मनुम् एकाग्रम् आसीनम् अभिगम्य) महर्षयः । प्रतिपूज्य) यथान्यायम् इदं वचनम् अब्रुवन्) ॥
manum ekāgram āsīnam abhigamya) maharṣayaḥ | pratipūjya) yathānyāyam idaṃ vacanam abruvan) ||
The great sages approached Manu, who was seated with a collected mind, and, having duly worshipped him, spoke as follows:
Translated by Georg Bühler
भगवन् सर्ववर्णानां यथावद् अनुपूर्वशः । अन्तरप्रभवानां च धर्मान् नो वक्तुम् अर्हसि) ॥
bhagavan sarvavarṇānāṃ yathāvad anupūrvaśaḥ | antaraprabhavānāṃ ca dharmān no vaktum arhasi) ||
'Deign, divine one, to declare to us precisely and in due order the sacred laws of each of the (four chief) castes (varna) and of the intermediate ones.
Translated by Georg Bühler
त्वम् एको ह्य् अस्य सर्वस्य विधानस्य स्वयंभुवः । अचिन्त्यस्य-अप्रमेयस्य कार्यतत्त्वार्थवित् प्रभो ॥
tvam eko hy asya sarvasya vidhānasya svayaṃbhuvaḥ | acintyasya-aprameyasya kāryatattvārthavit prabho ||
'For thou, O Lord, alone knowest the purport, (i.e.) the rites, and the knowledge of the soul, (taught) in this whole ordinance of the Self-existent (Svayambhu), which is unknowable and unfathomable.'
Translated by Georg Bühler
स तैः पृष्टस्) तथा सम्यग् अमितओजा महात्मभिः । प्रत्युवाच)-अर्च्य) तान् सर्वान् महर्षीन्- श्रूयताम्) इति ॥
sa taiḥ pṛṣṭas) tathā samyag amita.ojā mahātmabhiḥ | pratyuvāca)-arcya) tān sarvān maharṣīn- śrūyatām) iti ||
He, whose power is measureless, being thus asked by the high-minded great sages, duly honoured them, and answered, 'Listen!'
Translated by Georg Bühler
आसीद्) इदम् तमोभूतम् अप्रज्ञातम् अलक्षणम् । अप्रतर्क्यम् अविज्ञेयं प्रसुप्तम् इव सर्वतः ॥
āsīd) idam tamobhūtam a.prajñātam a.lakṣaṇam | a.pratarkyam a.vijñeyaṃ prasuptam iva sarvataḥ ||
This (universe) existed in the shape of Darkness, unperceived, destitute of distinctive marks, unattainable by reasoning, unknowable, wholly immersed, as it were, in deep sleep.
Translated by Georg Bühler
ततः स्वयंभूर् भगवान् अव्यक्तो व्यञ्जयन्न्) इदम् । महाभूतादि वृत्तओजाः प्रादुर् आसीत्) तमोनुदः ॥
tataḥ svayaṃbhūr bhagavān avyakto vyañjayann) idam | mahābhūtādi vṛtta.ojāḥ prādur āsīt) tamonudaḥ ||
Then the divine Self-existent (Svayambhu, himself) indiscernible, (but) making (all) this, the great elements and the rest, discernible, appeared with irresistible (creative) power, dispelling the darkness.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यो ऽअसाव् अतीन्द्रियग्राह्यः सूक्ष्मो ऽअव्यक्तः सनातनः । सर्वभूतमयो ऽअचिन्त्यः स एव स्वयम् उद्बभौ) ॥। [म्। स एष]
yo 'asāv atīndriyagrāhyaḥ sūkṣmo 'avyaktaḥ sanātanaḥ | sarvabhūtamayo 'acintyaḥ sa eva svayam udbabhau) ||| [M. sa eṣa]
He who can be perceived by the internal organ (alone), who is subtile, indiscernible, and eternal, who contains all created beings and is inconceivable, shone forth of his own (will).
Translated by Georg Bühler
सो ऽअभिध्याय) शरीरात् स्वात् सिसृक्षुर् विविधाः प्रजाः । अप एव ससर्ज)-आदौ तासु वीर्यम् अवासृजत्) ॥
so 'abhidhyāya) śarīrāt svāt sisṛkṣur vividhāḥ prajāḥ | apa eva sasarja)-ādau tāsu vīryam avāsṛjat) ||
He, desiring to produce beings of many kinds from his own body, first with a thought created the waters, and placed his seed in them.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तद् अण्डम् अभवद्द्) हैमं सहस्रांशुसमप्रभम् । तस्मिञ् जज्ञे) स्वयं ब्रह्मा सर्वलोकपितामहः ॥
tad aṇḍam abhavadd) haimaṃ sahasrāṃśusama.prabham | tasmiñ jajñe) svayaṃ brahmā sarvalokapitāmahaḥ ||
That (seed) became a golden egg, in brilliancy equal to the sun; in that (egg) he himself was born as Brahman, the progenitor of the whole world.
