1.2. ’Deign, divine one, to declare to us precisely and in due order the sacred laws of each of the (four chief) castes (varna) and of the intermediate ones.
tvam ekaḥ hi asya sarvasya vidhānasya svayambhuvaḥ . acintyasya aprameyasya kārya-tattva-artha-vid prabho .. 1.3..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.3. ’For thou, O Lord, alone knowest the purport, (i.e.) the rites, and the knowledge of the soul, (taught) in this whole ordinance of the Self-existent (Svayambhu), which is unknowable and unfathomable.’
1.5. This (universe) existed in the shape of Darkness, unperceived, destitute of distinctive marks, unattainable by reasoning, unknowable, wholly immersed, as it were, in deep sleep.
1.6. Then the divine Self-existent (Svayambhu, himself) indiscernible, (but) making (all) this, the great elements and the rest, discernible, appeared with irresistible (creative) power, dispelling the darkness.
1.7. He who can be perceived by the internal organ (alone), who is subtile, indiscernible, and eternal, who contains all created beings and is inconceivable, shone forth of his own (will).
āpaḥ nārāḥ iti proktāḥ āpaḥ vai nara-sūnavaḥ . tāḥ yat asya ayanam pūrvam tena nārāyaṇaḥ smṛtaḥ .. 1.10..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.10. The waters are called narah, (for) the waters are, indeed, the offspring of Nara; as they were his first residence (ayana), he thence is named Narayana.
yat tat kāraṇam avyaktam nityam sat-asat-ātmakam . tad-visṛṣṭaḥ sa puruṣaḥ loke brahma eti kīrtyate .. 1.11..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.11. From that (first) cause, which is indiscernible, eternal, and both real and unreal, was produced that male (Purusha), who is famed in this world (under the appellation of) Brahman.
ताभ्यां स शकलाभ्यां च दिवं भूमिं च निर्ममे । मध्ये व्योम दिशश्चाष्टावपां स्थानं च शाश्वतम् ॥ १.१३॥
PADACHEDA
ताभ्याम् स शकलाभ्याम् च दिवम् भूमिम् च निर्ममे । मध्ये व्योम दिशः च अष्टौ अपाम् स्थानम् च शाश्वतम् ॥ १।१३॥
TRANSLITERATION
tābhyām sa śakalābhyām ca divam bhūmim ca nirmame . madhye vyoma diśaḥ ca aṣṭau apām sthānam ca śāśvatam .. 1.13..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.13. And out of those two halves he formed heaven and earth, between them the middle sphere, the eight points of the horizon, and the eternal abode of the waters.
उद्बबर्ह आत्मनः च एव मनः सत्-असत्-आत्मकम् । मनसः च अपि अहङ्कारम् अभिमन्तारम् ईश्वरम् ॥ १।१४॥
TRANSLITERATION
udbabarha ātmanaḥ ca eva manaḥ sat-asat-ātmakam . manasaḥ ca api ahaṅkāram abhimantāram īśvaram .. 1.14..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.14. From himself (atmanah) he also drew forth the mind, which is both real and unreal, likewise from the mind egoism, which possesses the function of self-consciousness (and is) lordly;
महान्तमेव चात्मानं सर्वाणि त्रिगुणानि च । विषयाणां ग्रहीतॄणि शनैः पञ्चैन्द्रियाणि च ॥ १.१५॥
PADACHEDA
महान्तम् एव च आत्मानम् सर्वाणि त्रिगुणानि च । विषयाणाम् ग्रहीतॄणि शनैस् पञ्च ऐन्द्रियाणि च ॥ १।१५॥
TRANSLITERATION
mahāntam eva ca ātmānam sarvāṇi triguṇāni ca . viṣayāṇām grahītṝṇi śanais pañca aindriyāṇi ca .. 1.15..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.15. Moreover, the great one, the soul, and all (products) affected by the three qualities, and, in their order, the five organs which perceive the objects of sensation.
1.17. Because those six (kinds of) minute particles, which form the (creator’s) frame, enter (a-sri) these
(creatures), therefore the wise call his frame sarira, (the body.)
tat āviśanti bhūtāni mahānti saha karmabhiḥ . manaḥ ca avayavaiḥ sūkṣmaiḥ sarva-bhūta-kṛt avyayam .. 1.18..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.18. That the great elements enter, together with their functions and the mind, through its minute parts the
framer of all beings, the imperishable one.
