अशोचेऽपि दरिद्रः स्याज्जन्माहे चायुषः क्षयः
Even if he does not grieve, a person may become poor, and there is a loss of lifespan at birth.
द्रुतलेखी च तेजस्वी यो लेखयति लेखकः
The scribe who writes swiftly and with brilliance is called a skilled writer.
लिपियुक्तः समायुक्तः एवागमलेखकः
One who is proficient in script and well-composed is indeed a true scribe.
कामरूपाक्षरैर्वापि यावच्च संहितागणः
Even with letters shaped by desire, as long as there is a collection of texts,
यावदक्षरसंस्थानं तावत्स्वर्गे महीयते
For as long as the arrangement of letters endures, so long is one honored in heaven.
लिखित्वा यस्तु पापात्मा यावदक्षर संख्यया
But whoever, with a sinful heart, writes according to the number of letters,
कुटुंबभरणार्थं तु गृह्णीयाद्वापि वेतनम्
If one accepts payment for the sake of supporting his family,
पतितैरंत्यजैर्म्लेच्छै रोगी कुष्ठी क्षयी तथा
If written by the fallen, outcastes, foreigners, or those afflicted with disease, leprosy, or consumption,
एतैर्विलिखितं यच्च धारयेन्न गृहाश्रमी 2.1.7.
Whatever is written by these, a householder should not keep.
हीनांगा प्रतिमा चैव पुस्तकं मानहीनकम्
An image with defective limbs, or a book lacking proper measure,
द्वात्रिंशदगुलैर्युक्तं कर्तव्यं पुस्तकोत्तमम्
The best book should be made with thirty-two joints.
चतुविशांगुलं यच्च तद्वै स्वधनमुच्यते
That which measures twenty-four fingers is called one's own wealth.
अष्टांगुलं भवेद्यच्च तत्कनिष्ठमिहोच्यते
That which measures eight fingers is here called inferior.
ताडिता जलपत्रे च अथ वा चागुरुत्वचि
Beaten on water-leaves, or else on the bark of aguru,
द्वादशांगुलकं यच्च भूर्जतैडादिनिर्मितम्
That which is twelve fingers in length, made from birch or similar materials,
हस्तसंस्थापिते तस्य तेनायुष्यकरं भवेत्
When placed in the hand, it becomes a giver of longevity.
स्वर्गमार्गस्य गमने भारते च तदर्धकम्
For the journey on the path to heaven, in Bharata it is half that.
युगेयुगे पादहीनं धर्मं कुर्याद्यथारुचि
In every age, one may practice dharma as desired, even if it is lacking a foot.
जैमिनिं च ततो व्यासं शंकरं च तथा हरिम् । 2.1.7.
Then Jaimini, Vyasa, Shankara, and likewise Hari.
ततः प्रवाचयेद्विप्रो धर्मशास्त्रार्थकोविदः
After that, a learned Brahmin, expert in the meaning of Dharmaśāstra, should recite.
असंयुक्ताक्षरपदं स्पष्टभागसमन्वितम्
He should use words and syllables that are not joined together, and that are endowed with clear meaning.
सामगाथाः समाश्रित्य रागयुक्तांतरं पठेत्
Basing himself on the Sāma verses, he should recite with appropriate melodies.
श्रीरागश्चैव हिल्लोलरागो वाजाविकस्तथा
The Śrīrāga, Hillola-rāga, and also Vājāvika are to be used.
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रश्चापि विशेषतः पापैः प्रमुच्यते सर्वैर्महापुण्यं च विंदति
A Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and especially a Shudra, is freed from all sins and attains great merit.
शूद्राणां पुरतो वैश्यो वैश्यानां क्षत्रियः परः
In front of Shudras, a Vaishya; above Vaishyas, a Kshatriya.
न शूद्रः कथयेद्धर्मांस्तपअध्यापने तथा
A Shudra should not teach Dharma, nor engage in austerity or instruction.
शूद्रेणाधिगतं नास्ति विशेषाच्छब्दलक्षणम्
There is no special authority regarding the characteristics of words acquired by a Shudra.
श्वशृगालखरीक्षीरमपेयं हि यथा भवेत्
Just as the milk of a dog, jackal, or donkey is unfit to drink,
अमेध्यं शुध्यते तोयैः शूद्रः श्रोता हि शुध्यति 2.1.7.
Impure things are purified by water; a Shudra, by listening, is indeed purified.
यः शूद्र उद्दिशेद्धर्मं तथा चागमवैदिकम्
If a Shudra were to teach Dharma, or the Vedic and Āgamic scriptures,