Adhyaya 26

Verse 1

इति श्रीकूर्मपुराणे षट्साहस्त्र्यां संहितायामुपरिविभागे पञ्चविंशो ऽध्यायः इन् रेए निछ्त् ज़ुल्äस्सिगे ज़ेइछेन्: व्यास उवाच अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि दानधर्ममनुत्तमम् / ब्रह्मणाभिहितं पूर्वमृषीणां ब्रह्मवादिनाम्

Thus, in the Śrī Kūrma Purāṇa—within the Ṣaṭsāhasrī Saṃhitā of the latter division—ends the twenty-fifth chapter. Vyāsa said: “Now I shall expound the unsurpassed dharma of giving (dāna), formerly proclaimed by Brahmā to the sages who speak of Brahman.”

Verse 2

अर्थानामुदिते पात्रे श्रद्धया प्रतिपादनम् / दानमित्यभिनिर्दिष्टं भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदम्

The offering of one’s wealth, with faith (śraddhā), to a worthy recipient is declared to be “dāna” (charitable giving); it bestows the fruits of both worldly enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 3

यद् ददाति विशिष्टेभ्यः श्रद्धया परया युतः / तद् वै वित्तमहं मन्ये शेषं कस्यापि रक्षति

Whatever a person gives to the worthy, endowed with supreme faith—this alone I consider to be true wealth; the remainder is merely kept in trust for someone else.

Verse 4

नित्यं नैमित्तिकं काम्यं त्रिविधं दानमुच्यते / चतुर्थं विमलं प्रोक्तं सर्वदानोत्तमोत्तमम्

Charity (dāna) is said to be threefold—regular (nitya), occasional (naimittika), and desire-motivated (kāmya). A fourth, called the “pure” (vimala) gift, is declared the most excellent among all forms of giving.

Verse 5

अहन्यहनि यत् किञ्चिद् दीयते ऽनुपकारिणे / अनुद्दिश्य फलं तस्माद् ब्राह्मणाय तु नित्यकम्

Whatever little is given day after day to one who offers no return—without aiming at any reward—should be offered regularly to a Brāhmaṇa as a constant, daily gift.

Verse 6

यत् तु पापोपशान्त्यर्थं दीयते विदुषां करे / नैमित्तिकं तदुद्दिष्टं दानं सद्भिरनुष्ठितम्

But that gift which is given into the hands of the learned for the purpose of pacifying or expiating sin is declared to be ‘naimittika’—an occasional, cause-based charity—performed by the virtuous.

Verse 7

अपत्यविजयैश्वर्यस्वर्गार्थं यत् प्रदीयते / दानं तत् काम्यमाख्यातमृषिभिर्धर्मचिन्तकैः

That gift which is given with the aim of obtaining progeny, victory, lordly power, or heaven is declared by the seers—those who reflect upon dharma—to be ‘kāmya-dāna’, charity motivated by desire for results.

Verse 8

यदीश्वरप्रीणनार्थं ब्रह्मवित्सु प्रदीयते / चेतसा धर्मयुक्तेन दानं तद् विमलं शिवम्

When a gift is offered to knowers of Brahman with the aim of pleasing the Lord (Īśvara), and with a mind aligned to dharma, that charity becomes ‘vimala’—spotless and auspicious, truly Śiva-like in its purity.

Verse 9

दानधर्मं निषेवेत पात्रमासाद्य शक्तितः / उत्पत्स्यते हि तत्पात्रं यत् तारयति सर्वतः

One should practice the dharma of giving, having found a worthy recipient and according to one’s capacity; for that very worthy recipient arises and, in every way, becomes a means of deliverance for the giver.

Verse 10

कुटुम्बभक्तवसनाद् देयं यदतिरिच्यते / अन्यथा दीयते यद्धि न तद् दानं फलप्रदम्

After providing for one’s household—its food and clothing—whatever remains should be given away. But what is given otherwise, by neglecting these obligations, is not a gift that yields spiritual fruit.

Verse 11

श्रोत्रियाय कुलीनाय विनीताय तपस्विने / वृत्तस्थाय दरिद्राय प्रदेयं भक्तिपूर्वकम्

One should give—devoutly and with reverence—to a śrotriya learned in the Vedas, to one of noble conduct and lineage, to the humble, to the ascetic who practices tapas, and to a poor person who lives by righteous means.

Verse 12

यस्तु दद्यान्महीं भक्त्या ब्राह्मणायाहिताग्नये / स याति परमं स्थानं यत्र गत्वा न शोचति

But one who, with devotion, donates land to a Brāhmaṇa who maintains the sacred fires (āhitāgni) attains the supreme abode—having reached which, one does not grieve.

Verse 13

इक्षुभिः संततां भुमिं यवगोधूमशलिनीम् / ददाति वेदविदुषे यः स भूयो न जायते

Whoever gives to a knower of the Vedas a tract of land thickly planted with sugarcane and rich in barley, wheat, and rice—such a giver is not born again, attaining release from repeated rebirth.

Verse 14

गोचर्ममात्रामपि वा यो भूमिं संप्रयच्छति / ब्राह्मणाय दरिद्राय सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

Whoever bestows land—even only as much as the measure of a cowhide—upon a poor brāhmaṇa is released from all sins.

Verse 15

भूमिदानात् परं दानं विद्यते नेह किञ्चन / अन्नदानं तेन तुल्यं विद्यादानं ततो ऽधिकम्

In this world there is no gift higher than the gift of land. The gift of food is equal to it, and the gift of knowledge is even greater than that.

Verse 16

यो ब्राह्मणाय शान्ताय शुचये धर्मशालिने / ददाति विद्यां विधिना ब्रह्मलोके महीयते

Whoever, in the proper manner, bestows sacred knowledge upon a peaceful, pure Brahmin devoted to dharma, is honored and exalted in the world of Brahmā.

Verse 17

दद्यादहरहस्त्वन्नं श्रद्धया ब्रह्मचारिणे / सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मणः स्थानमाप्नुयात्

If one gives food every day with faith to a brahmacārin (a disciplined Vedic student), one becomes freed from all sins and attains the abode of Brahmā.

Verse 18

गृहस्थायान्नदानेन फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः / आममेवास्य दातव्यं दत्त्वाप्नोति परां गतिम्

A man attains merit through the householder’s gift of food. One should offer him freshly prepared food; by giving it, one attains the highest state.

Verse 19

वैशाख्यां पौर्णमास्यां तु ब्राह्मणान् सप्त पञ्च वा / उपोष्य विधिना शान्तः शुचिः प्रयतमानसः

On the full-moon day of Vaiśākha, having observed the fast according to rule, one should honor seven—or at least five—brāhmaṇas, remaining tranquil, pure, and with a well-disciplined mind.

Verse 20

पूजयित्वा तिलैः कृष्णैर्मधुना न विशेषतः / गन्धादिभिः समभ्यर्च्य वाचयेद् वा स्व्यं वदेत्

Having worshiped with black sesame seeds—and likewise with honey, without any special distinction—one should duly honor with fragrances and the like; then either have the sacred text recited or recite it oneself.

Verse 21

प्रीयतां धर्मराजेति यद् वा मनसि वर्तते / यावज्जीवकृतं पापं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

If even the thought arises in one’s mind, “May Dharmarāja (Yama), the Lord of Justice, be pleased,” then all sin accumulated throughout one’s life is destroyed that very instant.

Verse 22

कृष्णाजिने तिलान् कृत्त्वा हिरण्यं मधुसर्पिषी / ददाति यस्तु विप्राय सर्वं तरति दुष्कृतम्

He who places sesame seeds upon a black antelope-skin and gives that gift to a brāhmaṇa—together with gold, honey, and ghee—crosses over all sinful demerit.

Verse 23

कृतान्नमुदकुम्भं च वैशाख्यां च विशेषतः / निर्दिश्य धर्मराजाय विप्रेभ्यो मुच्यते भयात्

Having offered prepared food and a water-pot—especially during the month of Vaiśākha—and dedicating that gift to Dharmarāja (Yama), one becomes freed from fear through gifts made to the brāhmaṇas.

Verse 24

सुवर्णतिलयुक्तैस्तु ब्राह्मणान् सप्त पञ्च वा / तर्पयेदुदपात्रैस्तु ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति

By offering tarpaṇa (water-libations) to seven—or at least five—brāhmaṇas, using vessels of water containing sesame mixed with gold, one removes the sin of brahmahatyā (the slaying of a brāhmaṇa).

Verse 25

माघमासे तु विप्रस्तु द्वादश्यां समुपोषितः / शुक्लाम्वरधरः कृष्णैस्तिलैर्हुत्वा हुताशनम्

In the month of Māgha, a brāhmaṇa should duly fast on the Dvādaśī day; wearing white garments, he should, after properly kindling the sacred fire, offer black sesame into it.

Verse 26

प्रदद्याद् ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तु तिलानेव समाहितः / जन्मप्रभृति यत्पापं सर्वं तरति वै द्विजः

With mind composed, one should give sesame to the brāhmaṇas; by that act the twice-born surely crosses beyond all sin accumulated from birth onward.

Verse 27

अमावस्यामनुप्राप्य ब्राह्मणाय तपस्विने / यत्किचिद् देवदेवेशं दद्याच्चोद्दिश्य शङ्करम्

When the new-moon day arrives, one should give some offering—whatever one can—to an austere brāhmaṇa, dedicating it to Śaṅkara, the God of gods, Lord of the devas.

Verse 28

प्रीयतामीश्वरः सोमो महादेवः सनातनः / सप्तजन्मकृतं पापं तत्क्षणादेव नश्यति

May the Lord Soma—Mahādeva, the Eternal—be pleased. The sin accumulated over seven births is destroyed that very instant.

Verse 29

यस्तु कृष्णचतुर्दश्यां स्नात्वा देवं पिनाकिनम् / आराधयेद् द्विजमुखे न तस्यास्ति पुनर्भवः

But whoever, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight (Kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī), bathes and then worships the Lord Pinākin (Śiva), with the rite performed through the mouth of a twice-born (a brāhmaṇa officiant), for him there is no rebirth again.

Verse 30

कृष्णाष्टम्यां विशेषेण धार्मिकाय द्विजातये / स्नात्वाभ्यर्च्य यथान्यायं पादप्रक्षालनादिभिः

Especially on Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, a righteous twice-born person should bathe and then worship in the proper manner, performing the customary rites such as washing the feet and related services.

Verse 31

प्रीयतां मे महादेवो दद्याद् द्रव्यं स्वकीयकम् / सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः प्राप्नोति परमां गतिम्

“May Mahādeva (Śiva) be pleased with me; may he grant me what is truly my own (rightful wealth). Freed from all sins, one attains the supreme state.”

Verse 32

द्विजैः कृष्णचतुर्दश्यां कृष्णाष्टम्यां विशेषतः / अमावास्यायां भक्तैस्तु पूजनीयस्त्रिलोचनः

By the twice-born, Trilocana (Śiva) should be worshipped on the dark fortnight’s fourteenth (kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī) and, most especially, on the dark eighth (kṛṣṇāṣṭamī); and on the new-moon day (amāvāsyā) he is to be worshipped by devotees as well.

Verse 33

एकादश्यां निराहारो द्वादश्यां पुरुषोत्तमम् / अर्चयेद् बाह्मणमुखे स गच्छेत् परमं पदम्

Fasting without food on Ekādaśī, and on Dvādaśī worshipping Puruṣottama through the mouth (as the living embodiment) of a brāhmaṇa—such a person attains the Supreme Abode.

Verse 34

एषा तिथिर्वैष्णवीं स्याद् द्वादशी शुक्लपक्षके / तस्यामाराधयेद् देवं प्रयत्नेन जनार्दनम्

This lunar day is the Vaiṣṇava holy observance—the bright-fortnight Dvādaśī. On that day one should, with earnest effort, worship Lord Janārdana.

Verse 35

यत्किञ्चिद् देवमीशानमुद्दिश्य ब्राह्मणे शुचौ / दीयते विष्णवे वापि तदनन्तफलप्रदम्

Whatever is given—however small—to a pure brāhmaṇa, dedicating it to Īśāna, or even to Viṣṇu, becomes a bestower of endless fruit.

Verse 36

यो हि यां देवतामिच्छेत् समाराधयितुं नरः / ब्राह्मणान् पूजयेद् यत्नात् सतस्यां तोषयेत् ततः

Indeed, whatever deity a person wishes to propitiate, he should first, with earnest effort, honour the brāhmaṇas; thereafter he should satisfy that very deity.

Verse 37

द्विजानां वपुरास्थाय नित्यं तिष्ठन्ति देवताः / पूज्यन्ते ब्राह्मणालाभे प्रतिमादिष्वपि क्वचित्

Assuming the very body of the twice-born, the deities ever abide there. When a brāhmaṇa is not available, they are worshipped—on occasion—even in images and the like.

Verse 38

तस्मात् सर्वप्रयत्नेन तत् तत् फलमभीप्सता / द्विजेषु देवता नित्यं पूजनीया विशेषतः

Therefore, with every effort, one who desires those respective fruits should always worship the divinity ever present among the twice-born—especially and in particular.

Verse 39

विभूतिकामः सततं पूजयेद् वै पुरन्दरम् / ब्रह्मवर्चसकामस्तु ब्रह्माणं ब्रह्मकामुकः

One who ever longs for prosperity and sovereign glory should indeed worship Purandara (Indra). But one who seeks brahma-varcas—sacred radiance and Vedic splendor—should worship Brahmā, intent on Brahmanic excellence.

Verse 40

आरोग्यकामो ऽथ रविं धनकामो हुताशनम् / कर्मणां सिद्धिकामस्तु पूजयेद् वै विनायकम्

One who seeks health should worship Ravi (the Sun); one who seeks wealth should worship Hutāśana (Agni, the Fire). But one who desires success in works and rites should indeed worship Vināyaka (Gaṇeśa), remover of obstacles.

Verse 41

भोगकामस्तु शशिनं बलकामः समीरणम् / मुमुक्षुः सर्वसंसारात् प्रयत्नेनार्चयेद्धरिम्

One who desires enjoyments should worship the Moon; one who longs for strength should worship the Wind. But the seeker of liberation from the whole round of saṃsāra should, with earnest effort, worship Hari.

Verse 42

यस्तु योगं तथा मोक्षमन्विच्छेज्ज्ञानमैश्वरम् / सोर्ऽचयेद् वै विरूपाक्षं प्रयत्नेनेश्वरेश्वरम्

Whoever seeks Yoga and liberation, and the sovereign knowledge (aiśvara-jñāna), should with earnest effort worship Virūpākṣa—the Lord of lords.

Verse 43

ये वाञ्छन्ति महायोगान् ज्ञानानि च महेश्वरम् / ते पूजयन्ति भूतेशं केशवं चापि भोगिनः

Those who long for the great yogic disciplines, for liberating knowledge, and for Maheśvara—those who partake of life’s aims—worship Bhūteśa and also Keśava.

Verse 44

वारिदस्तृप्तिमाप्नोति सुखमक्षय्यमन्नदः / तिलप्रदः प्रजामिष्टां दीपदश्चक्षुरुत्तमम्

He who gives water attains contentment; the giver of food attains imperishable happiness. The giver of sesame gains cherished progeny, and the giver of a lamp obtains excellent sight (illumination).

Verse 45

भूमिदः सर्वमाप्नोति दीर्घमायुर्हिरण्यदः / गृहदो ऽग्र्याणि वेश्मानि रूप्यदो रूपमुत्तमम्

The giver of land attains everything; the giver of gold attains long life. The giver of a house gains the finest dwellings, and the giver of silver attains excellent beauty.

Verse 46

वासोदश्चन्द्रसालोक्यमश्विसालोक्यमश्वदः / अनडुदः श्रियं पुष्टां गोदो व्रध्नस्य विष्टपम्

One who gifts garments attains the world of the Moon; the giver of a horse attains the world of the Aśvins. The giver of a bull gains well-nourished prosperity, and the giver of cows attains the celestial realm of Vradhna.

Verse 47

यानशय्याप्रदो भार्यामैश्वर्यमभयप्रदः / धान्यदः शाश्वतं सौख्यं ब्रह्मदो ब्रह्मसात्म्यताम्

The giver of vehicles and beds attains a good wife; the giver of fearlessness attains sovereignty and protection. The giver of grain attains enduring happiness; and the giver of Brahma-knowledge attains oneness with Brahman.

Verse 48

धान्यान्यपि यथाशक्ति विप्रेषु प्रतिपादयेत् / वेदवित्सु विशिष्टेषु प्रेत्य स्वर्गं समश्नुते

According to one’s capacity, one should offer grains as gifts to Brahmin sages—especially to those distinguished as knowers of the Veda; after death, one attains heaven.

Verse 49

गवां घासप्रदानेन सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते / इन्धनानां प्रदानेन दीप्ताग्निर्जायते नरः

By offering fodder to cows, one is released from all sins; and by offering firewood, one is endowed with a blazing, auspicious inner fire.

Verse 50

फलमूलानि शाकानि भोज्यानि विविधानि च / प्रदद्याद् ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तु मुदा युक्तः सदा भवेत्

One should give fruits, roots, vegetables, and various wholesome foods to the Brahmanas; ever united with joy, one should remain glad-hearted in the act of giving.

Verse 51

औषधं स्नेहमाहारं रोगिणे रोगशान्तये / ददानो रोगरहितः सुखी दीर्घायुरेव च

One who gives medicine, unguents (oils/ghī), and nourishing food to the sick to pacify their illness becomes free from disease, happy, and indeed long-lived.

Verse 52

असिपत्रवनं मार्गं क्षुरधारासमन्वितम् / तीव्रितापं च तरति छत्रोपानत्प्रदो नरः

The man who gives gifts of umbrellas and footwear crosses the road through the forest of sword-leaves—edged with razor-blades—and passes beyond its scorching torment.

Verse 53

यद् यदिष्टतमं लोके यच्चापि दयितं गृहे / तत्तद् गुणवते देयं तदेवाक्ष्यमिच्छता

Whatever is most cherished in the world, and whatever is most beloved within one’s home—one who seeks imperishable merit should give precisely those things to a worthy, virtuous recipient.

Verse 54

अपने विषुवे चैव ग्रहणे चन्द्रसूर्ययोः / संक्रान्त्यादिषु कालेषु दत्तं भवति चाक्षयम्

A gift offered at the solstice and the equinox, and at eclipses of the moon and the sun—indeed at saṅkrānti and other sacred times—becomes akṣaya, imperishable in merit.

Verse 55

प्रयागादिषु तीर्थेषु पुण्येष्वायतनेषु च / दत्त्वा चाक्षयमाप्नोति नदीषु च वनेषु च

By giving at sacred fords such as Prayāga and in holy sanctuaries—on riverbanks and even in forests—one attains akṣaya, imperishable merit.

Verse 56

दानधर्मात् परो धर्मो भूतानां नेह विद्यते / तस्माद् विप्राय दातव्यं श्रोत्रियाय द्विजातिभिः

For beings in this world, no dharma is higher than the dharma of giving. Therefore the twice-born should offer gifts to a brāhmaṇa—especially to a śrotriya, learned in the Veda and established in sacred discipline.

Verse 57

स्वगायुर्भूतिकामेन तथा पापोपशान्तये / मुमुक्षुणा च दातव्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तथान्वहम्

Seeking one’s own longevity and prosperity, for the pacification of sins, and also as one who longs for liberation—one should give to the brāhmaṇas, likewise day after day.

Verse 58

दीयमानं तु यो मोहाद् गोविप्राग्निसुरेषु च / निवारयति पापात्मा तिर्यग्योनिं व्रजेत् तु सः

But whoever, out of delusion, obstructs what is being given—whether to cows, to brāhmaṇas, to the sacred fire Agni, or to the gods—such a sinful-minded person indeed goes to an animal birth.

Verse 59

यस्तु द्रव्यार्जनं कृत्वा नार्चयेद् ब्राह्मणान् सुरान् / सर्वस्वमपहृत्यैनं राजा राष्ट्रात् प्रवासयेत्

But whoever, after acquiring wealth, does not honor and worship the Brāhmaṇas and the gods—having confiscated all his property, the king should banish him from the kingdom.

Verse 60

यस्तु दुर्भिक्षवेलायामन्नाद्यं न प्रयच्छति / म्रियमाणेषु विप्रेषु ब्राह्मणः स तु गर्हितः

But that Brahmin who, at the time of famine, does not give food and sustenance—while learned Brahmins are dying—is indeed blameworthy and censured.

Verse 61

न तस्मात् प्रतिगृह्णीयुर्न विशेयुश्च तेन हि / अङ्कयित्वा स्वकाद् राष्ट्रात् तं राजा विप्रवासयेत्

From him, none should accept any gifts, nor should anyone associate or mingle with him. Having branded him with a mark of disgrace, the king should banish him from his own realm.

Verse 62

यस्त्वसद्भ्यो ददातीह स्वद्रव्यं धर्मसाधनम् / स पूर्वाभ्यधिकः पापी नरके पच्यते नरः

But he who, in this world, gives his own wealth to the unworthy—imagining it to be a means to righteousness—becomes even more sinful than before; that man is cooked in hell.

Verse 63

स्वाध्यायवन्तो ये विप्रा विद्यावन्तो जितेन्द्रियाः / सत्यसंयमसंयुक्तास्तेभ्यो दद्याद् द्विजोत्तमाः

Those Brāhmaṇas who are devoted to Vedic self-study, endowed with true learning, and have conquered their senses—disciplined in truthfulness and self-restraint—to such persons should the best among the twice-born give in charity.

Verse 64

सुभुक्तमपि विद्वांसं धार्मिकं भोजयेद् द्विजम् / न तु मूर्खमवृत्तस्थं दशरात्रमुपोषितम्

Even if he has already eaten well, one should feed a learned and righteous twice-born; but one should not feed a fool of bad conduct—even if he has fasted for ten nights.

Verse 65

सन्निकृष्टमतिक्रम्य श्रोत्रियं यः प्रयच्छति / स तेन कर्मणा पापी दहत्यासप्तमं कुलम्

Whoever, bypassing a worthy and nearby Veda-knowing Brahmin (śrotriya), gives his gift elsewhere—by that very act becomes sinful and brings ruin upon his lineage up to the seventh generation.

Verse 66

यदिस्यादधिको विप्रः शीलविद्यादिभिः स्वयम् / तस्मै यत्नेन दातव्यं अतिक्रम्यापि सन्निधिम्

If there is a Brāhmaṇa who is superior by virtue of his conduct, learning, and the like, then one should give to him with special care—even passing by those who are merely nearby.

Verse 67

यो ऽर्चितं प्रतिगृह्णीयाद् दद्यादर्चितमेव च / तावुभौ गच्छतः स्वर्गं नरकं तु विपर्यये

Whoever accepts what has been duly consecrated and offered with honor, and whoever likewise gives only what has been duly consecrated—both of them attain heaven. But if the reverse is done (accepting or giving what is unsanctified), it leads to hell.

Verse 68

न वार्यपि प्रयच्छेत नास्तिके हैतुके ऽपि च / पाषण्डेषु च सर्वेषु नावेदविदि धर्मवित्

A knower of dharma should not give even water to an atheist (nāstika)—even if he is a clever reasoner—and likewise not to any of the pāṣaṇḍas (heretical sectarians), nor to one who is not versed in the Veda.

