vidvadbhiḥ sevitaḥ sadbhiḥ nityam a dveṣa-rāgibhiḥ . hṛdayena abhyanujñātaḥ yaḥ dharmaḥ tam nibodhata .. 2.1..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.1. Learn that sacred law which is followed by men learned (in the Veda) and assented to in their hearts by the virtuous, who are ever exempt from hatred and inordinate affection.
कामात्मता न प्रशस्ता न चैवैहास्त्यकामता । काम्यो हि वेदाधिगमः कर्मयोगश्च वैदिकः ॥ २.२॥
PADACHEDA
काम-आत्म-ता न प्रशस्ता न च एव ऐह अस्ति अकाम-ता । काम्यः हि वेद-अधिगमः कर्मयोगः च वैदिकः ॥ २।२॥
TRANSLITERATION
kāma-ātma-tā na praśastā na ca eva aiha asti akāma-tā . kāmyaḥ hi veda-adhigamaḥ karmayogaḥ ca vaidikaḥ .. 2.2..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.2. To act solely from a desire for rewards is not laudable, yet an exemption from that desire is not (to be found) in this (world): for on (that) desire is grounded the study of the Veda and the performance of the actions, prescribed by the Veda.
saṅkalpa-mūlaḥ kāmaḥ vai yajñāḥ saṅkalpa-sambhavāḥ . vratāni yama-dharmāḥ ca sarve saṅkalpa-jāḥ smṛtāḥ .. 2.3..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.3. The desire (for rewards), indeed, has its root in the conception that an act can yield them, and in consequence of (that) conception sacrifices are performed; vows and the laws prescribing restraints are all stated to be kept through the idea that they will bear fruit.
अकामस्य क्रिया का चिद्दृश्यते नैह कर्हि चित् । यद्यधि कुरुते किं चित्तत्तत्कामस्य चेष्टितम् ॥ २.४॥
PADACHEDA
अकामस्य क्रिया का चित् दृश्यते ना इह कर्हि चित् । यदि अधि कुरुते किम् चित् तत् तत् कामस्य चेष्टितम् ॥ २।४॥
TRANSLITERATION
akāmasya kriyā kā cit dṛśyate nā iha karhi cit . yadi adhi kurute kim cit tat tat kāmasya ceṣṭitam .. 2.4..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.4. Not a single act here (below) appears ever to be done by a man free from desire; for whatever (man) does, it is (the result of) the impulse of desire.
2.5. He who persists in discharging these (prescribed duties) in the right manner, reaches the deathless state and
even in this (life) obtains (the fulfilment of) all the desires that he may have conceived.
वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलं स्मृतिशीले च तद्विदाम् । आचारश्चैव साधूनामात्मनस्तुष्टिरेव च ॥ २.६॥
PADACHEDA
वेदः अखिलः धर्म-मूलम् स्मृति-शीले च तद्-विदाम् । आचारः च एव साधूनाम् आत्मनः तुष्टिः एव च ॥ २।६॥
TRANSLITERATION
vedaḥ akhilaḥ dharma-mūlam smṛti-śīle ca tad-vidām . ācāraḥ ca eva sādhūnām ātmanaḥ tuṣṭiḥ eva ca .. 2.6..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.6. The whole Veda is the (first) source of the sacred law, next the tradition and the virtuous conduct of those
who know the (Veda further), also the customs of holy men, and (finally) self-satisfaction.
sarvam tu samavekṣya edam nikhilam jñānacakṣuṣā . śruti-prāmāṇyataḥ vidvān svadharme niviśeta vai .. 2.8..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.8. But a learned man after fully scrutinising all this with the eye of knowledge, should, in accordance with the authority of the revealed texts, be intent on (the performance of) his duties.
श्रुति-स्मृत्या उदितम् धर्मम् अनुतिष्ठन् हि मानवः । इह कीर्तिम् अवाप्नोति प्रेत्य च अनुत्तमम् सुखम् ॥ २।९॥
TRANSLITERATION
śruti-smṛtyā uditam dharmam anutiṣṭhan hi mānavaḥ . iha kīrtim avāpnoti pretya ca anuttamam sukham .. 2.9..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.9. For that man who obeys the law prescribed in the revealed texts and in the sacred tradition, gains fame in this (world) and after death unsurpassable bliss.
श्रुतिस्तु वेदो विज्ञेयो धर्मशास्त्रं तु वै स्मृतिः । ते सर्वार्थेष्वमीमांस्ये ताभ्यां धर्मो हि निर्बभौ ॥ २.१०॥
PADACHEDA
श्रुतिः तु वेदः विज्ञेयः धर्म-शास्त्रम् तु वै स्मृतिः । ते सर्व-अर्थेषु अमीमांस्ये ताभ्याम् धर्मः हि निर्बभौ ॥ २।१०॥
TRANSLITERATION
śrutiḥ tu vedaḥ vijñeyaḥ dharma-śāstram tu vai smṛtiḥ . te sarva-artheṣu amīmāṃsye tābhyām dharmaḥ hi nirbabhau .. 2.10..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.10. But by Sruti (revelation) is meant the Veda, and by Smriti (tradition) the Institutes of the sacred law: those two must not be called into question in any matter, since from those two the sacred law shone forth.
योऽवमन्येत ते मूले हेतुशास्त्राश्रयाद्द्विजः । स साधुभिर्बहिष्कार्यो नास्तिको वेदनिन्दकः ॥ २.११॥
PADACHEDA
यः अवमन्येत ते मूले हेतु-शास्त्र-आश्रयात् द्विजः । स साधुभिः बहिष्कार्यः नास्तिकः वेद-निन्दकः ॥ २।११॥
TRANSLITERATION
yaḥ avamanyeta te mūle hetu-śāstra-āśrayāt dvijaḥ . sa sādhubhiḥ bahiṣkāryaḥ nāstikaḥ veda-nindakaḥ .. 2.11..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.11. Every twice-born man, who, relying on the Institutes of dialectics, treats with contempt those two sources (of the law), must be cast out by the virtuous, as an atheist and a scorner of the Veda.
2.12. The Veda, the sacred tradition, the customs of virtuous men, and one’s own pleasure, they declare to be visibly the fourfold means of defining the sacred law.
2.13. The knowledge of the sacred law is prescribed for those who are not given to the acquisition of wealth and to the gratification of their desires; to those who seek the knowledge of the sacred law the supreme authority is
the revelation (Sruti).
उदिते अनुदिते च एव समयाध्युषिते तथा । सर्वथा वर्तते यज्ञः इति इयम् वैदिकी श्रुतिः ॥ २।१५॥
TRANSLITERATION
udite anudite ca eva samayādhyuṣite tathā . sarvathā vartate yajñaḥ iti iyam vaidikī śrutiḥ .. 2.15..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.15. (Thus) the (Agnihotra) sacrifice may be (optionally) performed, at any time after the sun has risen, before he has risen, or when neither sun nor stars are visible; that (is declared) by Vedic texts.
2.16. Know that he for whom (the performance of) the ceremonies beginning with the rite of impregnation (Garbhadhana) and ending with the funeral rite (Antyeshti) is prescribed, while sacred formulas are being recited, is entitled (to study) these Institutes, but no other man whatsoever.
तस्मिन् देशे यः आचारः पारम्पर्य-क्रम-आगतः । वर्णानाम् स अन्तरालानाम् स सत्-आचारः उच्यते ॥ २।१८॥
TRANSLITERATION
tasmin deśe yaḥ ācāraḥ pāramparya-krama-āgataḥ . varṇānām sa antarālānām sa sat-ācāraḥ ucyate .. 2.18..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.18. The custom handed down in regular succession (since time immemorial) among the (four chief) castes (varna) and the mixed (races) of that country, is called the conduct of virtuous men.
कुरुक्षेत्रम् च मत्स्याः च पञ्चालाः शूरसेनकाः । एष ब्रह्मर्षि-देशः वै ब्रह्मावर्तात् अनन्तरः ॥ २।१९॥
TRANSLITERATION
kurukṣetram ca matsyāḥ ca pañcālāḥ śūrasenakāḥ . eṣa brahmarṣi-deśaḥ vai brahmāvartāt anantaraḥ .. 2.19..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.19. The plain of the Kurus, the (country of the) Matsyas, Pankalas, and Surasenakas, these (form), indeed, the country of the Brahmarshis (Brahmanical sages, which ranks) immediately after Brahmavarta.
himavat-vindhyayoḥ madhyam yat prāk vinaśanāt api . pratyak eva prayāgāt ca madhyadeśaḥ prakīrtitaḥ .. 2.21..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.21. That (country) which (lies) between the Himavat and the Vindhya (mountains) to the east of Prayaga and to the west of Vinasana (the place where the river Sarasvati disappears) is called Madhyadesa (the central region).
आ समुद्रात् तु वै पूर्वात् आ समुद्रात् च पश्चिमात् । तयोः एव अन्तरम् गिर्योः आर्यावर्तम् विदुः बुधाः ॥ २।२२॥
TRANSLITERATION
ā samudrāt tu vai pūrvāt ā samudrāt ca paścimāt . tayoḥ eva antaram giryoḥ āryāvartam viduḥ budhāḥ .. 2.22..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.22. But (the tract) between those two mountains (just mentioned), which (extends) as far as the eastern and the western oceans, the wise call Aryavarta (the country of the Aryans).
kṛṣṇasāraḥ tu carati mṛgaḥ yatra svabhāvataḥ . sa jñeyaḥ yajñiyaḥ deśaḥ mleccha-deśaḥ tu atas paraḥ .. 2.23..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.23. That land where the black antelope naturally roams, one must know to be fit for the performance of sacrifices; (the tract) different from that (is) the country of the Mlekkhas (barbarians).
eṣā dharmasya vaḥ yoniḥ samāsena prakīrtitā . sambhavaḥ ca asya sarvasya varṇa-dharmān nibodhata .. 2.25..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.25. Thus has the origin of the sacred law been succinctly described to you and the origin of this universe;
learn (now) the duties of the castes (varna).
वैदिकैः कर्मभिः पुण्यैः निषेक-आदिः द्विजन्मनाम् । कार्यः शरीर-संस्कारः पावनः प्रेत्य च एह च ॥ २।२६॥
TRANSLITERATION
vaidikaiḥ karmabhiḥ puṇyaiḥ niṣeka-ādiḥ dvijanmanām . kāryaḥ śarīra-saṃskāraḥ pāvanaḥ pretya ca eha ca .. 2.26..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.26. With holy rites, prescribed by the Veda, must the ceremony on conception and other sacraments be
performed for twice-born men, which sanctify the body and purify (from sin) in this (life) and after death.
gārbhaiḥ homaiḥ jātakarma-cauḍa-mauñjīnibandhanaiḥ . baijikam gārbhikam ca enam dvijānām apamṛjyate .. 2.27..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.27. By burnt oblations during (the mother’s) pregnancy, by the Gatakarman (the ceremony after birth), the Kauda (tonsure), and the Maungibandhana (the tying of the sacred girdle of Munga grass) is the taint, derived from both parents, removed from twice-born men.
स्वाध्यायेन व्रतैः होमैः त्रैविद्येन इज्यया सुतैः । महायज्ञैः च यज्ञैः च ब्राह्मी इयम् क्रियते तनुः ॥ २।२८॥
TRANSLITERATION
svādhyāyena vrataiḥ homaiḥ traividyena ijyayā sutaiḥ . mahāyajñaiḥ ca yajñaiḥ ca brāhmī iyam kriyate tanuḥ .. 2.28..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.28. By the study of the Veda, by vows, by burnt oblations, by (the recitation of) sacred texts, by the (acquisition of the) threefold sacred science, by offering (to the gods, Rishis, and manes), by (the procreation of) sons, by the great sacrifices, and by (Srauta) rites this (human) body is made fit for (union with) Brahman.
prāk nābhi-vardhanāt puṃsaḥ jātakarma vidhīyate . mantravat prāśanam ca asya hiraṇya-madhu-sarpiṣām .. 2.29..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.29. Before the navel-string is cut, the Gatakarman (birth-rite) must be performed for a male (child); and while
sacred formulas are being recited, he must be fed with gold, honey, and butter.