Translated by Georg Bühler
आपो नरा इति प्रोक्ता) आपो वै नरसूनवः । ता यद् अस्यायनं पूर्वं तेन नारायणः स्मृतः ॥
āpo narā iti proktā) āpo vai narasūnavaḥ | tā yad asyāyanaṃ pūrvaṃ tena nārāyaṇaḥ smṛtaḥ ||
The waters are called narah, (for) the waters are, indeed, the offspring of Nara; as they were his first residence (ayana), he thence is named Narayana.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यत् तत् कारणम् अव्यक्तं नित्यं सदसदात्मकं । तद्विसृष्टः स पुरुषो लोके ब्रह्मा-इति कीर्त्यते) ॥
yat tat kāraṇam avyaktaṃ nityaṃ sad.asad.ātmakaṃ | tad.visṛṣṭaḥ sa puruṣo loke brahmā-iti kīrtyate) ||
From that (first) cause, which is indiscernible, eternal, and both real and unreal, was produced that male (Purusha), who is famed in this world (under the appellation of) Brahman.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तस्मिन्न् अण्डे स भगवान् उषित्वा) परिवत्सरम् । स्वयम् एवात्मनो ध्यानात् तद् अण्डम् अकरोद्) द्विधा ॥
tasminn aṇḍe sa bhagavān uṣitvā) parivatsaram | svayam evātmano dhyānāt tad aṇḍam akarod) dvidhā ||
The divine one resided in that egg during a whole year, then he himself by his thought (alone) divided it into two halves;
Translated by Georg Bühler
ताभ्यां स शकलाभ्यां च दिवं भूमिं च निर्ममे) । मध्ये व्योम दिशश् च-अष्टाव् अपां स्थानं च शाश्वतं ॥
tābhyāṃ sa śakalābhyāṃ ca divaṃ bhūmiṃ ca nirmame) | madhye vyoma diśaś ca-aṣṭāv apāṃ sthānaṃ ca śāśvataṃ ||
And out of those two halves he formed heaven and earth, between them the middle sphere, the eight points of the horizon, and the eternal abode of the waters.
Translated by Georg Bühler
उद्बबर्ह)-आत्मनश् च-एव मनः सदसदात्मकम् । मनसश् च-अप्य् अहंकारम् अभिमन्तारम् ईश्वरम् ॥ [म्। अहङ्कारम्]
udbabarha)-ātmanaś ca-eva manaḥ sad.asad.ātmakam | manasaś ca-apy ahaṃkāram abhimantāram īśvaram || [M. ahaṅkāram]
From himself (atmanah) he also drew forth the mind, which is both real and unreal, likewise from the mind egoism, which possesses the function of self-consciousness (and is) lordly;
Translated by Georg Bühler
महान्तम् एव च-आत्मानं सर्वाणि त्रिगुणानि च । विषयाणां ग्रहीत्क़्णि शनैः पञ्चैन्द्रियाणि च ॥
mahāntam eva ca-ātmānaṃ sarvāṇi tri.guṇāni ca | viṣayāṇāṃ grahītqṇi śanaiḥ pañca.indriyāṇi ca ||
Moreover, the great one, the soul, and all (products) affected by the three qualities, and, in their order, the five organs which perceive the objects of sensation.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तेषां त्व् अवयवान् सूक्ष्मान् षण्णाम् अप्य् अमितओजसाम् । संनिवेश्य)-आत्ममात्रासु सर्वभूतानि निर्ममे) ॥ [म्। सन्निवेश्य]
teṣāṃ tv avayavān sūkṣmān ṣaṇṇām apy amita.ojasām | saṃniveśya)-ātmamātrāsu sarvabhūtāni nirmame) || [M. sanniveśya]
But, joining minute particles even of those six, which possess measureless power, with particles of himself, he created all beings.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यन् मूर्तिअवयवाः सूक्ष्मास् तानि-इमान्य् आश्रयन्ति) षट् । तस्मात्-शरीरम् इत्य् आहुस्) तस्य मूर्तिं मनीषिणः ॥
yan mūrti.avayavāḥ sūkṣmās tāni-imāny āśrayanti) ṣaṭ | tasmāt-śarīram ity āhus) tasya mūrtiṃ manīṣiṇaḥ ||
Because those six (kinds of) minute particles, which form the (creator's) frame, enter (a-sri) these (creatures), therefore the wise call his frame sarira, (the body.)
Translated by Georg Bühler
तद् आविशन्ति) भूतानि महान्ति सह कर्मभिः । मनश् च-अवयवैः सूक्ष्मैः सर्वभूतकृद् अव्ययम् ॥
tad āviśanti) bhūtāni mahānti saha karmabhiḥ | manaś ca-avayavaiḥ sūkṣmaiḥ sarvabhūtakṛd avyayam ||
That the great elements enter, together with their functions and the mind, through its minute parts the framer of all beings, the imperishable one.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तेषाम् इदं तु सप्तानां पुरुषाणां महाओजसाम् । सूक्ष्माभ्यो मूर्तिमात्राभ्यः संभवत्य्) अव्ययाद् व्ययम् ॥
teṣām idaṃ tu saptānāṃ puruṣāṇāṃ mahā.ojasām | sūkṣmābhyo mūrtimātrābhyaḥ saṃbhavaty) avyayād vyayam ||
But from minute body (-framing) particles of these seven very powerful Purushas springs this (world), the perishable from the imperishable.