आद्याद्यस्य गुणं त्वेषामवाप्नोति परः परः । यो यो यावतिथश्चैषां स स तावद्गुणः स्मृतः ॥ १.२०॥
PADACHEDA
आद्य-आद्यस्य गुणम् तु एषाम् अवाप्नोति परः परः । यः यः यावतिथः च एषाम् स स तावत्-गुणः स्मृतः ॥ १।२०॥
TRANSLITERATION
ādya-ādyasya guṇam tu eṣām avāpnoti paraḥ paraḥ . yaḥ yaḥ yāvatithaḥ ca eṣām sa sa tāvat-guṇaḥ smṛtaḥ .. 1.20..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.20. Among them each succeeding (element) acquires the quality of the preceding one, and whatever place (in
the sequence) each of them occupies, even so many qualities it is declared to possess.
कर्मात्मनां च देवानां सोऽसृजत्प्राणिनां प्रभुः । साध्यानां च गणं सूक्ष्मं यज्ञं चैव सनातनम् ॥ १.२२॥
PADACHEDA
कर्म-आत्मनाम् च देवानाम् सः असृजत् प्राणिनाम् प्रभुः । साध्यानाम् च गणम् सूक्ष्मम् यज्ञम् च एव सनातनम् ॥ १।२२॥
TRANSLITERATION
karma-ātmanām ca devānām saḥ asṛjat prāṇinām prabhuḥ . sādhyānām ca gaṇam sūkṣmam yajñam ca eva sanātanam .. 1.22..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.22. He, the Lord, also created the class of the gods, who are endowed with life, and whose nature is action; and the subtile class of the Sadhyas, and the eternal sacrifice
1.23. But from fire, wind, and the sun he drew forth the threefold eternal Veda, called Rik, Yagus, and Saman, for the due performance of the sacrifice.
कर्मणाम् च विवेकाय धर्म-अधर्मौ व्यवेचयत् । द्वन्द्वैः अयोजयत् च एमाः सुख-दुःख-आदिभिः प्रजाः ॥ १।२६॥
TRANSLITERATION
karmaṇām ca vivekāya dharma-adharmau vyavecayat . dvandvaiḥ ayojayat ca emāḥ sukha-duḥkha-ādibhiḥ prajāḥ .. 1.26..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.26. Moreover, in order to distinguish actions, he separated merit from demerit, and he caused the creatures to
be affected by the pairs (of opposites), such as pain and pleasure.
यं तु कर्मणि यस्मिन् स न्ययुङ्क्त प्रथमं प्रभुः । स तदेव स्वयं भेजे सृज्यमानः पुनः पुनः ॥ १.२८॥
PADACHEDA
यम् तु कर्मणि यस्मिन् स न्ययुङ्क्त प्रथमम् प्रभुः । स तत् एव स्वयम् भेजे सृज्यमानः पुनर् पुनर् ॥ १।२८॥
TRANSLITERATION
yam tu karmaṇi yasmin sa nyayuṅkta prathamam prabhuḥ . sa tat eva svayam bheje sṛjyamānaḥ punar punar .. 1.28..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.28. But to whatever course of action the Lord at first appointed each (kind of beings), that alone it has
spontaneously adopted in each succeeding creation.
1.29. Whatever he assigned to each at the (first) creation, noxiousness or harmlessness, gentleness or ferocity,
virtue or sin, truth or falsehood, that clung (afterwards) spontaneously to it.
1.30. As at the change of the seasons each season of its own accord assumes its distinctive marks, even so corporeal beings (resume in new births) their (appointed) course of action.
lokānām tu vivṛddhi-artham mukha-bāhu-ūru-pādataḥ . brāhmaṇam kṣatriyam vaiśyam śūdram ca niravartayat .. 1.31..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.31. But for the sake of the prosperity of the worlds he caused the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaisya, and
the Sudra to proceed from his mouth, his arms, his thighs, and his feet.
tapaḥ taptvā asṛjat yam tu sa svayam puruṣaḥ virāj . tam mām vitta asya sarvasya sraṣṭāram dvijasattamāḥ .. 1.33..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.33. But know me, O most holy among the twice-born, to be the creator of this whole (world), whom that male,
Virag, himself produced, having performed austerities.
