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nityaṁ snātvā śuciḥ kuryāddevarṣipitr̥tarpaṇam । devatābhyarcanaṁ caiva samidādhānaṁ eva ca । । 2.176 । ।</blockquote>The Bhagavata Purana specifies that a brahmachari should wait upon the preceptor and worship the fire deity, the Sun and other prominent deities both, in the morning and evening. And observing perfect silence at both the twilights (and in the mid-day), he should repeat the Gayatri mantra with a concentrated mind while performing Sandhya.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>सायं प्रातरुपासीत गुर्वग्न्यर्कसुरोत्तमान् । उभे सन्ध्ये च यतवाग्जपन् ब्रह्म समाहितः ॥ २॥<ref name=":4" />
 
nityaṁ snātvā śuciḥ kuryāddevarṣipitr̥tarpaṇam । devatābhyarcanaṁ caiva samidādhānaṁ eva ca । । 2.176 । ।</blockquote>The Bhagavata Purana specifies that a brahmachari should wait upon the preceptor and worship the fire deity, the Sun and other prominent deities both, in the morning and evening. And observing perfect silence at both the twilights (and in the mid-day), he should repeat the Gayatri mantra with a concentrated mind while performing Sandhya.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>सायं प्रातरुपासीत गुर्वग्न्यर्कसुरोत्तमान् । उभे सन्ध्ये च यतवाग्जपन् ब्रह्म समाहितः ॥ २॥<ref name=":4" />
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''sāyaṁ prātarupāsīta gurvagnyarkasurottamān । ubhe sandhye ca yatavāgjapan brahma samāhitaḥ ॥ 2॥''</blockquote>According to the Agni Purana, offering to the fire also should be made both in the morning and evening. And further states that one should abstain from offering impure things or offering with separated hands.<ref name=":10" /><blockquote>सायं प्रातश्च जुहुयान्नामेध्यं व्यस्तहस्तकं ।१५३.१५<ref name=":11" /> sāyaṁ prātaśca juhuyānnāmedhyaṁ vyastahastakaṁ ।153.15</blockquote>Another important duty of a brahmachari is Veda Adhyayana. The Bhagavata Purana states that when called by his preceptor, a brahmachari should study the Vedas at his guru's feet with perfect concentration, in a disciplined manner. And should bow down to his teacher's feet both, at the beginning and completion of the lesson.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>छन्दांस्यधीयीत गुरोराहूतश्चेत्सुयन्त्रितः । उपक्रमेऽवसाने च चरणौ शिरसा नमेत् ॥ ३॥<ref name=":4" /> ''chandāṁsyadhīyīta gurorāhūtaścetsuyantritaḥ । upakrame'vasāne ca caraṇau śirasā namet ॥ 3॥''</blockquote>Summarising these various facets of a brahmachari's dinacharya or daily routine, Swami Sivananda says,<blockquote>"''He rises early, bathes and does Sandhya and Gayatri Japa. He studies scriptures. He takes simple food in moderation and takes plenty of exercise. He sleeps on a hard mat and does not use soft beds and pillows. He is humble and obedient. He serves and respects elders. He attempts to be chaste in thought, word and deed.''"<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>
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''sāyaṁ prātarupāsīta gurvagnyarkasurottamān । ubhe sandhye ca yatavāgjapan brahma samāhitaḥ ॥ 2॥''</blockquote>According to the Agni Purana, offering to the fire also should be made both in the morning and evening. However, it emphasizes that one should not offer impure things or offer with separated hands.<ref name=":10" /> Mansmrti says that having brought the samidhs (wood offered in Yajna) from afar, a brahmachari must place it somewhere high in the house and should offer it to the fire both in the morning and evening without becoming lazy.<ref name=":12" /> <blockquote>सायं प्रातश्च जुहुयान्नामेध्यं व्यस्तहस्तकं ।१५३.१५<ref name=":11" />  
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दूरादाहृत्य समिधः सन्निदध्याद्विहायसि । सायंः प्रातश्च जुहुयात्ताभिरग्निं अतन्द्रितः । । २.१८६ । ।<ref name=":1" />
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sāyaṁ prātaśca juhuyānnāmedhyaṁ vyastahastakaṁ ।153.15
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dūrādāhr̥tya samidhaḥ sannidadhyādvihāyasi । sāyaṁḥ prātaśca juhuyāttābhiragniṁ atandritaḥ । । 2.186 । ।</blockquote>Another important duty of a brahmachari is Veda Adhyayana. The Bhagavata Purana states that when called by his preceptor, a brahmachari should study the Vedas at his guru's feet with perfect concentration, in a disciplined manner. And should bow down to his teacher's feet both, at the beginning and completion of the lesson.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>छन्दांस्यधीयीत गुरोराहूतश्चेत्सुयन्त्रितः । उपक्रमेऽवसाने च चरणौ शिरसा नमेत् ॥ ३॥<ref name=":4" /> ''chandāṁsyadhīyīta gurorāhūtaścetsuyantritaḥ । upakrame'vasāne ca caraṇau śirasā namet ॥ 3॥''</blockquote>Summarising these various facets of a brahmachari's dinacharya or daily routine, Swami Sivananda says,<blockquote>"''He rises early, bathes and does Sandhya and Gayatri Japa. He studies scriptures. He takes simple food in moderation and takes plenty of exercise. He sleeps on a hard mat and does not use soft beds and pillows. He is humble and obedient. He serves and respects elders. He attempts to be chaste in thought, word and deed.''"<ref name=":6" /></blockquote>
    
