Kurma Purana — Upari Vibhaga — Chapter 12

KuP 2 12.1

व्यास उवाच शृणुध्वमृषयः सर्वे वक्ष्यमाणं सनातनम् । कर्मयोगं ब्राह्मणानामात्यन्तिकफलप्रदम्

vyāsa uvāca śṛṇudhvamṛṣayaḥ sarve vakṣyamāṇaṃ sanātanam / karmayogaṃ brāhmaṇānāmātyantikaphalapradam

Vyāsa said: Hear, all you seers, the eternal yoga of action of brahmins, which will (now) be declared, which bestows the ultimate fruit,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.2

आम्नायसिद्धमखिलं ब्रिह्मणानुप्रदर्शितम् । ऋषीणां शृण्वतां पूर्वं मनुराह प्रजापतिः

āmnāyasiddhamakhilaṃ brihmaṇānupradarśitam / ṛṣīṇāṃ śṛṇvatāṃ pūrvaṃ manurāha prajāpatiḥ

established in its entirety in sacred tradition, set forth in the Veda — which Manu Prajāpati formerly declared while the seers listened;

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.3

सर्वपापहरं पुण्यमृषिसङ्घैर्निषेवितम् । समाहितधियो यूयं शृणुध्वं गदतो मम

sarvapāpaharaṃ puṇyamṛṣisaṅghairniṣevitam / samāhitadhiyo yūyaṃ śṛṇudhvaṃ gadato mama

(it is) meritorious, remover of all sins, resorted to by hosts of seers; with concentrated minds do you hear me as I speak.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.4

कृतोपनयनो वेदानधीयीत द्विजोत्तमाः । गर्भाष्टमे ऽष्टमे वाब्दे स्वसूत्रोक्तविधानतः

kṛtopanayano vedānadhīyīta dvijottamāḥ / garbhāṣṭame 'ṣṭame vābde svasūtroktavidhānataḥ

Having had the initiation performed, best of the twice-born, one should study the Vedas in the eighth year from conception, or in the eighth (from birth), according to the rule stated in one's own sūtra.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.5

दण्डी च मेखली सूत्री कृष्णाजिनधरो मुनिः । भिक्षाहारो गुरुहितो वीक्षमाणो गुरुर्मुखम्

daṇḍī ca mekhalī sūtrī kṛṣṇājinadharo muniḥ / bhikṣāhāro guruhito vīkṣamāṇo gururmukham

(He should be) bearing a staff, a girdle and the sacred thread, wearing a black antelope skin, silent, living on alms, devoted to the guru's welfare, gazing at the guru's face.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.6

कार्पासमुपवीतार्थं निर्मितं ब्रह्मणा पुरा । ब्राह्मणानां त्रिवित् सूत्रं कौशं वा वस्त्रमेव वा

kārpāsamupavītārthaṃ nirmitaṃ brahmaṇā purā / brāhmaṇānāṃ trivit sūtraṃ kauśaṃ vā vastrameva vā

Cotton was fashioned by Brahmā of old for the purpose of the sacred thread; for brahmins the thread is triple-stranded, or (made) of kuśa grass, or of cloth.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.7

सदोपवीती चैव स्यात् सदा बद्धशिखो द्विजः । अन्यथा यत् कृतं कर्म तद् भवत्ययथाकृतम्

sadopavītī caiva syāt sadā baddhaśikho dvijaḥ / anyathā yat kṛtaṃ karma tad bhavatyayathākṛtam

And the twice-born should always wear the sacred thread and always have his top-knot bound; otherwise whatever rite is performed becomes as though not performed.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.8

वसेदविकृतं वासः कार्पासं वा कषायकम् । तदेव परिधानीयं शुक्लमच्छिद्रमुत्तमम्

vasedavikṛtaṃ vāsaḥ kārpāsaṃ vā kaṣāyakam / tadeva paridhānīyaṃ śuklamacchidramuttamam