Translated by Georg Bühler
आद्याद्यस्य गुणं त्व् एषाम् अवाप्नोति) परः परः । यो यो यावतिथश् च-एषां स स तावद् गुणः स्मृतः ॥
ādyādyasya guṇaṃ tv eṣām avāpnoti) paraḥ paraḥ | yo yo yāvatithaś ca-eṣāṃ sa sa tāvad guṇaḥ smṛtaḥ ||
Among them each succeeding (element) acquires the quality of the preceding one, and whatever place (in the sequence) each of them occupies, even so many qualities it is declared to possess.
Translated by Georg Bühler
सर्वेषां तु स नामानि कर्माणि च पृथक् पृथक् । वेदशब्देभ्य एव-आदौ पृथक् संस्थाश् च निर्ममे) ॥
sarveṣāṃ tu sa nāmāni karmāṇi ca pṛthak pṛthak | vedaśabdebhya eva-ādau pṛthak saṃsthāś ca nirmame) ||
But in the beginning he assigned their several names, actions, and conditions to all (created beings), even according to the words of the Veda.
Translated by Georg Bühler
कर्मात्मनां च देवानां सो ऽअसृजत्) प्राणिनां प्रभुः । साध्यानां च गणं सूक्ष्मं यज्ञं च-एव सनातनम् ॥
karmātmanāṃ ca devānāṃ so 'asṛjat) prāṇināṃ prabhuḥ | sādhyānāṃ ca gaṇaṃ sūkṣmaṃ yajñaṃ ca-eva sanātanam ||
He, the Lord, also created the class of the gods, who are endowed with life, and whose nature is action; and the subtile class of the Sadhyas, and the eternal sacrifice.
Translated by Georg Bühler
अग्निवायुरविभ्यस् तु त्रयं ब्रह्म सनातनम् । दुदोह) यज्ञसिद्धिअर्थम् ऋच्यजुस्सामलक्षणम् ॥
agni.vāyu.ravibhyas tu trayaṃ brahma sanātanam | dudoha) yajñasiddhi.artham ṛc.yajus.sāma.lakṣaṇam ||
But from fire, wind, and the sun he drew forth the threefold eternal Veda, called Rik, Yagus, and Saman, for the due performance of the sacrifice.
Translated by Georg Bühler
कालं कालविभक्तीश् च नक्षत्राणि ग्रहांस् तथा । सरितः सागरान्-शैलान् समानि विषमानि च ॥
kālaṃ kālavibhaktīś ca nakṣatrāṇi grahāṃs tathā | saritaḥ sāgarān-śailān samāni viṣamāni ca ||
Time and the divisions of time, the lunar mansions and the planets, the rivers, the oceans, the mountains, plains, and uneven ground.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तपो वाचं रतिं च-एव कामं च क्रोधम् एव च । सृष्टिं ससर्ज च-एव-इमां स्रष्टुम् इच्छन्न्) इमाः प्रजाः ॥
tapo vācaṃ ratiṃ ca-eva kāmaṃ ca krodham eva ca | sṛṣṭiṃ sasarja ca-eva-imāṃ sraṣṭum icchann) imāḥ prajāḥ ||
Austerity, speech, pleasure, desire, and anger, this whole creation he likewise produced, as he desired to call these beings into existence.
Translated by Georg Bühler
कर्मणां च विवेकार्थं धर्मअधर्मौ व्यवेचयत्) । [क्:विवेकाय ] द्वन्द्वैर् अयोजयच्) च-इमाः सुखदुःखादिभिः प्रजाः ॥
karmaṇāṃ ca vivekārthaṃ dharma.adharmau vyavecayat) | [K:vivekāya ] dvandvair ayojayac) ca-imāḥ sukha.duḥkhādibhiḥ prajāḥ ||
Moreover, in order to distinguish actions, he separated merit from demerit, and he caused the creatures to be affected by the pairs (of opposites), such as pain and pleasure.
Translated by Georg Bühler
अण्व्यो मात्रा विनाशिन्यो दशार्धानां तु याः स्मृताः । ताभिः सार्धम् इदं सर्वं संभवत्य्) अनुपूर्वशः ॥
aṇvyo mātrā vināśinyo daśārdhānāṃ tu yāḥ smṛtāḥ | tābhiḥ sārdham idaṃ sarvaṃ saṃbhavaty) anupūrvaśaḥ ||
But with the minute perishable particles of the five (elements) which have been mentioned, this whole (world) is framed in due order.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यं तु कर्मणि यस्मिन् स न्ययुङ्क्त) प्रथमं प्रभुः । स तद् एव स्वयं भेजे) सृज्यमानः) पुनः पुनः ॥
yaṃ tu karmaṇi yasmin sa nyayuṅkta) prathamaṃ prabhuḥ | sa tad eva svayaṃ bheje) sṛjyamānaḥ) punaḥ punaḥ ||
But to whatever course of action the Lord at first appointed each (kind of beings), that alone it has spontaneously adopted in each succeeding creation.
Translated by Georg Bühler
हिंस्रअहिंस्रे मृदुक्रूरे धर्मअधर्माव् ऋतअनृते । यद् यस्य सो ऽअदधात्) सर्गे तत् तस्य स्वयम् आविशत्) ॥
hiṃsra.ahiṃsre mṛdu.krūre dharma.adharmāv ṛta.an.ṛte | yad yasya so 'adadhāt) sarge tat tasya svayam āviśat) ||
Whatever he assigned to each at the (first) creation, noxiousness or harmlessness, gentleness or ferocity, virtue or sin, truth or falsehood, that clung (afterwards) spontaneously to it.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यथा-ऋतुलिङ्गान्य् ऋतवः स्वयम् एव-ऋतुपर्यये । स्वानि स्वान्य् अभिपद्यन्ते) तथा कर्माणि देहिनः ॥
yathā-ṛtu.liṅgāny ṛtavaḥ svayam eva-ṛtuparyaye | svāni svāny abhipadyante) tathā karmāṇi dehinaḥ ||
As at the change of the seasons each season of its own accord assumes its distinctive marks, even so corporeal beings (resume in new births) their (appointed) course of action.
