Snataka Dharma (स्नातकधर्मः)

Snataka Dharma (Samskrit: स्नातकधर्मः) broadly refers to the responsibilities assigned and code of conduct prescribed for a Snataka (स्नातकः ॥ a graduate), that is, those who have completed their education in the brahmacharyashrama (graduates) and who are awaiting their entrance into the responsibilities of the Grhasthashrama.

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

Main article: Snataka (स्नातकः)

Snataka refers to a student who has had the ritual abulation or samavartana snana (समावर्तनस्नानम्) after the completion of his study at the gurukula. The Indian tradition lays equal emphasis on both the rights and duties of a person through the different stages of his life. This is encoded in the form of the Varnashrama Dharma in the various Smrti texts. Manusmrti elaborates in detail about the code of conduct for a Snataka. His personal as well as social responsibilities have been enlisted therein.

स्नातकधर्माः ॥ Duties of a Snataka

The duties prescribed for a Snataka - one who is in a phase of transition from the brahmacharyashrama to the Grhasthashrama are,

1. उपजीविका ॥ Livelihood
2. वेदाध्ययनम् ॥ Study of the Vedas
3. यज्ञकर्माणि ॥ Performing Yajnas
4. भिक्षा ॥ Begging for Alms

उपजीविका ॥ Livelihood

One of the main duties awaiting a Snataka as he enters the grhasthashrama is to sustain his family. A Snataka who is a brahmana may subsist by anyone of the following modes of subsistence.

• It is said that a brahmana may subsist by Rta, Amrta , Mrta, Pramrta or by Satya and Anrta. But never by Shvavrtti. (Manu Smrt. 4.4)
• Rta refers to the gleaning of corn; Amrta is that which is obtained unasked; Mrta refers to begging and agriculture is called as Pramrta. Trading is considered Satyanrta (as it comprises of both truth and falsehood) and one may subsist even by that. However, one should avoid slavery as it is called Shvavrtti (dog's way of living). (Manu Smrti 4.5 and 4.6).

ऋतामृताभ्यां जीवेत्तु मृतेन प्रमृतेन वा । सत्यानृताभ्यां अपि वा न श्ववृत्त्या कदा चन || ४.४ ||

ऋतं उञ्छशिलं ज्ञेयं अमृतं स्यादयाचितम् । मृतं तु याचितं भैक्षं प्रमृतं कर्षणं स्मृतम् || ४.५ ||

सत्यानृतं तु वाणिज्यं तेन चैवापि जीव्यते । सेवा श्ववृत्तिराख्याता तस्मात्तां परिवर्जयेत् || ४.६ ||

r̥tāmr̥tābhyāṁ jīvettu mr̥tena pramr̥tena vā । satyānr̥tābhyāṁ api vā na śvavr̥ttyā kadā cana || 4.4 ||

r̥taṁ uñchaśilaṁ jñeyaṁ amr̥taṁ syādayācitam । mr̥taṁ tu yācitaṁ bhaikṣaṁ pramr̥taṁ karṣaṇaṁ smr̥tam || 4.5 ||

satyānr̥taṁ tu vāṇijyaṁ tena caivāpi jīvyate । sevā śvavr̥ttirākhyātā tasmāttāṁ parivarjayet || 4.6 ||

The Manusmrti especially implores a Brahmana who is a Snataka, to subsist by one of the above-mentioned modes of livelihood and discharge the duties for securing heavenly bliss, long life, and fame. (Manu Smrt. 4.13).

अतोऽन्यतमया वृत्त्या जीवंस्तु स्नातको द्विजः । स्वर्गायुष्ययशस्यानि व्रताणीमानि धारयेत् || ४.१३ ||

ato'nyatamayā vr̥ttyā jīvaṁstu snātako dvijaḥ । svargāyuṣyayaśasyāni vratāṇīmāni dhārayet || 4.13 ||

However, the means of livelihood are subject to certain standards of discipline like,

1. Not accumulating excessive wealth.
2. Not taking undue advantage of family name.
3. Following fair means of trade, etc.

This is elaborated further under the topic of Upajivika Niyamas (उपजीविकानियमाः).

वेदाध्ययनम् ॥ Study of the Vedas

Vedadhyayana is considered the primary duty of an individual. It is said,

वेदम् एवाभ्यसेन्नित्यं यथाकाम् अतन्द्रितः । तं ह्यस्याहुः परं धर्मम् उपधर्मोऽन्य उच्यते || ४.१४७ ||

vedaṁ evābhyasennityaṁ yathākālaṁ atandritaḥ । taṁ hyasyāhuḥ paraṁ dharmaṁ upadharmo'nya ucyate || 4.147 ||

Meaning: A Dvija (brahmana) should carefully recite the Vedas everyday. For, this is the prime duty; all other duties are called secondary. (Manu Smrt. 4.147).

Hence Manusmrti says,

• One should clip one's hair, nails, and beard; wear white garments and stay pure. One should always be engaged in studying the Veda and take steps towards one's welfare. (Manu Smrt. 4.35).

क्ल्प्तकेशनखश्मश्रुर्दान्तः शुक्लाम्बरः शुचिः । स्वाध्याये चैव युक्तः स्यान्नित्यं आत्महितेषु च || ४.३५ ||

klptakeśanakhaśmaśrurdāntaḥ śuklāmbaraḥ śuciḥ । svādhyāye caiva yuktaḥ syānnityaṁ ātmahiteṣu ca || 4.35 ||

• It advices one to avoid all those activities that impede the study of the Veda; for, the fruit of a brahmana's life lies in staying focused on the study of the Veda at all costs. (Manu Smrt. 4.17).