He should wear an unaltered garment, of cotton, or dyed ochre; that alone is to be worn as the lower garment — white, without holes, (is) best.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.9

उत्तरं तु समाख्यातं वासः कृष्णाजिनं शुभम् । अभावे गव्यमजिनं रौरवं वा विधीयते

uttaraṃ tu samākhyātaṃ vāsaḥ kṛṣṇājinaṃ śubham / abhāve gavyamajinaṃ rauravaṃ vā vidhīyate

But as the upper garment an auspicious black antelope skin is prescribed; in its absence a cow-hide or a skin of the ruru deer is ordained.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.10

उद्धृत्य दक्षिणं बाहुं सव्ये बाहौ समर्पितम् । उपवीतं भवेन्नित्यं निवीतं कण्ठसज्जने

uddhṛtya dakṣiṇaṃ bāhuṃ savye bāhau samarpitam / upavītaṃ bhavennityaṃ nivītaṃ kaṇṭhasajjane

Having raised the right arm and placed (the thread) on the left arm, it is always upavīta; when hung on the neck it is nivīta.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.11

सव्यं बाहुं समुद्धृत्य दक्षिणे तु धृतं द्विजाः । प्राचीनावीतमित्युक्तं पित्र्ये कर्मणि योजयेत्

savyaṃ bāhuṃ samuddhṛtya dakṣiṇe tu dhṛtaṃ dvijāḥ / prācīnāvītamityuktaṃ pitrye karmaṇi yojayet

Raising the left arm and holding it over the right, O twice-born ones — that is called prācīnāvīta; one should employ it in rites for the ancestors.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.12

अग्न्यगारे गवां गोष्ठे होमे जप्ये तथैव च । स्वाध्याये भोजने नित्यं ब्राह्मणानां च सन्निधौ

agnyagāre gavāṃ goṣṭhe home japye tathaiva ca / svādhyāye bhojane nityaṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ ca sannidhau

In the fire-house, in a cow-pen, at an oblation and likewise at recitation, at private study of the Veda, at eating, and always in the presence of brahmins,

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.13

उपासने गुरूणां च संध्ययोः साधुसंगमे । उपवीती भवेन्नित्यं विधिरेष सनातनः

upāsane gurūṇāṃ ca saṃdhyayoḥ sādhusaṃgame / upavītī bhavennityaṃ vidhireṣa sanātanaḥ

and in the service of teachers, at the two twilights, in the company of the good — one should always wear the sacred thread over the left shoulder (upavītin): this is the eternal rule.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.14

मौञ्जी त्रिवृत् समा श्लक्षणा कार्या विप्रस्य मेखला । मुञ्जाभावे कुशेनाहुर्ग्रन्थिनैकेन वा त्रिभिः

mauñjī trivṛt samā ślakṣaṇā kāryā viprasya mekhalā / muñjābhāve kuśenāhurgranthinaikena vā tribhiḥ

A brahmin's girdle should be made of muñja grass, triple-stranded, even and smooth; in the absence of muñja they say it may be of kuśa, with one knot or with three.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.15

धारयेद् बैल्वपालाशौ दण्डौ केशान्तकौ द्विजः । यज्ञार्हवृक्षजं वाथ सौम्यमव्रणमेव च

dhārayed bailvapālāśau daṇḍau keśāntakau dvijaḥ / yajñārhavṛkṣajaṃ vātha saumyamavraṇameva ca

The twice-born should carry staffs of bilva or palāśa reaching to the hair (of the head); or else one made from a tree fit for sacrifice, auspicious and without blemish.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.16

सायं प्रातर्द्विजः संध्यामुपासीत समाहितः । कामाल्लोभाद् भयान्मोहात् त्यक्तेन पतितो भवेत्

sāyaṃ prātardvijaḥ saṃdhyāmupāsīta samāhitaḥ / kāmāllobhād bhayānmohāt tyaktena patito bhavet

Evening and morning the twice-born should worship at the twilight, collected in mind; by omitting it out of desire, greed, fear or delusion, he becomes fallen.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.17

