वर्णाश्रमाचारधर्मः कस्मान्नात्र प्रदर्शितः
Why is the conduct and duty of varṇa and āśrama not shown here?
विशेषतश्च शक्नोति वक्तुं यदि सरस्वती
Especially, if Sarasvatī is able, she can speak further.
सर्वस्तरति दुर्गाणि सर्वो भद्राणि पश्यति
Everyone crosses over hardships; everyone beholds auspicious things.
कथितोऽयं व्रतत्वोहो देवानुद्दिश्य यो मया 4.205.
This vow, which I have described for you, is directed toward the gods.
यो ब्रह्मा स हरिः प्रोक्तो यो हरिः स महेश्वरः
He who is Brahmā is called Hari; he who is Hari is Maheśvara.
पावकः कार्तिकेयोसौ कार्तिकेयो विनायकः
Pāvaka is Kārtikeya; Kārtikeya is Vināyaka.
देवं देवीं समुद्दिश्य यः करोति व्रतं नरः
The man who performs a vow directed toward the god or goddess.
बहुप्रकारा वसुधा भेदाः साग्न्यनिलांभसाम्
The earth has many forms and divisions of fire, wind, and water.
कञ्चिद्देवं समाश्रित्य करोति किमपि व्रतम्
Someone, relying on a particular god, performs some vow.
यश्चैव ते मया ख्यातो व्रतदानविधिः परः
And that supreme method of vow and charity which I have declared to you.
आचारहीनं न पुनंति वेदा यद्यप्यधीताः सह षड्भिरङ्गैः
The Vedas do not purify one lacking proper conduct, even if studied with all six limbs.
कपालस्थं यथा तोयं श्वदृतौ वा यथा पयः
Just as water in a skull or milk in a dog's mouth.
वृत्तं यत्नेन संरक्षेद्वित्तमेति प्रयाति च
One should carefully protect one's character; wealth comes and goes.
एवमाचारधर्मस्य मूलं राजन्कुलस्य च 4.205.
Thus, the root of conduct and dharma, O king, is also the root of the lineage.
किं कुलेनोपदिष्टेन् विपुलेन दुरात्मनाम्
What is the use of a lineage taught by the wicked, even if it is extensive?
हीनजातिप्रसूतोपि शौचाचारसमन्वितः
Even one born in a low caste, if endowed with purity and proper conduct.
न कुलं कुलमित्याहुराचारः कुलमुच्यते
They do not call a family a family; conduct is said to be the true family.
सर्वं धर्ममयः कोऽत्र सदाचारः प्रकीर्तितः
All is pervaded by dharma; here, what is called good conduct?
साधूनां च यथा वृत्तं स सदाचार उच्यते
The way of life of the virtuous is called good conduct.
तस्मात्कुर्यादिहाचारं य इच्छेद्गतिमात्मनः
Therefore, one who desires the progress of his soul should practice good conduct here.
अदृष्टमश्रुतं वेदं पुरुषं धर्मचारिणम्
A person who follows dharma, though unseen or unheard, knows the Veda.
ये नास्तिका नैष्ठिकाश्च गुरुशास्त्रातिलंघिनः
Those who are atheists, who are resolutely so, and who transgress the teachings of the guru and the scriptures—
ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते बुध्येत धर्मार्थावनुचिन्तयेत् 4.205.
One should rise during the Brahma-muhurta and reflect upon dharma and artha.
उदङ्मुखो दिवारात्रावुत्सर्गं दक्षिणामुखः
Facing north by day and night, one should relieve oneself; facing south for excretion.
एवमेवोत्तरां संध्यां समुपासीत वाग्यतः
In the same way, one should properly perform the evening twilight worship, observing silence.
ऋषयो दीर्घतपसा दीर्घमायुरवाप्नुयुः
The sages, through long austerity, attain long life.
सर्वांस्तान्धार्मिको राजा शूद्रकर्मणि योजयेत्
A righteous king should assign all such people to the duties of a Shudra.
शिरसा प्रावृतेनैव समास्तीर्य तृणैर्महीम्
With the head covered, one should spread grass on the ground and sit.
न मूत्रमधितिष्ठेत न कृष्टे न च गोव्रजे
One should not urinate while standing on tilled land, nor in a cow-pen.
कृतशौचावशिष्टाश्च वर्जयेत्पञ्च वै मृदः
After performing purification, one should avoid five types of clay that remain.