मोक्षधर्म पर्व — चार आश्रम

Bharadwaja said, What is the fruit of gift? What of Righteousness? What of conduct? What Penances duly performed? What of the study and recitation of the Vedas? And what of purring libations upon the fire.

Sin is dissipated by pouring libations on the sacred fire. One comes by blessed place of mind, by study of the Vedas. One acquires pleasures and objects of enjoyment, by gift. One winesblissful heaven by Penances.

Gift is said to be of two sorts : gifts for the other world, and those for this. Whatever is given to the good yields fruits to the giver in the other world.

Whatever is given to those that are not good yields fruits in this world. The fruits of gifts are proportionate of the gifts offered.

Bharadwaja said What duties should be performed by whom? What also are the characteristic marks। of duty? How many kinds of duty are there? You should tell me these.

Bhrigu said The wise men who are engaged in performing the duties laid down for them, acquires heaven as their reward. By doing otherwise people are sullied with the sin of folly.

Bharadwaja said You should tell me about the four modes of life that were formerly laid down by Brahman, also the practices enjoined for each of them.

Bhrigu said In days of yore, the divine Brahman, for the behoof of the world, and for the protection of righteousness, laid down for modes of life. Of them, to live in the house of the preceptor is the first (in order of time). In this mode of life one should have his soul cleansed by purity of conduct, by Vedic rites and by restraints and vows and humility. He should adore the morning and evening twilights the Sun, his own consecrated hearth, and the gods. He should shake off procrastination and idleness. He should purify his soul by saluting his preceptor, by studying the Vedas, and by attending to his preceptor's instructions. He should perform his ablutions thrice.

He should lead a life of celibacy; attend to his consecrated hearth serve his preceptor dutifully; daily go out for alms and give ungrudgingly to his preceptor the whole of what is got in alms. Carrying out willingly the behests of his preceptor, he should be ready to receive such Vedic instruction as his preceptor may give him as a favour. There is a verse on this subject : That Brahmana who receives his Veda by attending reverentially upon his preceptor, attains to heaven and acquires the fruition of all his desires.

Next comes the life of a householder. We shall explain to you all the pious acts and characteristic marks of that mode. This mode of life is ordained for those who, having lived the full term in the preceptor's house, return home, who are of pious conduct, who wish the fruits of a virtuous life with their wives. In it exist Virtue, Profit and pleasure. It is (thus) suited to the cultivation of the three-fold objects of life. Acquiring riches by irreproachable acts, or with wealth of great efficacy which is got from recitation of the Vedas, or living upon means followed by the regenerate Rishis, or with the produce of inountains and mincs, or with the wealth of offerings made in sacrifices and on the finish of vows and other observances, and those made to gods, the house-holder should lead this mode of life, That mode of life is considered as the root of all the others. Those who live in the houses of preceptors, those who lead lives of mendicancy, and others who observe vows and restraints, derive from this mode the means they live upon, the offerings they make to the departed manes and the gods, and, in short, their entire support.

The third mode of life is called the Vanaprastha or life in forest. Those that lead it, need not kcep in store wealth and articles. Living upon good food, and engaged in the study of the Vedas, generally those pious and god men walk over the Earth for visiting the sacred shrines and various other kingdoms. Standing up, advancing forward, sweet and sincere speeches, gifts according to the means of the giver, offer of seats and beds of the best sort, and presents of excellent viands, are some of the means for showing them regard.

There is a verse on this subject. If a guest goes away from a house with expectations not fulfilled, he is supposed to take away the merits of the householder and transfer to the latter all his sins.

Then again in the domestic mode of life the gods are propitiated by sacrifices and other religious rites : the departed manes by the performances of obsequial rites; the Rishis by the study of the Vedas, by listening to the instructions of preceptors, and by getting by heart the scriptures, and lastly the Creator by begetting children.

There are two verses on this subject. One following this mode of life, should address all creatures with words of affection, and pleasant to the cars. To give pain, to inflict tortures, and use harsh words, are all censurable.

Insult, pride, and, deceit, also should be avoided. Abstention from injury, truth, and absence of anger, yield the merit of penances in all the modes of life.

These are allowed in a house-holders life, viz.., the use and enjoyment of garlands, ornaments, dresses, perfumed oils and scents, enjoyment of pleasures accruing froin dancing and music both vocal and instrumental, and all pleasant sights and scenes; the enjoyment of various kinds of foods and drinks belonging to best kinds of edibles, viz., those that are swallowed, those that are sucked; and the enjoyment of pleasures derivable from sports and all sorts of amusement and the gratification of desires.

That men who following this mode of life seeks to acquire the three-fold objects of life (viz., Religion, Profit, and Pleasure, as well as Emancipation,-the great end of the three qualities of Goodness, Darkness and Ignorance, enjoys grcat happiness in this world and at last attains to the end reserved for virtuous and good persons.

Even that householder who satisfies the duties of his life by following the practice of picking up fallen grains of corn from the lines of fields and who gives up sensual pleasure and attachment to action, does not find it difficult to acquire heaven.