सर्वान्परित्यजेदर्थान्स्वाध्यायस्य विरोधिनः । यथा तथाध्यापयंस्तु सा ह्यस्य कृतकृत्यता || ४.१७ ||

sarvānparityajedarthānsvādhyāyasya virodhinaḥ । yathā tathādhyāpayaṁstu sā hyasya kr̥takr̥tyatā || 4.17 ||

• One should daily study the Agamas that sharpen one's intellect and the various shastras. For, their knowledge endows the complete understanding of the beneficial and the detrimental. (Manu Smrti. 4.19). For, as one goes on studying a science, so does he go on understanding, and then his knowledge shines forth. (Manu Smrt. 4.20).

बुद्धिवृद्धिकराण्याशु धन्यानि च हितानि च । नित्यं शास्त्राण्यवेक्षेत निगमांश्चैव वैदिकान् || ४.१९ । 

यथा यथा हि पुरुषः शास्त्रं समधिगच्छति । तथा तथा विजानाति विज्ञानं चास्य रोचते || ४.२० ||

buddhivr̥ddhikarāṇyāśu dhanyāni ca hitāni ca । nityaṁ śāstrāṇyavekṣeta nigamāṁścaiva vaidikān || 4.19 । 

yathā yathā hi puruṣaḥ śāstraṁ samadhigacchati । tathā tathā vijānāti vijñānaṁ cāsya rocate || 4.20 ||

Inspite of the importance attached to vedic studies on a daily basis, the text also mentions instances when this stringent rule is relaxed. This situation of exception is known as Anadhyayana (अनध्ययनम्), the time when one is exempted from vedic studies.

यज्ञकर्माणि ॥ Performing Yajnas

• A Snataka brahmana should not neglect Vedic studies, the performance of sacrifices, Bhuta-bali, honouring guests and offerings to the forefathers to the best of his abilities. (Manu Smrt. 4.21).

ऋषियज्ञं देवयज्ञं भूतयज्ञं च सर्वदा । नृयज्ञं पितृयज्ञं च यथाशक्ति न हापयेत् || ४.२१ ||

r̥ṣiyajñaṁ devayajñaṁ bhūtayajñaṁ ca sarvadā । nr̥yajñaṁ pitr̥yajñaṁ ca yathāśakti na hāpayet || 4.21 ||

• Those who know the ordinances for sacrificial rites, do not offer these five great sacrifices. Rather, they consider their senses as Agni and offer the oblations within thereby making a provision to control the external factors. Many knowledgeable people merge their speech in breadth and their breath in speech. (Manu Smrt. 4.22 and 23).

एतानेके महायज्ञान्यज्ञशास्त्रविदो जनाः । अनीहमानाः सततं इन्द्रियेष्वेव जुह्वति || ४.२२ ||

वाच्येके जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणे वाचं च सर्वदा । वाचि प्राणे च पश्यन्तो यज्ञनिर्वृत्तिं अक्षयाम् || ४.२३ ||

etāneke mahāyajñānyajñaśāstravido janāḥ । anīhamānāḥ satataṁ indriyeṣveva juhvati || 4.22 ||

vācyeke juhvati prāṇaṁ prāṇe vācaṁ ca sarvadā । vāci prāṇe ca paśyanto yajñanirvr̥ttiṁ akṣayām || 4.23 ||

• Some others perform all the Yajnas as Jnana Yajnas (through knowledge alone). For, knowledge is at the root of all sacrifices. (Manu Smrt. 4.24).

ज्ञानेनैवापरे विप्रा यजन्त्येतैर्मखैः सदा । ज्ञानमूलां क्रियां एषां पश्यन्तो ज्ञानचक्षुषा || ४.२४ ||

jñānenaivāpare viprā yajantyetairmakhaiḥ sadā । jñānamūlāṁ kriyāṁ eṣāṁ paśyanto jñānacakṣuṣā || 4.24 ||

• One should always offer Agnihotra at dawn and dusk, the Darsha sacrifice during New moon day and Paurnamasa (Ishtis) on Full moon day. (Manu Smrt. 4.25).

अग्निहोत्रं च जुहुयादाद्यन्ते द्युनिशोः सदा । दर्शेन चार्धमासान्ते पौर्णामासेन चैव हि || ४.२५ ||

agnihotraṁ ca juhuyādādyante dyuniśoḥ sadā । darśena cārdhamāsānte paurṇāmāsena caiva hi || 4.25 ||

• A Dvija (Brahmana) should always offer on the Parva-days as well as on regular days, oblations to Savitru and Shanti homa; and on the Ashtakas and Anvashtakas, one should worship the forefathers. (Manu Smrt. 4.150).

सावित्राञ् शान्तिहोमांश्च कुर्यात्पर्वसु नित्यशः । पितॄंश्चैवाष्टकास्वर्चेन्नित्यं अन्वष्टकासु च || ४.१५० ||

sāvitrāñ śāntihomāṁśca kuryātparvasu nityaśaḥ । pitr̥̄ṁścaivāṣṭakāsvarcennityaṁ anvaṣṭakāsu ca || 4.150 ||

भिक्षा ॥ Begging for Alms

• A Snataka Grhastha who is pining for food, may wish for wealth from a Raja, the Yajamana (यजमानः) of a sacrifice, and a student, but never from those who have abandoned the path of Dharma. This is the prescribed rule in the Dharma shastras. (Manu Smrt. 4.33).

राजतो धनम् अन्विच्छेत्संसीदन्स्नातकः क्षुधा । याज्यान्तेवासिनोर्वापि न त्वन्यत इति स्थितिः || ४.३३ ||

rājato dhanaṁ anvicchetsaṁsīdansnātakaḥ kṣudhā । yājyāntevāsinorvāpi na tvanyata iti sthitiḥ || 4.33 ||

• A Snataka brahmana should never be troubled by any kind of hunger. Nor should one wear old or dirty clothes, even if one does not possess wealth. (Manu Smrt. 4.34).