नामधेयं दशम्यां तु द्वादश्यां वाऽस्य कारयेत् । पुण्ये तिथौ मुहूर्ते वा नक्षत्रे वा गुणान्विते ॥ २.३०॥
PADACHEDA
नामधेयम् दशम्याम् तु द्वादश्याम् वा अस्य कारयेत् । पुण्ये तिथौ मुहूर्ते वा नक्षत्रे वा गुण-अन्विते ॥ २।३०॥
TRANSLITERATION
nāmadheyam daśamyām tu dvādaśyām vā asya kārayet . puṇye tithau muhūrte vā nakṣatre vā guṇa-anvite .. 2.30..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.30. But let (the father perform or) cause to be performed the Namadheya (the rite of naming the child), on the tenth or twelfth (day after birth), or on a lucky lunar day, in a lucky muhurta, under an auspicious constellation.
2.31. Let (the first part of) a Brahmana’s name (denote something) auspicious, a Kshatriya’s be connected with power, and a Vaisya’s with wealth, but a Sudra’s (express something) contemptible.
2.32. (The second part of) a Brahmana’s (name) shall be (a word) implying happiness, of a Kshatriya’s (a word) implying protection, of a Vaisya’s (a term) expressive of thriving, and of a Sudra’s (an expression) denoting
service.
2.33. The names of women should be easy to pronounce, not imply anything dreadful, possess a plain meaning,
be pleasing and auspicious, end in long vowels, and contain a word of benediction.
2.34. In the fourth month the Nishkramana (the first leaving of the house) of the child should be performed, in the sixth month the Annaprasana (first feeding with rice), and optionally (any other) auspicious ceremony required by (the custom of) the family.
2.35. According to the teaching of the revealed texts, the Kudakarman (tonsure) must be performed, for the sake of spiritual merit, by all twice-born men in the first or third year.
2.36. In the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation (upanayana) of a Brahmana, in the eleventh after conception (that) of a Kshatriya, but in the twelfth that of a Vaisya.
2.37. (The initiation) of a Brahmana who desires proficiency in sacred learning should take place in the fifth (year after conception), (that) of a Kshatriya who wishes to become powerful in the sixth, (and that) of a Vaisya who longs for (success in his) business in the eighth.
2.38. The (time for the) Savitri (initiation) of a Brahmana does not pass until the completion of the sixteenth year (after conception), of a Kshatriya until the completion of the twenty-second, and of a Vaisya until the completion of the twenty-fourth.
atas ūrdhvam trayaḥ api ete yathākālam asaṃskṛtāḥ . sāvitrīpatitāḥ vrātyāḥ bhavanti ārya-vigarhitāḥ .. 2.39..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.39. After those (periods men of) these three (castes) who have not received the sacrament at the proper time, become Vratyas (outcasts), excluded from the Savitri (initiation) and despised by the Aryans.
न एतैः अपूतैः विधिवत् आपदि अपि हि कर्हि चित् । ब्राह्मान् यौनान् च सम्बन्धात् न आचरेत् ब्राह्मणैः सह ॥ २।४०॥
TRANSLITERATION
na etaiḥ apūtaiḥ vidhivat āpadi api hi karhi cit . brāhmān yaunān ca sambandhāt na ācaret brāhmaṇaiḥ saha .. 2.40..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.40. With such men, if they have not been purified according to the rule, let no Brahmana ever, even in times of distress, form a connexion either through the Veda or by marriage.
कार्ष्णरौरवबास्तानि चर्माणि ब्रह्मचारिणः । वसीरन्नानुपूर्व्येण शाणक्षौमाविकानि च ॥ २.४१॥
PADACHEDA
कार्ष्ण-रौरव-बास्तानि चर्माणि ब्रह्मचारिणः । वसीरन् आनुपूर्व्येण शाण-क्षौम-आविकानि च ॥ २।४१॥
TRANSLITERATION
kārṣṇa-raurava-bāstāni carmāṇi brahmacāriṇaḥ . vasīran ānupūrvyeṇa śāṇa-kṣauma-āvikāni ca .. 2.41..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.41. Let students, according to the order (of their castes), wear (as upper dresses) the skins of black antelopes, spotted deer, and he-goats, and (lower garments) made of hemp, flax or wool.
2.42. The girdle of a Brahmana shall consist of a of a triple cord of Munga grass, smooth and soft; (that) of a Kshatriya, of a bowstring, made of Murva fibres; (that) of a Vaisya, of hempen threads.
muñja-alābhe tu kartavyāḥ kuśa-aśmantaka-balvajaiḥ . trivṛtā granthinā ekena tribhiḥ pañcabhiḥ eva vā .. 2.43..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.43. If Munga grass (and so forth) be not procurable, (the girdles) may be made of Kusa, Asmantaka, and Balbaga (fibres), with a single threefold knot, or with three or five (knots according to the custom of the family).
2.44. The sacrificial string of a Brahmana shall be made of cotton, (shall be) twisted to the right, (and consist) of three threads, that of a Kshatriya of hempen threads, (and) that of a Vaisya of woollen threads.
2.45. A Brahmana shall (carry), according to the sacred law, a staff of Bilva or Palasa; a Kshatriya, of Vata or Khadira; (and) a Vaisya, of Pilu or Udumbara.
2.46. The staff of a Brahmana shall be made of such length as to reach the end of his hair; that of a Kshatriya, to reach his forehead; (and) that of a Vaisya, to reach (the tip of his) nose.
2.48. Having taken a staff according to his choice, having worshipped the sun and walked round the fire, turning his right hand towards it, (the student) should beg alms according to the prescribed rule.
bhavat-pūrvam caret bhaikṣam upanītaḥ dvijottamaḥ . bhavat-madhyam tu rājanyaḥ vaiśyaḥ tu bhavat-uttaram .. 2.49..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.49. An initiated Brahmana should beg, beginning (his request with the word) lady (bhavati); a Kshatriya, placing (the word) lady in the middle, but a Vaisya, placing it at the end (of the formula).
मातरं वा स्वसारं वा मातुर्वा भगिनीं निजाम् । भिक्षेत भिक्षां प्रथमं या चैनं नावमानयेत् ॥ २.५०॥
PADACHEDA
मातरम् वा स्वसारम् वा मातुः वा भगिनीम् निजाम् । भिक्षेत भिक्षाम् प्रथमम् या च एनम् न अवमानयेत् ॥ २।५०॥
TRANSLITERATION
mātaram vā svasāram vā mātuḥ vā bhaginīm nijām . bhikṣeta bhikṣām prathamam yā ca enam na avamānayet .. 2.50..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.50. Let him first beg food of his mother, or of his sister, or of his own maternal aunt, or of (some other) female who will not disgrace him (by a refusal).
samāhṛtya tu tat bhaikṣam yāvat annam amāyayā . yāvadartham nivedya gurave aśnīyāt ācamya prāc-mukhaḥ śuciḥ .. 2.51..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.51. Having collected as much food as is required (from several persons), and having announced it without
guile to his teacher, let him eat, turning his face towards the east, and having purified himself by sipping water.
2.52. (His meal will procure) long life, if he eats facing the east; fame, if he turns to the south; prosperity, if he
turns to the west; truthfulness, if he faces the east.
उपस्पृश्य द्विजः नित्यम् अन्नम् अद्यात् समाहितः । भुक्त्वा च एपस्पृशेत् सम्यक् अद्भिः खानि च संस्पृशेत् ॥ २।५३॥
TRANSLITERATION
upaspṛśya dvijaḥ nityam annam adyāt samāhitaḥ . bhuktvā ca epaspṛśet samyak adbhiḥ khāni ca saṃspṛśet .. 2.53..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.53. Let a twice-born man always eat his food with concentrated mind, after performing an ablution; and after he has eaten, let him duly cleanse himself with water and sprinkle the cavities (of his head).
पूजयेत् अशनम् नित्यम् अद्यात् च एतत् अकुत्सयन् । दृष्ट्वा हृष्येत् प्रसीदेत् च प्रतिनन्देत् च सर्वशस् ॥ २।५४॥
TRANSLITERATION
pūjayet aśanam nityam adyāt ca etat akutsayan . dṛṣṭvā hṛṣyet prasīdet ca pratinandet ca sarvaśas .. 2.54..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.54. Let him always worship his food, and eat it without contempt; when he sees it, let him rejoice, show a pleased face, and pray that he may always obtain it.
न औच्छिष्टम् कस्य चित् दद्यात् न अद्यात् एतत् तथा अन्तरा । न च एव अत्यशनम् कुर्यात् न च औच्छिष्टः क्व चित् व्रजेत् ॥ २।५६॥
TRANSLITERATION
na aucchiṣṭam kasya cit dadyāt na adyāt etat tathā antarā . na ca eva atyaśanam kuryāt na ca aucchiṣṭaḥ kva cit vrajet .. 2.56..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.56. Let him not give to any man what he leaves, and beware of eating between (the two meal-times); let him
not over-eat himself, nor go anywhere without having purified himself (after his meal).
अनारोग्यम् अनायुष्यम् अस्वर्ग्यम् च अति भोजनम् । अपुण्यम् लोक-विद्विष्टम् तस्मात् तत् परिवर्जयेत् ॥ २।५७॥
TRANSLITERATION
anārogyam anāyuṣyam asvargyam ca ati bhojanam . apuṇyam loka-vidviṣṭam tasmāt tat parivarjayet .. 2.57..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.57. Excessive eating is prejudicial to health, to fame, and to (bliss in) heaven; it prevents (the acquisition of)
spiritual merit, and is odious among men; one ought, for these reasons, to avoid it carefully.
2.58. Let a Brahmana always sip water out of the part of the hand (tirtha) sacred to Brahman, or out of that sacred to Ka (Pragapati), or out of (that) sacred to the gods, never out of that sacred to the manes.
aṅguṣṭha-mūlasya tale brāhmam tīrtham pracakṣate . kāyam aṅguli-mūle agre devam pitryam tayoḥ adhas .. 2.59..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.59. They call (the part) at the root of the thumb the tirtha sacred to Brahman, that at the root of the (little) finger (the tirtha) sacred to Ka (Pragapati), (that) at the tips (of the fingers, the tirtha) sacred to the gods, and
that below (between the index and the thumb, the tirtha) sacred to the manes.
त्रिस् आचामेत् अपः पूर्वम् द्विस् प्रमृज्यात् ततस् मुखम् । खानि च एव स्पृशेत् अद्भिः आत्मानम् शिरः एव च ॥ २।६०॥
TRANSLITERATION
tris ācāmet apaḥ pūrvam dvis pramṛjyāt tatas mukham . khāni ca eva spṛśet adbhiḥ ātmānam śiraḥ eva ca .. 2.60..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.60. Let him first sip water thrice; next twice wipe his mouth; and, lastly, touch with water the cavities (of the head), (the seat of) the soul and the head.
an uṣṇābhiḥ a phenābhiḥ adbhiḥ tīrthena dharma-vid . śauca-īpsuḥ sarvadā ācāmet ekānte prāc-udak-mukhaḥ .. 2.61..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.61. He who knows the sacred law and seeks purity shall always perform the rite of sipping with water neither hot nor frothy, with the (prescribed) tirtha, in a lonely place, and turning to the east or to the north.
hṛd-gābhiḥ pūyate vipraḥ kaṇṭha-gābhiḥ tu bhūmipaḥ . vaiśyaḥ adbhiḥ prāśitābhiḥ tu śūdraḥ spṛṣṭābhiḥ antatas .. 2.62..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.62. A Brahmana is purified by water that reaches his heart, a Kshatriya by water reaching his throat, a Vaisya by water taken into his mouth, (and) a Sudra by water touched with the extremity (of his lips).