अग्निकार्यं ततः कुर्यात् सायं प्रातः प्रसन्नधीः । स्नात्वा संतर्पयेद् देवानृषीन् पितृगणांस्तथा

agnikāryaṃ tataḥ kuryāt sāyaṃ prātaḥ prasannadhīḥ / snātvā saṃtarpayed devānṛṣīn pitṛgaṇāṃstathā

Then, evening and morning, with a serene mind he should perform the fire-rite; having bathed, he should offer libations to the gods, the seers and the hosts of ancestors.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.18

देवताभ्यर्चनं कुर्यात् पुष्पैः पत्रेण वाम्बुभिः । अभिवादनशीलः स्यान्नित्यं वृद्धेषु धर्मतः

devatābhyarcanaṃ kuryāt puṣpaiḥ patreṇa vāmbubhiḥ / abhivādanaśīlaḥ syānnityaṃ vṛddheṣu dharmataḥ

He should perform worship of the deities with flowers, with a leaf, or with water; he should always be of the habit of saluting elders, in accordance with dharma:

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.19

असावहं भो नामेति सम्यक् प्रणतिपूर्वकम् । आयुरारोग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं तन्द्रादिपरिवर्जितः

asāvahaṃ bho nāmeti samyak praṇatipūrvakam / āyurārogyasiddhyarthaṃ tandrādiparivarjitaḥ

"I am so-and-so, sir, by name" — thus, duly preceded by a bow, for the sake of attaining long life and health, free from sluggishness and the like.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.20

आयुष्णान् भव सौम्येति वाच्यो विप्रो ऽभिवादने । अकारश्चास्य नाम्नो ऽन्ते वाच्यः पूर्वाक्षरः प्लुतः

āyuṣṇān bhava saumyeti vācyo vipro 'bhivādane / akāraścāsya nāmno 'nte vācyaḥ pūrvākṣaraḥ plutaḥ

"May you be long-lived, gentle one" — thus the brahmin is to be addressed in the return salutation; and an 'a' is to be uttered at the end of his name, the preceding syllable being protracted.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.21

न कुर्याद् यो ऽभिवादस्य द्विजः प्रत्यभिवादनम् । नाभिवाद्यः स विदुषा यथा शूद्रस्तथैव सः

na kuryād yo 'bhivādasya dvijaḥ pratyabhivādanam / nābhivādyaḥ sa viduṣā yathā śūdrastathaiva saḥ

A twice-born who does not make the return salutation to a salutation is not to be saluted by one who knows; he is just like a śūdra.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.22

व्यत्यस्तपाणिना कार्यमुपसंग्रहणं गुरोः । सव्येन सव्यः स्प्रष्टव्यो दक्षिणेन तु दक्षिणः

vyatyastapāṇinā kāryamupasaṃgrahaṇaṃ guroḥ / savyena savyaḥ spraṣṭavyo dakṣiṇena tu dakṣiṇaḥ

The clasping of the teacher's feet should be done with hands crossed: the left (foot) is to be touched with the left hand and the right with the right.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.23

लौकिकं वैदिकं चापि तथाध्यात्मिकमेव वा । आददीत यतो ज्ञानं तं पूर्वमभिवादयेत्

laukikaṃ vaidikaṃ cāpi tathādhyātmikameva vā / ādadīta yato jñānaṃ taṃ pūrvamabhivādayet

From whomever one receives knowledge — worldly, or Vedic, or indeed spiritual — him one should salute first.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.24

नोदकं धारयेद् भैक्षं पुष्पाणि समिधस्तथा । एवंविधानि चान्यानि न दैवाद्येषु कर्मसु

nodakaṃ dhārayed bhaikṣaṃ puṣpāṇi samidhastathā / evaṃvidhāni cānyāni na daivādyeṣu karmasu

One should not be holding water, alms-food, flowers, or likewise kindling-sticks, or other things of this kind — (but this does) not (apply) in rites for the gods and the like.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