Translated by Georg Bühler
लोकानां तु विवृद्धिअर्थं मुखबाहुऊरुपादतः । ब्राह्मणं क्षत्रियं वैश्यं शूद्रं च निरवर्तयत्) ॥
lokānāṃ tu vivṛddhi.arthaṃ mukha.bāhu.ūru.pādataḥ | brāhmaṇaṃ kṣatriyaṃ vaiśyaṃ śūdraṃ ca niravartayat) ||
But for the sake of the prosperity of the worlds he caused the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra to proceed from his mouth, his arms, his thighs, and his feet.
Translated by Georg Bühler
द्विधा कृत्वा)-आत्मनो देहम् अर्धेन पुरुषो ऽअभवत्) । अर्धेन नारी तस्यां स विराजम् असृजत्) प्रभुः ॥
dvidhā kṛtvā)-ātmano deham ardhena puruṣo 'abhavat) | ardhena nārī tasyāṃ sa virājam asṛjat) prabhuḥ ||
Dividing his own body, the Lord became half male and half female; with that (female) he produced Virag.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तपस् तप्त्वा)-असृजद्) यं तु स स्वयं पुरुषो विराट् । तं मां वित्त)-अस्य सर्वस्य स्रष्टारं द्विजसत्तमाः ॥
tapas taptvā)-asṛjad) yaṃ tu sa svayaṃ puruṣo virāṭ | taṃ māṃ vitta)-asya sarvasya sraṣṭāraṃ dvijasattamāḥ ||
But know me, O most holy among the twice-born, to be the creator of this whole (world), whom that male, Virag, himself produced, having performed austerities.
Translated by Georg Bühler
अहं प्रजाः सिसृक्षुस् तु तपस् तप्त्वा) सुदुश्चरम् । पतीन् प्रजानाम् असृजं) महर्षीन् आदितो दश ।
ahaṃ prajāḥ sisṛkṣus tu tapas taptvā) su.duścaram | patīn prajānām asṛjaṃ) maharṣīn ādito daśa |
Then I, desiring to produce created beings, performed very difficult austerities, and (thereby) called into existence ten great sages, lords of created beings,
Translated by Georg Bühler
मरीचिम् अत्रिअङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यं पुलहं क्रतुम् । प्रचेतसं वसिष्ठं च भृगुं नारदम् एव च ॥
marīcim atri.aṅgirasau pulastyaṃ pulahaṃ kratum | pracetasaṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ ca bhṛguṃ nāradam eva ca ||
Mariki, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Praketas, Vasishtha, Bhrigu, and Narada.
Translated by Georg Bühler
एते मनूंस् तु सप्तान् यान् असृजन्) भूरितेजसः । देवान् देवनिकायांश् च महर्षींश् च-अमितओजसः ॥
ete manūṃs tu saptān yān asṛjan) bhūritejasaḥ | devān devanikāyāṃś ca maharṣīṃś ca-amita.ojasaḥ ||
They created seven other Manus possessing great brilliancy, gods and classes of gods and great sages of measureless power,
Translated by Georg Bühler
यक्षरक्षस्पिशाचांश् च गन्धर्वअप्सरसो ऽअसुरान् । नागान् सर्पान् सुपर्णांश् च पित्क़्णांश् च पृथग्गणम् ॥ [म्। पित्क़्णां]
yakṣa.rakṣas.piśācāṃś ca gandharva.apsaraso 'asurān | nāgān sarpān suparṇāṃś ca pitqṇāṃś ca pṛthaggaṇam || [M. pitqṇāṃ]
Yakshas (the servants of Kubera, the demons called) Rakshasas and Pisakas, Gandharvas (or musicians of the gods), Apsarases (the dancers of the gods), Asuras, (the snake-deities called) Nagas and Sarpas, (the bird-deities called) Suparnas and the several classes of the manes,
Translated by Georg Bühler
विद्युतो ऽअशनिमेघांश् च रोहितैन्द्रधनूंषि च । उल्कानिर्घातकेतूंश् च ज्योतींष्य् उच्चावचानि च ॥
vidyuto 'aśani.meghāṃś ca rohita.indradhanūṃṣi ca | ulkā.nirghāta.ketūṃś ca jyotīṃṣy uccāvacāni ca ||
Lightnings, thunderbolts and clouds, imperfect (rohita) and perfect rainbows, falling meteors, supernatural noises, comets, and heavenly lights of many kinds,
Translated by Georg Bühler
किन्नरान् वानरान् मत्स्यान् विविधांश् च विहङ्गमान् । पशून् मृगान् मनुष्यांश् च व्यालांश् च-उभयतोदतः ॥
kinnarān vānarān matsyān vividhāṃś ca vihaṅgamān | paśūn mṛgān manuṣyāṃś ca vyālāṃś ca-ubhayatodataḥ ||
Sanskrit only: no published translation is held for this verse.