2.63. A twice-born man is called upavitin when his right arm is raised (and the sacrificial string or the dress, passed under it, rests on the left shoulder); (when his) left (arm) is raised (and the string, or the dress, passed under it, rests on the right shoulder, he is called) prakinavitin; and nivitin when it hangs down (straight) from the neck.
2.64. His girdle, the skin (which serves as his upper garment), his staff, his sacrificial thread, (and) his water-pot he must throw into water, when they have been damaged, and take others, reciting sacred formulas.
2.65. (The ceremony called) Kesanta (clipping the hair) is ordained for a Brahmana in the sixteenth year (from conception); for a Kshatriya, in the twenty-second; and for a Vaisya, two (years) later than that.
2.66. This whole series (of ceremonies) must be performed for females (also), in order to sanctify the body, at the proper time and in the proper order, but without (the recitation of) sacred texts.
2.67. The nuptial ceremony is stated to be the Vedic sacrament for women (and to be equal to the initiation), serving the husband (equivalent to) the residence in (the house of the) teacher, and the household duties (the same) as the (daily) worship of the sacred fire.
2.68. Thus has been described the rule for the initiation of the twice-born, which indicates a (new) birth, and sanctifies; learn (now) to what duties they must afterwards apply themselves.
उपनीयं गुरुः शिष्यं शिक्षयेत्शौचमादितः । आचारमग्निकार्यं च संध्यौपासनमेव च ॥ २.६९॥
PADACHEDA
उपनीयम् गुरुः शिष्यम् शिक्षयेत् शौचम् आदितस् । आचारम् अग्नि-कार्यम् च संध्या-औपासनम् एव च ॥ २।६९॥
TRANSLITERATION
upanīyam guruḥ śiṣyam śikṣayet śaucam āditas . ācāram agni-kāryam ca saṃdhyā-aupāsanam eva ca .. 2.69..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.69. Having performed the (rite of) initiation, the teacher must first instruct the (pupil) in (the rules of) personal purification, of conduct, of the fire-worship, and of the twilight devotions.
2.70. But (a student) who is about to begin the Study (of the Veda), shall receive instruction, after he has sipped water in accordance with the Institutes (of the sacred law), has made the Brahmangali, (has put on) a clean dress, and has brought his organs under due control.
ब्रह्मारम्भेऽवसाने च पादौ ग्राह्यौ गुरोः सदा । संहत्य हस्तावध्येयं स हि ब्रह्माञ्जलिः स्मृतः ॥ २.७१॥
PADACHEDA
ब्रह्म-आरम्भे अवसाने च पादौ ग्राह्यौ गुरोः सदा । संहत्य हस्तौ अध्येयम् स हि ब्रह्माञ्जलिः स्मृतः ॥ २।७१॥
TRANSLITERATION
brahma-ārambhe avasāne ca pādau grāhyau guroḥ sadā . saṃhatya hastau adhyeyam sa hi brahmāñjaliḥ smṛtaḥ .. 2.71..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.71. At the beginning and at the end of (a lesson in the) Veda he must always clasp both the feet of his teacher, (and) he must study, joining his hands; that is called the Brahmangali (joining the palms for the sake of the Veda).
2.72. With crossed hands he must clasp (the feet) of the teacher, and touch the left (foot) with his left (hand), the right (foot) with his right (hand).
adhyeṣyamāṇam tu guruḥ nityakālam atandritaḥ . adhīṣva bho iti brūyāt virāmaḥ astu iti ca āramet .. 2.73..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.73. But to him who is about to begin studying, the teacher always unwearied, must say: Ho, recite! He shall leave off (when the teacher says): Let a stoppage take place!
ब्रह्मणः प्रणवम् कुर्यात् आदौ अन्ते च सर्वदा । स्रवति अनोङ्कृतम् पूर्वम् परस्तात् च विशीर्यति ॥ २।७४॥
TRANSLITERATION
brahmaṇaḥ praṇavam kuryāt ādau ante ca sarvadā . sravati anoṅkṛtam pūrvam parastāt ca viśīryati .. 2.74..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.74. Let him always pronounce the syllable Om at the beginning and at the end of (a lesson in) the Veda; (for) unless the syllable Om precede (the lesson) will slip away (from him), and unless it follow it will fade away.
prāc-kūlān paryupāsīnaḥ pavitraiḥ ca eva pāvitaḥ . prāṇāyāmaiḥ tribhiḥ pūtaḥ tatas om. kāram arhati .. 2.75..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.75. Seated on (blades of Kusa grass) with their points to the east, purified by Pavitras (blades of Kusa grass), and sanctified by three suppressions of the breath (Pranayama), he is worthy (to pronounce) the syllable Om.
tribhyaḥ eva tu vedebhyaḥ pādam pādam adūduhat . tat iti ṛcaḥ asyāḥ sāvitryāḥ parameṣṭhī prajāpatiḥ .. 2.77..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.77. Moreover from the three Vedas Pragapati, who dwells in the highest heaven (Parameshthin), milked out
(as it were) that Rik-verse, sacred to Savitri (Savitri), which begins with the word tad, one foot from each.
etad-akṣaram etām ca japan vyāhṛti-pūrvikām . saṃdhyayoḥ veda-vid vipraḥ veda-puṇyena yujyate .. 2.78..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.78. A Brahmana, learned in the Veda, who recites during both twilights that syllable and that (verse), preceded by the Vyahritis, gains the (whole) merit which (the recitation of) the Vedas confers.
sahasra-kṛtvas tu abhyasya bahis etat trikam dvijaḥ . mahataḥ api enasaḥ māsāt tvacā eva ahiḥ vimucyate .. 2.79..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.79. A twice-born man who (daily) repeats those three one thousand times outside (the village), will be freed after a month even from great guilt, as a snake from its slough.
2.80. The Brahmana, the Kshatriya, and the Vaisya who neglect (the recitation of) that Rik-verse and the timely (performance of the) rites (prescribed for) them, will be blamed among virtuous men.
oṃkāra-pūrvikāḥ tisraḥ mahāvyāhṛtayaḥ avyayāḥ . tripadā ca eva sāvitrī vijñeyam brahmaṇaḥ mukham .. 2.81..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.81. Know that the three imperishable Mahavyahritis, preceded by the syllable Om, and (followed) by the three-footed Savitri are the portal of the Veda and the gate leading (to union with) Brahman.
2.82. He who daily recites that (verse), untired, during three years, will enter (after death) the highest Brahman, move as free as air, and assume an ethereal form.
ekākṣaram param brahma prāṇāyāmaḥ param tapaḥ . sāvitryāḥ tu param nā asti maunāt satyam viśiṣyate .. 2.83..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.83. The monosyllable (Om) is the highest Brahman, (three) suppressions of the breath are the best (form of) austerity, but nothing surpasses the Savitri truthfulness is better than silence.
kṣaranti sarvāḥ vaidikyaḥ juhoti-yajati-kriyāḥ . akṣaram tu akṣaram jñeyam brahma ca eva prajāpatiḥ .. 2.84..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.84. All rites ordained in the Veda, burnt oblations and (other) sacrifices, pass away; but know that the syllable (Om) is imperishable, and (it is) Brahman, (and) the Lord of creatures (Pragapati).
2.85. An offering, consisting of muttered prayers, is ten times more efficacious than a sacrifice performed according to the rules (of the Veda); a (prayer) which is inaudible (to others) surpasses it a hundred times, and the mental (recitation of sacred texts) a thousand times.
ये पाकयज्ञाः चत्वारो विधियज्ञसमन्विताः । सर्वे ते जपयज्ञस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम् ॥ २.८६॥
PADACHEDA
ये पाकयज्ञाः चत्वारः विधि-यज्ञ-समन्विताः । सर्वे ते जप-यज्ञस्य कलाम् न अर्हन्ति षोडशीम् ॥ २।८६॥
TRANSLITERATION
ye pākayajñāḥ catvāraḥ vidhi-yajña-samanvitāḥ . sarve te japa-yajñasya kalām na arhanti ṣoḍaśīm .. 2.86..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.86. The four Pakayagnas and those sacrifices which are enjoined by the rules (of the Veda) are all together not equal in value to a sixteenth part of the sacrifice consisting of muttered prayers.
जप्येनैव तु संसिध्येद्ब्राह्मणो नात्र संशयः । कुर्यादन्यन्न वा कुर्यान् मैत्रो ब्राह्मण उच्यते ॥ २.८७॥
PADACHEDA
जप्येन एव तु संसिध्येत् ब्राह्मणः न अत्र संशयः । कुर्यात् अन्यत् न वा कुर्यात् मैत्रः ब्राह्मणः उच्यते ॥ २।८७॥
TRANSLITERATION
japyena eva tu saṃsidhyet brāhmaṇaḥ na atra saṃśayaḥ . kuryāt anyat na vā kuryāt maitraḥ brāhmaṇaḥ ucyate .. 2.87..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.87. But, undoubtedly, a Brahmana reaches the highest goal by muttering prayers only; (whether) he perform other (rites) or neglect them, he who befriends (all creatures) is declared (to be) a (true) Brahmana.
श्रोत्रम् त्वच् चक्षुषी जिह्वा नासिका च एव पञ्चमी । पायु-उपस्थम् हस्त-पादम् वाच् च एव दशमी स्मृता ॥ २।९०॥
TRANSLITERATION
śrotram tvac cakṣuṣī jihvā nāsikā ca eva pañcamī . pāyu-upastham hasta-pādam vāc ca eva daśamī smṛtā .. 2.90..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.90. (Viz.) the ear, the skin, the eyes, the tongue, and the nose as the fifth, the anus, the organ of generation, hands and feet, and the (organ of) speech, named as the tenth.
2.91. Five of them, the ear and the rest according to their order, they call organs of sense, and five of them, the
anus and the rest, organs of action.
2.92. Know that the internal organ (manas) is the eleventh, which by its quality belongs to both (sets); when that has been subdued, both those sets of five have been conquered.
indriyāṇām prasaṅgena doṣam ṛcchati asaṃśayam . saṃniyamya tu tāni eva tatas siddhim nigacchati .. 2.93..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.93. Through the attachment of his organs (to sensual pleasure) a man doubtlessly will incur guilt; but if he keep them under complete control, he will obtain success (in gaining all his aims).
यः च एतान् प्राप्नुयात् सर्वान् यः च एतान् केवलान् त्यजेत् ॥प्रापणात् सर्व-कामानाम् परित्यागः विशिष्यते ॥ २।९५॥
TRANSLITERATION
yaḥ ca etān prāpnuyāt sarvān yaḥ ca etān kevalān tyajet ..prāpaṇāt sarva-kāmānām parityāgaḥ viśiṣyate .. 2.95..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.95. If one man should obtain all those (sensual enjoyments) and another should renounce them all, the renunciation of all pleasure is far better than the attainment of them.
2.96. Those (organs) which are strongly attached to sensual pleasures, cannot so effectually be restrained by abstinence (from enjoyments) as by a constant (pursuit of true) knowledge.
