नानारूपैश्चरन्त्येते प्रजा धर्मेण योजयन्
These beings move about in various forms, guiding people in righteousness.
व्यञ्जनानि तु वक्ष्यामि फलं तेषां तथैव च
I shall declare the characteristics and likewise the results of these.
सषोडशी सत्रफलं घृतेन मध्वातिरात्रस्य फलं तथैव
The sixteenfold offering yields the fruit of a complete sacrifice; with ghee and honey, the fruit of an Atirātra rite likewise.
सर्वार्थदं सर्वविप्रातिथेयं फलं च भुङ्क्ते सर्वमेधस्य नित्यम्
He enjoys the result of all-sacrifices, of all gifts to Brāhmaṇas, and of all desired objects, always.
तं वै देवा निरस्यन्ति हतो यद्वत्परावसुः
The gods indeed reject him, just as one slain is abandoned by his companions.
आविश्य विप्रं मोक्ष्यन्ति लोकानुग्रहकारणात्
Entering a Brāhmaṇa, they release him, for the sake of benefiting the world.
सर्वस्वेनापि तस्माद्धि पूजयेदतिथिं सदा
Therefore, one should always honor the guest with all one’s possessions.
वालखिल्यो यतिश्चैव विज्ञेयो ह्यतिथिः सदा
A Vālakhilya and an ascetic should always be recognized as guests.
अतिथेरतिथिः प्रोक्तः सो ऽतिथिर्योग उच्यते
A guest is called 'atithi' because he comes without a fixed time; such a one is said to be a true guest.
न च संतानसंबद्धो न देवी नागसे ऽतिथिः
He who is connected with offspring, or is a deity, or a serpent, is not a guest.
तस्मै सत्कृत्य दातव्यं यज्ञम्य फलमिच्छता
To him, one desiring the fruit of sacrifice should give with proper honor.
तस्मै सत्कृत्य दातव्यं सदापचितिरेव सः
To him, one should always give with proper honor; he is indeed to be ever respected.
एकान्तशीलं धीमन्तं सदा श्राद्धेषु भोजयेत्
One should always feed at śrāddha rites a person who is steadfast in conduct and wise.
अपि जातिशतं गत्वा न स मुच्येत किल्बिषात्
Even after passing through a hundred births, he does not become free from sin.
नियुक्तो ह्यनि युक्तो वा पङ्क्त्या हरति किल्बिषम्
Whether appointed or not, one in the line removes sin.
यतिस्तु सर्वविप्राणां सर्वेषामग्रतो भवेत्
Among all the Brāhmaṇas, the ascetic should be placed at the forefront.
योगादनन्तरं सो ऽथ नियोक्तव्यो विजानता
After the yogic act, he should then be appointed by one who knows.
एकवेदस्ततः पश्चादुपाध्यायस्ततः परम्
Next comes the single-Veda-knower, then the preceptor after that.
य एते पूर्वनिर्द्दिष्टाः सर्वे ते ह्यनुपूर्वशः
All those previously mentioned should be seated in due order.
यायावरश्च पञ्चैते विज्ञेयाः पङ्क्तिपावनाः
The wandering mendicant and these five are to be known as purifiers of the line.
चतुर्दशानां विद्यानामेकस्यामपि पारगाः
Those who have mastered even one of the fourteen branches of knowledge—
असंदेहस्तु सौपर्णाः पञ्चाग्नेयाश्च सामगाः
Undoubtedly, the Sauparṇas, the five Agni-ritualists, and the Sāma-chanters—
त्रिनाचिकेतस्त्रै विद्यो यश्च धर्मान्द्विजः पठेत्
He who knows the triple Nāciketa, the threefold Veda, and the twice-born who recites the dharmas—
सर्वे ते पावना विप्राः पङ्क्तीनां समुदात्दृताः
All these Brāhmaṇas are purifiers, chosen for the rows.
पितरस्तस्य तन्मासं तस्मिन्रितसि शेरते
The ancestors of such a person rest for that month in that season.
यतिं वा वालखिल्यं वा भोजयेच्छ्राद्दकर्मणि
One should feed either an ascetic or a Vālakhilya at the śrāddha rite.
गृहस्थं भोजयेद्यस्तु विश्वेदेवास्तु पूजिताः
But if one feeds a householder, then the Viśvedevās are worshipped.
यतीनां तु कृता पूजा साक्षाद्ब्रह्मा तुं पूजितः
When ascetics are worshipped, Brahmā himself is directly worshipped.
चत्वारस्त्वाश्रमाः पूच्याः श्राद्धे देवे तथैव च
All four āśramas are to be honored at the śrāddha, and likewise the gods.
यस्तिष्ठेद्वायुभक्षश्च चातुराश्रमबाह्यतः
And one who lives on air, outside the four āśramas—