Critical Edition
ब्रह्मोवाच एवमेतेन मार्गेण पूर्वोक्तेन यथाविधि अधीतवान्यथाशक्ति तथैव ब्रह्मचर्यवान्
AI Translation: Brahma said: Thus, by this path as previously described, according to the prescribed method, He studied to the best of his ability, and thus remained a celibate.
स्वधर्मनिरतो विद्वान्सर्वेन्द्रिययतो मुनिः गुरोः प्रियहिते युक्तः सत्यधर्मपरः शुचिः
AI Translation: One who is devoted to one's own duty, learned, one who has controlled all the senses, a sage, One who is engaged in the welfare and affection of the guru, devoted to truth and virtue, pure,
गुरुणा समनुज्ञातो भुञ्जीतान्नमकुत्सयन् हविष्यभैक्ष्यभुक्चापि स्थानासनविहारवान्
AI Translation: Having obtained the permission of the teacher, he should eat food without disparaging it. He should also eat sacrificial food and alms, and have a place to sit and rest.
द्विकालमग्निं जुह्वानः शुचिर्भूत्वा समाहितः धारयीत सदा दण्डं बैल्वं पालाशमेव वा
M. N. Dutt: He should pour libations on the fire twice a day, having purified himself and with concentrated mind. He should always carry a staff made of Bilva or Palasha.
क्षौमं कार्पासिकं वापि मृगाजिनमथापि वा सर्वं काषायरक्तं स्याद्वासो वापि द्विजस्य ह
M. N. Dutt: The raiment's of the twice-born man should be linen, or of cotton, or dear-skin, or a cloth that is entirely brown-red.
मेखला च भवेन्मौञ्जी जटी नित्योदकस्तथा यज्ञोपवीती स्वाध्यायी अलुप्तनियतव्रतः
M. N. Dutt: There should also be a girdle made of Munja-grass. He should bear maited locks on head, and should perform his ablutions daily. He should bear the sacred thread, study the scriptures, divest himself of cupidity, and be steady in the observance of vows.
पूताभिश्च तथैवाद्भिः सदा दैवततर्पणम् भावेन नियतः कुर्वन्ब्रह्मचारी प्रशस्यते
M. N. Dutt: He should also satisfy the celestials with oblations of pure water, his mind being controlled the while, Such a Brahmacharin is worthy of being lauded.
एवं युक्तो जयेत्स्वर्गमूर्ध्वरेताः समाहितः न संसरति जातीषु परमं स्थानमाश्रितः
M. N. Dutt: With vital seed drawn up and mind concentrated, one who is thus devoted, succeeds in conquering the celestial region. Having attained to the Highest seat, he has not to return to birth.
संस्कृतः सर्वसंस्कारैस्तथैव ब्रह्मचर्यवान् ग्रामान्निष्क्रम्य चारण्यं मुनिः प्रव्रजितो वसेत्
M. N. Dutt: Cleansed by all purificatory rites and having lived as a Brahmacharin, one should next go out of his village and next live as an ascetic in the forest, having cast off (all attachments).
चर्मवल्कलसंवीतः स्वयं प्रातरुपस्पृशेत् अरण्यगोचरो नित्यं न ग्रामं प्रविशेत्पुनः
M. N. Dutt: Clad in animal skins or barks of trees, he should perform his ablutions morning and evening. Always living within the forest, he should never return to an inhabited placc.
अर्चयन्नतिथीन्काले दद्याच्चापि प्रतिश्रयम् फलपत्रावरैर्मूलैः श्यामाकेन च वर्तयन्
M. N. Dutt: Honouring guests when they come, he should give them shelter, and himself live upon fruits and leaves and common roots, and Shyamaka.
प्रवृत्तमुदकं वायुं सर्वं वानेयमा तृणात् प्राश्नीयादानुपूर्व्येण यथादीक्षमतन्द्रितः
M. N. Dutt: He should, without being idle, live on such water as he gets, and air, and all forest products. He should live upon these, in due order, according to the regulations of his initiation.
आमूलफलभिक्षाभिरर्चेदतिथिमागतम् यद्भक्षः स्यात्ततो दद्याद्भिक्षां नित्यमतन्द्रितः
M. N. Dutt: He should honour the guest that comes to him with alms of fruits and roots. He should then, without idleness, always give whatever other food he may have.
देवतातिथिपूर्वं च सदा भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः अस्कन्दितमनाश्चैव लघ्वाशी देवताश्रयः
M. N. Dutt: Controlling speech the while, he should eat after satisfying celestials and guests. His mind should be shorn of envy. He should eat little, and depend always on the celestials.
