मेनया च सुनीत्या च संज्ञया स्वाहया तथा
By Menā, by Sunīti, by Saṃjñā, and likewise by Svāhā,
भुंक्ते भुक्ते त्वयि मुने तिष्ठति त्वयि तिष्ठति
She eats only after you have eaten, O sage, and remains where you remain.
अनलंकृतमात्मानं तव नो दर्शयेत्क्वचित् 4.1.4.
She should never show herself to you with her person unadorned.
न च ते नाम गृह्णीयात्तवायुष्यविवृद्धये
Nor should she utter your name, for the sake of increasing your lifespan.
आक्रुष्टापि न चाक्रोशेत्ताडितापि प्रसीदति
Even if rebuked, she does not retort; even if struck, she remains gracious.
आहूता गृहकार्याणि त्यक्त्वा गच्छति सत्वरम्
When called, she promptly leaves aside household tasks and goes at once.
न चिरं तिष्ठति द्वारि न द्वारमुपसेवते
She does not linger long at the door, nor does she frequent the doorway.
पूजोपकरणं सर्वमनुक्ता साधयेत्स्वयम्
She herself accomplishes all the articles required for worship, without being told.
प्रतीक्षमाणावसरं यथाकालोचितं हि यत्
She waits for the proper moment and acts according to the appropriate time.
सेवते भर्त्तुरुच्छिष्टमिष्टमन्नं फलादिकम्
She serves her husband's leftovers, favorite food, fruits, and the like.
अविभज्य न चाश्नीयाद्देवपित्रतिथिष्वपि
She should not eat separately, even with regard to gods, ancestors, or guests.
संयतोपस्करादक्षा हृष्टा व्यय पराङ्मुखी
Restrained in her use of implements, skillful, cheerful, and averse to waste.
दूरतो वर्जयेदेषा समाजोत्सवदर्शनम् 4.1.4.
She should avoid from afar the viewing of gatherings and festivals.
सुखसुप्तं सुखासीनं रममाणं यदृच्छया
Whether he is sleeping comfortably, seated at ease, or enjoying himself as he wishes,
स्त्रीधर्मिणी त्रिरात्रं तु स्वमुखं नैव दर्श येत्
A woman observing her duty should not show her face to him for three nights.
सुस्नाता भर्तृवदनमीहतेन्यस्य न क्वचित्
Even when well-bathed, she should never desire to see her husband's face elsewhere.
हरिद्रां कुंकुमं चैव सिंदूर कज्जलं तथा
Turmeric, saffron, vermilion, and likewise collyrium,
केशसंस्कारकबरी करकर्णादिभूषणम्
Hair adornments, braids, and ornaments for the hands, ears, and so on.
न रजक्या न हैतुक्या तथा श्रमणया न च
Not by royal command, nor by arbitrary reason, nor by ascetic practice does she act.
भर्तृविद्वेषिणीं नारीं नैषा संभाषते क्वचित्
He never speaks with a woman who is hostile to her husband.
नोलूखले न मुसले न वर्द्धन्यां दृषद्यपि
She does not use a mortar, pestle, grinding stone, or millstone.
विना व्यवायसमयं प्रागल्भ्यं न क्वचिच्चरेत्
Except at the appointed time for union, she should never behave boldly.
इदमेव व्रतं स्त्रीणामयमेवपरो वृषः 4.1.4.
This alone is the vow for women; this alone is the supreme righteousness.
क्लीबं वा दुरवस्थंवा व्याधितं वृद्धमेव वा
Whether he is impotent, in distress, diseased, or even old—
हृष्टाहृष्टेविषण्णास्या विषण्णास्ये प्रिये सदा
When he is joyful or not, when his face is sad or happy, she remains devoted.
सर्पिर्लवणतैलादि क्षयेपि च पतिव्रता
Even if ghee, salt, oil, and the like are exhausted, she remains faithful to her husband.
तीर्थस्नानार्थिनी नारी पतिपादोदकं पिबेत्
A woman desiring to bathe at a sacred place should drink the water that has washed her husband's feet.
व्रतोपवासनियमं पतिमुल्लंघ्य या चरेत्
If a woman observes a vow, fast, or discipline, disregarding her husband—
उक्ता प्रत्युत्तरं दद्याद्या नारी क्रोधतत्परा
If a woman, intent on anger, gives a reply when spoken to—
स्त्रीणां हि परमश्चैको नियमः समुदाहृतः
Indeed, one supreme rule has been declared for women.