KuP 2 12.25

ब्राह्मणं कुशलं पृच्छेत् क्षत्रबन्धुमनामयम् । वैश्यं क्षेमं समागम्य शूद्रमारोग्यमेव तु

brāhmaṇaṃ kuśalaṃ pṛcchet kṣatrabandhumanāmayam / vaiśyaṃ kṣemaṃ samāgamya śūdramārogyameva tu

On meeting (them) one should ask a brahmin about his well-being (kuśala), a kshatriya about his freedom from ailment, a vaishya about his security, but a shudra only about his health.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.26

उपाध्यायः पिता ज्येष्ठो भ्राता चैव महीपतिः । मातुलः श्वशुरस्त्राता मातामहपितामहौ । वर्णज्येष्ठः पितृव्यश्च पुंसो ऽत्र गुरवः स्मृताः

upādhyāyaḥ pitā jyeṣṭho bhrātā caiva mahīpatiḥ / mātulaḥ śvaśurastrātā mātāmahapitāmahau / varṇajyeṣṭhaḥ pitṛvyaśca puṃso 'tra guravaḥ smṛtāḥ

The teacher, the father, the eldest brother, the king, the maternal uncle, the father-in-law, a protector, the maternal grandfather and the paternal grandfather, one senior in caste, and the paternal uncle — these are declared here to be a man's gurus.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.27

माता मातामही गुर्वो पितुर्मातुश्च सोदराः । श्वश्रूः पितामहीज्येष्ठा धात्री च गुरवः स्त्रियः

mātā mātāmahī gurvo piturmātuśca sodarāḥ / śvaśrūḥ pitāmahījyeṣṭhā dhātrī ca guravaḥ striyaḥ

The mother, the maternal grandmother, the teacher's wife, the sisters of one's father and mother, the mother-in-law, the paternal grandmother, an elder (sister), and the nurse — these are the female gurus.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.28

इत्युक्तो गुरुवर्गो ऽयं मातृतः पितृतो द्विजाः । अनुवर्तनमेतेषां मनोवाक्कायकर्मभिः

ityukto guruvargo 'yaṃ mātṛtaḥ pitṛto dvijāḥ / anuvartanameteṣāṃ manovākkāyakarmabhiḥ

Thus, O twice-born, this class of gurus has been stated, on the mother's side and on the father's side; one must comply with these by acts of mind, speech and body.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.29

गुरुं दृष्ट्वा समुत्तिष्ठेदभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः । नैतैरुपविशेत् सार्धं विवदेन्नात्मकारणात्

guruṃ dṛṣṭvā samuttiṣṭhedabhivādya kṛtāñjaliḥ / naitairupaviśet sārdhaṃ vivadennātmakāraṇāt

On seeing a guru one should rise up, salute him with joined palms; one should not sit down together with these, nor dispute with them for one's own sake.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.30

जीवितार्थमपि द्वेषाद् गुरुभिर्नैव भाषणम् । उदितो ऽपि गुणैरन्यैर्गुरुद्वेषी पतत्यधः

jīvitārthamapi dveṣād gurubhirnaiva bhāṣaṇam / udito 'pi guṇairanyairgurudveṣī patatyadhaḥ

Not even for the sake of (saving) one's life should one speak to gurus out of hatred; even one who is exalted by other virtues, if he hates his guru, falls down.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.31

गुरूणामपि सर्वेषां पूज्याः पञ्च विशेषतः । तेषामाद्यास्त्रयः श्रेष्ठास्तेषां माता सुपूजिता

gurūṇāmapi sarveṣāṃ pūjyāḥ pañca viśeṣataḥ / teṣāmādyāstrayaḥ śreṣṭhāsteṣāṃ mātā supūjitā

Among all elders, five are especially to be honoured; of these the first three are the highest, and among them the mother is the most to be honoured.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.32

