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.
इह लोके सुखी भूत्वा प्रेत्यानन्त्याय कल्पते
Here in this world, one becomes happy, and after death, attains the eternal.
एवं साधनसाध्यत्वं चातुर्विध्ये प्रदर्शितम्
Thus, the means and their attainments have been shown as fourfold.
माहात्म्यं चानुतिष्ठेत स चानन्त्याय कल्पते
One who observes this greatness also attains the eternal.
धर्मात् संजायते सर्वमित्याहुर्ब्रह्मवादिनः
Everything arises from dharma—so say the knowers of Brahman.
अनादिनिधना शक्तिः सैषा ब्राह्मी द्विजोत्तमाः
This power, O best of twice-born, is Brahmanic, without beginning or end.
तस्माज्ज्ञानेन सहितं कर्मयोगं समाचरेत्
Therefore, one should practice karma-yoga together with knowledge.
ज्ञानपूर्वं निवृत्तं स्यात् प्रवृत्तं यदतो ऽन्यथा
That which is preceded by knowledge is renunciation; otherwise, it is engagement in action.
तस्मान्निवृत्तं संसेव्यमन्यथा संसरेत् पुनः
Therefore, one should pursue renunciation; otherwise, one is born again.
आर्जवं चानसूया च तीर्थानुसरणं तथा
Straightforwardness, absence of envy, and pilgrimage to holy places—
देवताभ्यर्चनं पूजा ब्राह्मणानां विशेषतः
Worship of deities, and especially the honoring of Brahmins—