Kurma Purana

द्विजातेः परमो धर्मो वर्तनानि निबोधत

Now hear the supreme dharma and modes of livelihood for the twice-born.

कुसीदकृषिवाणिज्यं प्रकुर्वोतास्वयङ्कृतम्

Moneylending, agriculture, and trade—one should not engage in these on one's own.

आपत्कल्पो ह्यं ज्ञेयः पूर्वोक्तो मुख्य इष्यते

These are to be known as emergency measures; the previously mentioned are to be considered primary.

कष्टा पापीयसी वृत्तिः कुसीदं तद् विवर्जयेत्

Moneylending is a harsh and sinful livelihood; therefore, one should avoid it.

तस्मात् क्षात्रेण वर्तेत वर्तनेनापदि द्विजः

Therefore, a twice-born should follow the Kṣatriya's livelihood only in distress.

न कथञ्चन कुर्वोत ब्राह्मणः कर्म कर्षणम्

A Brāhmaṇa should never perform the work of tilling the soil.

ते तृप्तास्तस्य तं दोषं शमयन्ति न संशयः

Those who are satisfied remove his fault—of this there is no doubt.

त्रिंशद्भागं ब्राह्मणानां कृषिं कुर्वन् न दुष्यति

By cultivating only a thirtieth part for Brāhmaṇas, one does not incur sin.

कृषीवलो न दोषेण युज्यते नात्र संशयः

The cultivator is not associated with fault—of this there is no doubt.

विद्याशिल्पादयस्त्वन्ये बहवो वृत्तिहेतवः

Other means of livelihood are many, such as knowledge, crafts, and so on.

शिलोञ्छे तस्य कथिते द्वे वृत्ती परमर्षिभिः

The two livelihoods called gleaning and picking are described by the great sages.

अयाचितं स्यादमृतं मृतं भेक्षं तु याचितम्

Unasked-for food is like nectar; begged food is as if dead.

त्र्यहैहिको वापि भवेदश्वस्तनिक एव च

It may be for three days, or even just for the next day.

श्रेयान् परः परो ज्ञेयो धर्मतो लोकजित्तमः

The one who surpasses others in righteousness is to be known as the best among those who conquer the world.

द्वाभ्यामेकश्चतुर्थस्तु ब्रह्मसत्रेण जीवति

By two, one; but the fourth lives by the Brahmasatra.

इष्टीः पार्वायणान्तीयाः केवला निर्वपेत् सदा

One should always offer pure oblations at the end of each half-year.

अजिह्मामशठां शुद्धां जीवेद् ब्राह्मणजीविकाम्

One should live by the livelihood of a Brahmin, which is straightforward, without deceit, and pure.

याचयेद् वा शुचिं दान्तं न तृप्येत स्वयं ततः

Or, one may beg from a pure and self-restrained person, but should not be satisfied oneself from that.

देवान् पितृंश्च विधिना शुनां योनिं व्रजत्यसौ

By performing the prescribed rites for the gods and ancestors, one does not enter the womb of dogs.

धर्माविरुद्धः कामः स्याद् ब्राह्मणानां तु नेतरः

Desire that is not opposed to righteousness is permitted for Brahmins, but not otherwise.

तस्मादर्थं समासाद्य दद्याद् वै जुहुयाद् यजेत्

Therefore, having obtained wealth, one should give, offer oblations, and perform sacrifice.

ब्रह्मणाभिहितं पूर्वमृषीणां ब्रह्मवादिनाम्

This was formerly declared by Brahma to the sages who speak of Brahman.

दानमित्यभिनिर्दिष्टं भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदम्

It is declared as 'gift,' which bestows the fruits of enjoyment and liberation.

तद् वै वित्तमहं मन्ये शेषं कस्यापि रक्षति

That, indeed, I consider to be the highest wealth; the rest preserves someone or other.

चतुर्थं विमलं प्रोक्तं सर्वदानोत्तमोत्तमम्

The fourth, called pure, is said to be the highest of all gifts.

अनुद्दिश्य फलं तस्माद् ब्राह्मणाय तु नित्यकम्

Therefore, one should always give to a Brahmin without specifying a fruit.

नैमित्तिकं तदुद्दिष्टं दानं सद्भिरनुष्ठितम्

That gift, given for a particular reason, is performed by the virtuous.

दानं तत् काम्यमाख्यातमृषिभिर्धर्मचिन्तकैः

That gift, desired for a purpose, is declared by the sages who reflect on righteousness.

चेतसा धर्मयुक्तेन दानं तद् विमलं शिवम्

A gift made with a mind joined to righteousness is pure and auspicious.