त्याज्यं कर्म पराधीनं कायमात्मवशं सदा
One should abandon actions that are dependent on others, but always keep the body under one's own control.
यस्मिन्कर्मण्यंतरात्मा क्रियमाणे प्रसीदति 4.1.35.
That action in which the inner self is pleased while performing it—
प्रथमं धर्मसर्वस्वं प्रोक्ता यन्नियमा यमाः
The supreme essence of dharma is first declared to be the restraints known as yamas.
सत्यं क्षमार्जवं ध्यानमानृशंस्यमहिंसनम्
Truthfulness, forgiveness, straightforwardness, meditation, compassion, and non-violence—
शौचं स्नानं तपो दानं मौनेज्याध्ययनं व्रतम्
Purity, bathing, austerity, charity, silence, worship, study, and observance of vows—
कामं क्रोधं मदं मोहं मात्सर्यं लोभमेव च
Desire, anger, pride, delusion, envy, and greed—
शनैः शनैः स चिनुयाद्धर्मं वल्मीक शृंगवत्
Let one gradually accumulate dharma, like an ant builds its anthill.
धर्म एव सहायी स्यादमुत्र न परिच्छदः
Only dharma will be a companion hereafter; not wealth or possessions.
जायते चैकलः प्राणी प्रम्रियेत तथैकलः
A living being is born alone and likewise dies alone.
देहं पंचत्वमापन्नं त्यक्त्वा कौ काष्ठलोष्ठवत्
Having abandoned the body, which attains dissolution, just like wood or a clod of earth—
कृती संचिनुयाद्धर्मं ततोऽमुत्र सहायिनम्
The wise should accumulate dharma, which will then be a companion in the next world.
संबंधानाचरेन्नित्यमुत्तमैरुत्तमैः सुधीः 4.1.35.
A wise person should always associate with the best among the best.
उत्तमानुत्तमानेव गच्छन्हीनांश्च वर्जयन्
Let him go to the excellent, avoiding the inferior.
अनध्ययनशीलं च सदाचारविलंघिनम्
One who is not devoted to study and who violates good conduct—
ततोऽभ्यसेत्प्रयत्नेन सदाचारं सदा द्विजः
Therefore, a twice-born should always diligently practice good conduct.
रजनीप्रांतयामार्धं बाह्मः समय उच्यते
The time called 'Brāhma' is said to be half of the last quarter of the night.
गजास्यं संस्मरेदादौ तत ईशं सहांबया
First, one should remember the elephant-faced one, then the Lord together with Ambā.
इंद्रादीन्सकलान्देवान्वसिष्ठादीन्मुनीनपि
One should recall all the gods beginning with Indra, and also the sages beginning with Vasiṣṭha.
क्षीरोदादीन्समुद्रांश्च मानसादि सरांसि च
One should remember the oceans beginning with the Milk Ocean, and also the lakes beginning with Mānas.
कल्पवृक्षादि वृक्षांश्च धातून्कांचनमुख्यतः
One should recall the trees beginning with the wish-fulfilling tree, and the elements, especially gold.
नागाश्च शेषप्रमुखान्गजानैरावतादिकान्
One should remember the nāgas headed by Śeṣa, and the elephants beginning with Airāvata.
स्मरेदरुंधतीमुख्याः पतिव्रतवतीर्वधूः 4.1.35.
One should recall the wives devoted to their husbands, headed by Arundhatī.
विश्वेशादीनि लिंगानि वेदानृक्प्रमुखानपि
One should remember the liṅgas beginning with Viśveśa, and the Vedas, especially the Ṛg Veda.
प्रणवादिमहाबीजं नारदादींश्च वैष्णवान्
One should recall the great seed syllables beginning with Praṇava, and the Vaiṣṇavas headed by Nārada.
वदान्यांश्च दधीच्यादीन्हरिश्चंद्रादि भूपतीन्
One should remember the generous ones such as Dadhīci, and the kings beginning with Hariścandra.
पितरं च गुरूंश्चापि हृदि ध्यात्वा प्रसन्नधीः
With a clear mind, one should meditate in the heart upon one's father and teachers.
ग्रामाद्धनुःशतं गच्छेन्नगराच्च चतुर्गुणम्
One should go a hundred bows' length from the village, and four times that from the city.
कर्णोपवीत्युदग्वक्त्रो दिवसे संध्ययोरपि
With the sacred thread over the ear and facing north, even during the two twilights of the day.
न तिष्ठन्नाप्सु नो विप्र गो वह्न्यनिल संमुखः
One should not stand in water, nor before a brāhmaṇa, cow, fire, or wind.
नालोकयेद्दिशोभागाञ्ज्योतिश्चक्रं नभोमलम्
One should not look at the directions, the circle of light, or the impurity of the sky.