वेदास्त्यागश्च यज्ञाश्च नियमाश्च तपांसि च । न विप्रदुष्टभावस्य सिद्धिं गच्छति कर्हि चित् ॥ २.९७॥
PADACHEDA
वेदाः त्यागः च यज्ञाः च नियमाः च तपांसि च । न विप्रदुष्ट-भावस्य सिद्धिम् गच्छति कर्हि चित् ॥ २।९७॥
TRANSLITERATION
vedāḥ tyāgaḥ ca yajñāḥ ca niyamāḥ ca tapāṃsi ca . na vipraduṣṭa-bhāvasya siddhim gacchati karhi cit .. 2.97..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.97. Neither (the study of) the Vedas, nor liberality, nor sacrifices, nor any (self-imposed) restraint, nor austerities, ever procure the attainment (of rewards) to a man whose heart is contaminated (by sensuality).
श्रुत्वा स्पृष्ट्वा च दृष्ट्वा च भुक्त्वा घ्रात्वा च यो नरः । न हृष्यति ग्लायति वा स विज्ञेयो जितैन्द्रियः ॥ २.९८॥
PADACHEDA
श्रुत्वा स्पृष्ट्वा च दृष्ट्वा च भुक्त्वा घ्रात्वा च यः नरः । न हृष्यति ग्लायति वा स विज्ञेयः जित-ऐन्द्रियः ॥ २।९८॥
TRANSLITERATION
śrutvā spṛṣṭvā ca dṛṣṭvā ca bhuktvā ghrātvā ca yaḥ naraḥ . na hṛṣyati glāyati vā sa vijñeyaḥ jita-aindriyaḥ .. 2.98..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.98. That man may be considered to have (really) subdued his organs, who on hearing and touching and seeing, on tasting and smelling (anything) neither rejoices nor repines.
indriyāṇām tu sarveṣām yadi ekam kṣarati indriyam . tena asya kṣarati prajñā dṛteḥ pādāt iva udakam .. 2.99..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.99. But when one among all the organs slips away (from control), thereby (man’s) wisdom slips away from
him, even as the water (flows) through the one (open) foot of a (water-carrier’s) skin.
2.100. If he keeps all the (ten) organs as well as the mind in subjection, he may gain all his aims, without reducing his body by (the practice) of Yoga.
पूर्वाम् संध्याम् जपन् तिष्ठेत् सावित्रीम् आ अर्क-दर्शनात् । पश्चिमाम् तु सदा आसीत सम्यक् ऋक्ष-विभावनात् ॥ २।१०१॥
TRANSLITERATION
pūrvām saṃdhyām japan tiṣṭhet sāvitrīm ā arka-darśanāt . paścimām tu sadā āsīta samyak ṛkṣa-vibhāvanāt .. 2.101..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.101. Let him stand during the morning twilight, muttering the Savitri until the sun appears, but (let him recite it), seated, in the evening until the constellations can be seen distinctly.
pūrvām saṃdhyām japan tiṣṭhat naiśam enaḥ vyapohati . paścimām tu samāsīnaḥ malam hanti divā kṛtam .. 2.102..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.102. He who stands during the morning twilight muttering (the Savitri), removes the guilt contracted during the (previous) night; but he who (recites it), seated, in the evening, destroys the sin he committed during the day.
न तिष्ठति तु यः पूर्वां नौपास्ते यश्च पश्चिमाम् । स शूद्रवद्बहिष्कार्यः सर्वस्माद्द्विजकर्मणः ॥ २.१०३॥
PADACHEDA
न तिष्ठति तु यः पूर्वाम् न उपास्ते यः च पश्चिमाम् । स शूद्र-वत् बहिष्कार्यः सर्वस्मात् द्विज-कर्मणः ॥ २।१०३॥
TRANSLITERATION
na tiṣṭhati tu yaḥ pūrvām na upāste yaḥ ca paścimām . sa śūdra-vat bahiṣkāryaḥ sarvasmāt dvija-karmaṇaḥ .. 2.103..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.103. But he who does not (worship) standing in the morning, nor sitting in the evening, shall be excluded, just like a Sudra, from all the duties and rights of an Aryan.
2.104. He who (desires to) perform the ceremony (of the) daily (recitation), may even recite the Savitri near water, retiring into the forest, controlling his organs and concentrating his mind.
वेद-औपकरणे च एव स्वाध्याये च एव नैत्यके । न अनुरोधः अस्ति अनध्याये होम-मन्त्रेषु च एव हि ॥ २।१०५॥
TRANSLITERATION
veda-aupakaraṇe ca eva svādhyāye ca eva naityake . na anurodhaḥ asti anadhyāye homa-mantreṣu ca eva hi .. 2.105..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.105. Both when (one studies) the supplementary treatises of the Veda, and when (one recites) the daily portion of the Veda, no regard need be paid to forbidden days, likewise when (one repeats) the sacred texts required for a burnt oblation.
नैत्यके नास्त्यनध्यायो ब्रह्मसत्रं हि तत्स्मृतम् ॥ब्रह्माहुतिहुतं पुण्यमनध्यायवषट्कृतम् ॥ २.१०६॥
PADACHEDA
नैत्यके न अस्ति अनध्यायः ब्रह्म-सत्रम् हि तत् स्मृतम् ॥ब्रह्माहुति-हुतम् पुण्यम् अनध्याय-वषट्कृतम् ॥ २।१०६॥
TRANSLITERATION
naityake na asti anadhyāyaḥ brahma-satram hi tat smṛtam ..brahmāhuti-hutam puṇyam anadhyāya-vaṣaṭkṛtam .. 2.106..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.106. There are no forbidden days for the daily recitation, since that is declared to be a Brahmasattra (an everlasting sacrifice offered to Brahman); at that the Veda takes the place of the burnt oblations, and it is meritorious (even), when (natural phenomena, requiring) a cessation of the Veda-study, take the place of the exclamation Vashat.
2.107. For him who, being pure and controlling his organs, during a year daily recites the Veda according to the rule, that (daily recitation) will ever cause sweet and sour milk, clarified butter and honey to flow
2.108. Let an Aryan who has been initiated, (daily) offer fuel in the sacred fire, beg food, sleep on the ground and do what is beneficial to this teacher, until (he performs the ceremony of) Samavartana (on returning home).
2.109. According to the sacred law the (following) ten (persons, viz.) the teacher’s son, one who desires to do service, one who imparts knowledge, one who is intent on fulfilling the law, one who is pure, a person connected by marriage or friendship, one who possesses (mental) ability, one who makes presents of money, one who is honest, and a relative, may be instructed (in the Veda).
न अपृष्टः कस्य चित् ब्रूयात् न च अन्यायेन पृच्छतः । जानन् अपि हि मेधावी जड-वत् लोके आचरेत् ॥ २।११०॥
TRANSLITERATION
na apṛṣṭaḥ kasya cit brūyāt na ca anyāyena pṛcchataḥ . jānan api hi medhāvī jaḍa-vat loke ācaret .. 2.110..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.110. Unless one be asked, one must not explain (anything) to anybody, nor (must one answer) a person who asks improperly; let a wise man, though he knows (the answer), behave among men as (if he were) an idiot.
अधर्मेण च यः प्राह यः च अधर्मेण पृच्छति । तयोः अन्यतरः प्रैति विद्वेषम् वा अधिगच्छति ॥ २।१११॥
TRANSLITERATION
adharmeṇa ca yaḥ prāha yaḥ ca adharmeṇa pṛcchati . tayoḥ anyataraḥ praiti vidveṣam vā adhigacchati .. 2.111..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.111. Of the two persons, him who illegally explains (anything), and him who illegally asks (a question), one
(or both) will die or incur (the other’s) enmity.
धर्मार्थौ यत्र न स्यातां शुश्रूषा वाऽपि तद्विधा । तत्र विद्या न वप्तव्या शुभं बीजमिवौषरे ॥ २.११२॥
PADACHEDA
धर्म-अर्थौ यत्र न स्याताम् शुश्रूषा वा अपि तद्विधा । तत्र विद्या न वप्तव्या शुभम् बीजम् इव औषरे ॥ २।११२॥
TRANSLITERATION
dharma-arthau yatra na syātām śuśrūṣā vā api tadvidhā . tatra vidyā na vaptavyā śubham bījam iva auṣare .. 2.112..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.112. Where merit and wealth are not (obtained by teaching) nor (at least) due obedience, in such (soil) sacred knowledge must not be sown, just as good seed (must) not (be thrown) on barren land.
2.114. Sacred Learning approached a Brahmana and said to him: ’I am thy treasure, preserve me, deliver me not to a scorner; so (preserved) I shall become supremely strong.’
लौकिकम् वैदिकम् वा अपि तथा आध्यात्मिकम् एव वा । आददीत यतस् ज्ञानम् तम् पूर्वम् अभिवादयेत् ॥ २।११७॥
TRANSLITERATION
laukikam vaidikam vā api tathā ādhyātmikam eva vā . ādadīta yatas jñānam tam pūrvam abhivādayet .. 2.117..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.117. (A student) shall first reverentially salute that (teacher) from whom he receives (knowledge), referring to worldly affairs, to the Veda, or to the Brahman.
sāvitrī-mātra-sāraḥ api varam vipraḥ su yantritaḥ . na a yantritaḥ tri-vedaḥ api sarva-āśī sarva-vikrayī .. 2.118..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.118. A Brahmana who completely governs himself, though he know the Savitri only, is better than he who knows the three Vedas, (but) does not control himself, eats all (sorts of) food, and sells all (sorts of goods).
शय्याऽऽसनेऽध्याचरिते श्रेयसा न समाविशेत् । शय्याऽऽसनस्थश्चैवेनं प्रत्युत्थायाभिवादयेत् ॥ २.११९॥
PADACHEDA
शय्या-आसने अध्याचरिते श्रेयसा न समाविशेत् । शय्या-आसन-स्थः च एव इनम् प्रत्युत्थाय अभिवादयेत् ॥ २।११९॥
TRANSLITERATION
śayyā-āsane adhyācarite śreyasā na samāviśet . śayyā-āsana-sthaḥ ca eva inam pratyutthāya abhivādayet .. 2.119..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.119. One must not sit down on a couch or seat which a superior occupies; and he who occupies a couch or seat shall rise to meet a (superior), and (afterwards) salute him.
2.120. For the vital airs of a young man mount upwards to leave his body when an elder approaches; but by rising to meet him and saluting he recovers them.
2.121. He who habitually salutes and constantly pays reverence to the aged obtains an increase of four (things), (viz.) length of life, knowledge, fame, (and) streng
नामधेयस्य ये के चिदभिवादं न जानते । तान् प्राज्ञोऽहमिति ब्रूयात्स्त्रियः सर्वास्तथैव च ॥ २.१२३॥
PADACHEDA
नामधेयस्य ये के चित् अभिवादम् न जानते । तान् प्राज्ञः अहम् इति ब्रूयात् स्त्रियः सर्वाः तथा एव च ॥ २।१२३॥
TRANSLITERATION
nāmadheyasya ye ke cit abhivādam na jānate . tān prājñaḥ aham iti brūyāt striyaḥ sarvāḥ tathā eva ca .. 2.123..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.123. To those (persons) who, when a name is pronounced, do not understand (the meaning of) the salutation, a wise man should say, ’It is I;’ and (he should address) in the same manner all women.
bhoḥ śabdam kīrtayet ante svasya nāmnaḥ abhivādane . nāmnām svarūpa-bhāvaḥ hi bho bhāvaḥ ṛṣibhiḥ smṛtaḥ .. 2.124..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.124. In saluting he should pronounce after his name the word bhoh; for the sages have declared that the nature of bhoh is the same as that of (all proper) names.
