Verse 3.75

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

स्वाध्याये नित्ययुक्तः स्याद् दैवे चैवैह कर्मणि ।
दैवकर्मणि युक्तो हि बिभर्तीदं चराचरम् ॥ ७५ ॥

svādhyāye nityayuktaḥ syād daive caivaiha karmaṇi |
daivakarmaṇi yukto hi bibhartīdaṃ carācaram || 75 ||

One should be constantly engaged in Vedic Study, as also in acts in honour of the gods; one who is engaged in acts in honour of the gods upholds the world, moveable as well as immoveable.—(75)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

It has been said above that the occasion for each of the Five Sacrifices is distinct, and all of them do not form an aggregate; this same idea is made clear by this verse.

When, by reason of poverty or some other cause, the necessary supplies being not available, the honouring of guests and such other acts be not possible, then one should be constantly engaged in Vedic Study.

‘In acts in honour of the gods’—the offering made in fire to the Vaiśvadeva gods are ‘acts done in honour of the gods.’ Though the ‘sacrifice to elementals’ and ‘sacrifice to Pitṛs’ are all ‘in honour of gods,’ yet from the context it is clear that it is the offering in fire that is meant by the term ‘acts done in honour of gods.’

A commendatory exaggeration is added—‘He who is engaged in’—i.e., busy with—‘acts in honour of the gods, upholds’—i.e., supports—‘the moveable and immoveable;’—i.e., he becomes the means of sustenance of the entire world.—(75)

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Āśvalāyana-Gṛhyasūtra (3.2.3).—‘Going out of the village, either towards the east or the north............ one should study the Veda.’