Verse 69

अपूपं च हिरण्यं च गामश्वं पृथिवीं तिलान् / अविद्वान् प्रतिगृह्णानो भस्मी भवति काष्ठवत्

An unlearned and unworthy person who accepts gifts—cakes, gold, cows and horses, land, or sesame—comes to ruin, becoming ashes like a piece of wood.

Verse 70

द्विजातिभ्यो धनं लिप्सेत् प्रशस्तेभ्यो द्विजोत्तमः / अपि वा जातिमात्रेभ्यो न तु शूद्रात् कथञ्चन

A twice-born man of the highest order should seek wealth from reputable twice-born people; or, if need be, even from those who are twice-born by birth alone—but never, under any circumstance, from a Śūdra.

Verse 71

वृत्तिसङ्कोचमन्विच्छेन्नेहेत धनविस्तरम् / धनलोभे प्रसक्तस्तु ब्राह्मण्यादेव हीयते

One should seek a restrained and modest means of livelihood, and should not strive for the expansion of wealth. For the one who becomes engrossed in greed for riches falls away from true Brahminhood itself.

Verse 72

वेदानधीत्य सकलान् यज्ञांश्चावाप्य सर्वशः / न तां गतिमवाप्नोति सङ्कोचाद् यामवाप्नुयात्

Even after studying all the Vedas and obtaining the fruits of sacrifices in every way, one does not attain that highest state which one could have attained—because of inner contraction (narrowness of heart and mind).

Verse 73

प्रतिग्रहरुचिर्न स्यात् यात्रार्थं तु समाहरेत् / स्थित्यर्थादधिकं गृह्णन् ब्राह्मणो यात्यधोगतिम्

A Brāhmaṇa should not be fond of accepting gifts; he may collect only what is needed for the journey of life. If he takes more than what is required for mere maintenance, a Brāhmaṇa falls to a lower state.

Verse 74

यस्तु याचनको नित्यं न स स्वर्गस्य भाजनम् / उद्वेजयति भूतानि यथा चौरस्तथैव सः

But one who is perpetually a beggar is not a fit recipient of heaven; for he troubles living beings—just like a thief, so indeed is he.

Verse 75

गुरून् भृत्यांश्चोज्जिहीर्षुरर्चिष्यन् देवतातिथीन् / सर्वतः प्रतिगृह्णीयान्न तु तृप्येत् स्वयं ततः

Seeking to uplift one’s teachers and dependents, and desiring to honor the deities and guests, one may accept gifts from every quarter; yet one should not take personal satisfaction or self-indulgent contentment from such acceptance.

Verse 76

एवं गृहस्थो युक्तात्मा देवतातिथिपूजकः / वर्तमानः संयातात्मा याति तत् परमं पदम्

Thus, a householder—disciplined in yoga, devoted to honoring the deities and welcoming guests—living in this way with a well-governed mind, attains that Supreme Abode.

Verse 77

पुत्रे निधाय वा सर्वं गत्वारण्यं तु तत्त्ववित् / एकाकी विचरेन्नित्यमुदासीनः समाहितः

Or, having entrusted everything to his son, the knower of truth should go to the forest and live ever alone—detached, impartial, and steadily collected in mind.

Verse 78

एष वः कथितो धर्मो गृहस्थानां द्विजोत्तमाः / ज्ञात्वानुतिष्ठेन्नियतं तथानुष्ठापयेद् द्विजान्

Thus has the dharma of householders been declared to you, O best of the twice-born. Having understood it, one should practice it regularly and, in the same way, cause other twice-born to observe it as well.

Verse 79

इति देवमनादिमेकमीशं गृहधर्मेण समर्चयेदजस्त्रम् / समतीत्य स सर्वभूतयोनिं प्रकृतिं याति परं न याति जन्म

Thus one should ceaselessly worship the one Lord, the beginningless Īśvara, through the duties of household dharma. Having transcended Prakṛti, the womb of all beings, one attains the Supreme and does not return to birth.