āyuṣmān bhava saumya eti vācyaḥ vipraḥ abhivādane . akāraḥ ca asya nāmnaḥ ante vācyaḥ pūrva-akṣaraḥ plutaḥ .. 2.125..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.125. A Brahmana should thus be saluted in return, ’May’st thou be long-lived, O gentle one!’ and the vowel ’a’ must be added at the end of the name (of the person addressed), the syllable preceding it being drawn out to the length of three moras.
brāhmaṇam kuśalam pṛcchet kṣatrabandhum anāmayam . vaiśyam kṣemam samāgamya śūdram ārogyam eva ca .. 2.127..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.127. Let him ask a Brahmana, on meeting him, after (his health, with the word) kusala, a Kshatriya (with the word) anamaya, a Vaisya (with the word) kshema, and a Sudra (with the word) anarogya.
a vācyaḥ dīkṣitaḥ nāmnā yavīyān api yaḥ bhavet . bho bhavat-pūrvakam tu enam abhibhāṣeta dharma-vid .. 2.128..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.128. He who has been initiated (to perform a Srauta sacrifice) must not be addressed by his name, even though he be a younger man; he who knows the sacred law must use in speaking to such (a man the particle) bhoh and (the pronoun) bhavat (your worship).
मातुलान् च पितृव्यान् च श्वशुरान् ऋत्विजः गुरून् । असौ अहम् इति ब्रूयात् प्रत्युत्थाय यवीयसः ॥ २।१३०॥
TRANSLITERATION
mātulān ca pitṛvyān ca śvaśurān ṛtvijaḥ gurūn . asau aham iti brūyāt pratyutthāya yavīyasaḥ .. 2.130..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.130. To his maternal and paternal uncles, fathers-in-law, officiating priests, (and other) venerable persons, he must say, ’I am N. N.,’ and rise (to meet them), even though they be younger (than himself).
2.131. A maternal aunt, the wife of a maternal uncle, a mother-in-law, and a paternal aunt must be honoured
like the wife of one’s teacher; they are equal to the wife of one’s teacher.
bhrātuḥ bhāryā aupasaṅgrāhyā savarṇā ahani ahani api . viproṣya tu upasaṅgrāhyāḥ jñāti-sambandhi-yoṣitaḥ .. 2.132..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.132. (The feet of the) wife of one’s brother, if she be of the same caste (varna), must be clasped every day; but (the feet of) wives of (other) paternal and maternal relatives need only be embraced on one’s return from a journey.
पितुर्भगिन्यां मातुश्च ज्यायस्यां च स्वसर्यपि । मातृवद्वृत्तिमातिष्ठेन् माता ताभ्यो गरीयसी ॥ २.१३३॥
PADACHEDA
पितुः भगिन्याम् मातुः च ज्यायस्याम् च स्वसरि अपि । मातृ-वत् वृत्तिम् आतिष्ठेत् माता ताभ्यः गरीयसी ॥ २।१३३॥
TRANSLITERATION
pituḥ bhaginyām mātuḥ ca jyāyasyām ca svasari api . mātṛ-vat vṛttim ātiṣṭhet mātā tābhyaḥ garīyasī .. 2.133..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.133. Towards a sister of one’s father and of one’s mother, and towards one’s own elder sister, one must behave as towards one’s mother; (but) the mother is more venerable than they.
daśa-abda-ākhyam paura-sakhyam pañca-abda-ākhyam kalābhṛtām . tri-abda-pūrvam śrotriyāṇām su alpena api sva-yoniṣu .. 2.134..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.134. Fellow-citizens are called friends (and equals though one be) ten years (older than the other), men practising (the same) fine art (though one be) five years (older than the other), Srotriyas (though) three years (intervene between their ages), but blood-relations only (if the) difference of age be very small.
brāhmaṇam daśa-varṣam tu śata-varṣam tu bhūmipam . pitāputrau vijānīyāt brāhmaṇaḥ tu tayoḥ pitā .. 2.135..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.135. Know that a Brahmana of ten years and Kshatriya of a hundred years stand to each other in the relation of father and son; but between those two the Brahmana is the father.
2.136. Wealth, kindred, age, (the due performance of) rites, and, fifthly, sacred learning are titles to respect; but each later-named (cause) is more weighty (than the preceding ones).
pañcānām triṣu varṇeṣu bhūyāṃsi guṇavanti ca . yatra syuḥ saḥ atra māna-arhaḥ śūdraḥ api daśamīm gataḥ .. 2.137..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.137. Whatever man of the three (highest) castes possesses most of those five, both in number and degree, that
man is worthy of honour among them; and (so is) also a Sudra who has entered the tenth (decade of his life).
चक्रिणो दशमीस्थस्य रोगिणो भारिणः स्त्रियाः । स्नातकस्य च राज्ञश्च पन्था देयो वरस्य च ॥ २.१३८॥
PADACHEDA
चक्रिणः दशमी-स्थस्य रोगिणः भारिणः स्त्रियाः । स्नातकस्य च राज्ञः च पन्थाः देयः वरस्य च ॥ २।१३८॥
TRANSLITERATION
cakriṇaḥ daśamī-sthasya rogiṇaḥ bhāriṇaḥ striyāḥ . snātakasya ca rājñaḥ ca panthāḥ deyaḥ varasya ca .. 2.138..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.138. Way must be made for a man in a carriage, for one who is above ninety years old, for one diseased, for the carrier of a burden, for a woman, for a Snataka, for the king, and for a bridegroom.
teṣām tu samavetānām mānyau snātaka-pārthivau . rāja-snātakayoḥ ca eva snātakaḥ nṛpa-māna-bhāj .. 2.139..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.139. Among all those, if they meet (at one time), a Snataka and the king must be (most) honoured; and if the king and a Snataka (meet), the latter receives respect from the king.
उपनीय तु यः शिष्यम् वेदम् अध्यापयेत् द्विजः । स कल्पम् स रहस्यम् च तम् आचार्यम् प्रचक्षते ॥ २।१४०॥
TRANSLITERATION
upanīya tu yaḥ śiṣyam vedam adhyāpayet dvijaḥ . sa kalpam sa rahasyam ca tam ācāryam pracakṣate .. 2.140..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.140. They call that Brahmana who initiates a pupil and teaches him the Veda together with the Kalpa and the Rahasyas, the teacher (akarya, of the latter).
निषेक-आदीनि कर्माणि यः करोति यथाविधि । सम्भावयति च अन्नेन स विप्रः गुरुः उच्यते ॥ २।१४२॥
TRANSLITERATION
niṣeka-ādīni karmāṇi yaḥ karoti yathāvidhi . sambhāvayati ca annena sa vipraḥ guruḥ ucyate .. 2.142..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.142. That Brahmana, who performs in accordance with the rules (of the Veda) the rites, the Garbhadhana (conception-rite), and so forth, and gives food (to the child), is called the Guru (the venerable one).
2.143. He who, being (duly) chosen (for the purpose), performs the Agnyadheya, the Pakayagnas, (and) the (Srauta) sacrifices, such as the Agnishtoma (for another man), is called (his) officiating priest.
2.145. The teacher (akarya) is ten times more venerable than a sub-teacher (upadhyaya), the father a hundred times more than the teacher, but the mother a thousand times more than the father.
उत्पादकब्रह्मदात्रोर्गरीयान् ब्रह्मदः पिता । ब्रह्मजन्म हि विप्रस्य प्रेत्य चैह च शाश्वतम् ॥ २.१४६॥
PADACHEDA
उत्पादक-ब्रह्म-दात्रोः गरीयान् ब्रह्म-दः पिता । ब्रह्मजन्म हि विप्रस्य प्रेत्य च एह च शाश्वतम् ॥ २।१४६॥
TRANSLITERATION
utpādaka-brahma-dātroḥ garīyān brahma-daḥ pitā . brahmajanma hi viprasya pretya ca eha ca śāśvatam .. 2.146..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.146. Of him who gives natural birth and him who gives (the knowledge of) the Veda, the giver of the Veda is the more venerable father; for the birth for the sake of the Veda (ensures) eternal (rewards) both in this (life) and after death.
कामान् माता पिता चैनं यदुत्पादयतो मिथः । सम्भूतिं तस्य तां विद्याद्यद्योनावभिजायते ॥ २.१४७॥
PADACHEDA
कामात् माता पिता च एनम् यत् उत्पादयतः मिथस् । सम्भूतिम् तस्य ताम् विद्यात् यत् योनौ अभिजायते ॥ २।१४७॥
TRANSLITERATION
kāmāt mātā pitā ca enam yat utpādayataḥ mithas . sambhūtim tasya tām vidyāt yat yonau abhijāyate .. 2.147..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.147. Let him consider that (he received) a (mere animal) existence, when his parents begat him through mutual affection, and when he was born from the womb (of his mother).
ācāryaḥ tu asya yām jātim vidhivat vedapāragaḥ . utpādayati sāvitryā sā satyā sā ajarā amarā .. 2.148..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.148. But that birth which a teacher acquainted with the whole Veda, in accordance with the law, procures for him through the Savitri, is real, exempt from age and deat
अल्पं वा बहु वा यस्य श्रुतस्यौपकरोति यः । तमपीह गुरुं विद्यात्श्रुतौपक्रियया तया ॥ २.१४९॥
PADACHEDA
अल्पम् वा बहु वा यस्य श्रुतस्य औपकरोति यः । तम् अपि इह गुरुम् विद्यात् श्रुत-औपक्रियया तया ॥ २।१४९॥
TRANSLITERATION
alpam vā bahu vā yasya śrutasya aupakaroti yaḥ . tam api iha gurum vidyāt śruta-aupakriyayā tayā .. 2.149..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.149. (The pupil) must know that that man also who benefits him by (instruction in) the Veda, be it little or much, is called in these (Institutes) his Guru, in consequence of that benefit (conferred by instruction in) the Veda.
ब्राह्मस्य जन्मनः कर्ता स्वधर्मस्य च शासिता । बालोऽपि विप्रो वृद्धस्य पिता भवति धर्मतः ॥ २.१५०॥
PADACHEDA
ब्राह्मस्य जन्मनः कर्ता स्वधर्मस्य च शासिता । बालः अपि विप्रः वृद्धस्य पिता भवति धर्मतः ॥ २।१५०॥
TRANSLITERATION
brāhmasya janmanaḥ kartā svadharmasya ca śāsitā . bālaḥ api vipraḥ vṛddhasya pitā bhavati dharmataḥ .. 2.150..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.150. That Brahmana who is the giver of the birth for the sake of the Veda and the teacher of the prescribed duties becomes by law the father of an aged man, even though he himself be a child.
2.151. Young Kavi, the son of Angiras, taught his (relatives who were old enough to be) fathers, and, as he
excelled them in (sacred) knowledge, he called them ’Little sons.’
ते तमर्थमपृच्छन्त देवानागतमन्यवः । देवाश्चैतान् समेत्यौचुर्न्याय्यं वः शिशुरुक्तवान् ॥ २.१५२॥
PADACHEDA
ते तम् अर्थम् अपृच्छन्त देवान् आगत-मन्यवः । देवाः च एतान् समेत्य ऊचुः न्याय्यम् वः शिशुः उक्तवान् ॥ २।१५२॥
TRANSLITERATION
te tam artham apṛcchanta devān āgata-manyavaḥ . devāḥ ca etān sametya ūcuḥ nyāyyam vaḥ śiśuḥ uktavān .. 2.152..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.152. They, moved with resentment, asked the gods concerning that matter, and the gods, having assembled, answered, ’The child has addressed you properly.’