कृमिकीटपतङ्गांश् च यूकामक्षिकमत्कुणम् । सर्वं च दंशमशकं स्थावरं च पृथग्विधम् ॥
kṛmi.kīṭa.pataṅgāṃś ca yūkā.makṣika.matkuṇam | sarvaṃ ca daṃśa.maśakaṃ sthāvaraṃ ca pṛthagvidham ||
Small and large worms and beetles, moths, lice, flies, bugs, all stinging and biting insects and the several kinds of immovable things.
Translated by Georg Bühler
एवम् एतैर् इदं सर्वं मद्नियोगान् महात्मभिः । यथाकर्म तपोयोगात् सृष्टं) स्थावरजङ्गमम् ॥
evam etair idaṃ sarvaṃ mad.niyogān mahātmabhiḥ | yathākarma tapoyogāt sṛṣṭaṃ) sthāvara.jaṅgamam ||
Thus was this whole (creation), both the immovable and the movable, produced by those high-minded ones by means of austerities and at my command, (each being) according to (the results of) its actions.
Translated by Georg Bühler
येषां तु यादृषं कर्म भूतानाम् इह कीर्तितम्) । तत् तथा वो ऽअभिधास्यामि) क्रमयोगं च जन्मनि ॥
yeṣāṃ tu yādṛṣaṃ karma bhūtānām iha kīrtitam) | tat tathā vo 'abhidhāsyāmi) kramayogaṃ ca janmani ||
But whatever act is stated (to belong) to (each of) those creatures here below, that I will truly declare to you, as well as their order in respect to birth.
Translated by Georg Bühler
पशवश् च मृगाश् च-एव व्यालाश् च-उभयतोदतः । रक्षांसि च पिशाचाश् च मनुष्याश् च जरायुजाः ॥ [म्मनुषाश् च ]
paśavaś ca mṛgāś ca-eva vyālāś ca-ubhayatodataḥ | rakṣāṃsi ca piśācāś ca manuṣyāś ca jarāyujāḥ || [M.manuṣāś ca ]
Cattle, deer, carnivorous beasts with two rows of teeth, Rakshasas, Pisakas, and men are born from the womb.
Translated by Georg Bühler
अण्डाजाः पक्षिणः सर्पा नक्रा मत्स्याश् च कच्छपाः । यानि च-एवम्प्रकाराणि स्थलजान्य् औदकानि च ॥
aṇḍājāḥ pakṣiṇaḥ sarpā nakrā matsyāś ca kacchapāḥ | yāni ca-evaM.prakārāṇi sthalajāny audakāni ca ||
From eggs are born birds, snakes, crocodiles, fishes, tortoises, as well as similar terrestrial and aquatic (animals).
Translated by Georg Bühler
स्वेदजं दंशमशकं यूकामक्षिकमत्कुणम् । ऊष्मणश् च-उपजायन्ते) यच् च-अन्यत् किं चिद् ईदृषम् ॥
svedajaṃ daṃśa.maśakaṃ yūkā.makṣika.matkuṇam | ūṣmaṇaś ca-upajāyante) yac ca-anyat kiṃ cid īdṛṣam ||
From hot moisture spring stinging and biting insects, lice, flies, bugs, and all other (creatures) of that kind which are produced by heat.
Translated by Georg Bühler
उद्भिज्जाः स्थावराः सर्वे बीजकाण्डप्ररोहिणः । ओषध्यः फलपाकान्ता बहुपुष्पफलौपगाः ॥
udbhijjāḥ sthāvarāḥ sarve bīja.kāṇḍaprarohiṇaḥ | oṣadhyaḥ phalapākāntā bahu.puṣpa.phala.upagāḥ ||
All plants, propagated by seed or by slips, grow from shoots; annual plants (are those) which, bearing many flowers and fruits, perish after the ripening of their fruit;
Translated by Georg Bühler
अपुष्पाः फलवन्तो ये ते वनस्पतयः स्मृताः । पुष्पिणः फलिनश् च-एव वृक्षास् तु-उभयतः स्मृताः ॥
apuṣpāḥ phalavanto ye te vanaspatayaḥ smṛtāḥ | puṣpiṇaḥ phalinaś ca-eva vṛkṣās tu-ubhayataḥ smṛtāḥ ||
(Those trees) which bear fruit without flowers are called vanaspati (lords of the forest); but those which bear both flowers and fruit are called vriksha.
Translated by Georg Bühler
गुच्छगुल्मं तु विविधं तथा-एव तृणजातयः । बीजकाण्डरुहाण्य् एव प्रताना वल्ल्य एव च ॥
guccha.gulmaṃ tu vividhaṃ tathā-eva tṛṇajātayaḥ | bīja.kāṇḍaruhāṇy eva pratānā vallya eva ca ||
But the various plants with many stalks, growing from one or several roots, the different kinds of grasses, the climbing plants and the creepers spring all from seed or from slips.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तमसा बहुरूपेण वेष्टिताः) कर्महेतुना । अन्तःसंज्ञा भवन्त्य्) एते सुखदुःखसमन्विताः ॥
tamasā bahu.rūpeṇa veṣṭitāḥ) karmahetunā | antaḥ.saṃjñā bhavanty) ete sukha.duḥkha.samanvitāḥ ||
These (plants) which are surrounded by multiform Darkness, the result of their acts (in former existences), possess internal consciousness and experience pleasure and pain.
