गुप्तये सर्ववेदानां तेभ्यो यज्ञो हि निर्बभौ
For the protection of all the Vedas, the sacrifice arose from them.
ब्रह्मणः सहजं रूपं नित्यैषा शक्तिरव्यया
This eternal, imperishable power is the natural form of Brahma.
आदौ वेदमयी भूता यतः सर्वाः प्रवृत्तयः
In the beginning, she became composed of the Vedas, from whom all activities arise.
न तेषु रमते धीरः पाषण्डी तेन जायते
The wise do not delight in them; thus, one becomes a heretic.
स ज्ञेयः परमो धर्मो नान्यशास्त्रेषु संस्थितः
That is to be known as the supreme dharma, not established in other scriptures.
सर्वास्ता निष्फलाः प्रेत्यतमोनिष्ठाहिताः स्मृताः
All those are declared fruitless after death, leading to darkness and misfortune.
शुद्धान्तः करणाः सर्वाः स्वधर्मनिरताः सदा
Those whose inner faculties are pure, always devoted to their own dharma—
अधर्मो मुनिशार्दूलाः स्वधर्मप्रतिबन्धकः
O best of sages, adharma is that which obstructs one's own dharma.
रजोमात्रात्मिकास्तासां सिद्धयो ऽन्यास्तदाभवन्
Their attainments were of the nature of rajas alone; other accomplishments arose from that.
ततस्तासां विभुर्ब्रह्मा कर्माजीवमकल्पयत्
Then, the all-pervading Brahma established action and livelihood for them.
भृग्वादयस्तद्वदनाच्छ्रुत्वा धर्मानथोचिरे
Hearing the dharmas from his mouth, Bhrigu and the others then spoke.
अध्यापनं चाध्ययनं षट् कर्माणि द्विजोत्तमाः
Teaching, study, and the six duties, O best of twice-born—
दण्डो युद्धं क्षत्रियस्य कृषिर्वैश्यस्य शस्यते
Punishment and warfare are prescribed for the Kshatriya, and agriculture for the Vaishya.
कारुकर्म तथाजीवः पाकयज्ञो ऽपि धर्मतः
Craftsmanship, other livelihoods, and the cooking of sacrificial food are also righteous duties.
गृहस्थं च वनस्थं च भिक्षुकं ब्रह्मचारिणम्
The householder, forest-dweller, mendicant, and student of celibacy—
गृहस्थस्य समासेन धर्मो ऽयं मुनिपुङ्गवाः
O best of sages, in brief, this is the duty of the householder.
संविभागो यथान्यायं धर्मो ऽयं वनवासिनाम्
Proper sharing according to justice is the duty of forest-dwellers.
सम्यग्ज्ञानं च वैराग्यं धर्मो ऽयं भिक्षुके मतः
Right knowledge and detachment are considered the duty of the mendicant.
सन्ध्याकर्माग्निकार्यं च धर्मो ऽयं ब्रह्मचारिणाम्
The performance of twilight rituals and tending the sacred fire is the duty of the student of celibacy.
साधारणं ब्रह्मचर्यं प्रोवाच कमलोद्भवः
Brahmacharya, or celibacy, was declared by the lotus-born one as common to all.
पर्ववर्जं गृहस्थस्य ब्रह्मचर्यमुदाहृतम्
For the householder, celibacy is prescribed except during sacred festivals.
अकुर्वाणस्तु विप्रेन्द्रा भ्रूणहा तु प्रजायते
But, O best of Brahmins, one who does not observe this is born as a slayer of the embryo.
गृहस्थस्य परो धर्मो देवताभ्यर्चनं तथा
The highest duty of the householder is also the worship of the deities.
देशान्तरगतो वाथ मृतपत्नीक एव वा
Whether he has gone to another country or his wife has died,
अन्ये तमुपजीवन्ति तस्माच्छ्रेयान् गृहाश्रमी
Others depend on him; therefore, the householder’s life is superior.
तस्माद् गार्हस्थ्यमेवैकं विज्ञेयं धर्मसाधनम्
Therefore, householdership alone should be understood as the means to righteousness.
सर्वलोकविरुद्धं च धर्ममप्याचरेन्न तु
One should not practice even righteousness if it is opposed by all people.
धर्म एवापवर्गाय तस्माद् धर्मं समाश्रयेत्
Righteousness alone leads to liberation; therefore, one should resort to righteousness.
सत्त्वं रजस्तमश्चेति तस्माद्धर्मं समाश्रयेत्
Since there are the qualities of sattva, rajas, and tamas, therefore one should resort to righteousness.
जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः
Those who remain in the conduct of the lowest quality, tamas, go downward.