इदं च शांतिकं कुर्याद्बलिं दयात्प्रयत्नतः
One should perform this pacificatory rite and offer the oblation with compassion and care.
इत्येवं शांतिकाध्यायं यः पठेच्छृणुयादपि
Whoever reads or listens to this chapter on pacification in this way,
स विजित्य रणे शत्रुं मानं च परमं लभेत् 1.180.
Having conquered the enemy in battle, he attains the highest honor.
व्याधिभिर्नाभिभूयेत पुत्रपौत्रैः प्रतिष्ठितः
He is not overcome by diseases and remains established with sons and grandsons.
यानुद्दिश्य पठेद्वीर वाचको मानवो भुवि
O hero, the man who recites these verses on earth, with intent,
नाकाले मरणं तस्य न सर्पैश्चापि दश्यते
He does not die untimely, nor is he bitten by serpents.
न चोत्पत्ति भयं तस्य नाभिचारकजं भवेत् ते सर्वे प्रशमं यांति श्रवणादस्य भारत
He does not experience fear at birth, nor is he afflicted by sorcery; all these are pacified by hearing this, O Bharata.
यत्पुण्यं सर्व तीर्थानां गंगादीनां विशेषतः
The merit of all holy places, especially of the Ganges and others,
दशानां राजसूयानामन्येषां च विशेषतः
And of ten Rājasūya sacrifices, and especially of others,
गोघ्नश्चैव कृतघ्नश्च ब्रह्महा गुरुतल्पगः
A slayer of cows, an ungrateful one, a Brahmin-killer, or one who violates the teacher’s bed—
श्रवणादस्य पापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
By hearing this, he is freed from those sins; there is no doubt about this.
इतिहासमिमं पुण्यमग्निकार्यमनुत्तमम्
This sacred history, supreme among fire-rites,
सूर्यभक्ते सदा देयं सूर्येण कथितं पुरा 1.180.
Should always be given to a devotee of the Sun; it was formerly spoken by the Sun.
गरुडेन पुरा प्रोक्तं भोजकानां महात्मनाम्
It was formerly declared by Garuḍa to the great-souled Bhojakas.
तैश्चापि कथितं पुण्यं मुनेर्व्यासस्य धीमतः
And this merit was also told by those to the wise sage Vyāsa.
स्मृतिभेदवर्णनम् कौतुकं पृच्छ ते ब्रह्मन्समासव्यासयोगतः
Description of the divisions of Smṛti— O Brahman, I ask you, out of curiosity, in both summary and detail.
यथोक्तं भास्करेणेह अरुणस्य महात्मनः
As stated here by Bhāskara, the great-souled Aruṇa,
सहस्रकिरणं भानुमुदयस्थं दिवाकरम्
The sun with a thousand rays, the shining orb at sunrise,
भगवन्देवदेवेश सहस्रकिरणोज्ज्वल
O Lord, God of gods, shining with a thousand rays,
एवं पृष्टस्तु भगवानरुणेन खगाधिपः
Thus questioned by Aruṇa, the lord of birds, the Blessed One—
भास्कर उवाच स्मृतिधर्मं वेदमूलं शृणु त्वं गरुडाग्रज
Bhaskara said: Hear from me, elder brother of Garuda, the dharma according to smriti, which is rooted in the Veda.
धर्मः क्रियात्मा निर्दिष्टः श्रेयोभ्युदयलक्षणः
Dharma is described as action-based, characterized by the attainment of welfare and prosperity.
अस्य शब्दस्यानुष्ठानात्स्वर्गो मोक्षश्च जायते
By performing the duties prescribed by this word, both heaven and liberation are attained.
कस्य भेदास्तु ते पंच ब्रूहि मे देवसत्तम
Of what are there five kinds of distinctions? Tell me, O best of gods.
भास्कर उवाच वेदधर्मः स्मृतस्त्वेक आश्रमाणां स तत्परः 1.181.
Bhaskara said: The dharma of the Veda is said to be one, and it is supreme among the ashramas.
वर्णत्वमेकमाश्रित्य अधिकारे प्रवर्तते
Relying on a single varna, eligibility is established.
वर्णाश्रमाश्रमत्वं च योधिकृत्य प्रवर्तते
And the distinction of varna and ashrama proceeds according to their respective duties.
यो गुणेन प्रवर्तेत स गुणो धर्म उच्यते
That which is performed according to quality is called the dharma of that quality.
निमित्तमेकमाश्रित्य यो धर्मः संप्रवर्तते
That dharma which proceeds relying on a single cause is established.
एष तु द्विविधः प्रोक्तः समासादविशेषतः
This, indeed, is said to be twofold: in summary and in detail.