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.
कुर्वीत सम्यगाचम्य तद्वदन्नभुजि क्रियाम्
Having properly rinsed the mouth, one should perform acts such as eating in the same way.
आचामेत्प्रयतः सम्यक्प्राङ्मुखोदङ्मुखोऽपि वा
One should rinse the mouth thoroughly, facing east or north.
तत्सांनिध्ये गृहस्थस्य सिद्धिरत्र परत्र च 4.205.
In the presence of a householder, success is attained here and hereafter.
अर्धेनाहारचरणनित्यनैमित्तिकांतकम्
By half, one should observe the daily and occasional duties related to food.
तत्संसिद्धौ हि सिद्ध्यन्ति धर्मकामादयो नृप
O King, when that is accomplished, righteousness, desire, and other aims are also fulfilled.
पूर्वाह्न एव कार्याणि देवतानां च पूजनम्
One should perform duties and worship of the deities early in the morning.
उच्छिष्टोत्सर्जनं दूरात्सदा कार्यं हितैषिणा
One who seeks well-being should always dispose of leftovers and waste from a distance.
नित्योच्छिष्टः संकरकृन्नेहायुर्विंदते महत्
He who is always unclean and causes impurity here loses a great span of life.
उदक्यादर्शनस्पर्शं कुर्यात्संभाषणं न च
One may see or touch a woman who draws water, but should not converse with her.
नाधितिष्ठेच्छकृन्मूत्रे केशभस्मकपालिकान्
One should not sit upon excrement, urine, hair, ashes, or broken pots.