Translated by Georg Bühler
एतदन्तास् तु गतयो ब्रह्माद्याः समुदाहृताः) । घोरे ऽअस्मिन् भूतसंसारे नित्यं सततयायिनि ॥
etad.antās tu gatayo brahmādyāḥ samudāhṛtāḥ) | ghore 'asmin bhūtasaṃsāre nityaṃ satatayāyini ||
The (various) conditions in this always terrible and constantly changing circle of births and deaths to which created beings are subject, are stated to begin with (that of) Brahman, and to end with (that of) these (just mentioned immovable creatures).
Translated by Georg Bühler
एवं सर्वं स सृष्ट्वा)-इदं मां च-अचिन्त्यपराक्रमः । आत्मन्य् अन्तर्दधे) भूयः कालं कालेन पीडयन्) ॥
evaṃ sarvaṃ sa sṛṣṭvā)-idaṃ māṃ ca-acintya.parākramaḥ | ātmany antardadhe) bhūyaḥ kālaṃ kālena pīḍayan) ||
When he whose power is incomprehensible, had thus produced the universe and men, he disappeared in himself, repeatedly suppressing one period by means of the other.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यदा स देवो जागर्ति) तद् एवं चेष्टते) जगत् । यदा स्वपिति) शान्तआत्मा तदा सर्वं निमीलति) ॥
yadā sa devo jāgarti) tad evaṃ ceṣṭate) jagat | yadā svapiti) śānta.ātmā tadā sarvaṃ nimīlati) ||
When that divine one wakes, then this world stirs; when he slumbers tranquilly, then the universe sinks to sleep.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तस्मिन् स्वपिति तु स्वस्थे कर्मआत्मानः शरीरिणः । [म्स्वपति ] स्वकर्मभ्यो निवर्तन्ते) मनश् च ग्लानिम् ऋच्छति) ॥
tasmin svapiti tu svasthe karma.ātmānaḥ śarīriṇaḥ | [M.svapati ] svakarmabhyo nivartante) manaś ca glānim ṛcchati) ||
But when he reposes in calm sleep, the corporeal beings whose nature is action, desist from their actions and mind becomes inert.
Translated by Georg Bühler
युगपत् तु प्रलीयन्ते) यदा तस्मिन् महात्मनि । तदा-अयं सर्वभूतात्मा सुखं स्वपिति) निर्वृतः ॥
yugapat tu pralīyante) yadā tasmin mahātmani | tadā-ayaṃ sarvabhūtātmā sukhaṃ svapiti) nirvṛtaḥ ||
When they are absorbed all at once in that great soul, then he who is the soul of all beings sweetly slumbers, free from all care and occupation.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तमो ऽअयं तु समाश्रित्य) चिरं तिष्ठति सैन्द्रियः । न च स्वं कुरुते) कर्म तदा-उत्क्रामति) मूर्तितः ॥
tamo 'ayaṃ tu samāśritya) ciraṃ tiṣṭhati sa.indriyaḥ | na ca svaṃ kurute) karma tadā-utkrāmati) mūrtitaḥ ||
When this (soul) has entered darkness, it remains for a long time united with the organs (of sensation), but performs not its functions; it then leaves the corporeal frame.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यदा-अणुमात्रिको भूत्वा) बीजं स्थास्नु चरिष्णु च । समाविशति) संसृष्टस्) तदा मूर्तिं विमुञ्चति) ॥
yadā-aṇumātriko bhūtvā) bījaṃ sthāsnu cariṣṇu ca | samāviśati) saṃsṛṣṭas) tadā mūrtiṃ vimuñcati) ||
When, being clothed with minute particles (only), it enters into vegetable or animal seed, it then assumes, united (with the fine body), a (new) corporeal frame.
Translated by Georg Bühler
एवं स जाग्रत्स्वप्नाभ्याम् इदं सर्वं चरअचरम् । संजीवयति) च-अजस्रं प्रमापयति) च-अव्ययः ॥
evaṃ sa jāgrat.svapnābhyām idaṃ sarvaṃ cara.acaram | saṃjīvayati) ca-ajasraṃ pramāpayati) ca-avyayaḥ ||
Thus he, the imperishable one, by (alternately) waking and slumbering, incessantly revivifies and destroys this whole movable and immovable (creation).
Translated by Georg Bühler
इदं शास्त्रं तु कृत्वा)-असौ माम् एव स्वयम् आदितः । विधिवद् ग्राहयाम् आस) मरीचिआदींस् त्व् अहं मुनीन् ॥
idaṃ śāstraṃ tu kṛtvā)-asau mām eva svayam āditaḥ | vidhivad grāhayām āsa) marīci.ādīṃs tv ahaṃ munīn ||
But he having composed these Institutes (of the sacred law), himself taught them, according to the rule, to me alone in the beginning; next I (taught them) to Mariki and the other sages.