दान्तो मैत्रः क्षमायुक्तः केशश्मश्रु च धारयन् जुह्वन्स्वाध्यायशीलश्च सत्यधर्मपरायणः
M. N. Dutt: Self-controlled, practising universal mercy, and endued with forgiveness, he should wear both beard and hair. Celebrating sacrifices and devoting himself to the study of the scriptures, he should be steady in the observance of the duty of truth.
त्यक्तदेहः सदा दक्षो वननित्यः समाहितः एवं युक्तो जयेत्स्वर्गं वानप्रस्थो जितेन्द्रियः
M. N. Dutt: With body always in a state of purity, gifted with cleverness, ever living in the forest, with concentrated mind, and senses, in subjection, a hermit, thus devoting himself, would conquer the celestial region.
गृहस्थो ब्रह्मचारी च वानप्रस्थोऽथ वा पुनः य इच्छेन्मोक्षमास्थातुमुत्तमां वृत्तिमाश्रयेत्
M. N. Dutt: A houscholder, or Brahmacharin, or forestrecluse, who would wise to acquire Liberation, should have recourses to that which has been called the best course of conduct.
अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो दत्त्वा नैष्कर्म्यमाचरेत् सर्वभूतहितो मैत्रः सर्वेन्द्रिययतो मुनिः
M. N. Dutt: Having granted to all creatures the pledge of utter abstention from harm, he should renounce all action, he should contribute to the happiness of all creatures, practise universal friendliness, govern all his senses, and be an ascetic.
अयाचितमसंकॢप्तमुपपन्नं यदृच्छया जोषयेत सदा भोज्यं ग्रासमागतमस्पृहः
AI Translation: He should always accept food that comes to him unasked, uncooked, and by chance, and should always eat it without desire, when it comes.
यात्रामात्रं च भुञ्जीत केवलं प्राणयात्रिकम् धर्मलब्धं तथाश्नीयान्न काममनुवर्तयेत्
M. N. Dutt: He should cat just enough for livelihood, the maintenance of life. He should eat only such food as has been got by fair means, and should not pursue the dictates of desire.
ग्रासादाच्छादनाच्चान्यन्न गृह्णीयात्कथंचन यावदाहारयेत्तावत्प्रतिगृह्णीत नान्यथा
M. N. Dutt: He should never accept any other thing than food and clothing only. He should, again, accept only as much as he can cat and nothing more.
परेभ्यो न प्रतिग्राह्यं न च देयं कदाचन दैन्यभावाच्च भूतानां संविभज्य सदा बुधः
M. N. Dutt: He should not be induced to accept gifts from others, nor should he make gifts to others. Owing to the helplessness of creatures, the wise man should always share with others.
नाददीत परस्वानि न गृह्णीयादयाचितम् न किंचिद्विषयं भुक्त्वा स्पृहयेत्तस्य वै पुनः
M. N. Dutt: He should not misappropriate others belongings, nor should he take anything without being asked. He should not, having enjoyed anything, become so attached to it as to seek for it once more.
मृदमापस्तथाश्मानं पत्रपुष्पफलानि च असंवृतानि गृह्णीयात्प्रवृत्तानीह कार्यवान्
M. N. Dutt: One should take only earth, water, pebbles, leaves, flowers, and fruits, which are not owned by any body, as they come, when one wishes to do any act.
न शिल्पजीविकां जीवेद्द्विरन्नं नोत कामयेत् न द्वेष्टा नोपदेष्टा च भवेत निरुपस्कृतः श्रद्धापूतानि भुञ्जीत निमित्तानि विवर्जयेत्
M. N. Dutt: One should not live by the occupation of an artisan, nor should he covet gold. One should not hate, nor teach; nor should one have any belongings.
मुधावृत्तिरसक्तश्च सर्वभूतैरसंविदम् कृत्वा वह्निं चरेद्भैक्ष्यं विधूमे भुक्तवज्जने
AI Translation: He should not be attached to the practice of the truth, and should not be conscious of all beings. Having made fire, he should beg for alms, after the people have eaten, without smoke
वृत्ते शरावसंपाते भैक्ष्यं लिप्सेत मोक्षवित् लाभे न च प्रहृष्येत नालाभे विमना भवेत्
AI Translation: When the pot is broken, the seeker of liberation should beg for alms. He should not be elated on getting alms, nor dejected on not getting it.