aham prajāḥ sisṛkṣuḥ tu tapaḥ taptvā su duścaram . patīn prajānām asṛjam mahā-ṛṣīn āditas daśa .. 1.34..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.34. Then I, desiring to produce created beings, performed very difficult austerities, and (thereby) called into
existence ten great sages, lords of created beings,
यक्ष-रक्षः पिशाचान् च गन्धर्व-अप्सरसः असुरान् । नागान् सर्पान् सुपर्णान् च पृथक् गणम् ॥ १।३७॥
TRANSLITERATION
yakṣa-rakṣaḥ piśācān ca gandharva-apsarasaḥ asurān . nāgān sarpān suparṇān ca pṛthak gaṇam .. 1.37..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.37. Yakshas (the servants of Kubera, the demons called) Rakshasas and Pisakas, Gandharvas (or musicians of the gods), Apsarases (the dancers of the gods), Asuras, (the snake-deities called) Nagas and Sarpas, (the bird-
deities called) Suparnas and the several classes of the manes,
विद्युतोऽशनिमेघांश्च रोहितैन्द्रधनूंषि च । उल्कानिर्घातकेतूंश्च ज्योतींष्युच्चावचानि च ॥ १.३८॥
PADACHEDA
विद्युतः अशनि-मेघान् च रोहित-ऐन्द्रधनूंषि च । उल्का-निर्घात-केतून् च ज्योतींषि उच्चावचानि च ॥ १।३८॥
TRANSLITERATION
vidyutaḥ aśani-meghān ca rohita-aindradhanūṃṣi ca . ulkā-nirghāta-ketūn ca jyotīṃṣi uccāvacāni ca .. 1.38..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.38. Lightnings, thunderbolts and clouds, imperfect (rohita) and perfect rainbows, falling meteors, supernatural noises, comets, and heavenly lights of many kinds,
1.41. Thus was this whole (creation), both the immovable and the movable, produced by those high-minded
ones by means of austerities and at my command, (each being) according to (the results of) its actions.
येषाम् तु यादृशम् कर्म भूतानाम् इह कीर्तितम् । तत् तथा वः अभिधास्यामि क्रम-योगम् च जन्मनि ॥ १।४२॥
TRANSLITERATION
yeṣām tu yādṛśam karma bhūtānām iha kīrtitam . tat tathā vaḥ abhidhāsyāmi krama-yogam ca janmani .. 1.42..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.42. But whatever act is stated (to belong) to (each of) those creatures here below, that I will truly declare to you, as well as their order in respect to birth.
1.46. All plants, propagated by seed or by slips, grow from shoots; annual plants (are those) which, bearing many flowers and fruits, perish after the ripening of their fruit;
अपुष्पाः फलवन्तो ये ते वनस्पतयः स्मृताः । पुष्पिणः फलिनश्चैव वृक्षास्तूभयतः स्मृताः ॥ १.४७॥
PADACHEDA
अपुष्पाः फलवन्तः ये ते वनस्पतयः स्मृताः । पुष्पिणः फलिनः च एव वृक्षाः तु उभयतस् स्मृताः ॥ १।४७॥
TRANSLITERATION
apuṣpāḥ phalavantaḥ ye te vanaspatayaḥ smṛtāḥ . puṣpiṇaḥ phalinaḥ ca eva vṛkṣāḥ tu ubhayatas smṛtāḥ .. 1.47..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.47. (Those trees) which bear fruit without flowers are called vanaspati (lords of the forest); but those which
bear both flowers and fruit are called vriksha.
गुच्छ-गुल्मम् तु विविधम् तथा एव तृण-जातयः । बीज-काण्ड-रुहाणि एव प्रतानाः वल्ल्यः एव च ॥ १।४८॥
TRANSLITERATION
guccha-gulmam tu vividham tathā eva tṛṇa-jātayaḥ . bīja-kāṇḍa-ruhāṇi eva pratānāḥ vallyaḥ eva ca .. 1.48..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.48. But the various plants with many stalks, growing from one or several roots, the different kinds of grasses, the climbing plants and the creepers spring all from seed or from slips.
1.49. These (plants) which are surrounded by multiform Darkness, the result of their acts (in former existences), possess internal consciousness and experience pleasure and pain.
1.50. The (various) conditions in this always terrible and constantly changing circle of births and deaths to which created beings are subject, are stated to begin with (that of) Brahman, and to end with (that of) these (just mentioned immovable creatures).