यो भावयति या सूते येन विद्योपदिश्यते । ज्येष्ठो भ्राता च भर्ता च पञ्चैते गुरवः स्मृताः

yo bhāvayati yā sūte yena vidyopadiśyate / jyeṣṭho bhrātā ca bhartā ca pañcaite guravaḥ smṛtāḥ

He who begets, she who bears, he by whom knowledge is taught, the eldest brother, and the husband (or master) — these five are held to be elders.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.33

आत्मनः सर्वयत्नेन प्राणत्यागेन वा पुनः । पूजनीया विशेषेण पञ्चैते भूतिमिच्छता

ātmanaḥ sarvayatnena prāṇatyāgena vā punaḥ / pūjanīyā viśeṣeṇa pañcaite bhūtimicchatā

By one who desires prosperity these five are especially to be honoured with every effort of one's own, or even at the cost of giving up one's life.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.34

यावत् पिता च माता च द्वावेतौ निर्विकारिणौ । तावत् सर्वं परित्यज्य पुत्रः स्यात् तत्परायणः

yāvat pitā ca mātā ca dvāvetau nirvikāriṇau / tāvat sarvaṃ parityajya putraḥ syāt tatparāyaṇaḥ

So long as these two, father and mother, remain unchanged (i.e. alive and well), a son should abandon everything else and be devoted to them.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.35

पिता माता च सुप्रीतौ स्यातां पुत्रगुणैर्यदि । स पुत्रः सकलं धर्ममाप्नुयात् तेन कर्मणा

pitā mātā ca suprītau syātāṃ putraguṇairyadi / sa putraḥ sakalaṃ dharmamāpnuyāt tena karmaṇā

If father and mother are well pleased by a son's good qualities, that son would obtain the whole of dharma by that act.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.36

नास्ति मातृसमं दैवं नास्ति पितृसमो गुरुः । तयोः प्रत्युपकारो ऽपि न कथञ्चन विद्यते

nāsti mātṛsamaṃ daivaṃ nāsti pitṛsamo guruḥ / tayoḥ pratyupakāro 'pi na kathañcana vidyate

There is no deity equal to the mother, there is no elder equal to the father; and no repayment to those two is in any way possible.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.37

तयोर्नित्यं प्रियं कुर्यात् कर्मणा मनसा गिरा । न ताभ्यामननुज्ञातो धर्ममन्यं समाचरेत्

tayornityaṃ priyaṃ kuryāt karmaṇā manasā girā / na tābhyāmananujñāto dharmamanyaṃ samācaret

One should always do what is dear to those two, by act, by mind, and by speech; and, not permitted by them, one should not undertake any other religious observance.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.38

वर्जयित्वा मुक्तिफलं नित्यं नैमित्तिकं तथा । धर्मसारः समुद्दिष्टः प्रेत्यानन्तफलप्रदः

varjayitvā muktiphalaṃ nityaṃ naimittikaṃ tathā / dharmasāraḥ samuddiṣṭaḥ pretyānantaphalapradaḥ

Excluding that whose fruit is liberation, and the regular and the occasional (rites), (this) is declared to be the essence of dharma, bestowing endless fruit after death.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

KuP 2 12.39

सम्यगाराध्य वक्तारं विसृष्टस्तदनुज्ञया । शिष्यो विद्याफलं भुङ्क्ते प्रेत्य चापद्यते दिवि

samyagārādhya vaktāraṃ visṛṣṭastadanujñayā / śiṣyo vidyāphalaṃ bhuṅkte pretya cāpadyate divi

Having properly served the one who speaks (i.e. the teacher), and dismissed with his permission, the pupil enjoys the fruit of knowledge, and after death attains heaven.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.40

यो भ्रातरं पितृसमं ज्येष्ठं मूर्खो ऽवमन्यते । तेन दोषेण स प्रेत्य निरयं घोरमृच्छति

yo bhrātaraṃ pitṛsamaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ mūrkho 'vamanyate / tena doṣeṇa sa pretya nirayaṃ ghoramṛcchati

The fool who slights his eldest brother, who is equal to a father, by that fault goes after death to a terrible hell.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.41

पुंसा वर्त्मनिविष्टेन पूज्यो भर्ता तु सर्वदा । याति दातरि लोके ऽस्मिन् उपकाराद्धि गौरवम्

puṃsā vartmaniviṣṭena pūjyo bhartā tu sarvadā / yāti dātari loke 'smin upakārāddhi gauravam

By a man set upon the (right) path the master is always to be honoured; for in this world honour goes to the giver, because of the benefit (conferred).

