अनधीतश्रुतिर्विप्र आचार प्रतिपद्यते
A Brāhmaṇa who, without studying the scriptures, adopts proper conduct—
नित्यं नैमित्तिकं काम्यं यच्चान्यत्कर्म वैदिकम्
All daily, occasional, and desired rites, and whatever other Vedic acts there are—
शब्दब्रह्ममयो विष्णुर्वेदः साक्षाद्धारि स्मृकतः
Vishnu is verily the embodiment of the word and the Veda, directly present, as remembered.
वेदाध्यायी ततो विप्रः सर्वान्कामानवान्पुयात्
Therefore, the Brāhmaṇa who studies the Veda attains all desires and is purified.
अनुज्ञातस्ततस्तेन कुर्यादग्निपरिग्रहम्
Then, having been permitted, he should perform the acceptance of the sacred fire.
अधीत्य गुरवे दत्त्वा दक्षिणां संविशेद्वृहम्
Having studied, and given the teacher his fee, he should enter household life.
द्विजः समुद्वहेत्कन्यां सुशीलां धर्म चारिणीम्
A twice-born should marry a maiden of good character, who follows dharma.
द्विजः समुद्वहेत्कन्यथा गुरुतल्पराः
A twice-born should not marry a girl who has been with his teacher, or with elders.
अतिकेशामकेशामकेशां च वाचालां नोद्वहेद्वुधः
A wise man should not marry a woman who is excessively hairy, bald, or talkative.
न्यानाधिकाङ्गीमुन्मत्तां पिशुनां नोद्वहेद् बुधः
A wise man should not marry one who is deformed, mad, or slanderous.
श्मश्रुव्यञ्जनसंयुक्तां कुब्जां चैवाद्वहेन्न च
One should not marry a woman who has prominent facial hair or is hunchbacked.
विवादशीलां भ्रमितां निष्ठुरां नोद्वहेद्रुधः
A man who is already married should not take as wife a woman who is quarrelsome, erratic, or harsh in speech.
अतिकृष्णां रक्तवर्णां धूर्तां नैवोद्वहे द्वुधः
A man with a wife should not marry a woman who is extremely dark, red-complexioned, or deceitful.
तासश्वासादिसंयुक्तां निद्राशीलां च नोद्वहेत्
He should not marry a woman who has labored breathing or similar ailments, or who is habitually sleepy.
परापवादनिरतां तस्कारां नोद्वहेद्वुधः
He should not marry a woman who is devoted to slandering others or who is a thief.
गर्वितां बकवृत्तिं च सर्वथा नोद्वहेद्वुधः
He should never marry a woman who is arrogant or who behaves like a heron (hypocritically).
प्रगल्भां वागुणां ज्ञात्वा सर्वथा तां परित्यजेत्
Having recognized a woman who is excessively bold in speech, he should completely abandon her.
परानुकूलिनी या च सर्वथा तां परित्यजेत्
And any woman who is excessively partial to others, he should completely abandon her.
पूर्वः पूर्वो वरो ज्ञेयः पूर्वाभावे परः परः
The earlier suitor is to be considered first; in the absence of the former, the next one.
गान्धर्वो राक्षसश्चैव पैशाचश्चाष्टमो मतः
The Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Paisacha marriages are considered the eighth type.
दैवेनाप्यथवा विप्र केचिदार्षं प्रचक्षते
Some Brahmins declare the Daiva or even the Arsha marriage as well.
अभावेषु तु पूर्वेषां कुर्यादेव परान्बुधः
In the absence of the earlier types, the wise should indeed perform the later ones.
सुवर्णकुण्डले चैव धौतवस्त्रद्वयं तथा
He should wear golden earrings and two clean garments.
धारयेद्वैणवं दण्डं सोदकं च कमण्डलुम्
He should carry a bamboo staff and a water-pot with water.
धारयेत्पुष्पमाल्ये च सुगन्धं प्रियदर्शनः
He should wear a garland of flowers, be fragrant, and pleasing in appearance.
परान्नं नैव भुञ्जीत परवादं च वर्जयेत्
He should not eat food from others nor engage in slander.
न संहताभ्यां हस्ताभ्यां कण्डूयेदात्मनः शिरः
He should not scratch his own head with both hands together.
देवार्चाचमनस्नानव्रतश्राद्धक्रियादिषु
In acts such as worship of the gods, sipping water, bathing, vows, and funeral rites—
नारोहेदुष्ट्रयानं च शुष्कवादं च वर्जयेत्
One should avoid riding on a defective vehicle and engaging in fruitless arguments.
नापसव्यं व्रजेद्विप्र गोश्चत्थानलपर्वतान्
A twice-born should not pass to the left of a cow, a plough, fire, or a mountain.