अथाश्रमेषु सर्वेषु दम एवोत्तमं व्रतम्। तानि लिंगानि वक्ष्यामि यैर्दांत इति कीर्त्यते
Among all the stages of life, self-restraint is the highest vow. I will declare those marks by which one is called self-restrained.
अकार्पण्यमपारुष्यं संतोषः सुविधानता। अनसूया गुरोः पूजा दया भूतेष्वपैशुनम्
Freedom from miserliness, gentleness, contentment, proper conduct, absence of envy, reverence for the teacher, compassion toward beings, and absence of slander—
षड्भिरेष दमः प्रोक्त ऋषिभिः शांतबुद्धिभिः। दयाधीनौ धर्ममोक्षौ तथा स्वर्गश्च पार्थिव
By these six, self-restraint is described by sages of tranquil mind. Righteousness and liberation depend on compassion, as does heaven, O king.
अपमाने न कुप्येत संमाने न प्रहृष्यति। समदुःखसुखो धीरः स शांत इति कीर्त्यते
He does not become angry when insulted, nor overjoyed when honored; steadfast in pleasure and pain alike, such a calm one is so called.
शेते सुखं हि शांतस्तु सुखं हि प्रतिबुध्यते। श्रेयस्तरमतस्तिष्ठेदवमन्ता विनश्यति
Indeed, the calm person sleeps happily and awakens happily. He remains in the highest good, but the scorner perishes.
अपमानितस्तु न ध्यायेत्तस्य पापं कदाचन। स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य परधर्मं न दूषयेत्
When insulted, he does not brood; he never commits sin. Considering his own duty, he does not disparage another's duty.
आत्मानमपि जानीयात्परं दोषैस्तु नाक्षिपेत्। मंत्रैर्हीनं क्रियाभिर्वा जन्मनाप्यथवा पुनः
He knows himself and does not blame others for faults—whether lacking in mantras, in rites, or by birth, or otherwise.
दमश्छादयते सर्वं हीनमंगं पटो यथा। अधीयते निरर्थन्ते नाभिजानंति ये दमम्
Self-restraint covers all defects, just as a cloth covers a blemished limb. Those who do not recognize self-restraint study in vain.
श्रुतस्य हि दमो मूलं दमो धर्मः सनातनः। यो ह्यात्मनस्तुलयते सुवर्णं तुलया दमम्
For learning is rooted in self-restraint; self-restraint is eternal righteousness. He who weighs self-restraint as equal to gold on a scale—
स तेन धृतिमान्ख्यातो न तु द्रव्येण मोहितः। व्रतानामपि सर्वेषां दम एव परायणम्
He is called steadfast, not deluded by wealth. Of all vows, self-restraint alone is the supreme refuge.
यद्यधीते षडंगानि वेदतत्त्वार्थविद्द्विजः। दमेन तु विहीनश्च पूज्यत्वं नेह गच्छति
Even if a twice-born knows the six limbs and the true meaning of the Vedas, if he lacks self-restraint, he does not attain honor here.
दमेनहीनं न पुनंति वेदा यद्यप्यधीताः सह षड्भिरंगैः। सांख्यं च योगश्च कुलं च जन्म तीर्थाभिषेकश्च निरर्थकानि
The Vedas, even if studied with their six limbs, do not purify one lacking self-restraint. Sāṃkhya, Yoga, family, birth, and bathing at sacred fords are all fruitless.
अपमानात्तपोवृद्धिः संमानाच्च तपःक्षयः। अर्चितः पूजितो विप्रो दुग्धा गौरिव गच्छति
From disrespect, austerity increases; from honor, austerity diminishes. A Brahmin who is worshipped and honored departs like a cow that has been milked.
पुनराप्यायते धेनुः सतृणैः सलिलैर्यथा। एवं जपैश्च होमैश्च पुनराप्यायते द्विजः
Just as a cow is replenished again with grass and water, so too is a Brahmin replenished again by recitations and offerings.
आक्रोशकसमो लोके सुहृदन्यो न विद्यते। यस्तु दुष्कृतमादाय सुकृतं स्वं प्रयच्छति
In this world, there is no friend like one who takes upon himself another's misdeed and gives his own virtue in return.