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain

KuP 2 12.42

येनरा भर्तृपिण्डार्थं स्वान् प्राणान् संत्यजन्ति हि । तेषामथाक्षयांल्लोकान् प्रोवाच भगवान् मनुः

yenarā bhartṛpiṇḍārthaṃ svān prāṇān saṃtyajanti hi / teṣāmathākṣayāṃllokān provāca bhagavān manuḥ

For those men who give up their own lives for the sake of their master's food, the lord Manu declared imperishable worlds.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.43

मातुलांश्च पितृव्यांश्च श्वशुरानृत्विजो गुरून् । असावहमिति ब्रूयुः प्रत्युत्थाय यवीयसः

mātulāṃśca pitṛvyāṃśca śvaśurānṛtvijo gurūn / asāvahamiti brūyuḥ pratyutthāya yavīyasaḥ

Maternal uncles, paternal uncles, fathers-in-law, officiating priests, and elders — the younger men should rise up and say to them, "It is I, so-and-so."

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.44

अवाच्यो दीक्षितो नाम्ना यवीयानपि यो भवेत् । भोभवत्पूर्वकं त्वेनमभिभाषेत धर्मवित्

avācyo dīkṣito nāmnā yavīyānapi yo bhavet / bhobhavatpūrvakaṃ tvenamabhibhāṣeta dharmavit

One who is consecrated is not to be addressed by name, even if he be younger; one who knows dharma should address him with "bho" and "bhavat" preceding.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.45

अभिवाद्याश्च पूज्यश्च शिरसा वन्द्य एव च । ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियाद्यैश्च श्रीकामैः सादरं सदा

abhivādyāśca pūjyaśca śirasā vandya eva ca / brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyādyaiśca śrīkāmaiḥ sādaraṃ sadā

And the brahmin is to be greeted and honoured and indeed saluted with the head, always and respectfully, by kṣatriyas and the rest who desire prosperity.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.46

नाभिवाद्यास्तु विप्रेण क्षत्रियाद्याः कथञ्चन । ज्ञानकर्मगुणोपेता यद्यप्येते बहुश्रुताः

nābhivādyāstu vipreṇa kṣatriyādyāḥ kathañcana / jñānakarmaguṇopetā yadyapyete bahuśrutāḥ

But kṣatriyas and the rest are in no way to be greeted (with abhivādana) by a brahmin, even though they be endowed with knowledge, ritual action and good qualities, and widely learned.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.47

ब्राह्मणः सर्ववर्णानां स्वस्ति कुर्यादिति स्थितिः । सवर्णेषु सवर्णानां कार्यमेवाभिवादनम्

brāhmaṇaḥ sarvavarṇānāṃ svasti kuryāditi sthitiḥ / savarṇeṣu savarṇānāṃ kāryamevābhivādanam

The established rule is that a brahmin should pronounce "svasti" (blessing) to all the varṇas; among those of the same varṇa, the abhivādana greeting is to be made by those of the same varṇa.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.48

गुरुरग्निर्द्विजातीनां वर्णानां ब्राह्मणो गुरुः । पतिरेको गुरुः स्त्रीणां सर्वत्राभ्यागतो गुरुः

gururagnirdvijātīnāṃ varṇānāṃ brāhmaṇo guruḥ / patireko guruḥ strīṇāṃ sarvatrābhyāgato guruḥ

For the twice-born the fire is the elder; for the varṇas the brahmin is the elder; for women the husband alone is the elder; and everywhere the arrived guest is the elder.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.49