न सीदेत्स्नातको विप्रः क्षुधा शक्तः कथं चन । न जीर्णमलवद्वासा भवेच्च विभवे सति || ४.३४ ||

na sīdetsnātako vipraḥ kṣudhā śaktaḥ kathaṁ cana । na jīrṇamalavadvāsā bhavecca vibhave sati || 4.34 ||

• A Raja is declared to be equal to a butcher running a hundred thousand slaughter-houses; therefore it is dangerous to accept his donation. In fact, one who accepts donations from a greedy and non-righteous Raja, is declared to attain the following twenty-one hells: Therefore, learned people, those knowledgeable about the Veda, scholars and brahmanas, with the desire to obtain bliss after death, do not accept donations from a Raja. (Manu Smrt. 4.86, 87 and 91).

दश सूणासहस्राणि यो वाहयति सौनिकः । तेन तुल्यः स्मृतो राजा घोरस्तस्य प्रतिग्रहः || ४.८६ ||

यो राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्णाति लुब्धस्योच्छास्त्रवर्तिनः । स पर्यायेण यातीमान्नरकानेकविंशतिम् || ४.८७ ||

एतद्विदन्तो विद्वांसो ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मवादिनः । न राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्णन्ति प्रेत्य श्रेयोऽभिकाङ्क्षिणः || ४.९१ ||

daśa sūṇāsahasrāṇi yo vāhayati saunikaḥ । tena tulyaḥ smr̥to rājā ghorastasya pratigrahaḥ || 4.86 ||

yo rājñaḥ pratigr̥hṇāti lubdhasyocchāstravartinaḥ । sa paryāyeṇa yātīmānnarakānekaviṁśatim || 4.87 ||

etadvidanto vidvāṁso brāhmaṇā brahmavādinaḥ । na rājñaḥ pratigr̥hṇanti pretya śreyo'bhikāṅkṣiṇaḥ || 4.91 ||

स्नातकगुणोपदेशः ॥ Snataka Guna Upadesha

Main article: Snataka Gunas (स्नातकगुणाः)

Manusmrti enforces adherence to certain qualities in the life of a Snataka living by the prescribed responsibilities mentioned above and enumerates certain guidelines for the same. The qualities include,

• अप्रसक्तिः ॥ Non-attachment
• अहिंसा ॥ Non-violence
• सत्यवादित्वम् ॥ Righteousness, truthfulness
• आत्माश्रयः ॥ Self-reliance
• औदार्यता ॥ Generosity

विधिताचाराः ॥ Prescribed Code of Conduct

The general advice to any Snataka regarding his code of conduct is,

वयसः कर्मणोऽर्थस्य श्रुतस्याभिजनस्य च । वेषवाग्बुद्धिसारूप्यं आचरन्विचरेदिह || ४.१८ ||

श्रुतिस्मृत्युदितं सम्यङ्निबद्धं स्वेषु कर्मसु । धर्ममूलं निषेवेत सदाचारं अतन्द्रितः || ४.१५५ ||

आचाराल्लभते ह्यायुराचारादीप्सिताः प्रजाः । आचाराद्धनं अक्षय्यं आचारो हन्त्यलक्षणम् || ४.१५६ ||

vayasaḥ karmaṇo'rthasya śrutasyābhijanasya ca । veṣavāgbuddhisārūpyaṁ ācaranvicarediha || 4.18 ||

śrutismr̥tyuditaṁ samyaṅnibaddhaṁ sveṣu karmasu । dharmamūlaṁ niṣeveta sadācāraṁ atandritaḥ || 4.155 ||

ācārāllabhate hyāyurācārādīpsitāḥ prajāḥ । ācārāddhanaṁ akṣayyaṁ ācāro hantyalakṣaṇam || 4.156 ||

Meaning: One should wander about in this world, keeping one's dress, speech and thoughts in conformity with his age, occupation, wealth, learning and family. (Manu Smrt. 4.18). A grhastha should untiringly, follow the code of conduct like reading the Vedas, observing Vratas, Nitya karma and follow good conduct which is the base of Dharma as prescribed by the Shruti and Smrti texts (Manu Smrt. 4.155). By Right Conduct one attains longevity; by Right Conduct one obtains desirable children; by Right Conduct one obtains inexhaustible wealth; and Right Conduct destroys everything inauspicious. According to Manusmrti, even though devoid of all auspicious marks, the one who follows Right Conduct, has faith and is free from jealousy, lives for a hundred years. While, the one of evil conduct becomes deprecated among men; is constantly suffering pain, sick and short-lived. (Manu Smrt. 4.156, 158 and 157).

सर्वलक्षणहीनोऽपि यः सदाचारवान्नरः । श्रद्दधानोऽनसूयश्च शतं वर्षाणि जीवति || ४.१५८ ||

दुराचारो हि पुरुषो लोके भवति निन्दितः । दुःखभागी च सततं व्याधितोऽल्पायुरेव च || ४.१५७ ||

sarvalakṣaṇahīno'pi yaḥ sadācāravānnaraḥ । śraddadhāno'nasūyaśca śataṁ varṣāṇi jīvati || 4.158 ||

durācāro hi puruṣo loke bhavati ninditaḥ । duḥkhabhāgī ca satataṁ vyādhito'lpāyureva ca || 4.157 ||

Hence it is said, one should not be fickle with his hands and feet, nor fickle with his eyes, nor crooked, nor fickle with his speech, nor harm others by deed or thought. (Manu Smrt. 4.177). One should follow the path taken by the forefathers. By doing thus, one saves oneself from the destruction caused by adharma (Manu Smrt. 4.178). One should not pay attention to one's enemy, or to his enemy’s friend, or to an unrighteous person, or to a thief, or to the lady of another person. For in this world, there is nothing so detrimental to a person’s longevity as paying attention to the wife of another person. (Manu Smrt. 4.133 and 134).