आक्रोशमानान्नाक्रोशेन्मन्युं स्वं विनिवर्तयेत्। सन्नियम्य तदात्मानममृतेनाभिषिंचति
One should not revile those who revile, but restrain one's own anger; thus, mastering himself, he anoints himself with immortality.
कपालं वृक्षमूलानि कुचेलमसहायता। अनपेक्षा ब्रह्मचर्यं नयन्ति परमां गतिम्
A skull, roots of trees, coarse clothing, solitude, indifference, and celibacy lead one to the highest state.
कामक्रोधौ विनिर्जित्य किमरण्ये करिष्यति। अभ्यासेन तु वै शास्त्रं कुलं शीलेन धार्यते
Having conquered desire and anger, what remains to be done in the forest? By practice, scripture is retained; by character, family is upheld.
गुणैर्मन्त्रा विधार्यन्ते क्रोधस्सत्त्वेन धार्यते। यस्तु क्रोधं समुत्पन्नं संधारयति चात्मनः
Mantras are preserved by virtues; anger is restrained by steadfastness. Whoever restrains the anger that arises within himself—
अक्रोधेन जयेद्वीरः कस्तेन सदृशो भुवि। यस्तु क्रोधं समुत्पन्नं संतं संयम्य तिष्ठति
A hero conquers by non-anger—who on earth is equal to him? He who, when anger arises, stands firm, mastering it—
तं सत्सारतमम्मन्ये नास्मिन्सीदति यः पुमान्। एष पैतामहो गुह्यो ब्रह्मराशिस्सनातनः
I consider him the best among the good, who does not sink in this world. This is the ancient, secret teaching of Brahma, the eternal.
धर्मस्य नियमो यो हि मया ते कथितो भृशम्। अन्ये च यज्वनां लोका अन्ये चापि तपस्विनां
This discipline of dharma has been thoroughly told to you by me. There are other worlds for those who perform sacrifices, and others for ascetics.
अन्ये दमवतां लोकास्ते वै परमपूजिताः। एकः क्षमावतां दोषो द्वितीयो नोपपद्यते
There are other worlds for those who are self-controlled, and they are greatly honored. Among the patient, there is only one fault; a second does not arise.
यदिदं क्षमया युक्तमशक्तम्मन्यते जनः। न चैष दोषो मंतव्यः क्षमा प्रज्ञावतां बलम्
If someone thinks that patience is weakness, this should not be considered a fault; patience is the strength of the wise.
प्रशमं योभिजानाति इष्टापूर्तं महीयते। यत्क्रोधयुक्तो जपति जुहोति च यदर्चति
He who knows tranquility is esteemed above sacrifices and gifts. Whatever is recited, offered, or worshipped in anger—
सर्वं क्षरति तत्तस्य भिन्नकुंभादिवोदकम्। दमाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्
All of that is lost for him, like water from a broken pot. Whoever recites this auspicious chapter on self-control upon rising in the morning—
स धर्मनावमारुह्य दुर्गाण्यति तरिष्यति। दमाध्यायमिमं पुण्यं सततं श्रावयेदिद्वजः
He, boarding the boat of dharma, will cross over difficulties. Whoever constantly has this auspicious chapter on self-control recited—
स ब्रह्मलोकमाप्नोति तस्मान्न च्यवते पुनः। श्रूयतां धर्मसर्वस्वं श्रुत्वा चैतत्प्रधार्यताम्
He attains the world of Brahma and does not fall from there again. Hear now the essence of all dharma; having heard, hold it firmly.
आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत्। मातृवत्परदारांश्च परद्रव्याणि लोष्ठवत्
One should not do to others what is disagreeable to oneself; one should regard the wives of others as one’s mother, and the wealth of others as a clod of earth.
आत्मवत्सर्वभूतानि यः पश्यति स पश्यति। पचनं वैश्वदेवार्थे परार्थे यच्च जीवितम्
He who sees all beings as himself, truly sees. Cooking for the sake of the gods, and living for the sake of others—