Translated by Georg Bühler
एतद् वो ऽअयं भृगुः शास्त्रं श्रावयिष्यत्य्) अशेसतः । एतद्द् हि मत्तो ऽअधिजगे) सर्वम् एषो ऽअखिलं मुनिः ॥
etad vo 'ayaṃ bhṛguḥ śāstraṃ śrāvayiṣyaty) aśesataḥ | etadd hi matto 'adhijage) sarvam eṣo 'akhilaṃ muniḥ ||
Bhrigu, here, will fully recite to you these Institutes; for that sage learned the whole in its entirety from me.
Translated by Georg Bühler
ततस् तथा स तेन-उक्तो) महर्षिमनुना भृगुः । तान् अब्रवीद्) ऋषीन् सर्वान् प्रीतात्मा श्रूयताम्) इति ॥
tatas tathā sa tena-ukto) maharṣi.manunā bhṛguḥ | tān abravīd) ṛṣīn sarvān prītātmā śrūyatām) iti ||
Then that great sage Bhrigu, being thus addressed by Manu, spoke, pleased in his heart, to all the sages, 'Listen!'
Translated by Georg Bühler
स्वायंभुवस्य-अस्य मनोः षड्वंश्या मनवो ऽअपरे । सृष्टवन्तः) प्रजाः स्वाः स्वा महात्मानो महाओजसः ॥
svāyaṃbhuvasya-asya manoḥ ṣaḍvaṃśyā manavo 'apare | sṛṣṭavantaḥ) prajāḥ svāḥ svā mahātmāno mahā.ojasaḥ ||
Six other high-minded, very powerful Manus, who belong to the race of this Manu, the descendant of the Self-existent (Svayambhu), and who have severally produced created beings,
Translated by Georg Bühler
स्वारोचिषश् च-उत्तमश् च तामसो रैवतस् तथा । चाक्षुषश् च महातेजा विवस्वत्सुत एव च ॥
svārociṣaś ca-uttamaś ca tāmaso raivatas tathā | cākṣuṣaś ca mahātejā vivasvat.suta eva ca ||
(Are) Svarokisha, Auttami, Tamasa, Raivata, Kakshusha, possessing great lustre, and the son of Vivasvat.
Translated by Georg Bühler
स्वायंभुवआद्याः सप्त-एते मनवो भूरितेजसः । स्वे स्वे ऽअन्तरे सर्वम् इदम् उत्पाद्य)-आपुश्) चरअचरम् ॥
svāyaṃbhuva.ādyāḥ sapta-ete manavo bhūritejasaḥ | sve sve 'antare sarvam idam utpādya)-āpuś) cara.acaram ||
These seven very glorious Manus, the first among whom is Svayambhuva, produced and protected this whole movable and immovable (creation), each during the period (allotted to him).
Translated by Georg Bühler
निमेषा दश च-अष्टौ च काष्ठा त्रिंशत् तु ताः कला । त्रिंशत् कला मुहूर्तः स्याद्) अहोरात्रं तु तावतः ॥
nimeṣā daśa ca-aṣṭau ca kāṣṭhā triṃśat tu tāḥ kalā | triṃśat kalā muhūrtaḥ syād) ahorātraṃ tu tāvataḥ ||
Eighteen nimeshas (twinklings of the eye, are one kashtha), thirty kashthas one kala, thirty kalas one muhurta, and as many (muhurtas) one day and night.
Translated by Georg Bühler
अहोरात्रे विभजते) सूर्यो मानुषदैविके । रात्रिः स्वप्नाय भूतानां चेष्टायै कर्मणाम् अहः ॥
ahorātre vibhajate) sūryo mānuṣa.daivike | rātriḥ svapnāya bhūtānāṃ ceṣṭāyai karmaṇām ahaḥ ||
The sun divides days and nights, both human and divine, the night (being intended) for the repose of created beings and the day for exertion.
Translated by Georg Bühler
पित्र्ये रात्रिअहनी मासः प्रविभागस् तु पक्षयोः । कर्मचेष्टास्व् अहः कृष्णः शुक्लः स्वप्नाय शर्वरी ॥
pitrye rātri.ahanī māsaḥ pravibhāgas tu pakṣayoḥ | karma.ceṣṭāsv ahaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ śuklaḥ svapnāya śarvarī ||
A month is a day and a night of the manes, but the division is according to fortnights. The dark (fortnight) is their day for active exertion, the bright (fortnight) their night for sleep.
Translated by Georg Bühler
दैवे रात्रिअहनी वर्षं प्रविभागस् तयोः पुनः । अहस् तत्र-उदगयनं रात्रिः स्याद्) दक्षिणायनम् ॥
daive rātri.ahanī varṣaṃ pravibhāgas tayoḥ punaḥ | ahas tatra-udagayanaṃ rātriḥ syād) dakṣiṇāyanam ||
A year is a day and a night of the gods; their division is (as follows): the half year during which the sun progresses to the north will be the day, that during which it goes southwards the night.
Translated by Georg Bühler
ब्राह्मस्य तु क्षपाहस्य यत् प्रमाणं समासतः । एकैकशो युगानां तु क्रमशस् तन् निबोधत) ॥
brāhmasya tu kṣapāhasya yat pramāṇaṃ samāsataḥ | ekaikaśo yugānāṃ tu kramaśas tan nibodhata) ||
But hear now the brief (description of) the duration of a night and a day of Brahman and of the several ages (of the world, yuga) according to their order.