Supplementary Passages:
14.46.27 After 27, B3 Dc1 ins.: *85 न चातिभिक्षां भिक्षेत केवलं प्राणयात्रिकः
मात्राशी कालमाकाङ्क्षंश्चरेद्भैक्ष्यं समाहितः लाभं साधारणं नेच्छेन्न भुञ्जीताभिपूजितः अभिपूजितलाभाद्धि विजुगुप्सेत भिक्षुकः
AI Translation: The mendicant should beg for alms with a composed mind, desiring neither too much nor too little. He should not desire a share in the common alms, nor should he eat when honored
शुक्तान्यम्लानि तिक्तानि कषायकटुकानि च नास्वादयीत भुञ्जानो रसांश्च मधुरांस्तथा यात्रामात्रं च भुञ्जीत केवलं प्राणयात्रिकम्
AI Translation: He should not taste sour, bitter, astringent, pungent, or sweet tastes, or sweet tastes, while eating. He should eat only enough to sustain his life, just enough to
असंरोधेन भूतानां वृत्तिं लिप्सेत मोक्षवित् न चान्यमनुभिक्षेत भिक्षमाणः कथंचन
AI Translation: The knower of liberation should desire the existence of beings without obstructing them. And he should never beg from anyone who is begging.
न संनिकाशयेद्धर्मं विविक्ते विरजाश्चरेत् शून्यागारमरण्यं वा वृक्षमूलं नदीं तथा प्रतिश्रयार्थं सेवेत पार्वतीं वा पुनर्गुहाम्
AI Translation: He should not teach the Dharma in a secluded place. He should live in solitude, free from defilements. He should resort to an empty house, a forest, the root of a tree,
ग्रामैकरात्रिको ग्रीष्मे वर्षास्वेकत्र वा वसेत् अध्वा सूर्येण निर्दिष्टः कीटवच्च चरेन्महीम्
AI Translation: In summer, one should stay in a village for one night; in the rainy season, one should stay in one place. The path is indicated by the sun; one should roam the earth like
दयार्थं चैव भूतानां समीक्ष्य पृथिवीं चरेत् संचयांश्च न कुर्वीत स्नेहवासं च वर्जयेत्
AI Translation: And for the sake of compassion for beings, he should look at the earth and wander. He should not make accumulations, and should avoid dwelling in affection.
पूतेन चाम्भसा नित्यं कार्यं कुर्वीत मोक्षवित् उपस्पृशेदुद्धृताभिरद्भिश्च पुरुषः सदा
AI Translation: The knower of liberation should always perform his duties with pure water. A man should always touch water that has been drawn.
अहिंसा ब्रह्मचर्यं च सत्यमार्जवमेव च अक्रोधश्चानसूया च दमो नित्यमपैशुनम्
AI Translation: Non-violence, celibacy, truth, straightforwardness, Non-anger, non-malice, self-control, and always speaking the truth,
अष्टास्वेतेषु युक्तः स्याद्व्रतेषु नियतेन्द्रियः अपापमशठं वृत्तमजिह्मं नित्यमाचरेत्
AI Translation: He should be engaged in these eight vows, with his senses controlled. He should always practice a faultless, guileless, and honest conduct.
आशीर्युक्तानि कर्माणि हिंसायुक्तानि यानि च लोकसंग्रहधर्मं च नैव कुर्यान्न कारयेत्
M. N. Dutt: One should not perform, nor cause to perform, any such deed as involves expectation of fruit or destruction of life or the hoarding of riches or articles.
सर्वभावानतिक्रम्य लघुमात्रः परिव्रजेत् समः सर्वेषु भूतेषु स्थावरेषु चरेषु च
M. N. Dutt: Rejecting all objects, content with a very little, one should move about (homeless), pursuing an equal conduct towards all creatures mobile and immobile.
परं नोद्वेजयेत्कंचिन्न च कस्यचिदुद्विजेत् विश्वास्यः सर्वभूतानामग्र्यो मोक्षविदुच्यते
M. N. Dutt: One should never annoy another being; nor should one be annoyed with another. He who is trusted by all crcatures is considered as the foremost of those persons who understand Liberation.
अनागतं च न ध्यायेन्नातीतमनुचिन्तयेत् वर्तमानमुपेक्षेत कालाकाङ्क्षी समाहितः
M. N. Dutt: One should not think of the past nor feel anxious about the future. One should disregard the present, biding time, with fixed mind.
