अक्रुध्यन्तोऽनसूयन्तो निरहंकारमत्सराः। ऋजवः शमसंपन्नाः शिष्टाचारा भवन्ति ते
Those who do not become angry, do not find fault, are free from pride and envy, straightforward and endowed with calm—these are the ones of noble conduct.
त्रैविद्यवृद्धाः शुचयो वृत्तवन्तो मनस्विनः। गुरुशुश्रूषवो दान्ताः शिष्टाचारा भवन्त्युत
Those advanced in the threefold Veda, pure, of good conduct, disciplined in mind, devoted to serving their teachers, and self-restrained—these indeed are of noble conduct.
तेषामहीनसत्वानां दुष्कराचारकर्मणाम्। स्वैः कर्मभिः सत्कृतानां घोरत्वं संप्रणश्यति
For those of weak character, engaged in difficult and improper deeds, the severity of their condition is dispelled by their own virtuous actions.
तं तदाचारमाश्चर्यं पुराणं शाश्वतं ध्रुवम्। धर्म्यं धर्मेण पश्यन्तः स्वर्गं यान्ति मनीषिणः
Seeing that ancient, wondrous, eternal, and certain conduct, which is righteous by its very nature, the wise attain heaven.
आस्तिका मानहीनाश्च द्विजातिजनपूजकाः। श्रुतवृत्तोपसंपन्नास्ते सन्तः स्वर्गगामिनः
Those who are faithful, free from arrogance, who honor twice-born people and elders, and who are endowed with learning and good conduct—these virtuous ones go to heaven.
वेदोक्तः प्रथमो धर्मो धर्मशास्त्रेषु चापरः। शिष्टाचीर्णश् शिष्टानां त्रिविधं धर्मलक्षणम्
The first kind of dharma is that declared in the Vedas; another is found in the treatises on dharma; and the conduct practiced by the virtuous—these are the three marks of dharma.
धारणं चापि वेदानां तीर्थानामवगाहनम्। क्षमा सत्यार्जवं शौचं शिष्टाचारनिदर्शनम्
The retention of the Vedas, bathing in sacred waters, patience, truthfulness, straightforwardness, purity—these are the signs of the conduct of the virtuous.
सर्वभूतदयावन्तो ह्यहिंसानिरताः सदा। परुषं च न भाषन्ते सदा सन्तो द्विजप्रियाः
Always compassionate to all beings, ever devoted to nonviolence, they do not speak harsh words; such virtuous ones are always dear to the twice-born.
शुभानामशुभानां च कर्मणां सबलाश्रयम्। विपाकमभिजानन्ति ते शिष्टाः शिष्टसंमताः
Those virtuous ones, esteemed by the virtuous, know the results, with their strengths, of both good and bad actions.
न्यायोपेता गुणोपेताः सर्वलोकहितैषिणः। सन्तः स्वर्गजितः शक्त्या सन्निविष्टाश्च सत्पथे। दातारः संविभक्तारो दीनानुग्रहकारिणः
Upright and endowed with virtues, wishing for the welfare of all worlds, the virtuous conquer heaven by their power, remain established on the good path, are givers, distributors, and benefactors of the distressed.
सर्वपूज्याः श्रुतधनास्तथैव च तपस्विनः। सर्वभूतदयावन्तस्ते शिष्टाः शिष्टसंमताः
Honored by all, rich in learning, ascetic, compassionate to all beings—these are the virtuous, esteemed by the virtuous.
दाननित्याः सुखान्याशु प्राप्नुवन्त्यपि च श्रियम्। पीडया च कलत्रस्य भृत्यानां च समाहिताः
Always devoted to giving, they quickly obtain happiness and prosperity, and are attentive to the suffering of their wives and servants.
अतिशक्त्या प्रयच्छन्ति सन्तः सद्भिः समागताः। लोकयात्रां च पशय्न्तो धर्ममात्महितानि च। एवं सन्तोवर्तमानास्त्वेधन्ते शाश्वतीः समाः
The virtuous, when gathered with the good, give beyond their ability, considering the course of the world and what is right and beneficial for themselves; thus, living in this way, they flourish for eternal years.
अहिंसा सत्यवचनमानृशंस्यवथार्जवम्। अद्रोहो नातिमानश्च ह्रीस्तितिक्षा दमः शमः
Nonviolence, truthfulness, compassion, straightforwardness, absence of malice, humility, modesty, forbearance, self-control, and tranquility—
धीमन्तो धृतिमन्तश्च भूतानामनुकम्पकाः। अकामद्वेषसंयुक्तास्ते सन्तो लोकसत्कृताः
Wise and steadfast, compassionate to all beings, free from hatred without cause—such virtuous ones are honored in the world.