अज्ञो भवति वै बालः पिता भवति मन्त्रदः । अज्ञं हि बालमित्याहुः पितेत्येव तु मन्त्रदम् ॥ २.१५३॥
PADACHEDA
अज्ञः भवति वै बालः पिता भवति मन्त्र-दः । अज्ञम् हि बालम् इति आहुः पिता इति एव तु मन्त्र-दम् ॥ २।१५३॥
TRANSLITERATION
ajñaḥ bhavati vai bālaḥ pitā bhavati mantra-daḥ . ajñam hi bālam iti āhuḥ pitā iti eva tu mantra-dam .. 2.153..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.153. ’For (a man) destitute of (sacred) knowledge is indeed a child, and he who teaches him the Veda is his father; for (the sages) have always said "child" to an ignorant man, and "father" to a teacher of the Veda.’
न हायनैर्न पलितैर्न वित्तेन न बन्धुभिः । ऋषयश्चक्रिरे धर्मं योऽनूचानः स नो महान् ॥ २.१५४॥
PADACHEDA
न हायनैः न पलितैः न वित्तेन न बन्धुभिः । ऋषयः चक्रिरे धर्मम् यः अनूचानः स नः महान् ॥ २।१५४॥
TRANSLITERATION
na hāyanaiḥ na palitaiḥ na vittena na bandhubhiḥ . ṛṣayaḥ cakrire dharmam yaḥ anūcānaḥ sa naḥ mahān .. 2.154..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.154. Neither through years, nor through white (hairs), nor through wealth, nor through (powerful) kinsmen (comes greatness). The sages have made this law, ’He who has learnt the Veda together with the Angas (Anukana) is (considered) great by us.’
viprāṇām jñānataḥ jyaiṣṭhyam kṣatriyāṇām tu vīryataḥ . vaiśyānām dhānya-dhanataḥ śūdrāṇām eva janmataḥ .. 2.155..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.155. The seniority of Brahmanas is from (sacred) knowledge, that of Kshatriyas from valour, that of Vaisyas from wealth in grain (and other goods), but that of Sudras alone from age.
न तेन वृद्धो भवति येनास्य पलितं शिरः । यो वै युवाऽप्यधीयानस्तं देवाः स्थविरं विदुः ॥ २.१५६॥
PADACHEDA
न तेन वृद्धः भवति येन अस्य पलितम् शिरः । यः वै युवा अपि अधीयानः तम् देवाः स्थविरम् विदुः ॥ २।१५६॥
TRANSLITERATION
na tena vṛddhaḥ bhavati yena asya palitam śiraḥ . yaḥ vai yuvā api adhīyānaḥ tam devāḥ sthaviram viduḥ .. 2.156..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.156. A man is not therefore (considered) venerable because his head is gray; him who, though young, has learned the Veda, the gods consider to be venerable.
यथा काष्ठ-मयः हस्ती यथा चर्म-मयः मृगः । यः च विप्रः अन् अधीयानः त्रयः ते नाम बिभ्रति ॥ २।१५७॥
TRANSLITERATION
yathā kāṣṭha-mayaḥ hastī yathā carma-mayaḥ mṛgaḥ . yaḥ ca vipraḥ an adhīyānaḥ trayaḥ te nāma bibhrati .. 2.157..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.157. As an elephant made of wood, as an antelope made of leather, such is an unlearned Brahmana; those three have nothing but the names (of their kind).
2.158. As a eunuch is unproductive with women, as a cow with a cow is unprolific, and as a gift made to an ignorant man yields no reward, even so is a Brahmana useless, who (does) not (know) the Rikas.
ahiṃsayā eva bhūtānām kāryam śreyaḥ-anuśāsanam . vāc ca eva madhurā ślakṣṇā prayojyā dharmam icchatā .. 2.159..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.159. Created beings must be instructed in (what concerns) their welfare without giving them pain, and sweet
and gentle speech must be used by (a teacher) who desires (to abide by) the sacred law.
नारुंतुदः स्यात् आर्तः अपि न पर-द्रोह-कर्म-धीः । यया अस्य उद्विजते वाचा न अलोक्याम् ताम् उदीरयेत् ॥ २।१६१॥
TRANSLITERATION
nāruṃtudaḥ syāt ārtaḥ api na para-droha-karma-dhīḥ . yayā asya udvijate vācā na alokyām tām udīrayet .. 2.161..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.161. Let him not, even though in pain, (speak words) cutting (others) to the quick; let him not injure others in thought or deed; let him not utter speeches which make (others) afraid of him, since that will prevent him from
gaining heaven.
सुखम् हि अवमतः शेते सुखम् च प्रतिबुध्यते ॥सुखम् चरति लोके अस्मिन् अवमन्ता विनश्यति ॥ २।१६३॥
TRANSLITERATION
sukham hi avamataḥ śete sukham ca pratibudhyate ..sukham carati loke asmin avamantā vinaśyati .. 2.163..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.163. For he who is scorned (nevertheless may) sleep with an easy mind, awake with an easy mind, and with an easy mind walk here among men; but the scorner utterly perishes.
2.164. A twice-born man who has been sanctified by the (employment of) the means, (described above) in due order, shall gradually and cumulatively perform the various austerities prescribed for (those who) study the Veda.
तपः-विशेषैः विविधैः व्रतैः च विधि-चोदितैः । वेदः कृत्स्नः अधिगन्तव्यः स रहस्यः द्विजन्मना ॥ २।१६५॥
TRANSLITERATION
tapaḥ-viśeṣaiḥ vividhaiḥ vrataiḥ ca vidhi-coditaiḥ . vedaḥ kṛtsnaḥ adhigantavyaḥ sa rahasyaḥ dvijanmanā .. 2.165..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.165. An Aryan must study the whole Veda together with the Rahasyas, performing at the same time various kinds of austerities and the vows prescribed by the rules (of the Veda).
वेदम् एव सदा अभ्यस्येत् तपः तप्यन् द्विजोत्तमः । वेद-अभ्यासः हि विप्रस्य तपः परम् इह उच्यते ॥ २।१६६॥
TRANSLITERATION
vedam eva sadā abhyasyet tapaḥ tapyan dvijottamaḥ . veda-abhyāsaḥ hi viprasya tapaḥ param iha ucyate .. 2.166..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.166. Let a Brahmana who desires to perform austerities, constantly repeat the Veda; for the study of the Veda is declared (to be) in this world the highest austerity for a Brahmana.
आ हैव स नखाग्रेभ्यः परमं तप्यते तपः । यः स्रग्व्यपि द्विजोऽधीते स्वाध्यायं शक्तितोऽन्वहम् ॥ २.१६७॥
PADACHEDA
आ ह एव स नख-अग्रेभ्यः परमम् तप्यते तपः । यः स्रग्वी अपि द्विजः अधीते स्वाध्यायम् शक्तितस् अन्वहम् ॥ २।१६७॥
TRANSLITERATION
ā ha eva sa nakha-agrebhyaḥ paramam tapyate tapaḥ . yaḥ sragvī api dvijaḥ adhīte svādhyāyam śaktitas anvaham .. 2.167..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.167. Verily, that twice-born man performs the highest austerity up to the extremities of his nails, who, though wearing a garland, daily recites the Veda in private to the utmost of his ability.
यः अन् अधीत्य द्विजः वेदम् अन्यत्र कुरुते श्रमम् । स जीवन् एव शूद्र-त्वम् आशु गच्छति स अन्वयः ॥ २।१६८॥
TRANSLITERATION
yaḥ an adhītya dvijaḥ vedam anyatra kurute śramam . sa jīvan eva śūdra-tvam āśu gacchati sa anvayaḥ .. 2.168..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.168. A twice-born man who, not having studied the Veda, applies himself to other (and worldly study), soon falls, even while living, to the condition of a Sudra and his descendants (after him).
2.169. According to the injunction of the revealed texts the first birth of an Aryan is from (his natural) mother, the second (happens) on the tying of the girdle of Munga grass, and the third on the initiation to (the performance of) a (Srauta) sacrifice.
तत्र यद्ब्रह्मजन्मास्य मौञ्जीबन्धनचिह्नितम् । तत्रास्य माता सावित्री पिता त्वाचार्य उच्यते ॥ २.१७०॥
PADACHEDA
तत्र यत् ब्रह्मजन्म अस्य मौञ्जीबन्धन-चिह्नितम् । तत्र अस्य माता सावित्री पिता तु आचार्यः उच्यते ॥ २।१७०॥
TRANSLITERATION
tatra yat brahmajanma asya mauñjībandhana-cihnitam . tatra asya mātā sāvitrī pitā tu ācāryaḥ ucyate .. 2.170..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.170. Among those (three) the birth which is symbolised by the investiture with the girdle of Munga grass, is his birth for the sake of the Veda; they declare that in that (birth) the Sivitri (verse) is his mother and the teacher his father.
वेद-प्रदानात् आचार्यम् पितरम् परिचक्षते । न हि अस्मिन् युज्यते कर्म किञ्चिद् आ मौञ्जिबन्धनात् ॥ २।१७१॥
TRANSLITERATION
veda-pradānāt ācāryam pitaram paricakṣate . na hi asmin yujyate karma kiñcid ā mauñjibandhanāt .. 2.171..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.171. They call the teacher (the pupil’s) father because he gives the Veda; for nobody can perform a (sacred)
rite before the investiture with the girdle of Munga grass.
नाभिव्याहारयेद्ब्रह्म स्वधानिनयनादृते । शूद्रेण हि समस्तावद्यावद्वेदे न जायते ॥ २.१७२॥
PADACHEDA
न अभिव्याहारयेत् ब्रह्म स्वधा-निनयनात् ऋते । शूद्रेण हि समः तावत् यावत् वेदे न जायते ॥ २।१७२॥
TRANSLITERATION
na abhivyāhārayet brahma svadhā-ninayanāt ṛte . śūdreṇa hi samaḥ tāvat yāvat vede na jāyate .. 2.172..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.172. (He who has not been initiated) should not pronounce (any) Vedic text excepting (those required for) the performance of funeral rites, since he is on a level with a Sudra before his birth from the Veda.
kṛta-aupanayanasya asya vrata-ādeśanam iṣyate . brahmaṇaḥ grahaṇam ca eva krameṇa vidhi-pūrvakam .. 2.173..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.173. The (student) who has been initiated must be instructed in the performance of the vows, and gradually learn the Veda, observing the prescribed rules.
यद्यस्य विहितं चर्म यत्सूत्रं या च मेखला । यो दण्डो यत्च वसनं तत्तदस्य व्रतेष्वपि ॥ २.१७४॥
PADACHEDA
यत् यस्य विहितम् चर्म यत् सूत्रम् या च मेखला । यः दण्डः यत् च वसनम् तत् तत् अस्य व्रतेषु अपि ॥ २।१७४॥
TRANSLITERATION
yat yasya vihitam carma yat sūtram yā ca mekhalā . yaḥ daṇḍaḥ yat ca vasanam tat tat asya vrateṣu api .. 2.174..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.174. Whatever dress of skin, sacred thread, girdle, staff, and lower garment are prescribed for a (student at the initiation), the like (must again be used) at the (performance of the) vows.
seveta emān tu niyamān brahmacārī gurau vasan . san niyamya aindriya-grāmam tapaḥ-vṛddhi-artham ātmanaḥ .. 2.175..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.175. But a student who resides with his teacher must observe the following restrictive rules, duly controlling
all his organs, in order to increase his spiritual merit.
