गृहस्थस्तु समाख्यातो न गृहेण गृही भवेत्
He is called a householder, but not by the house alone does one become a householder.
अध्यात्मनिरतं ज्ञानमेतद् ब्राह्मणलक्षणम्
This knowledge, devoted to the inner self, is the mark of a brāhmaṇa.
यथाशक्तिं चरन् कर्म निन्दितानि विवर्जयेत्
One should perform actions according to one's ability, and avoid those that are censured.
गृहस्थो मुच्यते बन्धात् नात्र कार्या विचारणा
A householder is freed from bondage; there is no need for further deliberation on this.
अन्यमन्युसमुत्थानां दोषाणां मर्षणं क्षमा
Forgiveness is the endurance of faults arising from the anger of others.
दयेति मुनयः प्राहुः साक्षाद् धर्मस्य साधनम्
Compassion, say the sages, is directly the means of righteousness.
विज्ञानमिति तद् विद्याद् येन धर्मो विवर्धते
Know that as knowledge by which righteousness increases.
धर्मकार्यान्निवृत्तश्चेन्न तद् विज्ञानमिष्यते
If one turns away from righteous acts, that is not considered knowledge.
यथाभूतप्रवाद् तु सत्यमाहुर्मनीषिणः
The wise declare truth to be speaking of things as they are.
अध्यात्ममक्षरं विद्याद् यत्र गत्वा न शोचति
Know the imperishable as the inner self, upon reaching which one does not grieve.
साक्षाद् देवो महादेवस्तज्ज्ञानमिति कीर्तितम्
Directly, the great god is declared to be that knowledge.
महायज्ञपरो विप्रो लभते तदनुत्तमम्
A Brahmin devoted to great sacrifices attains that unsurpassed state.
न हि देहं विना रुद्रः पुरुषैर्विद्यते परः
Indeed, without a body, Rudra does not exist as the supreme among persons.
न धर्मवर्जितं काममर्थं वा मनसा स्मरेत्
One should not even mentally contemplate desire or wealth devoid of righteousness.
धर्मो हि भगवान् देवो गतिः सर्वेषु जन्तुषु
For righteousness is the blessed Lord, the god, the path for all beings.
न वेददेवतानिन्दां कुर्यात् तैश्च न संवसेत्
One should not revile the Vedas or the gods, nor associate with those who do.
अध्यापयेत् श्रावयेद् वा ब्रह्मलोके महीयते
One who teaches or causes others to hear is honored in the world of Brahma.
नाहितं नाप्रियं वाक्यं न स्तेनः स्याद् कदाचन
One should never speak words that are harmful or unpleasant, nor ever be a thief.
परस्यापहरञ्जन्तुर्नरकं प्रतिपद्यते
A being who takes what belongs to another attains hell.
न चान्यस्मादशक्तश्च निन्दितान् वर्जयेद् बुधः
And a wise person, even if unable, should not avoid censured acts because of another.
प्राणानपहरत्येवं याचकस्तस्य दुर्मतिः
In this way, the beggar with evil intent takes away the very life-breath of that person.
ब्रह्मस्वं वा नापहरेदापद्यपि कदाचन
One must never take the property of Brahmins, not even in times of distress.
देवस्वं चापि यत्नेन सदा परिहरेत् ततः
And one should always, with effort, avoid taking the property of the gods.
अदत्तादानमस्तेयं मनुः प्राह प्रजापतिः
Taking what has not been given is theft; so declared Manu, the lord of creatures.
नैकस्मादेव नियतमननुज्ञाय केवलम्
It is not permitted to take from just one person, without proper authorization.
धर्मार्थं केवलं विप्रा ह्यन्यथा पतितो भवेत्
O Brahmins, only for the sake of righteousness may it be done; otherwise, one falls.
क्षुधार्तैर्नान्यथा विप्रा धर्मविद्भिरिति स्थितिः
This is the rule: Brahmins who know dharma, when afflicted by hunger, may act thus, but not otherwise.
व्रतेन पापं प्रच्छाद्य कुर्वन् स्त्रीशूद्रदम्भनम्
By concealing sin with a vow, one deceives women and Shudras.
छद्मनाचरितं यच्च व्रतं रक्षांसि गच्छति
And whatever vow is performed deceitfully, that vow goes to the demons.
स लिङ्गिनां हरेदेनस्तिर्यग्योनौ च जायते
He who steals from ascetics is born in the animal realm.