न पाणिपादचपलो न नेत्रचपलोऽनृजुः । न स्याद्वाक्चपलश्चैव न परद्रोहकर्मधीः || ४.१७७ ||

येनास्य पितरो याता येन याताः पितामहाः । तेन यायात्सतां मार्गं तेन गच्छन्न रिष्यति || ४.१७८ ||

वैरिणं नोपसेवेत सहायं चैव वैरिणः । अधार्मिकं तस्करं च परस्यैव च योषितम् । । ४.१३३ । ।

न हीदृशं अनायुष्यं लोके किं चन विद्यते । यादृशं पुरुषस्येह परदारोपसेवनम् । । ४.१३४ । ।

na pāṇipādacapalo na netracapalo'nr̥juḥ । na syādvākcapalaścaiva na paradrohakarmadhīḥ || 4.177 ||

yenāsya pitaro yātā yena yātāḥ pitāmahāḥ । tena yāyātsatāṁ mārgaṁ tena gacchanna riṣyati || 4.178 ||

vairiṇaṁ nopaseveta sahāyaṁ caiva vairiṇaḥ । adhārmikaṁ taskaraṁ ca parasyaiva ca yoṣitam । । 4.133 । ।

na hīdr̥śaṁ anāyuṣyaṁ loke kiṁ cana vidyate । yādr̥śaṁ puruṣasyeha paradāropasevanam । । 4.134 । ।

शौचम् ॥ Cleanliness

Manusmrti talks in detail about personal as well as social hygiene. Some of the guidelines enlisted in this regard as as follows:

• Defecation, brushing of teeth, bathing, applying collyrium to the eyes, anointment and worship the gods must be done early in the morning. (Manu Smrt. 4.152).

मैत्रं प्रसाधनं स्नानं दन्तधावनं अञ्जनम् । पूर्वाह्ण एव कुर्वीत देवतानां च पूजनम् || ४.१५२ ||

maitraṁ prasādhanaṁ snānaṁ dantadhāvanaṁ añjanam । pūrvāhṇa eva kurvīta devatānāṁ ca pūjanam || 4.152 ||

• One should always defecate and urinate, wash feet, dispose remnants of food and the liquids from one's body far from the place of sacrifice. One should not intentionally touch things used for cleansing the body, water used for a bath, urine or excreta, blood, mucus or anything spit out or vomited. (Manu Smrt 4.151 and 4.132).

दूरादावसथान्मूत्रं दूरात्पादावसेचनम् । उच्छिष्टान्ननिषेकं च दूरादेव समाचरेत् || ४.१५१ ||

उद्वर्तनं अपस्नानं विण्मूत्रे रक्तं एव च । श्लेश्मनिष्ठ्यूतवान्तानि नाधितिष्ठेत्तु कामतः || ४.१३२ ||

dūrādāvasathānmūtraṁ dūrātpādāvasecanam । ucchiṣṭānnaniṣekaṁ ca dūrādeva samācaret || 4.151 ||

udvartanaṁ apasnānaṁ viṇmūtre raktaṁ eva ca । śleśmaniṣṭhyūtavāntāni nādhitiṣṭhettu kāmataḥ || 4.132 ||

• A Grhastha should not eat, dressed in a single garment, bathe naked and urinate on the road, on ashes, or in a cow-pen. Nor should he urinate ever on a ploughed land, in water, on an altar, mountain, ruins of an old temple, nor on an ant-hill. Nor in holes inhabited by living creatures, while walking or standing, on the banks of a river, nor on the top of a mountain. (Manu Smrt. 4.45, 4.46 and 4.47).

नान्नं अद्यादेकवासा न नग्नः स्नानं आचरेत् । न मूत्रं पथि कुर्वीत न भस्मनि न गोव्रजे || ४.४५ ||

न फालकृष्टे न जले न चित्यां न च पर्वते । न जीर्णदेवायतने न वल्मीके कदा चन || ४.४६ ||

न ससत्त्वेषु गर्तेषु न गच्छन्नपि न स्थितः । न नदीतीरं आसाद्य न च पर्वतमस्तके || ४.४७ ||

nānnaṁ adyādekavāsā na nagnaḥ snānaṁ ācaret । na mūtraṁ pathi kurvīta na bhasmani na govraje || 4.45 ||

na phālakr̥ṣṭe na jale na cityāṁ na ca parvate । na jīrṇadevāyatane na valmīke kadā cana || 4.46 ||

na sasattveṣu garteṣu na gacchannapi na sthitaḥ । na nadītīraṁ āsādya na ca parvatamastake || 4.47 ||

• One should not leave urine, excreta, spit, nor anything defiled by impure substances, or poison into the waters. (Manu Smrt. 4.56).

नाप्सु मूत्रं पुरीषं वा ष्ठीवनं वा समुत्सृजेत् । अमेध्यलिप्तं अन्यद्वा लोहितं वा विषाणि वा || ४.५६ ||

nāpsu mūtraṁ purīṣaṁ vā ṣṭhīvanaṁ vā samutsr̥jet । amedhyaliptaṁ anyadvā lohitaṁ vā viṣāṇi vā || 4.56 ||

• One should never wash feet in a vessel of white brass; or eat in a broken or suspicious vessel. (Manu Smrt. 4.65).

न पादौ धावयेत्कांस्ये कदा चिदपि भाजने । न भिन्नभाण्डे भुञ्जीत न भावप्रतिदूषिते || ४.६५ ||

na pādau dhāvayetkāṁsye kadā cidapi bhājane । na bhinnabhāṇḍe bhuñjīta na bhāvapratidūṣite || 4.65 ||

• One should not use shoes, clothes, a sacred thread, ornaments, flower garland, or a water pitcher used by others. (Manu Smrt. 4.66).