नित्यम् स्नात्वा शुचिः कुर्यात् देव-ऋषि-पितृ-तर्पणम् । देवता-अभ्यर्चनम् च एव समिध्-आधानम् एव च ॥ २।१७६॥
TRANSLITERATION
nityam snātvā śuciḥ kuryāt deva-ṛṣi-pitṛ-tarpaṇam . devatā-abhyarcanam ca eva samidh-ādhānam eva ca .. 2.176..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.176. Every day, having bathed, and being purified, he must offer libations of water to the gods, sages and
manes, worship (the images of) the gods, and place fuel on (the sacred fire).
वर्जयेत् मधु मांसम् च गन्धम् माल्यम् रसान् स्त्रियः । शुक्तानि यानि सर्वाणि प्राणिनाम् च एव हिंसनम् ॥ २।१७७॥
TRANSLITERATION
varjayet madhu māṃsam ca gandham mālyam rasān striyaḥ . śuktāni yāni sarvāṇi prāṇinām ca eva hiṃsanam .. 2.177..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.177. Let him abstain from honey, meat, perfumes, garlands, substances (used for) flavouring (food), women,
all substances turned acid, and from doing injury to living creatures.
अभ्यङ्गमञ्जनं चाक्ष्णोरुपानच्छत्रधारणम् । कामं क्रोधं च लोभं च नर्तनं गीतवादनम् ॥ २.१७८॥
PADACHEDA
अभ्यङ्गम् अञ्जनम् च अक्ष्णोः ऊरु-पान-छत्र-धारणम् । कामम् क्रोधम् च लोभम् च नर्तनम् गीत-वादनम् ॥ २।१७८॥
TRANSLITERATION
abhyaṅgam añjanam ca akṣṇoḥ ūru-pāna-chatra-dhāraṇam . kāmam krodham ca lobham ca nartanam gīta-vādanam .. 2.178..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.178. From anointing (his body), applying collyrium to his eyes, from the use of shoes and of an umbrella (or
parasol), from (sensual) desire, anger, covetousness, dancing, singing, and playing (musical instruments),
2.181. A twice-born student, who has involuntarily wasted his manly strength during sleep, must bathe, worship the sun, and afterwards thrice mutter the Rik-verse (which begins), ’Again let my strength return to me.’
2.182. Let him fetch a pot full of water, flowers, cowdung, earth, and Kusa grass, as much as may be required (by his teacher), and daily go to beg food.
2.183. A student, being pure, shall daily bring food from the houses of men who are not deficient in (the
knowledge of) the Veda and in (performing) sacrifices, and who are famous for (following their lawful) occupations.
गुरोः कुले न भिक्षेत न ज्ञातिकुलबन्धुषु । अलाभे त्वन्यगेहानां पूर्वं पूर्वं विवर्जयेत् ॥ २.१८४॥
PADACHEDA
गुरोः कुले न भिक्षेत न ज्ञाति-कुल-बन्धुषु । अलाभे तु अन्य-गेहानाम् पूर्वम् पूर्वम् विवर्जयेत् ॥ २।१८४॥
TRANSLITERATION
guroḥ kule na bhikṣeta na jñāti-kula-bandhuṣu . alābhe tu anya-gehānām pūrvam pūrvam vivarjayet .. 2.184..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.184. Let him not beg from the relatives of his teacher, nor from his own or his mother’s blood-relations; but if
there are no houses belonging to strangers, let him go to one of those named above, taking the last-named first;
sarvam vā api caret grāmam pūrva-uktānām asambhave . niyamya prayataḥ vācam abhiśastān tu varjayet .. 2.185..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.185. Or, if there are no (virtuous men of the kind) mentioned above, he may go to each (house in the) village, being pure and remaining silent; but let him avoid Abhisastas (those accused of mortal sin).
दूरात् आहृत्य समिधः सन् निदध्यात् विहायसि । सायम्। प्रातर् च जुहुयात् ताभिः अग्निम् अतन्द्रितः ॥ २।१८६॥
TRANSLITERATION
dūrāt āhṛtya samidhaḥ san nidadhyāt vihāyasi . sāyam. prātar ca juhuyāt tābhiḥ agnim atandritaḥ .. 2.186..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.186. Having brought sacred fuel from a distance, let him place it anywhere but on the ground, and let him, unwearied, make with it burnt oblations to the sacred fire, both evening and morning.
a kṛtvā bhaikṣa-caraṇam a samidhya ca pāvakam . anāturaḥ sapta-rātram avakīrṇi-vratam caret .. 2.187..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.187. He who, without being sick, neglects during seven (successive) days to go out begging, and to offer fuel
in the sacred fire, shall perform the penance of an Avakirnin (one who has broken his vow).
2.188. He who performs the vow (of studentship) shall constantly subsist on alms, (but) not eat the food of one
(person only); the subsistence of a student on begged food is declared to be equal (in merit) to fasting.
vrata-vat deva-daivatye pitrye karmaṇi atha ṛṣi-vat . kāmam abhyarthitaḥ aśnīyāt vratam asya na lupyate .. 2.189..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.189. At his pleasure he may eat, when invited, the food of one man at (a rite) in honour of the gods, observing (however the conditions on his vow, or at a (funeral meal) in honor of the manes, behaving (however) like a
hermit.
चोदितो गुरुणा नित्यमप्रचोदित एव वा । अध्ययने योगम् यत्नमाचार्यस्य हितेषु च ॥ २.१९१॥
PADACHEDA
चोदितः गुरुणा नित्यम् अ प्रचोदितः एव वा । अध्ययने योगम् यत्नम् आचार्यस्य हितेषु च ॥ २।१९१॥
TRANSLITERATION
coditaḥ guruṇā nityam a pracoditaḥ eva vā . adhyayane yogam yatnam ācāryasya hiteṣu ca .. 2.191..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.191. Both when ordered by his teacher, and without a (special) command, (a student) shall always exert
himself in studying (the Veda), and in doing what is serviceable to his teacher.
नित्यम् उद्धृत-पाणिः स्यात् साधु-आचारः सु संवृतः । आस्यताम् इति च औक्तः सन् आसीत अभिमुखम् गुरोः ॥ २।१९३॥
TRANSLITERATION
nityam uddhṛta-pāṇiḥ syāt sādhu-ācāraḥ su saṃvṛtaḥ . āsyatām iti ca auktaḥ san āsīta abhimukham guroḥ .. 2.193..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.193. Let him always keep his right arm uncovered, behave decently and keep his body well covered, and when he is addressed (with the words), ’Be seated,’ he shall sit down, facing his teacher.
हीन-अन्न-वस्त्र-वेषः स्यात् सर्वदा गुरु-सन्निधौ । उत्तिष्ठेत् प्रथमम् च अस्य चरमम् च एव संविशेत् ॥ २।१९४॥
TRANSLITERATION
hīna-anna-vastra-veṣaḥ syāt sarvadā guru-sannidhau . uttiṣṭhet prathamam ca asya caramam ca eva saṃviśet .. 2.194..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.194. In the presence of his teacher let him always eat less, wear a less valuable dress and ornaments (than the former), and let him rise earlier (from his bed), and go to rest later.
āsīnasya sthitaḥ kuryāt abhigacchan tu tiṣṭhataḥ . pratyudgamya tu āvrajataḥ paścāt dhāvan tu dhāvataḥ .. 2.196..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.196. Let him do (that), standing up, if (his teacher) is seated, advancing towards him when he stands, going to
meet him if he advances, and running after him when he runs;
पराङ्मुखस्य अभिमुखः दूर-स्थस्य एत्य च अन्तिकम् । प्रणम्य तु शयानस्य निदेशे च एव तिष्ठतः ॥ २।१९७॥
TRANSLITERATION
parāṅmukhasya abhimukhaḥ dūra-sthasya etya ca antikam . praṇamya tu śayānasya nideśe ca eva tiṣṭhataḥ .. 2.197..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.197. Going (round) to face (the teacher), if his face is averted, approaching him if he stands at a distance, but bending towards him if he lies on a bed, and if he stands in a lower place.
नौदाहरेदस्य नाम परोक्षमपि केवलम् । न चैवास्यानुकुर्वीत गतिभाषितचेष्टितम् ॥ २.१९९॥
PADACHEDA
न उदाहरेत् अस्य नाम परोक्षम् अपि केवलम् । न च एव अस्य अनुकुर्वीत गति-भाषित-चेष्टितम् ॥ २।१९९॥
TRANSLITERATION
na udāharet asya nāma parokṣam api kevalam . na ca eva asya anukurvīta gati-bhāṣita-ceṣṭitam .. 2.199..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.199. Let him not pronounce the mere name of his teacher (without adding an honorific title) behind his back even, and let him not mimic his gait, speech, and deportment.
2.201. By censuring (his teacher), though justly, he will become (in his next birth) an ass, by falsely defaming him, a dog; he who lives on his teacher’s substance, will become a worm, and he who is envious (of his merit), a (larger) insect.
दूरस्थो नार्चयेदेनं न क्रुद्धो नान्तिके स्त्रियाः । यानासनस्थश्चैवैनमवरुह्याभिवादयेत् ॥ २.२०२॥
PADACHEDA
दूर-स्थः न अर्चयेत् एनम् न क्रुद्धः न अन्तिके स्त्रियाः । यान-आसन-स्थः च एव एनम् अवरुह्य अभिवादयेत् ॥ २।२०२॥
TRANSLITERATION
dūra-sthaḥ na arcayet enam na kruddhaḥ na antike striyāḥ . yāna-āsana-sthaḥ ca eva enam avaruhya abhivādayet .. 2.202..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.202. He must not serve the (teacher by the intervention of another) while he himself stands aloof, nor when he (himself) is angry, nor when a woman is near; if he is seated in a carriage or on a (raised) seat, he must descend and afterwards salute his (teacher).
गोऽश्वौष्ट्रयानप्रासादप्रस्तरेषु कटेषु च । आसीत गुरुणा सार्धं शिलाफलकनौषु च ॥ २.२०४॥
PADACHEDA
गो-अश्व-ओष्ट्र-यान-प्रासाद-प्रस्तरेषु कटेषु च । आसीत गुरुणा सार्धम् शिला-फलक-नौषु च ॥ २।२०४॥
TRANSLITERATION
go-aśva-oṣṭra-yāna-prāsāda-prastareṣu kaṭeṣu ca . āsīta guruṇā sārdham śilā-phalaka-nauṣu ca .. 2.204..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.204. He may sit with his teacher in a carriage drawn by oxen, horses, or camels, on a terrace, on a bed of grass or leaves, on a mat, on a rock, on a wooden bench, or in a boat.
गुरोः गुरौ सन्निहिते गुरु-वत् वृत्तिम् आचरेत् । न च अ निसृष्टः गुरुणा स्वान् गुरून् अभिवादयेत् ॥ २।२०५॥
TRANSLITERATION
guroḥ gurau sannihite guru-vat vṛttim ācaret . na ca a nisṛṣṭaḥ guruṇā svān gurūn abhivādayet .. 2.205..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.205. If his teacher’s teacher is near, let him behave (towards him) as towards his own teacher; but let him, unless he has received permission from his teacher, not salute venerable persons of his own (family).
विद्या-गुरुषु एवम् एव नित्या वृत्तिः स्व-योनिषु । प्रतिषेधत्सु च अधर्म-आधितम् च उपदिशत्सु अपि ॥ २।२०६॥
TRANSLITERATION
vidyā-guruṣu evam eva nityā vṛttiḥ sva-yoniṣu . pratiṣedhatsu ca adharma-ādhitam ca upadiśatsu api .. 2.206..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.206. This is likewise (ordained as) his constant behaviour towards (other) instructors in science, towards his relatives (to whom honour is due), towards all who may restrain him from sin, or may give him salutary advice.
