सर्वेषु वेदशास्त्रेषु पञ्चमो नोपपद्यते
In all the Vedic scriptures, a fifth (āśrama) is not admitted.
दक्षादीन् प्राह विश्वात्मा सृजध्वं विविधाः प्रजाः
The all-pervading Self said to Daksha and the others: 'Create various beings.'
असृजन्त प्रजाः सर्वा देवमानुषपूर्विकाः
They created all beings, beginning with the gods and humans.
अहं वै पालयामीदं संहरिष्यति शूलभृत्
I indeed protect this (world); the wielder of the trident will dissolve it.
रजः सत्त्वतमोयोगात् परस्य परमात्मनः
From the union of rajas, sattva, and tamas arises the Supreme Self.
अन्योन्यं प्रणताश्चैव लीलया परमेश्वराः
The Supreme Lords bow to one another and merge in play.
तिस्त्रस्तु भावना रुद्रे वर्तन्ते सततं द्विजाः
O twice-born, three forms of meditation are always present in Rudra.
द्वितीया ब्रह्मणः प्रोक्ता देवस्याक्षरभावना
The second is declared to be the meditation on the imperishable of the god Brahman.
विभज्यस्वेच्छयात्मानं सो ऽन्यर्यामीश्वरः स्थितः
Dividing himself by his own will, that Lord abides as the inner ruler of others.
पुरुषः परतो ऽव्यक्ताद् ब्रह्मत्वं समुपागमत्
The Supreme Person, beyond the unmanifest, attained the state of Brahman.
एकस्यैव स्मृतास्तिस्त्रस्तनूः कार्यवशात् प्रभोः
It is remembered that, due to the necessity of action, the Lord has three bodies, though he is one.
यदीच्छेदचिरात् स्थानं यत्तन्मोक्षाख्यमव्ययम्
If one desires to reach that place called liberation, which is imperishable, without delay—
पूजयेद् भावयुक्तेन यावज्जीवं प्रतिज्ञया
He should worship with devotion, by vow, for his whole life.
आश्रमो वैष्णवो ब्राह्मो हराश्रम इति त्रयः
The three ashramas are Vaishnava, Brahma, and Hara's ashrama.
ध्यायेदथार्चयेदेतान् ब्रह्मविद्यापरायणः
One devoted to the knowledge of Brahman should meditate on and worship these.
सितेन भस्मना कार्यं ललाटे तु त्रिपुण्ड्रकम्
A tripuṇḍra mark should be made on the forehead with white ash.
धारयेत् सर्वदा शूलं ललाटे गन्धवारिभिः
One should always bear the trident on the forehead with fragrant waters.
तेषां ललाटे तिलकं धारणीयं तु सर्वदा
A tilaka should always be worn on their foreheads.
उपर्यधो भावयोगात् त्रिपुण्ड्रस्य तु धारणात्
By the practice of meditation above and below, and by wearing the tripuṇḍra—
धृतं त्रिशूलधरणाद् भवत्येव न संशयः
By bearing the trident, it is certainly attained—there is no doubt.
भवत्येव धृतं स्थानमैश्वरं तिलके कृते
Indeed, the divine state is attained when the tilaka is applied.
त्रियायुषं च भक्तानां त्रयाणां विधिपूर्वकम्
For the devotees of the three, a threefold lifespan is obtained according to the prescribed rule.
शान्तो दान्तो जितक्रोधो वर्णाश्रमविधानवित्
Peaceful, self-controlled, having conquered anger, and knowing the rules of varna and ashrama—
तेषां संस्थानमचलं सो ऽचिरादधिगच्छति
He quickly attains their unshakable state.
इदानीं क्रममस्माकमाश्रमाणां वद प्रभो
Now, O Lord, tell us the order of our stages of life.
क्रमेणैवाश्रमाः प्रोक्ताः कारणादन्यथा भवेत्
The stages of life are to be followed in order; otherwise, due to some reason, it may be otherwise.
प्रव्रजेद् ब्रह्मचर्यात् तु यदिच्छेत् परमां गतिम्
One may renounce after the stage of studentship, if one desires the highest state.
यजेदुत्पादयेत् पुत्रान् विरक्तो यदि संन्यसेत्
One should perform sacrifices or beget sons; if detached, one may renounce.
नगार्हस्थ्यं गृहीत्यक्त्वा संन्यसेद् बुद्धिमान् द्विजः
A wise twice-born, having abandoned household life, may renounce.
तत्रैव संन्यसेद् विद्वाननिष्ट्वापि द्विजोत्तमः
There itself, even without performing the prescribed rites, a learned twice-born may renounce.