उपानहौ च वासश्च धृतं अन्यैर्न धारयेत् । उपवीतं अलङ्कारं स्रजं करकं एव च || ४.६६ ||

upānahau ca vāsaśca dhr̥taṁ anyairna dhārayet । upavītaṁ alaṅkāraṁ srajaṁ karakaṁ eva ca || 4.66 ||

• One should not scratch the head with both hands, touch it while impure, nor bathe without wetting the head. (Manu Smrt. 4.82).

न संहताभ्यां पाणिभ्यां कण्डूयेदात्मनः शिरः । न स्पृशेच्चैतदुच्छिष्टो न च स्नायाद्विना ततः || ४.८२ ||

na saṁhatābhyāṁ pāṇibhyāṁ kaṇḍūyedātmanaḥ śiraḥ । na spr̥śeccaitaducchiṣṭo na ca snāyādvinā tataḥ || 4.82 ||

• One should never bathe in water tanks belonging to others. By doing so, one incurs 1/4th of the sins belonging to the owner of the tank. Rather one should always bathe in rivers, or ponds dug for the gods, lakes, and in waterholes or springs. (Manu Smrt. 4.201 and 203).

नदीषु देवखातेषु तडागेषु सरःसु च । स्नानं समाचरेन्नित्यं गर्तप्रस्रवणेषु च || ४.२०३ ||

nadīṣu devakhāteṣu taḍāgeṣu saraḥsu ca । snānaṁ samācarennityaṁ gartaprasravaṇeṣu ca || 4.203 ||

आदरः ॥ Respect

Manusmrti lays emphasizes on respect towards all living beings. It says,

• One should not place fire under a bed, cross or step over it. One should never do anything that may affect living beings. (Manu Smrt. 4.54).

अधस्तान्नोपदध्याच्च न चैनं अभिलङ्घयेत् । न चैनं पादतः कुर्यान्न प्राणाबाधं आचरेत् || ४.५४ ||

adhastānnopadadhyācca na cainaṁ abhilaṅghayet । na cainaṁ pādataḥ kuryānna prāṇābādhaṁ ācaret || 4.54 ||

• Having seen a cow feeding her calf, one should not push them away nor tell anybody of it. In fact, one should also not ride on the back of cows. (Manu Smrt. 4.59 and 4.72).

न वारयेद्गां धयन्तीं न चाचक्षीत कस्य चित् ।। ४.५९ ||

गवां च यानं पृष्ठेन सर्वथैव विगर्हितम् || ४.७२ ||

na vārayedgāṁ dhayantīṁ na cācakṣīta kasya cit ।। 4.59 ||

gavāṁ ca yānaṁ pr̥ṣṭhena sarvathaiva vigarhitam || 4.72 ||

• One should never insult those who are in any way physically handicapped, nor those devoid of knowledge, nor the aged, nor those who have no beauty or wealth, nor those who are of low social standing. (Manu Smrt. 4.141).

हीनाङ्गानतिरिक्ताङ्गान्विद्याहीनान्वयोऽधिकान् । रूपद्रविणहीनांश्च जातिहीनांश्च नाक्षिपेत् || ४.१४१ ||

hīnāṅgānatiriktāṅgānvidyāhīnānvayo'dhikān । rūpadraviṇahīnāṁśca jātihīnāṁśca nākṣipet || 4.141 ||

• When venerable people visit, one should greet them reverentially, offer them one's own seat, sit humbly near them, and when they leave, accompany them for a short distance. (Manu Smrt. 4.154).

अभिवादयेद्वृद्धांश्च दद्याच्चैवासनं स्वकम् । कृताञ्जलिरुपासीत गच्छतः पृष्ठतोऽन्वियात् || ४.१५४ ||

abhivādayedvr̥ddhāṁśca dadyāccaivāsanaṁ svakam । kr̥tāñjalirupāsīta gacchataḥ pr̥ṣṭhato'nviyāt || 4.154 ||

• At all costs, one should avoid quarreling with an officiating or a domestic priest, with a teacher, with a maternal uncle, a guest and a dependant, with infants, aged and the sick, with learned people, with paternal or maternal relatives, connections by marriage, with one's father and mother, with female relatives, with a brother, with one's children and spouse and with one's servants and employees. (Manu Smrt. 4.179 and 180). Because, if one avoids quarrels with these people, one will be freed from all sins.

ऋत्विक्पुरोहिताचार्यैर्मातुलातिथिसंश्रितैः । बालवृद्धातुरैर्वैद्यैर्ज्ञातिसंबन्धिबान्धवैः || ४.१७९ ||

मातापितृभ्यां जामीभिर्भ्रात्रा पुत्रेण भार्यया । दुहित्रा दासवर्गेण विवादं न समाचरेत् || ४.१८० ||

r̥tvikpurohitācāryairmātulātithisaṁśritaiḥ । bālavr̥ddhāturairvaidyairjñātisaṁbandhibāndhavaiḥ || 4.179 ||

mātāpitr̥bhyāṁ jāmībhirbhrātrā putreṇa bhāryayā । duhitrā dāsavargeṇa vivādaṁ na samācaret || 4.180 ||

• It is also said that infants, aged, poor and sick people must be considered as rulers of the middle sphere, the eldest brother as equal to one’s father, one’s spouse and one’s son as one’s own body, one’s employees as one’s shadow, one’s daughter is the highest object of tenderness; hence if one is offended by (any one of) these, one must bear it without resentment. (Manu Smrt. 4.184 and 185). 

