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.
पाषण्डः स हि विज्ञेयः सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः
He is to be known as a heretic, excluded from all religious duties.
स्त्रीणाममन्त्रतः कार्या यथाकालं यथाविधि
For women, the rites should be performed without mantras, at the proper time and according to the prescribed rule.
षष्टे वा सत्पमे वापि अष्टमे वापि कारयेत्
Let it be performed in the sixth, seventh, or even the eighth year.
कुर्य्याच्च नान्दीश्राद्धं च स्वस्तिवाचनपूर्वकम्
One should also perform the Nandi Shraddha, preceded by the recitation of auspicious words.
अन्नेन कारयेद्यस्तु स चण्डाल समो भवेत्
But whoever performs it with food alone becomes equal to a Chandala.
कुर्वीत नामनिर्द्देशं सूतकान्ते यथाविधि
One should perform the naming ceremony at the end of the impurity period, according to the prescribed rule.
न दद्यान्नाम विप्रेन्द तथा च विषथमाक्षरम्
O best of Brahmins, one should not give a name, nor a harsh or inauspicious syllable.
सत्पमे चाष्टमे वापि कुर्याद् गृह्योक्तमार्गतः
In the seventh or eighth month, one should perform it according to the method prescribed in the Gṛhya texts.
कर्तव्यः पादकृच्छ्रो वै चौले त्वर्द्धं प्रकल्पयेत्
The rite of shaving the feet must be performed, and for the tonsure, half should be arranged.
आषोडशाब्दपर्यन्तं गौणं कालमुशन्ति च
Up to the completion of sixteen years, a secondary period is permitted.