== वेदाध्ययनम् ॥ Vedic Studies ==
 
== वेदाध्ययनम् ॥ Vedic Studies ==
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* According to the Bhagavata Purana, a brahmachari should ask for bhiksha both in the morning and in the evening, and offer it to his teacher. If permitted, he should partake of the food, if not (as a test or a punishment or as occasionally required on days of observing fast), he should fast.<ref name=":3" />
 
* According to the Bhagavata Purana, a brahmachari should ask for bhiksha both in the morning and in the evening, and offer it to his teacher. If permitted, he should partake of the food, if not (as a test or a punishment or as occasionally required on days of observing fast), he should fast.<ref name=":3" />
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<blockquote>सायं प्रातश्चरेद्भैक्षं गुरवे तन्निवेदयेत् । भुञ्जीत यद्यनुज्ञातो नो चेदुपवसेत्क्वचित् ॥ ५॥<ref name=":4" />
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''sāyaṁ prātaścaredbhaikṣaṁ gurave tannivedayet । bhuñjīta yadyanujñāto no cedupavasetkvacit ॥ 5॥''</blockquote>However, the Manusmrti states that when invited to a Deva Yajna, a brahmachari is advised to eat, to his satisfaction, the food meant for one person, except for the forbidden dishes. And eat like rshis in a shraddha. For, this way the vow of living by bhiksha isn't broken. But scholars enumerate that this rule applies only for a brahmana brahmachari and not for the kshatriya and vaishya.<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>व्रतवद्देवदैवत्ये पित्र्ये कर्मण्यथ र्षिवत् । कामं अभ्यर्थितोऽश्नीयाद्व्रतं अस्य न लुप्यते । । २.१८९ । ।
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<blockquote>सायं प्रातश्चरेद्भैक्षं गुरवे तन्निवेदयेत् भुञ्जीत यद्यनुज्ञातो नो चेदुपवसेत्क्वचित् ॥ ५॥<ref name=":4" />
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ब्राह्मणस्यैव कर्मैतदुपदिष्टं मनीषिभिः । राजन्यवैश्ययोस्त्वेवं नैतत्कर्म विधीयते । । २.१९० । ।<ref name=":1" />
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''sāyaṁ prātaścaredbhaikṣaṁ gurave tannivedayet bhuñjīta yadyanujñāto no cedupavasetkvacit ॥ 5॥''</blockquote>
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vratavaddevadaivatye pitrye karmaṇyatha rṣivat । kāmaṁ abhyarthito'śnīyādvrataṁ asya na lupyate । । 2.189 ।
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* The Manusmrti enumerates where a brahmachari should obtain his bhiksha from and where not. It says,  
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brāhmaṇasyaiva karmaitadupadiṣṭaṁ manīṣibhiḥ । rājanyavaiśyayostvevaṁ naitatkarma vidhīyate । । ।2,190 ।</blockquote>
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* The Manusmrti also enumerates where a brahmachari should obtain his bhiksha from and where not. It says,
    
<blockquote>वेदयज्ञैरहीनानां प्रशस्तानां स्वकर्मसु । ब्रह्मचार्याहरेद्भैक्षं गृहेभ्यः प्रयतोऽन्वहम् । । २.१८३ । ।
 
<blockquote>वेदयज्ञैरहीनानां प्रशस्तानां स्वकर्मसु । ब्रह्मचार्याहरेद्भैक्षं गृहेभ्यः प्रयतोऽन्वहम् । । २.१८३ । ।
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And if there is dearth of people involved in dharmika activities within the village, the brahmachari must go to all villages to ask for bhiksha avoiding people who are Mahapatakas.<ref name=":12" />
 
And if there is dearth of people involved in dharmika activities within the village, the brahmachari must go to all villages to ask for bhiksha avoiding people who are Mahapatakas.<ref name=":12" />
 
