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.
स मासं ददतो ह्यन्नं रन्तिदेवस्य नित्यशः। अतुला कीर्तिरभवन्नृपस्य द्विजसत्तम
By giving food daily for a month, Rantideva's fame became unequaled, O best of twice-born.
चातुर्मास्ये च पशवो वध्यन्त इति नित्यशः। अग्नयो मांसकामाश्चइत्यपि श्रूयते श्रुतिः
It is said in the scriptures that during the Caturmasya, animals are regularly slain, and the fires are also said to desire meat.
यज्ञेषु पशवो ब्रह्मन्वध्यन्ते सततं द्विजैः। संस्कृताः किल मन्त्रैश्च तेऽपि स्वर्गमवाप्नुवन्
In sacrifices, O Brahmin, animals are always slain by the twice-born, and, consecrated with mantras, they too attain heaven.
यदि नैवाग्नयो ब्रह्मन्मांसकामाऽभवन्पुरा। भक्ष्यं नैवाभवन्मांसं कस्यचिद्द्विजसत्तम
If, O Brahmin, the sacrificial fires had not desired meat in ancient times, then meat would not have become food for anyone, O best of twice-born.
अत्रापि विधिरुक्तश् मुनिभिर्मांसभक्षणे
Here too, the rule regarding the eating of meat has been declared by the sages.
देवतानां पितृणां च शुङ्क्ते दत्त्वाऽपियः सदा। यथाविधि यथाश्रद्धं न स दुष्येत भक्षणात्
By offering to the gods and ancestors, and pouring libations as prescribed and with faith, one is not tainted by eating, O Brahmin.
अमांसाशी भवत्येवमित्यपि श्रूयते श्रुतिः। भार्यां गच्छन्ब्रह्मचारी ऋतौ भवति ब्राह्मणः
It is also said in the scriptures that one becomes a non-eater of meat in this way; a celibate who approaches his wife at the proper season remains a Brahmin.
सत्यानृते विनिश्चित्य अत्रापि विधिरुच्यते। सौदासेन तदा राज्ञा मानुषा भक्षिता द्विज। शापाभिभूतेन भृशमत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते
Considering truth and falsehood, here too a rule is stated: King Saudasa, afflicted by a curse, once ate human flesh, O Brahmin; what do you think of this?
स्वधर्म इतिकृत्वा तु न त्यजामि द्विजोत्तम। पुरा कृतमिति ज्ञात्वा रजीवाम्येतेन कर्मणा
Considering it as my own duty, I do not abandon it, O best of twice-born; knowing that it was performed in the past, I am attached to this action like a lotus.
स्वधर्मं त्यजतो ब्रह्मन्नधर्म इह दृश्यते। स्वकर्मनिरतो यस्तु धर्मः स इति निश्चयः
O Brahman, abandoning one's own duty here is seen as unrighteous; but one who is devoted to his own action, that is indeed righteousness, this is certain.