वर्णा इति समाख्याता एतेषु ब्राह्मणो ऽधिकः
These are called varnas, and among them, the Brahmana is foremost.
मातृतश्चोपनयनाद्दि जत्वं प्राप्यते त्रिभिः
Birth is attained through three means: from the mother, by initiation, and by study.
स्ववर्णधर्मत्यगेन पाषण्डः प्रोच्यते बुधैः
One who abandons the duties of their own varna is called a heretic by the wise.
अन्यथा पतितो भूयात्सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः
Otherwise, one becomes fallen and is excluded from all duties.
देशाचारास्तथाग्राह्याः स्मृतिधर्माविरोधतः
Local customs are to be accepted, provided they do not contradict the laws of tradition.
अस्वर्ग्यं लोकविद्विष्टं धर्म्यमप्याचरेन्नतु
Even if an act is righteous, it should not be performed if it is not conducive to heaven or is despised by people.
द्विजानामसवर्णासु कन्या सूपयमस्तथा
For twice-born men, marriage with girls of another varna is permitted.
मांसादनं तथा श्राद्धे वानप्रस्थआश्रमस्तथा
Eating meat at a funeral rite, and the vanaprastha ashrama as well,
नैष्टिकं ब्रह्मचर्यं च नरमेधाश्चमेधकौ
Lifelong celibacy, and the human and animal sacrifices,
एतान्धर्मान्कलियुके वर्ज्यानाहुर्मनीषिणः
The wise declare these practices should be avoided in the Kali age.
अन्यथा पतितो ज्ञेयः सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः
Otherwise, he is to be regarded as fallen, excluded from all duties.
क्रियाः सामान्यतो वक्ष्ये तच्छृणुष्व समाहितः
I will now explain the general duties; listen to this attentively.
वृत्त्यर्थं याचयेच्चैव अन्यानध्यापयेत्तथा
He should seek alms for his livelihood and also teach others.
कुर्य्याच्च वेदग्रहणं तथाग्रेश्च परिग्रहम्
He should study the Vedas and accept gifts from worthy persons.
सर्वलोकहितं कृर्यान्मृदुवाक्यमुदीरयेत्
He should act for the welfare of all people and speak gentle words.
न कस्याप्यहितं ब्रूयाद्विष्णुपूजापरो भवेत्
He should not speak ill of anyone and should be devoted to the worship of Viṣṇu.
कुर्य्याच्च वेदग्रहणं यज्ञैर्द्देवान्यजेत्तथा
He should study the Vedas and worship the gods with sacrifices.
दुष्टानां शासनं कुर्य्याच्छिष्टानां पालनं तथा
He should punish the wicked and protect the virtuous.
वेदस्याध्ययनं चैव वैश्यस्यापि प्रकीर्त्तितम्
The study of the Vedas is also prescribed for the Vaiśya.
क्रयविक्रयजर्वापि धनैः कारुक्रियोद्भवैः
He may acquire wealth through buying and selling, or by crafts and handiwork.
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शुश्रूषानि रतो भवेत्
He should be devoted to serving Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas.
सर्वलोकहितोषित्वं मङ्गलं प्रियवादिता
Seeking the welfare of all, auspiciousness, and speaking kindly—
सामान्यं सर्ववर्णानां मुनिभिः परिकीर्तितम्
This is declared by sages as common to all castes.
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियाचारमाश्रयेदापदि द्विज
O twice-born, a Brāhmaṇa may adopt the conduct of a Kṣatriya in times of distress.
नाश्रयेच्छूद्रवृत्तिं तु अत्यापद्यपि वै द्विजः
But even in great distress, a twice-born should not adopt the occupation of a Śūdra.
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां त्रयाणां मुनिसत्तम
O best of sages, among Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas—
ब्रह्मचारी गृही वानप्रस्थो भिक्षुश्च सत्तम
The four stages are: student, householder, forest-dweller, and mendicant, O noble one.
विष्णुस्तुष्यति विप्रेन्द्र कर्मयोगरतात्मनः
O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, Viṣṇu is pleased with one whose mind delights in the path of action.
ततो याति परं स्थानं यतो नावर्त्तते पुनः
Then he attains the supreme state, from which there is no return.
शृणुष्व तन्मुनिश्रेष्ठ सावधानेन चेतसा
Listen now, O best of sages, with attentive mind.