Kurma Purana

पृष्टेन मुनिभिः पूर्वं शक्रेणामृतमन्थने

Were formerly asked about by the sages and by Indra during the churning of nectar.

मुनीनां भाषितं कृष्णः प्रोवाच सुसमाहितः

Krishna, with mind well-composed, spoke what was said by the sages.

सनत्कुमारप्रमुखैः सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

By Sanatkumara and the foremost sages, one is freed from all sins.

यो वा विचारयेदर्थं स याति परमां गतिम्

Whoever reflects upon this meaning attains the supreme state.

सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

Freed from all sins, he is honored in the world of Brahma.

श्रोतव्यश्चाथ मन्तव्यो विशेषाद् ब्राह्मणैः सदा

It should be heard and considered, especially by Brahmins, always.

कर्मयोगं ब्राह्मणानामात्यन्तिकफलप्रदम्

The path of action for Brahmins grants the highest fruit.

ऋषीणां शृण्वतां पूर्वं मनुराह प्रजापतिः

Formerly, Manu, the lord of creatures, spoke to the listening sages.

समाहितधियो यूयं शृणुध्वं गदतो मम

You, whose minds are composed, listen as I speak.

गर्भाष्टमे ऽष्टमे वाब्दे स्वसूत्रोक्तविधानतः

In the eighth month of pregnancy or in the eighth year, according to the rule stated in one's own sutra—

भिक्षाहारो गुरुहितो वीक्षमाणो गुरुर्मुखम्

Living on alms, devoted to the teacher, looking at the teacher’s face—

ब्राह्मणानां त्रिवित् सूत्रं कौशं वा वस्त्रमेव वा

For Brahmins, the three-threaded cord, or a garment of cloth, is prescribed.

अन्यथा यत् कृतं कर्म तद् भवत्ययथाकृतम्

Whatever act is done otherwise, that becomes improperly performed.

तदेव परिधानीयं शुक्लमच्छिद्रमुत्तमम्

That alone should be worn—pure white, without blemish, and excellent.

अभावे गव्यमजिनं रौरवं वा विधीयते

In its absence, a garment of cow-hide or of ruru-deer is prescribed.

उपवीतं भवेन्नित्यं निवीतं कण्ठसज्जने

The sacred thread should always be worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm, except when it is worn around the neck in mourning.

प्राचीनावीतमित्युक्तं पित्र्ये कर्मणि योजयेत्

When the thread is placed over the right shoulder and under the left arm, it is called 'prācīnāvīta,' and should be used in rites for the ancestors.

स्वाध्याये भोजने नित्यं ब्राह्मणानां च सन्निधौ

One should always wear the thread over the left shoulder during study of the Veda, while eating, and in the presence of Brahmins.

उपवीती भवेन्नित्यं विधिरेष सनातनः

One should always wear the sacred thread in the prescribed manner; this is the eternal rule.

मुञ्जाभावे कुशेनाहुर्ग्रन्थिनैकेन वा त्रिभिः

In the absence of muñja grass, they say the thread may be made from kuśa grass, with one or three knots.

यज्ञार्हवृक्षजं वाथ सौम्यमव्रणमेव च

Or it may be made from the wood of trees suitable for sacrifice, or from soft, unblemished material.

कामाल्लोभाद् भयान्मोहात् त्यक्तेन पतितो भवेत्

If one abandons the sacred thread out of desire, greed, fear, or delusion, he falls from righteousness.

स्नात्वा संतर्पयेद् देवानृषीन् पितृगणांस्तथा

After bathing, one should offer satisfaction to the gods, sages, and groups of ancestors.

अभिवादनशीलः स्यान्नित्यं वृद्धेषु धर्मतः

One should always be accustomed to respectful greeting of elders, in accordance with righteousness.

आयुरारोग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं तन्द्रादिपरिवर्जितः

For the attainment of long life and health, one should avoid laziness and the like.

अकारश्चास्य नाम्नो ऽन्ते वाच्यः पूर्वाक्षरः प्लुतः

At the end of his name, the word 'a' should be pronounced, and the first syllable should be elongated.

नाभिवाद्यः स विदुषा यथा शूद्रस्तथैव सः

He who is not greeted by the learned is just like a Śūdra.

सव्येन सव्यः स्प्रष्टव्यो दक्षिणेन तु दक्षिणः

The right hand should touch the right, and the left hand should touch the left.

आददीत यतो ज्ञानं तं पूर्वमभिवादयेत्

One should first greet the person from whom he has received knowledge.