आकाशेशास्तु विज्ञेया बालवृद्धकृशातुराः । भ्राता ज्येष्ठः समः पित्रा भार्या पुत्रः स्वका तनुः || ४.१८४ ||

छाया स्वो दासवर्गश्च दुहिता कृपणं परम् । तस्मादेतैरधिक्षिप्तः सहेतासंज्वरः सदा || ४.१८५ ||

ākāśeśāstu vijñeyā bālavr̥ddhakr̥śāturāḥ । bhrātā jyeṣṭhaḥ samaḥ pitrā bhāryā putraḥ svakā tanuḥ || 4.184 ||

chāyā svo dāsavargaśca duhitā kr̥paṇaṁ param । tasmādetairadhikṣiptaḥ sahetāsaṁjvaraḥ sadā || 4.185 ||

आहारः निद्रा च ॥ Food and Sleep

• One should not eat anything from which the oil has been extracted; nor should one be a glutton; one should not eat very early (in the morning), nor very late (in the evening), nor (take any food) in the evening, if one has eaten a large meal in the morning. (Manu Smrt. 4.62).

आचार्यं च प्रवक्तारं पितरं मातरं गुरुम् । न हिंस्याद्ब्राह्मणान्गाश्च सर्वांश्चैव तपस्विनः || ४.१६२ ||

ācāryaṁ ca pravaktāraṁ pitaraṁ mātaraṁ gurum । na hiṁsyādbrāhmaṇāngāśca sarvāṁścaiva tapasvinaḥ || 4.162 ||

• One should not exert oneself without a purpose; not drink water from joined palms; eat food placing it on the lap; not have the habit of wanting to know other's work without reason. (Manu Smrt. 4.63).

न कुर्वीत वृथाचेष्टां न वार्यञ्जलिना पिबेत् । नोत्सङ्गे भक्षयेद्भक्ष्यान्न जातु स्यात्कुतूहली । । ४.६३ । ।

na kurvīta vr̥thāceṣṭāṁ na vāryañjalinā pibet । notsaṅge bhakṣayedbhakṣyānna jātu syātkutūhalī । । 4.63 । ।

• One should never play with dice, nor walk with one's own shoe in the hands, not eat lying on a bed, nor keep it in one hand and eat with the other, or keep it on a seat and eat. One should not eat after sunset any food containing sesame, should not sleep naked, nor go anywhere with impure mouth (after meals). (Manu Smrt. 4.74 and 4.75).

नाक्षैर्दीव्येत्कदा चित्तु स्वयं नोपानहौ हरेत् । शयनस्थो न भुञ्जीत न पाणिस्थं न चासने । । ४.७४ । ।

सर्वं च तिलसंबद्धं नाद्यादस्तं इते रवौ । न च नग्नः शयीतेह न चोच्छिष्टः क्व चिद्व्रजेत् । । ४.७५ । ।

nākṣairdīvyetkadā cittu svayaṁ nopānahau haret । śayanastho na bhuñjīta na pāṇisthaṁ na cāsane । । 4.74 । ।

sarvaṁ ca tilasaṁbaddhaṁ nādyādastaṁ ite ravau । na ca nagnaḥ śayīteha na cocchiṣṭaḥ kva cidvrajet । । 4.75 । ।

• One should eat after having washed one's feet, but should not go to bed with wet feet. The who eats becoming pure, having washed the hands and legs attains a long life. (Manu Smrt. 4.76).

आर्द्रपादस्तु भुञ्जीत नार्द्रपादस्तु संविशेत् । आर्द्रपादस्तु भुञ्जानो दीर्घं आयुरवाप्नुयात् । । ४.७६ । ।

ārdrapādastu bhuñjīta nārdrapādastu saṁviśet । ārdrapādastu bhuñjāno dīrghaṁ āyuravāpnuyāt । । 4.76 । ।

• One should not go swimming immediately after a meal, nor when sick, nor in the middle of the night, nor completely dressed, nor in a pool which one does not perfectly know. (Manu Smrt. 4.129).

न स्नानं आचरेद्भुक्त्वा नातुरो न महानिशि । न वासोभिः सहाजस्रं नाविज्ञाते जलाशये || ४.१२९ ||

na snānaṁ ācaredbhuktvā nāturo na mahāniśi । na vāsobhiḥ sahājasraṁ nāvijñāte jalāśaye || 4.129 ||

• One should avoid eating (food given) by intoxicated, angry, or sick (people), and that in which hair or insects are found, and also whatever has been touched intentionally with the foot. (Manu Smrt. 4.207).

मत्तक्रुद्धातुराणां च न भुञ्जीत कदा चन । केशकीटावपन्नं च पदा स्पृष्टं च कामतः || ४.२०७ ||

mattakruddhāturāṇāṁ ca na bhuñjīta kadā cana । keśakīṭāvapannaṁ ca padā spr̥ṣṭaṁ ca kāmataḥ || 4.207 ||

अन्ये नियमाः || Other rules

Some other miscellaneous rules prescribed by Manusmrti are as follows:

• One should never intentionally look at the rising or setting sun, during eclipse, reflected in water, or in the afternoon. (Manu Smrt. 4.37).

नेक्षेतोद्यन्तं आदित्यं नास्तं यान्तं कदा चन । नोपसृष्टं न वारिस्थं न मध्यं नभसो गतम् || ४.३७ ||

nekṣetodyantaṁ ādityaṁ nāstaṁ yāntaṁ kadā cana । nopasr̥ṣṭaṁ na vāristhaṁ na madhyaṁ nabhaso gatam || 4.37 ||

• One should not step over a rope to which a calf is tied, not run when it rains, and not look at one's own image in water; this is the rule of Dharmashastra. (Manu Smrt. 4.38).

न लङ्घयेद्वत्सतन्त्रीं न प्रधावेच्च वर्षति । न चोदके निरीक्षेत स्वरूपं इति धारणा || ४.३८ ||

na laṅghayedvatsatantrīṁ na pradhāvecca varṣati । na codake nirīkṣeta svarūpaṁ iti dhāraṇā || 4.38 ||

• One should not live in a village where Adharmis stay or where an epidemic is prevalent; one should not go alone on a journey to far off places, and should not reside for long on a mountain. (Manu Smrt. 4.60).