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* And finally, it is said that if a brahmachari, inspite of being healthy, avoids the duty of bhiksha for seven nights or doen't make offerings to the fire, then he should perform the Avakirti Vrata as prayashchitta (form of repentence).<ref name=":12" />
* When invited to a Deva Yajna, a brahmachari may eat, the food meant for one person, except the forbidden dishes, to his satisfaction.<ref name=":12" />
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* However, at his pleasure he may eat, when invited, the food of one man at (a rite) in honour of the gods, observing (however the conditions on his vow), or at a (funeral meal) in honor of the manes, behaving (however) like a hermit. (2.184, 185 and 189)<ref name=":0">The Laws of Manu, Translated by G.Buhler, [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu02.htm Chapter 2]</ref>
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<blockquote>व्रतवद्देवदैवत्ये पित्र्ये कर्मण्यथ र्षिवत् । कामं अभ्यर्थितोऽश्नीयाद्व्रतं अस्य न लुप्यते । । २.१८९ । ।<ref name=":1" />
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vratavaddevadaivatye pitrye karmaṇyatha rṣivat । kāmaṁ abhyarthito'śnīyādvrataṁ asya na lupyate । । 2.189 । ।</blockquote>
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* Having brought sacred fuel from a distance, let him place it anywhere but on the ground, and let him, unwearied, make with it burnt oblations to the sacred fire, both evening and morning. (2.186)<ref name=":0" />
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<blockquote>दूरादाहृत्य समिधः सन्निदध्याद्विहायसि । सायंः प्रातश्च जुहुयात्ताभिरग्निं अतन्द्रितः । । २.१८६ । ।<ref name=":1" />
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dūrādāhr̥tya samidhaḥ sannidadhyādvihāyasi । sāyaṁḥ prātaśca juhuyāttābhiragniṁ atandritaḥ । । 2.186 । ।</blockquote>
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* He who, without being sick, neglects during seven (successive) days to go out begging, and to offer fuel in the sacred fire, shall perform the penance of an Avakirnin (one who has broken his vow). (2.187)<ref name=":0" />
   
<blockquote>अकृत्वा भैक्षचरणं असमिध्य च पावकम् । अनातुरः सप्तरात्रं अवकीर्णिव्रतं चरेत् । । २.१८७ । ।<ref name=":1" />
 
<blockquote>अकृत्वा भैक्षचरणं असमिध्य च पावकम् । अनातुरः सप्तरात्रं अवकीर्णिव्रतं चरेत् । । २.१८७ । ।<ref name=":1" />
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ūrdhvaṁ prāṇā hyutkrāmanti yūnaḥ sthavira āyati । pratyutthānābhivādābhyāṁ punastānpratipadyate । । 2.120 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: One must not sit down on a couch or seat which a superior occupies; and he who occupies a couch or seat shall rise to meet a (superior), and (afterwards) salute him. For the vital airs of a young man mount upwards to leave his body when an elder approaches; but by rising to meet him and saluting he recovers them. (2.119 and 120)
 
ūrdhvaṁ prāṇā hyutkrāmanti yūnaḥ sthavira āyati । pratyutthānābhivādābhyāṁ punastānpratipadyate । । 2.120 । ।</blockquote>Meaning: One must not sit down on a couch or seat which a superior occupies; and he who occupies a couch or seat shall rise to meet a (superior), and (afterwards) salute him. For the vital airs of a young man mount upwards to leave his body when an elder approaches; but by rising to meet him and saluting he recovers them. (2.119 and 120)
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He further adds that he who habitually salutes and constantly pays reverence to the aged obtains an increase of four (things), (viz.) length of life, knowledge, fame, (and) strength. (2.121)<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>अभिवादनशीलस्य नित्यं वृद्धोपसेविनः । चत्वारि तस्य वर्धन्ते आयुर्धर्मो यशो बलम् । । २.१२१ । ।<ref name=":1" />
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He further adds that he who habitually salutes and constantly pays reverence to the aged obtains an increase of four (things), (viz.) length of life, knowledge, fame, (and) strength. (2.121)<ref name=":0">The Laws of Manu, Translated by G.Buhler, [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu/manu02.htm Chapter 2]</ref><blockquote>अभिवादनशीलस्य नित्यं वृद्धोपसेविनः । चत्वारि तस्य वर्धन्ते आयुर्धर्मो यशो बलम् । । २.१२१ । ।<ref name=":1" />
    
abhivādanaśīlasya nityaṁ vr̥ddhopasevinaḥ । catvāri tasya vardhante āyurdharmo yaśo balam । । 2.121 । ।</blockquote>Elaborating further on the guidelines it says, <blockquote>शरीरं चैव वाचं च बुद्धीन्द्रियमनांसि च । नियम्य प्राञ्जलिस्तिष्ठेद्वीक्षमाणो गुरोर्मुखम् । । २.१९२ । ।
 
abhivādanaśīlasya nityaṁ vr̥ddhopasevinaḥ । catvāri tasya vardhante āyurdharmo yaśo balam । । 2.121 । ।</blockquote>Elaborating further on the guidelines it says, <blockquote>शरीरं चैव वाचं च बुद्धीन्द्रियमनांसि च । नियम्य प्राञ्जलिस्तिष्ठेद्वीक्षमाणो गुरोर्मुखम् । । २.१९२ । ।

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