स चतुर्धा निरूप्यस्तु स्वरूपफलसाधनैः
And it is to be explained in four ways: by its nature, its result, its means, and its purpose.
श्रुत्या सह विरोधे तु बाध्यते विषयं विना
When there is a contradiction with the shruti, it is set aside, except for its subject matter.
स्मृत्या सह विरोधेन चार्थशास्त्रस्य साधनम्
When there is a contradiction with smriti, the means of the science of wealth is considered.
अदृष्टार्थे विकल्पस्तु व्यवस्थासंभवे सति
When the meaning is not seen, and determination is not possible, an alternative is allowed.
वेदमूले स्थितं त्वेतदनुष्ठानं क्रिया सती 1.181.
This practice, truly, is established on the foundation of the Veda, and is a valid action.
निषेधविधिरूपं तु द्विधा शास्त्रं खगाधिप
O lord of birds, the scripture is twofold in the form of injunction and prohibition.
पंचप्रकाराः स्मृतय एवं शिष्यव्यवस्थिताः
Thus, the smritis are established for disciples in five forms.
दृष्टार्था तु स्मृतिः काचिददृष्टार्था तथापरा सर्वा एता वेदमूलाः स्मृता वै ऋषिभिः स्वयम्
Some smritis pertain to visible results, and others to invisible results; all these are said by the sages to be rooted in the Veda.
अरुण उवाच या एता भवता प्रोक्ताः स्मृतयः पर्वगोपने
Aruna said: The smritis you have spoken of, concerning the observance of festivals—
दृष्टार्था का मता देव अदृष्टार्था च का भवेत् अनुवादस्मृतिः का स्यादृष्टादृष्टा तु का भवेत्
Which are considered to pertain to visible results, O Deva, and which to invisible results? What is called anuvada-smriti, and what is both visible and invisible?
एवमुक्तो महातेजा भास्करो वारितस्करः
Thus addressed, the radiant Bhaskara, the remover of darkness, spoke—
समयानामुपायानां योगो व्याससमासतः
The connection of rules and methods is to be understood both in detail and in summary.
अध्यक्षाणां च निक्षेपः करणानां निरूपणम्
The duties of overseers and the determination of instruments are to be established.
संध्योपास्तिस्तथा कार्या शुनो मांसं न भक्षयेत्
One should perform the worship at twilight, and must not eat the flesh of a dog.
पालाशं धारयेद्दंडमुभयार्था विदुर्बुधाः 1.181.
One should carry a staff of palasha wood; the wise know this serves both purposes.
श्रुतौ दृष्टं यथा कार्यं स्मृतो तत्तादृशं यदि
As an act is prescribed in the Shruti, so it should be performed in the Smriti, if it is of the same kind.
उक्तो धर्मश्च संक्षेपात्परिभाषा च तद्गता
Thus, dharma has been briefly stated, along with its definitions contained therein.
ब्रह्मावर्तः परो देश ऋषिशस्तस्त्वनंतरः
Brahmavarta is the foremost land; the region praised by the sages is the next.
कृष्णसारस्तु विचरेन्मृगो यत्र स्वभावतः
Where the black antelope naturally roams, that is the land.
ब्रह्मादीनां च देवानां ब्राह्मणादेस्तथैव च
For the gods beginning with Brahma, and likewise for the brahmins,
साधनत्वं मनुः प्राह वेदमूलं सनातनम्
Manu declared their means of attainment to be the eternal Veda as the root.
उपलभ्य यथातत्त्वं स च दर्शितवानृषिः
Having truly understood, the sage revealed it as it is.
निष्कामेन सदा वीर काम्यं रूपान्वितेन च कर्मणां फलमाप्नोति न्यायार्जितधनश्च यः
O hero, one who acts without desire, and one who acts with desire and form, both obtain the fruit of their actions; and one who acquires wealth justly.
विभागं ब्रूहि देवेंद्र संमानय ग्रहाधिप
Tell me the division, O lord of the gods, and honor the lord of the planets.
तं देवनिर्मितं देशं ब्रह्मावर्तं प्रचक्षते ।। 1.181.
That land, created by the gods, is called Brahmavarta.
हिमवद्विंध्यधरयोर्यदंतरमुदाहृतम् आसमुद्रात्तु वै पूर्वादासमुद्रात्तु पश्चिमात्
The region between the Himalayas and the Vindhyas is declared to be so, stretching from the eastern ocean to the western ocean.
तयोरेवांतरं गिर्योरार्यावर्तं विदुर्बुधाः
The wise know that the region between these two mountains is called Āryāvarta.
शूद्रस्तु यस्मिंस्तस्मिन्वा निवसेद्वृत्तिकर्शितः
But if a Śūdra, afflicted by hardship, dwells in that region or elsewhere,
विवाहविधिवर्णनम् आदित्य उवाच उक्तं धर्मस्य रूपं तु साधिकारं सनातनम्
Description of the marriage rite.
ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थश्च वनस्थो भिक्षुरेव च
Brahmacārin, householder, forest-dweller, and mendicant—