मृते च सर्वबन्धूनामित्याह भगवान् भृगुः
And when all relatives have died, so says the blessed Bhṛgu.
प्रमे ऽह्नि चतुर्थे वा सप्तमे वास्थिसंचयम्
On the third day, or the fourth, or the seventh, the collection of bones should be done.
सोदकैस्तु क्रिया कार्या संशुद्धैस्तु सपिण्डजैः
The rites should be performed with water, by those who are purified and related by offering.
बाले प्रव्राजि संन्यासे देशान्तरमृते तथा
For a child, a wanderer, one who has renounced, or one who has died in a distant land, likewise.
गर्भस्रावे तदेवोक्तं पूर्णकालेन चेतरे
In the case of miscarriage, the same rule applies as for a full-term birth.
षड्रात्रं चैव वैश्यानां शूद्राणां द्वादशाह्निकम्
For Vaiśyas, the period is six nights; for Śūdras, it is twelve days.
स्वाः स्वाः कर्मक्रियाः कुर्युः सर्वे वर्णा यथाक्रामम्
Each and every class should perform their respective rites and duties in proper order.
सपिण्डीकरणं कार्यं प्रेते आवत्सरान्नरैः
The rite of offering to the ancestors must be performed for the deceased by the relatives after a year.
प्रीणनं तस्य कर्त्तव्यं यथा श्रुतिनिदर्शनात्
One should perform the act of pleasing him, as indicated by the scriptures.
कुर्याद्येनास्य सुप्रीताः पितरो यान्ति राक्षस
One should do that by which his ancestors become well-pleased, O Rākṣasa.
तत्तद् गुणवते देयं तदेवाक्षयमिच्छता
One should give to the worthy, if one desires what is imperishable.
धर्मतो धनमाहार्यं यष्टव्यं चापि शक्तितः
Wealth should be acquired righteously, and sacrifices should be performed according to one's ability.
तत् कर्त्तव्यमशङ्केन यन्न गोप्यं महाजने
That should be done without hesitation, which need not be concealed from the noble.
धर्मार्थकामसंप्राप्तिः परत्रेह च शोभनम्
The attainment of righteousness, wealth, and desire is auspicious both here and hereafter.
वानप्रस्थाश्रमं धर्मं प्रवक्ष्यामो ऽवधार्यताम्
I shall now explain the dharma of the forest-dwelling stage; let it be understood.
वानप्रस्थाश्रमं धर्मं प्रवक्ष्यामो ऽवधार्यताम्
I shall now explain the dharma of the forest-dwelling stage; let it be understood.
भूमौ शय्या ब्रह्मचर्यं पितृदेवातिथिक्रिया
Sleeping on the ground, celibacy, and the rites for ancestors, gods, and guests—
वन्यस्नेहनिषेवित्वं वानप्रस्थविधिस्त्वयम्
And subsisting on forest produce and clarified butter—this is the rule for the forest-dweller.
जितेन्द्रियत्वमावासे नैकस्मिन् वसतिश्चिरम्
Self-control in the dwelling, not staying long in one place—
आत्मज्ञानावबोधेच्छा तथा चात्मावबोधनम्
The desire for knowledge of the self, and likewise, the realization of the self.
वर्णधर्माणि चान्यानि निशामय निशाचर
Now listen, O night-wanderer, to the other duties of the classes.
क्षत्रियस्यापि कथिता ये चाचारा द्विजस्य हि
The practices prescribed for the Kṣatriya are also those for the twice-born.
गार्हस्थ्ययमुत्तमं त्वेकं शूद्रस्य क्षणदाचर
For a Śūdra, there is only one supreme observance of the householder's stage, to be practiced at night.
यो हापयति तस्यासौ परिकुप्यति भास्करः
If one neglects this, the Sun becomes angry with him.
भानुर्वै यतते तस्य नरस्य क्षणदाचर
The Sun indeed strives for the sake of that man who observes the night-time practice.
यः संत्यजेच्चापि निजं हि धर्मं तस्मै प्रकुप्येत दिवाकरस्तु
But if someone abandons his own proper duty, then the Sun becomes angry with him.
जगाम चोत्पत्य पुरं स्वकीयं मुहुर्मुहुर्धर्ममवेक्षमाणः
He departed, returning again and again to his own city, continually reflecting on righteousness.
सम्हूयाब्रवीत् सर्वान् राक्षसान् धार्मिकं वचः
He summoned all the Rākṣasas and spoke righteous words.
दानं दया च क्षान्तिश्व ब्रह्मचर्यममानिता
Charity, compassion, forbearance, celibacy, and humility—
सदाचारनिषेवित्वं परलोकप्रदायकाः
Practicing good conduct leads to the attainment of the next world.