नाधर्मिके वसेद्ग्रामे न व्याधिबहुले भृशम् । नैकः प्रपद्येताध्वानं न चिरं पर्वते वसेत् || ४.६० ||

nādharmike vasedgrāme na vyādhibahule bhr̥śam । naikaḥ prapadyetādhvānaṁ na ciraṁ parvate vaset || 4.60 ||

• One should avoid the morning sun, the smoke rising from a burning corpse, and a broken seat. It is not good to cut nails and hair, or bite nails with one's teeth. (Manu Smrt. 4.69).

बालातपः प्रेतधूमो वर्ज्यं भिन्नं तथासनम् । न छिन्द्यान्नखरोमाणि दन्तैर्नोत्पाटयेन्नखान् || ४.६९ ||

bālātapaḥ pretadhūmo varjyaṁ bhinnaṁ tathāsanam । na chindyānnakharomāṇi dantairnotpāṭayennakhān || 4.69 ||

• One should not powder piece of mud with hands, nor pinch grass with nails; and never do anything that may have undesirable results in the future. One who powders clay, pinches off grass, bites nails, backbites about people or stays impure inside out, soon gets destroyed. (Manu Smrt. 4.70 and 71).

न मृल्लोष्ठं च मृद्नीयान्न छिन्द्यात्करजैस्तृणम् । न कर्म निष्फलं कुर्यान्नायत्यां असुखोदयम् || ४.७० ||

लोष्ठमर्दी तृणच्छेदी नखखादी च यो नरः । स विनाशं व्रजत्याशु सूचकाशुचिरेव च || ४.७१ ||

na mr̥lloṣṭhaṁ ca mr̥dnīyānna chindyātkarajaistr̥ṇam । na karma niṣphalaṁ kuryānnāyatyāṁ asukhodayam || 4.70 ||

loṣṭhamardī tr̥ṇacchedī nakhakhādī ca yo naraḥ । sa vināśaṁ vrajatyāśu sūcakāśucireva ca || 4.71 ||

• One should not enter a village from a lane that is not designated for entry, nor should one enter a closed house by using the ladder, and during night stay away from the roots of trees. (Manu Smrt. 4.73).

अद्वारेण च नातीयाद्ग्रामं वा वेश्म वावृतम् । रात्रौ च वृक्षमूलानि दूरतः परिवर्जयेत् || ४.७३ ||

advāreṇa ca nātīyādgrāmaṁ vā veśma vāvr̥tam । rātrau ca vr̥kṣamūlāni dūrataḥ parivarjayet || 4.73 ||

• One should never go to an abandoned fort, not look at urine or excreta, nor cross a river swimming with both the arms. (Manu Smrt. 4.77).

अचक्षुर्विषयं दुर्गं न प्रपद्येत कर्हि चित् । न विण्मूत्रं उदीक्षेत न बाहुभ्यां नदीं तरेत् || ४.७७ ||

acakṣurviṣayaṁ durgaṁna prapadyeta karhi cit । na viṇmūtraṁ udīkṣeta na bāhubhyāṁ nadīṁ taret || 4.77 ||

• One should not sit on hair, ashes, bones, potsherds, cotton-seeds and chaff. The life of those who don't sit on these increase. (Manu Smrt. 4.78).

अधितिष्ठेन्न केशांस्तु न भस्मास्थिकपालिकाः । न कार्पासास्थि न तुषान्दीर्घं आयुर्जिजीविषुः || ४.७८ ||

adhitiṣṭhenna keśāṁstu na bhasmāsthikapālikāḥ । na kārpāsāsthi na tuṣāndīrghaṁ āyurjijīviṣuḥ || 4.78 ||

• One should avoid laying hold of (his own or other people’s) hair in anger, or to striking (himself or others) on the head. After bathing one should not smear oil over the body. (Manu Smrt. 4.83).

केशग्रहान्प्रहारांश्च शिरस्येतान्विवर्जयेत् । शिरःस्नातश्च तैलेन नाङ्गं किं चिदपि स्पृशेत् || ४.८३ ||

keśagrahānprahārāṁśca śirasyetānvivarjayet । śiraḥsnātaśca tailena nāṅgaṁ kiṁ cidapi spr̥śet || 4.83 ||

• One should not cross over the shadow of images of the gods, guru, raja, snataka, acharya, brown cow, and a dikshita in a sacrifice. (Manu Smrt. 4.130).

देवतानां गुरो राज्ञः स्नातकाचार्ययोस्तथा । नाक्रामेत्कामतश्छायां बभ्रुणो दीक्षितस्य च || ४.१३० ||

devatānāṁ guro rājñaḥ snātakācāryayostathā । nākrāmetkāmataśchāyāṁ babhruṇo dīkṣitasya ca || 4.130 ||

• One who desires one's own betterment, should never insult a Kshatriya, a snake, and a learned Brahmana, even if they are weak. Because these three, when being insulted destroy the person who caused it; hence a wise person must never insult them. (Manu Smrt. 4.135 and 136).

क्षत्रियं चैव सर्पं च ब्राह्मणं च बहुश्रुतम् । नावमन्येत वै भूष्णुः कृशानपि कदा चन || ४.१३५ ||

एतत्त्रयं हि पुरुषं निर्दहेदवमानितम् । तस्मादेतत्त्रयं नित्यं नावमन्येत बुद्धिमान् || ४.१३६ ||

kṣatriyaṁ caiva sarpaṁ ca brāhmaṇaṁ ca bahuśrutam । nāvamanyeta vai bhūṣṇuḥ kr̥śānapi kadā cana || 4.135 ||
etattrayaṁ hi puruṣaṁ nirdahedavamānitam । tasmādetattrayaṁ nityaṁ nāvamanyeta buddhimān || 4.136 ||

• One should not despise oneself on account of former failures; one's whole life should be spent in the pursuit of one's goals, and never despair of gaining what one seeks. (Manu Smrt. 4.137).

