Chapter 155 - The code of conduct (ācāra)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Puṣkara said:

1-12. After getting up in the brāhma muhūrta (about 48 minutes prior to sunrise), one should contemplate on the gods Viṣṇu and others. One should pass both urine and stools facing the north during the day time, facing the south during the night and as in the day during the two twilight periods. One should not do on the roads, water, streets and on the grassy surface. After having purified oneself with earth, one should sip water three times and then cleanse the teeth. Bathing is said to be six kinds such as daily, casual, performed with some desire, part of a purificatory rite, removing the bodily dirt and at the time of obsequies. The religious act done without bathing yields no result. Hence one should bathe in the morning. Among the waters of a sacred place, a river, a tank, flowing water, water present in the well and water drawn (from the well), the preceding one is more meritorious than the succeeding one in order. The waters of (the river) Ganges are always meritorious. After having cleansed the impurities (on the body), one should remain submerged in (the waters of) the tank. After having touched waters one should sprinkle them (on his body) three times with the (repetition of the mantra) hiraṇyavarṇā^[1], then with (the mantra) śanno devī^[2], three times with āpo hi ṣṭhā^[3], and then with idam āpa^[4]. Then one should remain in the water of the tank and mutter (sacred syllables) (remaining) in the water. One should either recite the aghamarṣaṇa^[5] hymn or the drupadā^[6] or yuñjate mana^[7] or the puruṣasūkta^[8]. The gāyatrī (mantra) should be recited especially. Bhāvavṛtta is the deity, Aghamarṣaṇa is the sage and anuṣṭubh is the metre for the aghamarṣaṇa hymn. Lord Hari (Viṣṇu) is remembered to be Bhāvavṛtta. After squeezing the garment (one should) offer (respectful) waters of oblation to the gods and manes. One should offer waters of homage with the palms with the recitation of the puruṣasūkta. Then one should offer oblation to fire and make gifts befitting one’s capacity.

13-14. Then one should worship lord (Śiva) for the sake of one’s prosperity. One’s seat, bed, vehicle, wife, children and water-vessel are pure for one’s self. (But they) are not pure for others. Even preceptors should leave way for pregnant women afflicted by the weight.

15. One should not look at the rising or setting Sun or in the waters. One should not look at naked woman. One should not peep into the well and look at a dog, or drinking house and a sinner.

16. One should not tread on cotton, bones, ashes and that which is despised. (One should not enter) the apartments of women or treasury. One should not go as an emissary of another person.

17. One should not board an uneven boat, or (climb) a tree or a mountain. One should then be interested in sciences relating to acquisition of wealth.

18. One who tramples on clod of earth, one who cuts the grass and one who eats the nail would perish. One should not desire to raise sounds with the mouth. One should not stir out in the night without a lamp.

19. One should not enter a house not having a door. One should not change the colour of the face. One should not interrupt in the midst of a conversation. One should not wear other’s garments.

20. One should always say good. One should never utter that which does not please others. Seat made of palāśa (wood) is prohibited. One should move in the shade of gods etc.

21. One should not go in between revered people. One should not look at the broken (and falling) asterism. One should not utter the name of another river (while standing) in one river. One should not gargle with two hands.

22. One should not cross the river without propitiating the forefathers and gods. One should not throw impurities like feces in the waters. One should not bathe remaining naked.

23. Then one should worship lord Īśvara (Śiva) for the sake of welfare and prosperity, One should not remove one’s garland oneself. One should avoid the dust of an ass and other animals.

24. One should not ridicule mean (people). One should not go (with them) and live with them. One should not also reside at a place devoid of a physician, a king and a river, a place ruled by other races, women and many men.

25. One should not converse with women in their monthly menstrual courses or otherwise fallen. One should contemplate on lord Keśava (Viṣṇu) (if happened to converse with the above). One should not laugh, yawn and sneeze without covering the mouth.

26. A wiseman should avoid disrespect shown to his master and his own self. One should guard the words of one’s self and his master. One should not yield to (the dictates of) his organs. One should not control the natural impulses of the body.

27. O Bhārgava! One should not ignore a disease like an insignificant enemy. One should always sip waters (for purification) whenever one goes in the street. One should not carry water and fire.

28. One should not utter huṃ to a good and venerable person. One should not tread over one foot with the other. One should not speak something unpleasant to someone either in his presence or his absence.

29. One should refrain from abusing the scriptures, king, sages and gods. One should not envy women and one should avoid having faith in them.

30. One should hear righteous things, have devotion to gods and adhere to righteous path. One should worship Soma (moon) as well as gods and brahmins in the natal star.

31. One should avoid bathing with the application of oil on the sixth, eighth and fourteenth (days of the fortnight). (One should pass) urine and stools far away from the house. One should not have enmity with great men.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

ṚV. 5.87.1a.

[2]:

Śrīsūkta. ṚV. 10.9.4a.

[3]:

ṚV. 10.9.1a.

[4]:

ṚV. 1.23.22a.

[5]:

ṚV. 10.190.

[6]:

AV. 6.115.3a.

[7]:

ṚV. 5.81.1a.

[8]:

ṚV. 10.90.