दक्षिणायनमास्थाय यदा चरति रश्मिमान्
When the radiant one moves, having entered the southern course,
विस्तीर्णमंडलं कृत्वा तस्योर्ध्वे चरते शशी
Having made a wide circle, above that the Moon moves.
नक्षत्रेभ्यो बुधश्चोर्ध्वं बुधादूर्ध्वं तु भार्गवः
Above the constellations is Mercury, and above Mercury is Venus.
तस्माच्छनैश्चरादूर्ध्वं ततः सप्तर्षिमंडलम्
Therefore, above Saturn is the constellation of the Seven Sages.
कालचक्रमये चक्रे सूर्यो भवति सर्वदा
The sun always exists within the wheel of time.
स्तंभते चरते शीघ्रं ह्रासे चापि दिनक्षयः
It stands still, moves swiftly, and diminishes as the day wanes.
पादास्ते पक्षमात्रं स्यान्महास्ते याममात्रकम् 2.1.4.
Its feet measure half a lunar fortnight; its great hands measure the span of a watch.
न गण्यते देशभेदे नक्षत्रेण च गण्यते
It is not counted by regional difference, but is reckoned by the constellation.
बाल्यवार्द्ध्ये क्षत्रियस्य न गण्येते सदा बुधैः
In childhood and old age of a Kshatriya, it is never counted by the wise.
शेषार्धं भार्गवास्तस्य शूद्राणामथ गर्हितम्
Half of the remainder belongs to the Bhargavas; for the Shudras, it is condemned.
वर्जयेद्वासरान्सप्त इति चाथर्वणी श्रुतिः
One should avoid seven days; so declares the Atharvanic scripture.
कर्मानुसारव्यक्तिनिर्धारणवर्णनम् संसृष्टा ब्राह्मणाः पूर्वं तपस्तप्त्वा द्विजोत्तमाः
The Brahmanas, having practiced austerity in ancient times, were united, O best of twice-born.
हव्यानामिह कव्यानां सर्वस्यापि च गुप्तये
For the protection of all offerings, both oblations to the gods and ancestors, here.
कव्यानि चैव पितरः किं भूतमधिकं ततः
The ancestors are indeed the kavyas; what then is greater than that?
स्वकीयं ब्राह्मणो भुंक्ते विदधाति द्विजोत्तमाः
The Brahmana enjoys his own, and bestows, O best of twice-born.
भवेद्विप्रो न संदेहस्तुष्टो भावाय वै भवेत्
There is no doubt that the Brahmana, when pleased, brings about well-being.
गर्भाधानादयश्चेह संस्कारा यस्य सत्तमाः स याति ब्रह्मणः स्थानं ब्राह्मणत्वेन संयुतः
He whose excellent rites, beginning with conception, are performed here, attains the state of Brahman, endowed with Brahmanhood.
संस्कारपूतः प्रथमो वेदपूतो द्वितीयकः
The first is purified by rites; the second is purified by the Veda.
क्षेत्रपूतं प्रविज्ञाय विपूतं पूजयेद्द्विजाः
Having discerned the purity of the field, one should worship the twice-born who are purified.
पूतानां परमः पूतो गुरूणां परमो गुरुः
Among the purified, the most pure; among the teachers, the supreme teacher.
पूजयित्वा द्विजान्देवाः स्वर्गं भुञ्जंति चाक्षयम् 2.1.5.
Having worshipped the twice-born, the gods enjoy heaven, imperishable.
यस्य विप्राः प्रसीदंति तस्य विष्णुः प्रसीदति
For whom the Brahmanas are pleased, for him Vishnu is pleased.
यस्माद्विष्णुमुखाद्विप्रः समुद्भूतः पुरा द्विजाः
Because the twice-born were originally manifested from the mouth of Vishnu,
तस्माद्विप्रमुखे वेदाश्चार्पिताः पुरुषेण हि
Therefore, the Vedas were entrusted to the twice-born by the Supreme Person.
पितृयज्ञविवाहेषु वह्निकार्येषु शांतिषु
In ancestral rites, weddings, fire ceremonies, and acts of pacification,
देवा भुञ्जंति हव्यानि बलिं प्रेतादयोऽसुराः
The gods partake of offerings, and spirits, ancestors, and demons receive their shares.
देवेभ्यश्च पितृभ्यश्च यो ददयाद्यज्ञकर्मसु
Whoever gives to gods and ancestors during sacrificial acts,
विना विप्रं च यो धर्मः प्रयासफलमात्रकः
Any religious act performed without a Brahmin yields only the fruit of effort.
तस्माद्ब्राह्मणमाहूय तस्य पूजां च कारयेत्
Therefore, one should summon a Brahmin and arrange for his worship.
श्रद्धया च द्विजं दृष्ट्वा प्रकुर्यादभिवादनम्
Seeing a twice-born with faith, one should offer respectful greeting.