त्रीण्येव तु पदान्याहुः सतां वृत्तमनुस्मरन्। न चैव द्रुह्येद्दद्याच्च सत्यं चैव सदा वदेत्
They say there are only three steps to the conduct of the virtuous: never harm, always give, and always speak the truth.
सर्वत्र च दयावन्तः सन्तः करुणवेदिनः। गच्छन्तीह सुसंतुष्टा धर्म्यं पन्थानमुत्तमम्
Everywhere, the virtuous are compassionate, knowing the pain of others; they walk here, well-content, on the highest righteous path.
शिष्टाचारा महात्मानो येषां धर्मः सुनिश्चितः। अनसूया क्षमा शान्तिः संतोषः प्रियवादिता
Those great souls whose conduct is virtuous and whose dharma is well established—free from envy, patient, peaceful, content, and gentle in speech—
कामक्रोधपरित्यागः शिष्टाचारनिषेवणम्। कर्म च श्रुतसंपन्नं सतां मार्गमनुत्तमम्
Renouncing desire and anger, devoted to the conduct of the virtuous, performing deeds endowed with learning—this is the supreme path of the good.
शिष्टाचारं निषेवन्ते नित्यं ध्रममनुव्रताः। प्रज्ञाप्रासादमारूह्य मुह्यतो महतो जनान्
Always devoted to dharma, they follow the conduct of the virtuous, ascending the palace of wisdom, while the many are bewildered.
प्रेक्षन्ते लोकवृत्तानि विविधानि द्विजोत्तमाः। अतिषुण्यानि दानानि तानि द्विजवरोत्तम
The best of twice-born observe the various ways of the world; but those gifts, O foremost of twice-born, are exceedingly rare.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यथाप्रज्ञं यथाश्रुतम्। शिष्टाचारगुणान्ब्रह्मन्पुरस्कृत्य द्विजर्षभ
All this has been explained to you, as I have understood and heard it, keeping in view the virtues of proper conduct, O best of Brahmins.
स तु विप्रमथोवाच धर्मव्याधो युधिष्ठिर। यदहं ह्याचरे कर्म घोरमेतदसंशयम्
Then the righteous butcher said to Yudhishthira: Indeed, the work that I perform is terrible, there is no doubt of this.
विधिस्तु बलवान्ब्रह्मन्दुस्तरं हि पुरा कृतम्। पुरा कृतस् पापस्य कर्मदोषो भवत्ययम्
But fate is powerful, O Brahmin; in ancient times, a difficult destiny was set, and from that, the fault of sinful action arises.
दोपस्यैतस्य वै ब्रह्मन्विघाते यत्नवानहम्। विधिना हि हते पूर्वं निमित्तं घातको भवेत्
O Brahmin, I strive earnestly to avoid this sin; but when fate has already determined, the killer becomes only the instrument.
निमित्तभूता हि वयं कर्मणोऽस्य द्विजोत्तम
Indeed, O best of twice-born, we are merely the instruments of this action.
येषां हतानां मांसानि विक्रीणीमो वयं द्विज। तेषामपि भवेद्धर्म उपयोगेन भक्षणात्। देवतातिथिभृत्यानां पितृणां चापि पूजनात्
O Brahmin, the flesh of those we have slain, which we sell, even by its use in eating, there is righteousness for them, through the honoring of gods, guests, servants, and ancestors.
ओषध्यो वीरुधश्चैव पशवो मृगपक्षिणः। अन्नाद्यभूता लोकस्य इत्यपि श्रूयते श्रुतिः
Herbs, plants, cattle, wild animals, and birds are said in the scriptures to be food for the world.
आत्ममांसप्रसादेन शिबिरौशीनरो नृपः। स्वर्गं सुदुर्लभं प्राप्तः क्षमावान्द्विजसत्तम
By offering his own flesh, King Shibi of the Ushinara line, steadfast in patience, attained the most difficult heaven, O best of twice-born.
राज्ञो महानसे पूर्वं रन्तिदेवस्य वै द्विज। [द्वे सहस्रे तु पच्छेते पशूनामन्वहं तदा।] अहन्यहनि पच्येते द्वे सहस्रे गवां तथा
In the kitchen of King Rantideva, O Brahmin, two thousand animals were cooked every day, and likewise two thousand cows.