श्रेयःसु गुरु-वत् वृत्तिम् नित्यम् एव समाचरेत् । गुरु-पुत्रे तथा आचार्ये गुरोः च एव स्व-बन्धुषु ॥ २।२०७॥
TRANSLITERATION
śreyaḥsu guru-vat vṛttim nityam eva samācaret . guru-putre tathā ācārye guroḥ ca eva sva-bandhuṣu .. 2.207..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.207. Towards his betters let him always behave as towards his teacher, likewise towards sons of his teacher, born by wives of equal caste, and towards the teacher’s relatives both on the side of the father and of the mother.
2.208. The son of the teacher who imparts instruction (in his father’s stead), whether younger or of equal age, or a student of (the science of) sacrifices (or of other Angas), deserves the same honour as the teacher.
2.210. The wives of the teacher, who belong to the same caste, must be treated as respectfully as the teacher; but those who belong to a different caste, must be honoured by rising and salutation.
अभ्यञ्जनं स्नापनं च गात्रोत्सादनमेव च । गुरुपत्न्या न कार्याणि केशानां च प्रसाधनम् ॥ २.२११॥
PADACHEDA
अभ्यञ्जनम् स्नापनम् च गात्र-उत्सादनम् एव च । गुरु-पत्न्याः न कार्याणि केशानाम् च प्रसाधनम् ॥ २।२११॥
TRANSLITERATION
abhyañjanam snāpanam ca gātra-utsādanam eva ca . guru-patnyāḥ na kāryāṇi keśānām ca prasādhanam .. 2.211..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.211. Let him not perform for a wife of his teacher (the offices of) anointing her, assisting her in the bath, shampooing her limbs, or arranging her hair.
guru-patnī tu yuvatiḥ na abhivādyā iha pādayoḥ . pūrṇa-viṃśati-varṣeṇa guṇa-doṣau vijānatā .. 2.212..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.212. (A pupil) who is full twenty years old, and knows what is becoming and unbecoming, shall not salute a young wife of his teacher (by clasping) her feet.
2.216. But at his pleasure a young student may prostrate himself on the ground before the young wife of a teacher, in accordance with the rule, and say, ’I (worship thee, O lady).’
2.217. On returning from a journey he must clasp the feet of his teacher’s wife and daily salute her (in the manner just mentioned), remembering the duty of the virtuous.
2.218. As the man who digs with a spade (into the ground) obtains water, even so an obedient (pupil) obtains the knowledge which lies (hidden) in his teacher.
मुण्डो वा जटिलो वा स्यादथ वा स्यात्शिखाजटः । नैनं ग्रामेऽभिनिम्लोचेत्सूर्यो नाभ्युदियात्क्व चित् ॥ २.२१९॥
PADACHEDA
मुण्डः वा जटिलः वा स्यात् अथ वा स्यात् शिखा-जटः । न एनम् ग्रामे अभिनिम्लोचेत् सूर्यः न अभ्युदियात् क्व चित् ॥ २।२१९॥
TRANSLITERATION
muṇḍaḥ vā jaṭilaḥ vā syāt atha vā syāt śikhā-jaṭaḥ . na enam grāme abhinimlocet sūryaḥ na abhyudiyāt kva cit .. 2.219..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.219. A (student) may either shave his head, or wear his hair in braids, or braid one lock on the crown of his
head; the sun must never set or rise while he (lies asleep) in the village.
tam ced abhyudiyāt sūryaḥ śayānam kāmacārataḥ . nimlocet vā api avijñānāt japan upavaset dinam .. 2.220..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.220. If the sun should rise or set while he is sleeping, be it (that he offended) intentionally or unintentionally,
he shall fast during the (next) day, muttering (the Savitri).
2.222. Purified by sipping water, he shall daily worship during both twilights with a concentrated mind in a pure place, muttering the prescribed text according to the rule.
यदि स्त्री यद्यवरजः श्रेयः किं चित्समाचरेत् । तत्सर्वमाचरेद्युक्तो यत्र चास्य रमेन् मनः ॥ २.२२३॥
PADACHEDA
यदि स्त्री यदि अवरजः श्रेयः किम् चित् समाचरेत् । तत् सर्वम् आचरेत् युक्तः यत्र च अस्य रमेत् मनः ॥ २।२२३॥
TRANSLITERATION
yadi strī yadi avarajaḥ śreyaḥ kim cit samācaret . tat sarvam ācaret yuktaḥ yatra ca asya ramet manaḥ .. 2.223..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.223. If a woman or a man of low caste perform anything (leading to) happiness, let him diligently practise it, as well as (any other permitted act) in which his heart finds pleasure.
धर्मार्थावुच्यते श्रेयः कामार्थौ धर्म एव च । अर्थ एवैह वा श्रेयस्त्रिवर्ग इति तु स्थितिः ॥ २.२२४॥
PADACHEDA
धर्म-अर्थौ उच्यते श्रेयः काम-अर्थौ धर्मः एव च । अर्थः एव एह वा श्रेयः त्रिवर्गः इति तु स्थितिः ॥ २।२२४॥
TRANSLITERATION
dharma-arthau ucyate śreyaḥ kāma-arthau dharmaḥ eva ca . arthaḥ eva eha vā śreyaḥ trivargaḥ iti tu sthitiḥ .. 2.224..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.224. (Some declare that) the chief good consists in (the acquisition of) spiritual merit and wealth, (others place it) in (the gratification of) desire and (the acquisition of) wealth, (others) in (the acquisition of) spiritual merit alone, and (others say that the acquisition of) wealth alone is the chief good here (below); but the (correct)
decision is that it consists of the aggregate of (those) three.
आचार्यश्च पिता चैव माता भ्राता च पूर्वजः । नार्तेनाप्यवमन्तव्या ब्राह्मणेन विशेषतः ॥ २.२२५॥
PADACHEDA
आचार्यः च पिता च एव माता भ्राता च पूर्वजः । न आर्तेन अपि अवमन्तव्याः ब्राह्मणेन विशेषतः ॥ २।२२५॥
TRANSLITERATION
ācāryaḥ ca pitā ca eva mātā bhrātā ca pūrvajaḥ . na ārtena api avamantavyāḥ brāhmaṇena viśeṣataḥ .. 2.225..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.225. The teacher, the father, the mother, and an elder brother must not be treated with disrespect, especially by
a Brahmana, though one be grievously offended (by them).
2.226. The teacher is the image of Brahman, the father the image of Pragipati (the lord of created beings), the
mother the image of the earth, and an (elder) full brother the image of oneself.
tayoḥ nityam priyam kuryāt ācāryasya ca sarvadā . teṣu eva triṣu tuṣṭeṣu tapaḥ sarvam samāpyate .. 2.228..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.228. Let him always do what is agreeable to those (two) and always (what may please) his teacher; when
those three are pleased, he obtains all (those rewards which) austerities (yield)
2.229. Obedience towards those three is declared to be the best (form of) austerity; let him not perform other
meritorious acts without their permission.
पिता वै गार्हपत्योऽग्निर्माताऽग्निर्दक्षिणः स्मृतः । गुरुराहवनीयस्तु साऽग्नित्रेता गरीयसी ॥ २.२३१॥
PADACHEDA
पिता वै गार्हपत्यः अग्निः माता अग्निः दक्षिणः स्मृतः । गुरुः आहवनीयः तु सा अग्नि-त्रेता गरीयसी ॥ २।२३१॥
TRANSLITERATION
pitā vai gārhapatyaḥ agniḥ mātā agniḥ dakṣiṇaḥ smṛtaḥ . guruḥ āhavanīyaḥ tu sā agni-tretā garīyasī .. 2.231..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.231. The father, forsooth, is stated to be the Garhapatya fire, the mother the Dakshinagni, but the teacher the Ahavaniya fire; this triad of fires is most venerable.
2.232. He who neglects not those three, (even after he has become) a householder, will conquer the three worlds and, radiant in body like a god, he will enjoy bliss in heaven.
imam lokam mātṛ-bhaktyā pitṛ-bhaktyā tu madhyamam . guru-śuśrūṣayā tu evam brahma-lokam samaśnute .. 2.233..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.233. By honouring his mother he gains this (nether) world, by honouring his father the middle sphere, but by obedience to his teacher the world of Brahman.
यावत् त्रयः ते जीवेयुः तावत् न अन्यम् समाचरेत् । तेषु एव नित्यम् शुश्रूषाम् कुर्यात् प्रिय-हिते रतः ॥ २।२३५॥
TRANSLITERATION
yāvat trayaḥ te jīveyuḥ tāvat na anyam samācaret . teṣu eva nityam śuśrūṣām kuryāt priya-hite rataḥ .. 2.235..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.235. As long as those three live, so long let him not (independently) perform any other (meritorious acts); let him always serve them, rejoicing (to do what is) agreeable and beneficial (to them).
2.237. By (honouring) these three all that ought to be done by man, is accomplished; that is clearly the highest duty, every other (act) is a subordinate duty.
śraddadhānaḥ śubhām vidyām ādadīta avarāt api . anyāt api param dharmam strī-ratnam duṣkulāt api .. 2.238..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.238. He who possesses faith may receive pure learning even from a man of lower caste, the highest law even from the lowest, and an excellent wife even from a base family.
viṣāt api amṛtam grāhyam bālāt api subhāṣitam . amitrāt api sat-vṛttam amedhyāt api kāñcanam .. 2.239..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.239. Even from poison nectar may be taken, even from a child good advice, even from a foe (a lesson in) good conduct, and even from an impure (substance) gold.
a brāhmaṇāt adhyāyanam āpad-kāle vidhīyate . anuvrajyā ca śuśrūṣā yāvadadhyāyanam guroḥ .. 2.241..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.241. It is prescribed that in times of distress (a student) may learn (the Veda) from one who is not a
Brahmana; and that he shall walk behind and serve (such a) teacher, as long as the instruction lasts.
न अब्राह्मणे गुरौ शिष्यः वासम् आत्यन्तिकम् वसेत् । ब्राह्मणे वा अन् अनूचाने काङ्क्षन् गतिम् अनुत्तमाम् ॥ २।२४२॥
TRANSLITERATION
na abrāhmaṇe gurau śiṣyaḥ vāsam ātyantikam vaset . brāhmaṇe vā an anūcāne kāṅkṣan gatim anuttamām .. 2.242..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.242. He who desires incomparable bliss (in heaven) shall not dwell during his whole life in (the house of) a
non-Brahmanical teacher, nor with a Brahmana who does not know the whole Veda and the Angas.
na pūrvam gurave kim cit upakurvīta dharma-vid . snāsyan tu guruṇā ajñaptaḥ śaktyā guru-ṛtham āharet .. 2.245..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.245. He who knows the sacred law must not present any gift to his teacher before (the Samavartana); but when, with the permission of his teacher, he is about to take the (final) bath, let him procure (a present) for the venerable man according to his ability,
2.247. (A perpetual student) must, if his teacher dies, serve his son (provided he be) endowed with good
qualities, or his widow, or his Sapinda, in the same manner as the teacher.
एवं चरति यो विप्रो ब्रह्मचर्यमविप्लुतः । स गच्छत्युत्तमस्थानं न चैह जायते पुनः ॥ २.२४९॥
PADACHEDA
एवम् चरति यः विप्रः ब्रह्मचर्यम् अविप्लुतः । स गच्छति उत्तम-स्थानम् न च एह जायते पुनर् ॥ २।२४९॥
TRANSLITERATION
evam carati yaḥ vipraḥ brahmacaryam aviplutaḥ . sa gacchati uttama-sthānam na ca eha jāyate punar .. 2.249..
ENGLISH MEANING
2.249. A Brahmana who thus passes his life as a student without breaking his vow, reaches (after death) the
highest abode and will not be born again in this world.
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