न चक्षुषा न मनसा न वाचा दूषयेत्क्वचित् न प्रत्यक्षं परोक्षं वा किंचिद्दुष्टं समाचरेत्
M. N. Dutt: One should never defile anything by eye, mind, or speech. Nor should one do anything which is wrong, openly or in secret.
इन्द्रियाण्युपसंहृत्य कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः क्षीणेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्निरीक्षेत निरिन्द्रियः
M. N. Dutt: Withdrawing his senses like the tortoise withdrawing its limbs, one should govern his senses and mind, cultivate a thoroughly peaceful understanding, and seek to master every subject.
निर्द्वंद्वो निर्नमस्कारो निःस्वाहाकार एव च निर्ममो निरहंकारो निर्योगक्षेम एव च
M. N. Dutt: Freed from all pairs of opposites, never bending his head in respect, abstaining from the rites requiring the utterance of Svaha, one should be free from mineness, and egoism. with purified soul, one should never seek to acquire what one has not and protect what one has.
निराशीः सर्वभूतेषु निरासङ्गो निराश्रयः सर्वज्ञः सर्वतो मुक्तो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
AI Translation: He is without desire for all beings, without attachment, without support, all-knowing, liberated from all, he is liberated, there is no doubt about this.
अपाणिपादपृष्ठं तमशिरस्कमनूदरम् प्रहीणगुणकर्माणं केवलं विमलं स्थिरम्
AI Translation: Without hands, feet, back, head, or belly, Free from qualities and actions, solely pure, stable,
अगन्धरसमस्पर्शमरूपाशब्दमेव च अत्वगस्थ्यथ वामज्जममांसमपि चैव ह
AI Translation: Without smell, taste, touch, form, and sound, Without skin, bones, marrow, flesh, and so forth,
निश्चिन्तमव्ययं नित्यं हृदिस्थमपि नित्यदा सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं ये पश्यन्ति न ते मृताः
AI Translation: One who is free from anxiety, who is eternal, who is always present in the heart, Those who see the Self as present in all beings, they are not dead.
न तत्र क्रमते बुद्धिर्नेन्द्रियाणि न देवताः वेदा यज्ञाश्च लोकाश्च न तपो न पराक्रमः यत्र ज्ञानवतां प्राप्तिरलिङ्गग्रहणा स्मृता
M. N. Dutt: There the understanding reaches not nor the senses, nor the celestials, nor the Vedas nor sacrifices, nor the regions (of superior bliss), nor penance nor vows.
तस्मादलिङ्गो धर्मज्ञो धर्मव्रतमनुव्रतः गूढधर्माश्रितो विद्वानज्ञातचरितं चरेत्
AI Translation: Therefore, one who knows Dharma, without signs, following the vow of Dharma, The wise one who has resorted to hidden Dharma should practice unknown conduct.
अमूढो मूढरूपेण चरेद्धर्ममदूषयन् यथैनमवमन्येरन्परे सततमेव हि
AI Translation: Without being deluded, he should act in the form of a deluded one, not defiling the Dharma. So that others may always despise him,
तथावृत्तश्चरेद्धर्मं सतां वर्त्माविदूषयन् यो ह्येवं वृत्तसंपन्नः स मुनिः श्रेष्ठ उच्यते
AI Translation: Thus acting, he should practice Dharma, not defiling the path of the good. For he who is thus endowed with good conduct is said to be the best sage.
इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थांश्च महाभूतानि पञ्च च मनोबुद्धिरथात्मानमव्यक्तं पुरुषं तथा
AI Translation: The senses, the objects of the senses, the five great elements, The mind, the intellect, the self, the unmanifest, and the Purusha.
सर्वमेतत्प्रसंख्याय सम्यक्संत्यज्य निर्मलः ततः स्वर्गमवाप्नोति विमुक्तः सर्वबन्धनैः
AI Translation: Having considered all this, having completely abandoned it, being pure, then one attains heaven, being released from all bonds.
एतदेवान्तवेलायां परिसंख्याय तत्त्ववित् ध्यायेदेकान्तमास्थाय मुच्यतेऽथ निराश्रयः
AI Translation: Having determined this very thing at the time of death, the knower of reality should meditate on it, having resorted to solitude, and then become liberated, without support.
निर्मुक्तः सर्वसङ्गेभ्यो वायुराकाशगो यथा क्षीणकोशो निरातङ्कः प्राप्नोति परमं पदम्
AI Translation: Freed from all attachments, like the wind moving in space, Having exhausted the storehouse, free from fear, one attains the supreme state.