of qucens.
वैद्यानां बालवृद्धानां भृत्यानां च युधिष्ठिर। बन्धूनां ब्राह्मपानां च तथा गारणिकस्य च॥ सम्बन्धिनां च राजेन्द्र तथाऽऽयुर्विन्दते महत्। ब्राह्मणस्थपतिभ्यां च निर्मितं यन्निवेशनम्॥ तदावसेत् सदा प्राज्ञो भवार्थी मनुजेश्वर। संध्यायां न स्वपेद् राजन् विद्यां न च समाचरेत्।।
One should never make friends with physicians, or with children, or with persons who are old, or with one's servants, O Yudhishthira. One should always provide for friends, for Brahmanas and for such as seek his protection. By doing this, O king, one acquires a long life. A wise man should live in such a house as has been constructed with the help of a Brahmana and an engineer skilled in his calling, if, indeed, O king, he seeks for his own behoof. One should not, O king, sleep at the evening twilight. Nor should one study at such hour for acquiring any any branch of knowledge.
न भुञ्जीत च मेधावी तथायुर्विन्दते महत्। नक्तं न कुर्यात् पित्र्याणि भुक्त्वा चैव प्रसाधनम्।।११९
An intelligent man should never eat also at such an hour. By acting thus, one acquires a long life. One should never perform any act in honour of the departed Manes at night time. One should not adorn his body after finishing his meals.
पानीयस्य क्रिया नक्तं न कार्या भूतिमिच्छता। वर्जनीयाश्चैव नित्यं सक्तवो निशि भारत॥
One should not bathe at night, if he seeks his own aggrandisement. One should also, O Bharata, always abstain from the flour of fried barley at night.
शेषाणि चैव पानानि पानीयं चापि भोजने। सौहित्यं न च कर्तव्यं रात्रौ न च समाचरेत्॥
The residue of food and drink, as also the flowers with which one has adored the celestials, should never be used. Inviting a guest at night, one should never, with excessive courtesy, compel him to eat to his fill. Nor should one cat to his fill, at night.
द्विजच्छेदं न कुर्वीत भुक्त्वा न च समाचरेत्। महाकुले प्रसूतां च प्रशस्ता लक्षणैस्तथा॥ वयःस्थां च महाप्राज्ञः कन्यामावोढुमर्हति। अपत्यमुत्पाद्य ततः प्रतिष्ठाप्य कुलं तथा॥ पुत्राः प्रदेया ज्ञानेषु कुलधर्मेषु भारत। कन्या चोत्पाद्य दातव्या कुलपुत्राय धीमते॥
One should not kill a bird (for eating it), especially after having fed it, A wise man should espouse a maiden born in a high family, gifted with auspicious marks, and of full age. Begetting children upon her and thus perpetuating his race by that means, one should make over his sons to a good preceptor for being educated generally, O Bharata, as also in the especial customs of the family, O monarch. The daughters that one may beget should be married to youths of respectable families, who are again possessed of intelligence.
पुत्रा निवेश्याश्च कुलाद् भृत्या लभ्याश्च भारत। शिरःस्नातोऽथ कुर्वीत दैवं पित्र्यमथापि च॥
Sons should also be settled and a portion of the family inheritance given to them, O Bharata, as their provision. One should bathe by dipping his head in water before he sits down to perform any act in honour of the departed Manes or the deities.
नक्षत्रे न च कुर्वीत यस्मिन् जातो भवेन्नरः। न प्रोष्ठपदयोः कार्यं तथाग्नेये च भारत॥
One should never perform a Shraddha under the constellation of his nativity. No Shraddha should be performed under any of the Bhadrapadas (prior or later), nor under the constellation Krittika, O Bharata.
दारुणेषु च सर्वेषु प्रत्यरिं च विवर्जयेत्। ज्योतिषे यानि चोक्तानि तानि सर्वाणि वर्जयेत्।।१२७
The Shraddha should never be performed under any of those constellations that are considered as dreadful (such as Ashlesha, etc.,) and any of those that upon calculation, seem to be hostile. Indeed, in this matter, all these constellations should be avoided which are forbidden in astrology.
प्राङ्मुख: श्मश्रुकर्माणि कारयेत् सुसमाहितः। उदङ्मुखो वा राजेन्द्र तथायुर्विन्दते महत्॥
One should sit facing either the east or the north while being shaved by a barber. By so doing, O great king, one succeeds in living long.
