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.
तपस्तप्त्वा तपोयोगाद् विरक्तः संन्यसेद् यदि
Having performed austerities, if one becomes detached through the practice of austerity, one may renounce.
न संन्यासी वनं चाथ ब्रह्माचर्यं न साधकः
He is not a renunciant who merely goes to the forest, nor is one who practices celibacy thereby accomplished.
प्रव्रजेत गृही विद्वान् वनाद् वा श्रुतिचोदनात्
A learned householder or one dwelling in the forest should renounce, as enjoined by the scriptures.
अन्धः पङ्गुर्दरिद्रो वा विरक्तः संन्यसेद् द्विजः
Even if blind, lame, or poor, a twice-born who is detached may renounce.
पतत्येवाविरक्तो यः संन्यासं कर्तुमिच्छति
He who is not detached but wishes to renounce surely falls.
श्रद्धावनाश्रमे युक्तः सो ऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते
One who is devoted and established in his stage of life is fit for immortality.
स्वधर्मपालको नित्यं सो ऽमृतत्वाय कल्पते
He who always upholds his own duty is fit for immortality.
प्रसन्नेनैव मनसा कुर्वाणो याति तत्पदम्
Acting with a serene mind, one attains that supreme state.
ब्रह्मैव दीयते चेति ब्रह्मार्पणमिदं परम्
Brahman alone is offered, and this supreme offering is to Brahman.
एतद् ब्रह्मार्पणं प्रोक्तमृषिभिः तत्त्वदर्शिभिः
This offering to Brahman is declared by seers who see the truth.