विद्या कर्म वयो बन्धुर्वित्तं भवति पञ्चमम् । मान्यस्थानानि पञ्चाहुः पूर्वं पूर्वं गुरूत्तरात्

vidyā karma vayo bandhurvittaṃ bhavati pañcamam / mānyasthānāni pañcāhuḥ pūrvaṃ pūrvaṃ gurūttarāt

Learning, ritual action, age, kinship, and wealth as the fifth: these five, they say, are the grounds of respect, each earlier one being weightier than the one following.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.50

पञ्चानां त्रिषु वर्णेषु भूयांसि बलवन्ति च । यत्र स्युः सो ऽत्र मानार्हः शूद्रो ऽपि दशमीं गतः

pañcānāṃ triṣu varṇeṣu bhūyāṃsi balavanti ca / yatra syuḥ so 'tra mānārhaḥ śūdro 'pi daśamīṃ gataḥ

In the three varṇas, he in whom the greater number of these five and the stronger of them are present is worthy of honour there; and so too a śūdra who has reached his tenth (decade of life).

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.51

पन्था देयो ब्राह्मणाय स्त्रियै राज्ञे ह्यचक्षुषे । वृद्धाय भारबुग्नाय रोगिणे दुर्बलाय च

panthā deyo brāhmaṇāya striyai rājñe hyacakṣuṣe / vṛddhāya bhārabugnāya rogiṇe durbalāya ca

The road is to be yielded to a brahmin, to a woman, to a king, to a blind man, to an old man, to one bent under a load, to a sick man, and to a weak man.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.52

भिक्षामाहृत्य शिष्टानां गृहेभ्यः प्रयतो ऽन्वहम् । निवेद्य गुरवे ऽश्नीयाद् वाग्यतस्तदनुज्ञया

bhikṣāmāhṛtya śiṣṭānāṃ gṛhebhyaḥ prayato 'nvaham / nivedya gurave 'śnīyād vāgyatastadanujñayā

Having brought alms each day, self-restrained, from the houses of the virtuous, he should offer them to the teacher and, with his speech controlled, eat with the teacher's permission.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.53

भवत्पूर्वं चरेद् भैक्ष्यमुपनीतो द्विजोत्तमः । भवन्मध्यं तु राजन्यो वैश्यस्तु भवदुत्तरम्

bhavatpūrvaṃ cared bhaikṣyamupanīto dvijottamaḥ / bhavanmadhyaṃ tu rājanyo vaiśyastu bhavaduttaram

The best of the twice-born (the brahmin), once initiated, should beg alms with "bhavat" at the beginning; but the man of royal class with "bhavat" in the middle, and the vaiśya with "bhavat" at the end.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.54

मातरं वा स्वसारं वा मातुर्वा भगिनीं निजाम् । भिक्षेत भिक्षां प्रथमं या चैनं न विमानयेत्

mātaraṃ vā svasāraṃ vā māturvā bhaginīṃ nijām / bhikṣeta bhikṣāṃ prathamaṃ yā cainaṃ na vimānayet

He should first beg alms from his mother, or from his sister, or from his own mother's sister — from her who will not slight him.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.55

सजातीयगृहेष्वेव सार्ववर्णिकमेव वा । भैक्ष्यस्य चरणं प्रोक्तं पतितादिषु वर्जितम्

sajātīyagṛheṣveva sārvavarṇikameva vā / bhaikṣyasya caraṇaṃ proktaṃ patitādiṣu varjitam

The going about for alms is prescribed to be in the houses of those of his own class only, or else among all the classes, excluding those who are fallen and the like.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.56

वेदयज्ञैरहीनानां प्रशस्तानां स्वकर्मसु । ब्रह्मचर्याहरेद् भैक्षं गृहेभ्यः प्रयतो ऽन्वहम्

vedayajñairahīnānāṃ praśastānāṃ svakarmasu / brahmacaryāhared bhaikṣaṃ gṛhebhyaḥ prayato 'nvaham