परिवादं न च ब्रूयात् परेषामात्मनस्तथा। परिवादो धर्माय प्रोच्यते भरतर्षभ॥
One should neither 'vilify others reproach himself for, O chief of the Bharatas, it is said that calumny is sinful whether of others or of oneself.
वर्जयेद् व्यंगिनीं नारी तथा कन्यां नरोत्तमा समा? व्यंगितां चैव मातुः स्वकुलजां तथा॥
In marrying, one should avoid a woman who is deficient of any limb. A maiden too, if such, should also be avoided. A woman of the same Pravars should also be avoided; as also one who is ill-formed in body; as also one who has been born in the race to which one's mother belongs. nor
वृद्धां प्रव्रजितां चैव तथैव च पतिव्रताम्। तथा निकृष्टवर्णां च वर्णोत्कृष्टां च वर्जयेत्॥ अयोनि च वियोनि च न गच्छेत विचक्षणः।
A wise man should never know a woman who is old, or one who has given up the domestic mode of life for entering the forest mode, or one who is faithful to her husband or one whose organs of generation are not healthy or well-formed.
पिङ्गलां कुष्ठिनीं नारी न त्वमुद्दोढुमर्हसि॥ अपस्मारिकुले जातां निहीनां चापि वर्जयेत्। श्वित्रिणां च कुले जातां क्षयिणां मनुजेश्वर॥ लक्षणैरन्विता या च प्रशस्ता या च लक्षणैः। मनोज्ञां दर्शनीयां च तां भवान् वोढुमर्हति॥ महाकुले निवेष्टव्यं सदृशे वा युधिष्ठिर।
You should not marry a woman who is of a yellow colour, or one who is attacked with leprosy, or onc born in a family in which there has been epilepsy, or one that is low in birth and habits, or one that is born in a family in which the disease called leprosy has appeared, or one belonging by birth to a family in which there are early deaths. Only that maiden who is gifted with auspicious indications, and who is accomplished for all sorts of qualifications, who is agrecable and beautiful, should be married. One should marry, O Yudhishthira, in a family who is higher or at least equal to his OW1l.
अवरा पतिता चैव न ग्राह्या भूतिमिच्छता॥ अग्नीनुत्पाद्य यत्नेन क्रियाः सुविहिताश्च याः। वेदे च ब्राह्मणैः प्रोक्तास्ताश्च सर्वाः समाचरेत्।।१३६ न चेा स्त्रीषु कर्तव्या रक्ष्या दाराश्च सर्वशः।
One who is desirous of his own prosperity, should never marry a woman who is of an inferior caste or who has fallen away from the caste of her birth. Carefully lighting up the fire, one should perform all those acts which have been ordained and declared in the Vedas or by the Brahinanas. One should never seek to injure women. Wives should always be protected.
अनायुष्या भवेदीर्ध्या तस्मादीलुं विवर्जयेत्॥ अनायुष्यं दिवा स्वप्नं तथाभ्युदितशायिता।
Malice always shortens life. Hence, one should always abstain from entertaining malice. Sleep at day time shortens life. To sleep after the sunrise shortens life.
प्रगे निशामाशु तथा नैवोच्छिष्टाः स्वपन्ति वै॥ पारदार्यमनायुष्यं नापितोच्छिष्टता तथा।
They who sleep at any of the twilight's, or at nightfall, or who go to sleep in, a state of impurity, have their lives shortened. Adultery always shortens life. One should not remain in a state of impurity after shaving.
यत्नतो वै न कर्तव्यमभ्यासश्चैव भारत॥ संध्यायां च न भुञ्जीत न स्नायेन्न तथा पठेत्। प्रयतश्च भवेत् तस्यां न च किंचित् समाचरेत्॥ ब्राह्मणान् पूजयेच्चापि तथा स्नात्वा नराधिप।
One should, O Bharata, carefully abstain from reading or reciting the Vedas, and eating, and bathing at eventide. When the evening twilight sets in one should collect his senses for meditation, without doing any act. One should, O king, bathe and then adore the Brahinanas.
देवांश्च प्रणमेत् स्नातो गुरुश्चाप्यभिवादयेत्॥ अनिमन्त्रितो न गच्छेत यज्ञं गच्छेत दर्शकः। अनर्चिते ह्यनायुष्यं गमनं तत्र भारत॥ न चैकेन परिव्रज्यं न गन्तव्यं तथा निशि।
Indeed, one should bathe before adoring the celestials and reverentially saluting the preceptor. One should never go to a sacrifice unless invited. Indeed, one may go there without an invitation, if he wishes to only see how the sacrifice is conducted. If one goes to a sacrifice without an invitation and if one does not on that account, receive proper adoration from the sacrificer, his life becomes shortened. One should never go alone on a journey to foreign parts. Nor should one ever go alone to any place at night.