एवं सर्वं स सृष्ट्वैदं मां चाचिन्त्यपराक्रमः । आत्मन्यन्तर्दधे भूयः कालं कालेन पीडयन् ॥ १.५१॥
PADACHEDA
एवम् सर्वम् स सृष्ट्वा एदम् माम् च अचिन्त्य-पराक्रमः । आत्मनि अन्तर्दधे भूयस् कालम् कालेन पीडयन् ॥ १।५१॥
TRANSLITERATION
evam sarvam sa sṛṣṭvā edam mām ca acintya-parākramaḥ . ātmani antardadhe bhūyas kālam kālena pīḍayan .. 1.51..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.51. When he whose power is incomprehensible, had thus produced the universe and men, he disappeared in himself, repeatedly suppressing one period by means of the other.
1.54. When they are absorbed all at once in that great soul, then he who is the soul of all beings sweetly slumbers, free from all care and occupation.
तमोऽयं तु समाश्रित्य चिरं तिष्ठति सैन्द्रियः । न च स्वं कुरुते कर्म तदोत्क्रामति मूर्तितः ॥ १.५५॥
PADACHEDA
तमः अयम् तु समाश्रित्य चिरम् तिष्ठति स ऐन्द्रियः । न च स्वम् कुरुते कर्म तदा उत्क्रामति मूर्तितः ॥ १।५५॥
TRANSLITERATION
tamaḥ ayam tu samāśritya ciram tiṣṭhati sa aindriyaḥ . na ca svam kurute karma tadā utkrāmati mūrtitaḥ .. 1.55..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.55. When this (soul) has entered darkness, it remains for a long time united with the organs (of sensation), but performs not its functions; it then leaves the corporeal frame.
1.56. When, being clothed with minute particles (only), it enters into vegetable or animal seed, it then assumes, united (with the fine body), a (new) corporeal frame.
एवं स जाग्रत्स्वप्नाभ्यामिदं सर्वं चराचरम् । सञ्जीवयति चाजस्रं प्रमापयति चाव्ययः ॥ १.५७॥
PADACHEDA
एवम् स जाग्रत्-स्वप्नाभ्याम् इदम् सर्वम् चराचरम् । सञ्जीवयति च अजस्रम् प्रमापयति च अव्ययः ॥ १।५७॥
TRANSLITERATION
evam sa jāgrat-svapnābhyām idam sarvam carācaram . sañjīvayati ca ajasram pramāpayati ca avyayaḥ .. 1.57..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.57. Thus he, the imperishable one, by (alternately) waking and slumbering, incessantly revivifies and destroys
this whole movable and immovable (creation).
idam śāstram tu kṛtvā asau mām eva svayam āditas . vidhivat grāhayāmāsa marīci-ādīn tu aham munīn .. 1.58..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.58. But he having composed these Institutes (of the sacred law), himself taught them, according to the rule, to me alone in the beginning; next I (taught them) to Mariki and the other sages.
svāyambhuvasya asya manoḥ ṣaṣ-vaṃśyāḥ manavaḥ apare . sṛṣṭavantaḥ prajāḥ svāḥ svāḥ mahātmānaḥ mahā-ojasaḥ .. 1.61..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.61. Six other high-minded, very powerful Manus, who belong to the race of this Manu, the descendant of the Self-existent (Svayambhu), and who have severally produced created beings,
svāyambhuva-ādyāḥ sapta ete manavaḥ bhūri-tejasaḥ . sve sve antare sarvam idam utpādya āpuḥ carācaram .. 1.63..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.63. These seven very glorious Manus, the first among whom is Svayambhuva, produced and protected this whole movable and immovable (creation), each during the period (allotted to him).
निमेषा दश चाष्टौ च काष्ठा त्रिंशत्तु ताः कला । त्रिंशत्कला मुहूर्तः स्यादहोरात्रं तु तावतः ॥ १.६४॥
PADACHEDA
निमेषाः दश च अष्टौ च काष्ठा त्रिंशत् तु ताः कला । त्रिंशत् कलाः मुहूर्तः स्यात् अहोरात्रम् तु तावतः ॥ १।६४॥
TRANSLITERATION
nimeṣāḥ daśa ca aṣṭau ca kāṣṭhā triṃśat tu tāḥ kalā . triṃśat kalāḥ muhūrtaḥ syāt ahorātram tu tāvataḥ .. 1.64..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.64. Eighteen nimeshas (twinklings of the eye, are one kashtha), thirty kashthas one kala, thirty kalas one muhurta, and as many (muhurtas) one day and night.
1.66. A month is a day and a night of the manes, but the division is according to fortnights. The dark (fortnight) is their day for active exertion, the bright (fortnight) their night for sleep.
1.67. A year is a day and a night of the gods; their division is (as follows): the half year during which the sun progresses to the north will be the day, that during which it goes southwards the night.
brāhmasya tu kṣapā-ahasya yat pramāṇam samāsatas . ekaikaśas yugānām tu kramaśas tat nibodhata .. 1.68..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.68. But hear now the brief (description of) the duration of a night and a day of Brahman and of the several ages (of the world, yuga) according to their order.
catvāri āhuḥ sahasrāṇi varṣāṇām tat kṛtam yugam . tasya tāvatśatī saṃdhyā saṃdhyā-aṃśaḥ ca tathāvidhaḥ .. 1.69..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.69. They declare that the Krita age (consists of) four thousand years (of the gods); the twilight preceding it consists of as many hundreds, and the twilight following it of the same number.
तत् वै युग-सहस्र-अन्तम् ब्राह्मम् पुण्यम् अहर् विदुः । रात्रिम् च तावतीम् एव ते अहोरात्र-विदः जनाः ॥ १।७३॥
TRANSLITERATION
tat vai yuga-sahasra-antam brāhmam puṇyam ahar viduḥ . rātrim ca tāvatīm eva te ahorātra-vidaḥ janāḥ .. 1.73..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.73. Those (only, who) know that the holy day of Brahman, indeed, ends after (the completion of) one thousand ages (of the gods) and that his night lasts as long, (are really) men acquainted with (the length of) days
and nights.
1.75. Mind, impelled by (Brahman’s) desire to create, performs the work of creation by modifying itself, thence
ether is produced; they declare that sound is the quality of the latter.
1.77. Next from wind modifying itself, proceeds the brilliant light, which illuminates and dispels darkness; that is declared to possess the quality of colour;
1.78. And from light, modifying itself, (is produced) water, possessing the quality of taste, from water earth which has the quality of smell; such is the creation in the beginning.
1.79. The before-mentioned age of the gods, (or) twelve thousand (of their years), being multiplied by seventy- one, (constitutes what) is here named the period of a Manu (Manvantara).
itareṣu āgamāt dharmaḥ pādaśas tu avaropitaḥ . caurikā-anṛta-māyābhiḥ dharmaḥ ca apaiti pādaśas .. 1.82..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.82. In the other (three ages), by reason of (unjust) gains (agama), Dharma is deprived successively of one foot, and through (the prevalence of) theft, falsehood, and fraud the merit (gained by men) is diminished by one fourth (in each).
1.83. (Men are) free from disease, accomplish all their aims, and live four hundred years in the Krita age, but in
the Treta and (in each of) the succeeding (ages) their life is lessened by one quarter.
वेद-उक्तम् आयुः मर्त्यानाम् आशिषः च एव कर्मणाम् । फलन्ति अनुयुगम् लोके प्रभावः च शरीरिणाम् ॥ १।८४॥
TRANSLITERATION
veda-uktam āyuḥ martyānām āśiṣaḥ ca eva karmaṇām . phalanti anuyugam loke prabhāvaḥ ca śarīriṇām .. 1.84..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.84. The life of mortals, mentioned in the Veda, the desired results of sacrificial rites and the (supernatural)
power of embodied (spirits) are fruits proportioned among men according to (the character of) the age.
1.85. One set of duties (is prescribed) for men in the Krita age, different ones in the Treta and in the Dvapara, and (again) another (set) in the Kali, in a proportion as (those) ages decrease in length.
1.86. In the Krita age the chief (virtue) is declared to be (the performance of) austerities, in the Treta (divine) knowledge, in the Dvapara (the performance of) sacrifices, in the Kali liberality alone.
sarvasya asya tu sargasya gupti-artham sa mahā-dyutiḥ . mukha-bāhu-ūru-pad-jānām pṛthak karmāṇi akalpayat .. 1.87..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.87. But in order to protect this universe He, the most resplendent one, assigned separate (duties and) occupations to those who sprang from his mouth, arms, thighs, and feet.
प्रजानां रक्षणं दानमिज्याऽध्ययनमेव च । विषयेष्वप्रसक्तिश्च क्षत्रियस्य समादिशत् ॥ १.८९॥
PADACHEDA
प्रजानाम् रक्षणम् दानम् इज्या अध्ययनम् एव च । विषयेषु अप्रसक्तिः च क्षत्रियस्य समादिशत् ॥ १।८९॥
TRANSLITERATION
prajānām rakṣaṇam dānam ijyā adhyayanam eva ca . viṣayeṣu aprasaktiḥ ca kṣatriyasya samādiśat .. 1.89..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.89. The Kshatriya he commanded to protect the people, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), and to abstain from attaching himself to sensual pleasures;
ūrdhvam nābheḥ medhyataraḥ puruṣaḥ parikīrtitaḥ . tasmāt medhyatamam tu asya mukham uktam svayambhuvā .. 1.92..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.92. Man is stated to be purer above the navel (than below); hence the Self-existent (Svayambhu) has declared
the purest (part) of him (to be) his mouth.
uttamāṅga-udbhavāt jyaiṣṭhyāt brahmaṇaḥ ca eva dhāraṇāt . sarvasya eva asya sargasya dharmataḥ brāhmaṇaḥ prabhuḥ .. 1.93..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.93. As the Brahmana sprang from (Brahman’s) mouth, as he was the first-born, and as he possesses the Veda,
he is by right the lord of this whole creation.
तं हि स्वयम्भूः स्वादास्यात्तपस्तप्त्वाऽदितोऽसृजत् । हव्यकव्याभिवाह्याय सर्वस्यास्य च गुप्तये ॥ १.९४॥
PADACHEDA
तम् हि स्वयम्भूः स्वात् आस्यात् तपः तप्त्वा अदितः असृजत् । हव्य-कव्य-अभिवाह्याय सर्वस्य अस्य च गुप्तये ॥ १।९४॥
TRANSLITERATION
tam hi svayambhūḥ svāt āsyāt tapaḥ taptvā aditaḥ asṛjat . havya-kavya-abhivāhyāya sarvasya asya ca guptaye .. 1.94..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.94. For the Self-existent (Svayambhu), having performed austerities, produced him first from his own mouth,
in order that the offerings might be conveyed to the gods and manes and that this universe might be preserved.
यस्य आस्येन सदा अश्नन्ति हव्यानि त्रिदिवौकसः । कव्यानि च एव पितरः किम् भूतम् अधिकम् ततस् ॥ १।९५॥
TRANSLITERATION
yasya āsyena sadā aśnanti havyāni tridivaukasaḥ . kavyāni ca eva pitaraḥ kim bhūtam adhikam tatas .. 1.95..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.95. What created being can surpass him, through whose mouth the gods continually consume the sacrificial
viands and the manes the offerings to the dead?
1.96. Of created beings the most excellent are said to be those which are animated; of the animated, those which
subsist by intelligence; of the intelligent, mankind; and of men, the Brahmanas;
1.97. Of Brahmanas, those learned (in the Veda); of the learned, those who recognise (the necessity and the manner of performing the prescribed duties); of those who possess this knowledge, those who perform them; of the performers, those who know the Brahman.
उत्पत्तिरेव विप्रस्य मूर्तिर्धर्मस्य शाश्वती । स हि धर्मार्थमुत्पन्नो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥ १.९८॥
PADACHEDA
उत्पत्तिः एव विप्रस्य मूर्तिः धर्मस्य शाश्वती । स हि धर्म-अर्थम् उत्पन्नः ब्रह्म-भूयाय कल्पते ॥ १।९८॥
TRANSLITERATION
utpattiḥ eva viprasya mūrtiḥ dharmasya śāśvatī . sa hi dharma-artham utpannaḥ brahma-bhūyāya kalpate .. 1.98..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.98. The very birth of a Brahmana is an eternal incarnation of the sacred law; for he is born to (fulfil) the sacred law, and becomes one with Brahman.
1.99. A Brahmana, coming into existence, is born as the highest on earth, the lord of all created beings, for the protection of the treasury of the law.
sarvam svam brāhmaṇasya idam yat kim cit jagatī-gatam . śraiṣṭhyena abhijanena idam sarvam vai brāhmaṇaḥ arhati .. 1.100..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.100. Whatever exists in the world is, the property of the Brahmana; on account of the excellence of his origin The Brahmana is, indeed, entitled to all.
स्वम् एव ब्राह्मणः भुङ्क्ते स्वम् वस्ते स्वम् ददाति च । आनृशंस्यात् ब्राह्मणस्य भुञ्जते हि इतरे जनाः ॥ १।१०१॥
TRANSLITERATION
svam eva brāhmaṇaḥ bhuṅkte svam vaste svam dadāti ca . ānṛśaṃsyāt brāhmaṇasya bhuñjate hi itare janāḥ .. 1.101..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.101. The Brahmana eats but his own food, wears but his own apparel, bestows but his own in alms; other mortals subsist through the benevolence of the Brahmana.
1.102. In order to clearly settle his duties those of the other (castes) according to their order, wise Manu sprung from the Self-existent, composed these Institutes (of the sacred Law).
idam śāstram adhīyānaḥ brāhmaṇaḥ śaṃsita-vrataḥ . manaḥ-vāc-deha-jaiḥ nityam karma-doṣaiḥ na lipyate .. 1.104..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.104. A Brahmana who studies these Institutes (and) faithfully fulfils the duties (prescribed therein), is never tainted by sins, arising from thoughts, words, or deeds
idam svastyayanam śreṣṭham idam buddhi-vivardhanam . idam yaśasyam satatam idam niḥśreyasam param .. 1.106..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.106. (To study) this (work) is the best means of securing welfare, it increases understanding, it procures fame
and long life, it (leads to) supreme bliss.
अस्मिन् धर्मे अखिलेन उक्तौ गुण-दोषौ च कर्मणाम् । चतुर्णाम् अपि वर्णानाम् आचारः च एव शाश्वतः ॥ १।१०७॥
TRANSLITERATION
asmin dharme akhilena uktau guṇa-doṣau ca karmaṇām . caturṇām api varṇānām ācāraḥ ca eva śāśvataḥ .. 1.107..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.107. In this (work) the sacred law has been fully stated as well as the good and bad qualities of (human)
actions and the immemorial rule of conduct, (to be followed) by all the four castes (varna).
आचारः परमो धर्मः श्रुत्योक्तः स्मार्त एव च । तस्मादस्मिन् सदा युक्तो नित्यं स्यादात्मवान् द्विजः ॥ १.१०८॥
PADACHEDA
आचारः परमः धर्मः श्रुत्या उक्तः स्मार्तः एव च । तस्मात् अस्मिन् सदा युक्तः नित्यम् स्यात् आत्मवान् द्विजः ॥ १।१०८॥
TRANSLITERATION
ācāraḥ paramaḥ dharmaḥ śrutyā uktaḥ smārtaḥ eva ca . tasmāt asmin sadā yuktaḥ nityam syāt ātmavān dvijaḥ .. 1.108..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.108. The rule of conduct is transcendent law, whether it be taught in the revealed texts or in the sacred tradition; hence a twice-born man who possesses regard for himself, should be always careful to (follow) it.
1.110. The sages who saw that the sacred law is thus grounded on the rule of conduct, have taken good conduct to be the most excellent root of all austerity.
जगतश्च समुत्पत्तिं संस्कारविधिमेव च । व्रतचर्यौपचारं च स्नानस्य च परं विधिम् ॥ १.१११॥
PADACHEDA
जगतः च समुत्पत्तिम् संस्कार-विधिम् एव च । व्रत-चर्या-औपचारम् च स्नानस्य च परम् विधिम् ॥ १।१११॥
TRANSLITERATION
jagataḥ ca samutpattim saṃskāra-vidhim eva ca . vrata-caryā-aupacāram ca snānasya ca param vidhim .. 1.111..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.111. The creation of the universe, the rule of the sacraments, the ordinances of studentship, and the respectful behaviour (towards Gurus), the most excellent rule of bathing (on return from the teacher’s house),
दाराधिगमनं चैव विवाहानां च लक्षणम् । महायज्ञविधानं च श्राद्धकल्पं च शाश्वतम् ॥ १.११२॥
PADACHEDA
दार-अधिगमनम् च एव विवाहानाम् च लक्षणम् । महायज्ञ-विधानम् च श्राद्ध-कल्पम् च शाश्वतम् ॥ १।११२॥
TRANSLITERATION