The student should each day, self-restrained, fetch alms from the houses of those not lacking in Vedic study and sacrifices, who are praised in their own duties.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.57

गुरोः कुले न भिक्षेत न ज्ञातिकुलबन्धुषु । अलाभे त्वन्यगेहानां पूर्वं पूर्वं विवर्जयेत्

guroḥ kule na bhikṣeta na jñātikulabandhuṣu / alābhe tvanyagehānāṃ pūrvaṃ pūrvaṃ vivarjayet

He should not beg in the teacher's family, nor among the families of kinsmen and relatives; but if he obtains nothing from the other houses, he should avoid (them) each in the order given.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.58

सर्वं वा विचरेद् ग्रामं पूर्वोक्तानामसंभवे । नियम्य प्रयतो वाचं दिशस्त्वनवलोकयन्

sarvaṃ vā vicared grāmaṃ pūrvoktānāmasaṃbhave / niyamya prayato vācaṃ diśastvanavalokayan

Or, when the aforesaid are not available, he may go about the whole village, restraining his speech, self-restrained, and not looking about in (all) directions.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.59

समाहृत्य तु तद् भैक्षं यावदर्थममायया । भुञ्जीत प्रयतो नित्यं वाग्यतो ऽनन्यमानसः

samāhṛtya tu tad bhaikṣaṃ yāvadarthamamāyayā / bhuñjīta prayato nityaṃ vāgyato 'nanyamānasaḥ

But having collected that alms-food, as much as is needed, without deceit, he should eat, always self-restrained, with speech controlled and his mind on nothing else.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.60

भैक्ष्येण वर्तयेन्नित्यं नैकान्नादी भवेद् व्रती । भैक्ष्येण व्रतिनो वृत्तिरुपवाससमा स्मृता

bhaikṣyeṇa vartayennityaṃ naikānnādī bhaved vratī / bhaikṣyeṇa vratino vṛttirupavāsasamā smṛtā

He should always live on alms; the observer of the vow should not eat the food of one person (only). Living on alms is declared for the vow-keeper to be equal to fasting.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.61

पूजयेदशनं नित्यमद्याच्चैतदकुत्सयन् । दृष्ट्वा हृष्येत् प्रसीदेच्च प्रतिनन्देच्च सर्वशः

pūjayedaśanaṃ nityamadyāccaitadakutsayan / dṛṣṭvā hṛṣyet prasīdecca pratinandecca sarvaśaḥ

He should always honour his food and eat it without disparaging it; on seeing it he should be glad, be pleased, and welcome it in every way.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.62

अनारोग्यमनायुष्यमस्वर्ग्यं चातिभोजनम् । अपुण्यं लोकविद्विष्टं तस्मात् तत्परिवर्जयेत्

anārogyamanāyuṣyamasvargyaṃ cātibhojanam / apuṇyaṃ lokavidviṣṭaṃ tasmāt tatparivarjayet

Eating too much is unhealthy, shortens life, and does not lead to heaven; it is unmeritorious and disliked by people — therefore one should avoid it.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.63

प्राङ्मुखो ऽन्नानि भुञ्जीत सूर्याभिमुख एव वा । नाद्यादुदङ्मुखो नित्यं विधिरेष सनातनः

prāṅmukho 'nnāni bhuñjīta sūryābhimukha eva vā / nādyādudaṅmukho nityaṃ vidhireṣa sanātanaḥ

He should eat his food facing east, or else facing the sun; he should never eat facing north — this is the eternal rule.

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition

KuP 2 12.64

प्रक्षाल्य पाणिपादौ च भुञ्जानो द्विरुपस्पृशेत् । शुचौ देशे समासीनो भुक्त्वा च द्विरुपस्पृशेत्

prakṣālya pāṇipādau ca bhuñjāno dvirupaspṛśet / śucau deśe samāsīno bhuktvā ca dvirupaspṛśet

Having washed his hands and feet, while eating he should sip water twice; and seated in a clean place, when he has eaten he should sip water twice (again).

AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition