मधु पायसं कालशाकस्तिलाश्च कुतपस्तथा
honey, rice pudding, seasonal greens, sesame seeds, and also kutapa water.
दैवे कर्मणि पित्र्ये च स ज्ञेयः पंक्तिपावनः
In both divine and ancestral rites, he should be known as a purifier of the line.
एते सर्वे नृपश्रेष्ठ विज्ञेयाः पंक्तिपावनाः
All these, O best of kings, should be understood as purifiers of the line.
इतिहासपुराणानि जयेति विदितानि वै जयोपजीवी तेनासौ गतः ख्यातिं तु वाचकः
The Itihasas and Puranas are indeed known as 'Jaya'; by living upon Jaya, that reciter has attained fame.
विस्पष्टमद्भुतं शांतं स्पष्टाक्षरमिदं तथा
This is clear, marvelous, peaceful, and with distinct syllables.
युध्यमानोथ वात्यर्थं ग्रंथार्थं कृत्स्नशो नृप
Whether in battle or for the sake of meaning, the entire sense of the text, O King,
य एवं वाचयेद्राजन्य विप्रो व्यास उच्यते 1.216.
A Brahmin who recites thus to a king is called a Vyasa.
त्रिविधं वाचकं विद्यात्सदा गुणविभेदतः
One should always know the reciter to be of three kinds, according to the distinction of qualities.
द्वावेतौ कथ्यमानौ तु निबोध गदतो मम
Now listen as I tell you of these two, as they are spoken of.
पदच्छेदविहीनं च तथा भावविवर्जितम्
One who lacks word separation and is also devoid of meaning,
ईदृशं वाचयेद्यस्तु वाचकः क्ष्माधिपेश्वर
Such a person who recites in this way, O lord of the earth,
बुध्यते न च कष्टाच्च स ज्ञेयो वाचकाधमः
does not comprehend, and being the worst, should be known as the lowest of reciters.
अबुध्यमानो ग्रंथार्थं वाचयेद्यस्तु वाचकः
He who recites the meaning of the text without understanding it,
विस्पष्टमद्भुतं शांतं स्पष्टाक्षरपदं तथा
in a manner that is clear, wonderful, peaceful, and with distinct letters and words,
अत्त्यर्थं बुध्यमानस्तु ग्रंथार्थं कृत्स्नशो नृप
but one who understands it deeply, O King, comprehends the entire meaning of the text.
य एवं वाचयेद्राजन्स ज्ञेयः सात्त्विको बुधैः
He who recites in this way, O King, is to be known by the wise as sattvic.
हेतुवादपरो राजंस्तथासूयासमन्वितः ।। 1.216.
But one who is devoted to argument and filled with envy, O King,
वाचको यो महाबाहो शृणुयाद्यस्तु मानवः
O mighty-armed one, if a man listens to such a reciter,
न तस्य पुरतो वीर वाचये त्प्राज्ञ एव हि
O hero, let him not recite in the presence of such a one, for only the wise should do so.
राजन्कौतुकपात्रं तु स ज्ञेयो राजसो भवेत्
O King, such a person is to be known as a vessel of curiosity and is considered rajasic.
सततं पूजयेद्यस्तु वाचकं श्रद्धया मुदा
But he who always honors the reciter with faith and joy,
य एवं शृणुयाद्वीर स ज्ञेयः सात्त्विको बुधैः
he who listens in this way, O hero, is to be known by the wise as sattvic.
तस्मात्पूज्यतमो नान्यः श्रावकाणां नृपोत्तम
Therefore, O best of kings, there is no one more worthy of honor among listeners.
चतुर्णामिह वर्णानां नान्यो बन्धुः प्रचक्ष्यते
Among the four varnas here, no other is declared to be a true friend.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पूजयेद्वाचकं सदा
Therefore, with all effort, one should always honor the reciter.
वाचको नृपशार्दूल विप्रादीनामशेषतः
O tiger among kings, the reciter is the guru of all brahmins and others without exception.
शृण्वंति ये नरा राजन्स तेषां गुरुरुच्यते । 1.216.
O King, those men who listen to him are called his disciples.
ये शृण्वंति नृपश्रेष्ठ मासि मासि ददंति ते
O best of kings, those who listen and give month after month,
द्वादश्यां चामावास्यायामथ वा रविसंक्रमे
on the twelfth day, on the new moon, or at the sun's transit,
अयने विषुवे चैव चंद्रसूर्यग्रहे तथा
at the solstice, at the equinox, and during lunar or solar eclipses,