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.
आद्वाविंशाब्दपर्यन्तं कालमाहुर्विपश्चितः
The wise declare the period up to twenty-two years.
चतुर्विंशाब्दपर्यन्तं गौणमाहुर्मनीषिणः
The learned say the secondary period extends up to twenty-four years.
सावित्रीपतितं विद्यात्तं तु नैवालपेत्कदा
One should know that the Savitri (Gayatri) is lost; it should never be recited then.
सांतपनद्वयं चैव कृत्वा कर्म समाचरेत्
Having performed the two Santapana penances, one should then carry out the rite.
र्मौञ्जी विप्रस्य विज्ञेया धनुर्ज्या क्षत्त्रियस्य तु
The sacred grass girdle is prescribed for a Brahmin; for a Kshatriya, a bowstring.
विप्रस्य चोक्तमैणेयं रौरवं क्षत्रियस्य तु
For a Brahmin, the skin of the black antelope is prescribed; for a Kshatriya, the skin of the Ruru deer.
पालाशं ब्राह्मणस्योक्तं नृपस्यौदुम्बरं तथा
The palāśa wood is prescribed for a brāhmaṇa, and udumbara wood likewise for a king.
विप्रस्य केशमानं स्यादाललाटं नृपस्य च
For a brāhmaṇa, the hair is to be kept, and for a king, the forehead is to be marked.
तथा वासांसि वक्षघ्यामि विप्रादीनां यथाक्रमम्
In the same way, the garments are to be worn across the chest by brāhmaṇas and others, each according to their order.
उपनीतो द्विजो विप्र परिचर्यापरो गुरोः
A twice-born, having undergone initiation, should devote himself to serving his teacher, O brāhmaṇa.