सज्योतिः स्यादनध्यायः शेषरात्रौ यथा दिवा
When there is lightning, study is forbidden at night just as it is during the day.
धर्मनैपुण्यकामानां पूतिगन्धे च नित्यशः
For those who desire righteousness and merit, study is always forbidden in the presence of foul odors.
अनध्यायो रुद्यमाने समवाये जनस्य च
Study is prohibited when there is weeping or when people are gathered together.
उच्छिष्टः श्राद्धबुक् चैव मनसापि न चिन्तयेत्
One should not even think in the mind about study when impure, after eating, or after consuming food offered to ancestors.
त्र्यहं न कीर्तयेद् ब्रह्म राज्ञो राहोश्च सूतके
For three days, one should not recite the Veda during impurity caused by a king, Rāhu, or birth.
विप्रस्य विदुषो देहे तावद् ब्रह्म न कीर्तयेत्
As long as impurity remains in the body of a learned Brāhmaṇa, the Veda should not be recited.
नाधीयीतामिषं जग्ध्वा सूतकान्नाद्यमेव च
One should not study after eating meat or food from a house in mourning.
अमावास्यां चतुर्दश्यां पौर्णमास्यष्टमीषु च
On the new moon, fourteenth day, full moon, and eighth days, one should not study.
अष्टकासु त्वहोरात्रं ऋत्वन्त्यासु च रात्रिषु
On the aṣṭakā days, both day and night, and during the nights at the end of the seasons, study is forbidden.
तिस्त्रो ऽष्टकाः समाख्याता कृष्णपक्षेतु सूरिभिः
Three aṣṭakā days are declared by the wise to occur in the dark fortnight.
कदाचिदपि नाध्येयं कोविदारकपित्थयोः
Study should never be undertaken under the kovidāra or kapittha trees.
आचार्ये संस्थिते वापि त्रिरात्रं क्षपणं स्मृतम्
When the teacher has died, three nights of impurity are prescribed.
हिंसन्ति राक्षसास्तेषु तस्मादेतान् विवर्जयेत्
On these occasions, demons cause harm; therefore, one should avoid them.
उपाकर्मणि कर्मान्ते होममन्त्रेषु चैव हि
However, at the beginning of study, at the end of rituals, and during sacrificial mantras, study is permitted.
अष्टकाद्यास्वधीयीत मारुते चातिवायति
One may study on aṣṭakā days and when the wind is very strong.
न धर्मशास्त्रेष्वन्येषु पर्वण्येतानि वर्जयेत्
In other Dharmaśāstras, these rules are not prescribed for festival days.
ब्रह्मणाभिहितः पूर्वमृषीणां भावितात्मनाम्
This was formerly declared by Brahmā to the sages of purified mind.
स संमूढो न संभाष्यो वेदबाह्यो द्विजातिभिः
He who is thus deluded, and outside the Veda, should not be conversed with by twice-born men.
पाठमात्रावसन्नस्तु पङ्के गौरिव सीदति
One who stops at mere recitation sinks like a cow in the mud.
ससान्वयः शूद्रकल्पः पात्रतां न प्रपद्यते
Even if he knows the meaning, if he is like a Śūdra, he does not attain fitness for the vessel.
युक्तः परिचरेदेनमाशरीरविमोक्षणात्
One who is disciplined should serve him until the release from the body.
अधीयीत सदा नित्यं ब्रह्मनिष्ठः समाहितः
He should always study constantly, being steadfast in Brahman and composed.
अभ्यसेत् सततं युक्ते भस्मस्नानपरायणः
He should practice continually, being disciplined and devoted to bathing with ashes.
स्वायंभुवो यन्मनुराह देवः
That which the divine Svāyambhuva Manu spoke—
याति तत् पदमनामयं शिवम्
He attains that supreme, auspicious, and flawless state.
अधीत्य चाधिगम्यार्थं ततः स्नायाद् द्विजोत्तमः
Having studied and understood the meaning, then the best of twice-born should bathe.
चीर्णव्रतो ऽथ युक्तात्मा सशक्तः स्नातुमर्हति
Having performed his vows, with a disciplined self and capable, he is fit to bathe.
यज्ञोपवीतद्वितयं सोदकं च कमण्डलुम्
He should carry two sacred threads, water, and a water-pot.
रौक्मे च कुण्डले वेदं कृत्तकेशनखः शुचिः
With golden earrings, the Veda, hair and nails cut, and pure.
अन्यत्रकाञ्चनाद् विप्रोनरक्तां बिभृयात् स्त्रजम्
Except for gold, a Brāhmaṇa should wear a garland that is not red.