नात्मानं अवमन्येत पुर्वाभिरसमृद्धिभिः । आ मृत्योः श्रियं अन्विच्छेन्नैनां मन्येत दुर्लभाम् || ४.१३७ ||

nātmānaṁ avamanyeta purvābhirasamr̥ddhibhiḥ । ā mr̥tyoḥ śriyaṁ anvicchennaināṁ manyeta durlabhām || 4.137 ||

धर्मसञ्चयः ॥ Accumulation of Merits

• Causing no pain to any creature, one should slowly accumulate spiritual merit, for the sake (of acquiring) a companion after death, just as the termites (gradually raises their) mound. For when we die neither father, nor mother, nor spouse, nor children, nor relations continue with us as companions; spiritual merit alone remains (with us). One should therefore always slowly accumulate spiritual merit, in order (that it may be one's) companion (after death); for with merit as his companion one will traverse a gloominess (which is normally) difficult to traverse. (Manu Smrt. 4.238, 239 and 242).

धर्मं शनैः संचिनुयाद्वल्मीकं इव पुत्तिकाः । परलोकसहायार्थं सर्वभूतान्यपीडयन् || ४.२३८ ||

नामुत्र हि सहायार्थं पिता माता च तिष्ठतः । न पुत्रदारं न ज्ञातिर्धर्मस्तिष्ठति केवलः || ४.२३९ ||

तस्माद्धर्मं सहायार्थं नित्यं संचिनुयाच्छनैः । धर्मेण हि सहायेन तमस्तरति दुस्तरम् || ४.२४२ ||

dharmaṁ śanaiḥ saṁcinuyādvalmīkaṁ iva puttikāḥ । paralokasahāyārthaṁ sarvabhūtānyapīḍayan || 4.238 ||

nāmutra hi sahāyārthaṁ pitā mātā ca tiṣṭhataḥ । na putradāraṁ na jñātirdharmastiṣṭhati kevalaḥ || 4.239 ||

tasmāddharmaṁ sahāyārthaṁ nityaṁ saṁcinuyācchanaiḥ । dharmeṇa hi sahāyena tamastarati dustaram || 4.242 ||

• If one lives a life of practicing self-control and generosity, perseverance, gentleness and patience; and shunning the company of people of cruel conduct, and avoids hurting any living creatures - one gains heavenly bliss. (Manu Smrt. 4.246).

दृढकारी मृदुर्दान्तः क्रूराचारैरसंवसन् । अहिंस्रो दमदानाभ्यां जयेत्स्वर्गं तथाव्रतः || ४.२४६ ||

dr̥ḍhakārī mr̥durdāntaḥ krūrācārairasaṁvasan ।ahiṁsro damadānābhyāṁ jayetsvargaṁ tathāvrataḥ || 4.246 ||

सदाचारफलम् || Fruits of Good Conduct

• One should always take the experience of auspicious things, keep the mind in control, chant mantras like the gayatri and perform sacrifices always. The one who follows good conduct, does chanting and sacrifices, who has control over his indriyas obtains bliss in this world and the other world. (Manu Smrt. (4.145 and 146).

मङ्गलाचारयुक्तः स्यात्प्रयतात्मा जितेन्द्रियः । जपेच्च जुहुयाच्चैव नित्यं अग्निं अतन्द्रितः || ४.१४५ ||

मङ्गलाचारयुक्तानां नित्यं च प्रयतात्मनाम् । जपतां जुह्वतां चैव विनिपातो न विद्यते || ४.१४६ ||

maṅgalācārayuktaḥ syātprayatātmā jitendriyaḥ । japecca juhuyāccaiva nityaṁ agniṁ atandritaḥ || 4.145 ||

maṅgalācārayuktānāṁ nityaṁ ca prayatātmanām । japatāṁ juhvatāṁ caiva vinipāto na vidyate || 4.146 ||

• By studying the Vedas diligently, observing the rules of purity, doing japa and having love towards all created beings, one gains the memory of his former births. One who, recollecting his former births, continues to study the Veda, gains endless bliss by the continual study of the Veda. (Manu Smrt. 4.148 and 149).

वेदाभ्यासेन सततं शौचेन तपसैव च । अद्रोहेण च भूतानां जातिं स्मरति पौर्विकीम् || ४.१४८ ||

पौर्विकीं संस्मरन्जातिं ब्रह्मैवाभ्यस्यते पुनः । ब्रह्माभ्यासेन चाजस्रं अनन्तं सुखं अश्नुते || ४.१४९ ||

vedābhyāsena satataṁ śaucena tapasaiva ca । adroheṇa ca bhūtānāṁ jātiṁ smarati paurvikīm || 4.148 ||
paurvikīṁ saṁsmaranjātiṁ brahmaivābhyasyate punaḥ । brahmābhyāsena cājasraṁ anantaṁ sukhaṁ aśnute || 4.149 ||

• A Brahmana who, being learned in the lore of the Vedas, conducts himself in this manner and nullifies his sins, will be exalted in the brahmaloka. (Manu Smrt. 4.260).

अनेन विप्रो वृत्तेन वर्तयन्वेदशास्त्रवित् । व्यपेतकल्मषो नित्यं ब्रह्मलोके महीयते || ४.२६० ||

anena vipro vr̥ttena vartayanvedaśāstravit । vyapetakalmaṣo nityaṁ brahmaloke mahīyate || 4.260 ||