dāra-adhigamanam ca eva vivāhānām ca lakṣaṇam . mahāyajña-vidhānam ca śrāddha-kalpam ca śāśvatam .. 1.112..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.112. (The law of) marriage and the description of the (various) marriage-rites, the regulations for the great sacrifices and the eternal rule of the funeral sacrifices,
वृत्तीनां लक्षणं चैव स्नातकस्य व्रतानि च । भक्ष्याभक्ष्यं च शौचं च द्रव्याणां शुद्धिमेव च ॥ १.११३॥
PADACHEDA
वृत्तीनाम् लक्षणम् च एव स्नातकस्य व्रतानि च । भक्ष्य-अभक्ष्यम् च शौचम् च द्रव्याणाम् शुद्धिम् एव च ॥ १।११३॥
TRANSLITERATION
vṛttīnām lakṣaṇam ca eva snātakasya vratāni ca . bhakṣya-abhakṣyam ca śaucam ca dravyāṇām śuddhim eva ca .. 1.113..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.113. The description of the modes of (gaining) subsistence and the duties of a Snataka, (the rules regarding)
lawful and forbidden food, the purification of men and of things,
स्त्रीधर्मयोगं तापस्यं मोक्षं संन्यासमेव च । राज्ञश्च धर्ममखिलं कार्याणां च विनिर्णयम् ॥ १.११४॥
PADACHEDA
स्त्री-धर्म-योगम् तापस्यम् मोक्षम् संन्यासम् एव च । राज्ञः च धर्मम् अखिलम् कार्याणाम् च विनिर्णयम् ॥ १।११४॥
TRANSLITERATION
strī-dharma-yogam tāpasyam mokṣam saṃnyāsam eva ca . rājñaḥ ca dharmam akhilam kāryāṇām ca vinirṇayam .. 1.114..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.114. The laws concerning women, (the law) of hermits, (the manner of gaining) final emancipation and (of)
renouncing the world, the whole duty of a king and the manner of deciding lawsuits,
साक्षिप्रश्नविधानं च धर्मं स्त्रीपुंसयोरपि । विभागधर्मं द्यूतं च कण्टकानां च शोधनम् ॥ १.११५॥
PADACHEDA
साक्षि-प्रश्न-विधानम् च धर्मम् स्त्रीपुंसयोः अपि । विभाग-धर्मम् द्यूतम् च कण्टकानाम् च शोधनम् ॥ १।११५॥
TRANSLITERATION
sākṣi-praśna-vidhānam ca dharmam strīpuṃsayoḥ api . vibhāga-dharmam dyūtam ca kaṇṭakānām ca śodhanam .. 1.115..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.115. The rules for the examination of witnesses, the laws concerning husband and wife, the law of
(inheritance and) division, (the law concerning) gambling and the removal of (men nocuous like) thorns,
वैश्यशूद्रोपचारं च सङ्कीर्णानां च सम्भवम् । आपद्धर्मं च वर्णानां प्रायश्चित्तविधिं तथा ॥ १.११६॥
PADACHEDA
वैश्य-शूद्र-उपचारम् च सङ्कीर्णानाम् च सम्भवम् । आपद्-धर्मम् च वर्णानाम् प्रायश्चित्त-विधिम् तथा ॥ १।११६॥
TRANSLITERATION
vaiśya-śūdra-upacāram ca saṅkīrṇānām ca sambhavam . āpad-dharmam ca varṇānām prāyaścitta-vidhim tathā .. 1.116..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.116. (The law concerning) the behaviour of Vaisyas and Sudras, the origin of the mixed castes, the law for all
castes in times of distress and the law of penances,
संसार-गमनम् च एव त्रिविधम् कर्म-सम्भवम् । निःश्रेयसम् कर्मणाम् च गुण-दोष-परीक्षणम् ॥ १।११७॥
TRANSLITERATION
saṃsāra-gamanam ca eva trividham karma-sambhavam . niḥśreyasam karmaṇām ca guṇa-doṣa-parīkṣaṇam .. 1.117..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.117. The threefold course of transmigrations, the result of (good or bad) actions, (the manner of attaining)
supreme bliss and the examination of the good and bad qualities of actions,
देश-धर्मान् जाति-धर्मान् कुल-धर्मान् च शाश्वतान् । पाषण्ड-गण-धर्मान् च शास्त्रे अस्मिन् उक्तवान् मनुः ॥ १।११८॥
TRANSLITERATION
deśa-dharmān jāti-dharmān kula-dharmān ca śāśvatān . pāṣaṇḍa-gaṇa-dharmān ca śāstre asmin uktavān manuḥ .. 1.118..
ENGLISH MEANING
1.118. The primeval laws of countries, of castes (gati), of families, and the rules concerning heretics and
companies (of traders and the like)- (all that) Manu has declared in these Institutes.