दद्यादन्नं यथाशक्ति त्वर्थिभ्यो लोभवर्जितः
One should give food to those in need according to one's ability, free from greed.
भुञ्जीत बन्धुभिः सार्धं वाग्यतो ऽन्नमकुत्सयन्
One should eat together with relatives, speaking respectfully and not disparaging the food.
भृञ्जीत चेत् स मूढात्मा तिर्यग्योनिं सगच्छति
If, however, that deluded soul eats, he attains a birth among animals.
नाशयत्याशु पापानि देवानामर्चनं तथा
Worship of the gods likewise swiftly destroys sins.
भुङ्क्ते स याति नरकान् शूकरेष्वभिजायते
He eats, then goes to hells, and is born again among pigs.
भुञ्जीत स्वजनैः सार्धं सयाति परमां गतिम्
If he eats together with his own people, he attains the highest state.
आसीनस्त्वासने शुद्धे भूम्यां पादौ निधाय तु
Seated on a pure seat, with his feet placed upon the ground,
श्रियं प्रत्यङ्मुखो भुङ्क्ते ऋतं भुङ्क्ते उदङ्मुखाः
He eats prosperity facing west, and eats truth facing north.
उपवासेन तत्तुल्यं मनुराह प्रजापतिः
Manu, the lord of creatures, has said that this is equal to a fast.
आचम्यार्द्राननो ऽक्रोधः पञ्चार्द्रे भोजनं चरेत्
Having sipped water, with a moist mouth, free from anger, one should eat food with five moist things.
अमृतोपस्तरणमसीत्यापोशानक्रियां चरेत्
Reciting 'You are the covering of nectar,' one should perform the sprinkling of water.
अपानाय ततो हुत्वा व्यानाय तदनन्तरम्
Then, having offered to Apana, and next to Vyana,
विज्ञाय तत्त्वमेतेषां जुहुयादात्मनि द्विजः
Knowing the true nature of these, the twice-born should offer them into himself.
ध्यात्वा तन्मनसा देवमात्मानं वै प्रजापतिम्
Meditating with his mind on the god, the Self, indeed Prajapati,
आचान्तः पुनराचामेदायं गौरिति मन्त्रतः
Having rinsed his mouth, he should rinse again, reciting the mantra, 'This is a cow.'
प्राणानां ग्रन्थिरसीत्यालभेद् हृदयं ततः
Reciting 'You are the knot of the vital airs,' he should then touch his heart.
निः स्त्रवयेद् हस्तजलमूर्ध्वहस्तः समाहितः
He should let water drip from his hand, with his hand raised, composed in mind.
अथाक्षरेण स्वात्मानं योजयेद् ब्रह्मणेति हि
Then, with the syllable, he should unite his own self with Brahman.
यो ऽनेन विधिना कुर्यात् स याति ब्रह्मणः क्षयम्
Whoever performs in this manner attains the abode of Brahman.
सायंप्रापर्नान्तरा वै संध्यायां तु विशेषतः
In the evening, between the two meals, and especially at twilight.
ग्रहकाले च नाश्नीयात् स्नात्वाश्नीयात् तु मुक्तयोः
One should not eat during an eclipse; but after bathing, one may eat when the eclipse is over.
अमुक्तयोरस्तङ्गतयोरद्याद् दृष्ट्वा परे ऽहनि
When the eclipse is not over, or when the sun or moon has not set, one should eat only after seeing the next day.
न यज्ञशिष्टादन्द् वा न क्रुद्धो नान्यमानसः
One should not eat the remnants of a sacrifice in anger, nor when the mind is disturbed.
वृत्यर्थं यस्य चाधीतं निष्फलं तस्य जीवितम्
For one whose study is only for livelihood, his life is fruitless.
सोपानत्कश्च यद् भुङ्क्ते सर्वं विद्यात् तदासुरम्
Whatever is eaten while wearing sandals should be known as entirely demonic.
न च भिन्नासनगतो न शयानः स्थितो ऽपि वा
One should not eat while sitting on a broken seat, nor while lying down, nor even while standing.
नोच्छिष्टो घृतमादद्यान्न मूर्धानं स्पृशेदपि
One who is impure should not take ghee, nor should he touch his head.
नान्धकारे न चाकाशे न च देवालयादिषु
One should not eat in darkness, nor in the open sky, nor in temples and similar places.
न पादुकानिर्गतो ऽथ न हसन् विलपन्नपि
One should not eat after going out wearing sandals, nor while laughing or lamenting.
इतिहासपुराणाभ्यां वेदार्थानुपबृंहयेत्
One should support the meaning of the Vedas with Itihasa and Purana.