अनागतायां संध्यायां पश्चिमायां गृहे वसेत्॥ मातुः पितुर्गुरूणां च कार्यमेवानुशासनम्। हितं चाप्यहितं चापि न विचार्यं नरर्षभ॥ धनुर्वेदे च वेदे च यत्नः कार्यो नराधिप।
Before evening sets in, one should return to his house and remain within it. One should always obey the commands of his parents and preceptor, without at all judging whether those commands are good or not. One should, O king, attend carefully of the Vedas and the military science.
हस्तिपृष्ठेऽश्वपृष्ठे च रथचर्यासु चैव ह॥ यत्नवान् भव राजेन्द्र यत्नवान् सुखमेधते।
Do then, O king, carefully attend to the practice of riding an elephant, a horse and a warchariot. The man who attends to these with care, succeeds in acquiring happiness.
अप्रधृष्यश्च शत्रूणां भृत्यानां स्वजनस्य च॥ प्रजापालनयुक्तश्च न क्षतिं लभते क्वचित्।
Such a king succeeds in becoming unconquerable by enemies, and govern his servants and kinsmen without any of them being able to subjugate him. The king who attains to such a position and who carefully attends to the duty of protecting his subjects, has never to incur any loss.
युक्तिशास्त्रं च ते ज्ञेयं शब्दशास्त्रं च भारत॥ गान्धर्वशास्त्रं च कला: परिज्ञेया नराधिप।
You should, O king, be proficient in logic, as also the science of words, the science of music and the four and the sixty branches of knowledge known by the name of Kala.
पुराणमितिहासाश्च तथाख्याऽऽनानि यानि च॥ महात्मनां च चरितं श्रोतव्यं नित्यमेव ते।
One should every day hear the Puranas and the histories and all the other narratives that cxist, as also the biographies of all great men.
पत्नी रजस्वला या च नाभिगच्छन्न चाह्वयेत्॥ स्नातां चतुर्थे दिवसे रात्रौ गच्छेद् विचक्षणः।
When one's wife is in her season, one should never know her, nor even summon her for conversation. A wise man may take her into his company on the fourth day after the bath of purification.
पञ्चमे दिवसे नारी षष्ठेऽहनि पुमान् भवेत्॥ एतेन विधिना पत्नीमुपगच्छेत पण्डितः।
If one holds sexual union on the fifth day from the first appearance of the cataminal flow he gets a daughter. By holding it on the sixth day, he gets a son. A wise man should, in the matter of sexual intercourse attend to this rule.
ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिमित्राणि पूजनीयानि सर्वशः॥ यष्टव्यं च यथाशक्ति यज्ञैर्विविधदक्षिणैः।
Kinsmen and relatives by marriage and friends should all be treated with respect. One should, to the best of his power, worship the celestials in sacrifices, giving away various kinds of articles as sacrificial presents.
अत उर्ध्वमरण्यं च सेवितव्यं नराधिप॥ एष ते लक्षणोद्देश आयुष्याणां प्रकीर्तितः।
After the period laid down for the domestic mode of life, one should, O king, become a hermit. I have thus told you briefly all the characteristics of persons who succeed in living long.
शेषस्त्रविद्यवृद्धेभ्यः प्रत्याहार्यो युधिष्ठिर॥ आचारो भूतिजनन आचारः कीर्तिवर्धनः।
What I have not told you should be heard by you from the mouths of persons well-versed in the three Vedas, O Yudhishthira. You should know that conduct is the root of prosperity. Conduct increases fame.
आचाराद् वर्धते ह्यायुराचारो हन्त्यलक्षणम्॥ आगमानां हि सर्वेषामाचारः श्रेष्ठ उच्यते।
It is conduct which prolongs life. It is conduct which destroys all calamitics and evils. Conduct has been said to be superior 10 all the branches of knowledge.
आचारप्रभवो धर्मो धर्मादायुर्विवर्धते॥ एतद् यशस्यमायुष्यं स्वयं स्वस्त्ययनं महत्। अनुकम्प्य सर्ववर्णान् ब्रह्मणा समुदाहृतम्॥
It is conduct which begets virtue, and it is virtue which prolongs life. Conduct gives fame, long life, and Heaven. Conduct is the most efficacious rite of propitiating the celestials. The self-create Brahman himself has said that one should show mercy to all orders of men.