Translated by Georg Bühler
चत्वार्य् आहुः) सहस्राणि वर्साणां तत् कृतं युगम् । तस्य तावत्-शती संध्या संध्यांशश् च तथाविधः ॥
catvāry āhuḥ) sahasrāṇi varsāṇāṃ tat kṛtaṃ yugam | tasya tāvat-śatī saṃdhyā saṃdhyāṃśaś ca tathāvidhaḥ ||
They declare that the Krita age (consists of) four thousand years (of the gods); the twilight preceding it consists of as many hundreds, and the twilight following it of the same number.
Translated by Georg Bühler
इतरेषु ससंध्येषु ससंध्यांशेषु च त्रिषु । एकापायेन वर्तन्ते) सहस्राणि शतानि च ॥
itareṣu sa.saṃdhyeṣu sa.saṃdhyāṃśeṣu ca triṣu | ekāpāyena vartante) sahasrāṇi śatāni ca ||
In the other three ages with their twilights preceding and following, the thousands and hundreds are diminished by one (in each).
Translated by Georg Bühler
यद् एतत् परिसंख्यातम् आदाव् एव चतुर्युगम् । एतद् द्वादशसाहस्रं देवानां युगम् उच्यते) ॥
yad etat parisaṃkhyātam ādāv eva caturyugam | etad dvādaśasāhasraṃ devānāṃ yugam ucyate) ||
These twelve thousand (years) which thus have been just mentioned as the total of four (human) ages, are called one age of the gods.
Translated by Georg Bühler
दैविकानां युगानां तु सहस्रं परिसंख्यया । ब्राह्मम् एकम् अहर् ज्ञेयं) तावतीं रात्रिम् एव च ॥ [म्तावती रात्रिर् एव च ]
daivikānāṃ yugānāṃ tu sahasraṃ parisaṃkhyayā | brāhmam ekam ahar jñeyaṃ) tāvatīṃ rātrim eva ca || [M.tāvatī rātrir eva ca ]
But know that the sum of one thousand ages of the gods (makes) one day of Brahman, and that his night has the same length.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तद् वै युगसहस्रान्तं ब्राह्मं पुण्यम् अहर् विदुः) । रात्रिं च तावतीम् एव ते ऽअहोरात्रविदो जनाः ॥
tad vai yugasahasrāntaṃ brāhmaṃ puṇyam ahar viduḥ) | rātriṃ ca tāvatīm eva te 'ahorātravido janāḥ ||
Those (only, who) know that the holy day of Brahman, indeed, ends after (the completion of) one thousand ages (of the gods) and that his night lasts as long, (are really) men acquainted with (the length of) days and nights.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तस्य सो ऽअहर्निशस्य-अन्ते प्रसुप्तः प्रतिबुध्यते) । प्रतिबुद्धश् च सृजति) मनः सदसदात्मकम् ॥
tasya so 'ahar.niśasya-ante prasuptaḥ pratibudhyate) | pratibuddhaś ca sṛjati) manaḥ sad.asad.ātmakam ||
At the end of that day and night he who was asleep, awakes and, after awaking, creates mind, which is both real and unreal.
Translated by Georg Bühler
मनः सृष्टिं विकुरुते) चोद्यमानं सिसृक्षया । आकाशं जायते) तस्मात् तस्य शब्दं गुणं विदुः) ॥
manaḥ sṛṣṭiṃ vikurute) codyamānaṃ sisṛkṣayā | ākāśaṃ jāyate) tasmāt tasya śabdaṃ guṇaṃ viduḥ) ||
Mind, impelled by (Brahman's) desire to create, performs the work of creation by modifying itself, thence ether is produced; they declare that sound is the quality of the latter.
Translated by Georg Bühler
आकाशात् तु विकुर्वाणात्) सर्वगन्धवहः शुचिः । बलवाञ् जायते) वायुः स वै स्पर्शगुणो मतः ॥
ākāśāt tu vikurvāṇāt) sarvagandhavahaḥ śuciḥ | balavāñ jāyate) vāyuḥ sa vai sparśa.guṇo mataḥ ||
But from ether, modifying itself, springs the pure, powerful wind, the vehicle of all perfumes; that is held to possess the quality of touch.
Translated by Georg Bühler
वायोर् अपि विकुर्वाणाद्) विरोचिष्णु तमोनुदम् । ज्योतिर् उत्पद्यते) भास्वत् तद् रूपगुणम् उच्यते) ॥
vāyor api vikurvāṇād) virociṣṇu tamonudam | jyotir utpadyate) bhāsvat tad rūpa.guṇam ucyate) ||
Next from wind modifying itself, proceeds the brilliant light, which illuminates and dispels darkness; that is declared to possess the quality of colour;
Translated by Georg Bühler
ज्योतिषश् च विकुर्वाणाद्) आपो रसगुणाः स्मृताः) । अद्भ्यो गन्धगुणा भूमिर् इत्य् एषा सृष्टिर् आदितः ॥
jyotiṣaś ca vikurvāṇād) āpo rasa.guṇāḥ smṛtāḥ) | adbhyo gandha.guṇā bhūmir ity eṣā sṛṣṭir āditaḥ ||
And from light, modifying itself, (is produced) water, possessing the quality of taste, from water earth which has the quality of smell; such is the creation in the beginning.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यद् प्राग् द्वादशसाहस्रम् उदितं) दैविकं युगम् । तद् एकसप्ततिगुणं मन्वन्तरम् इह-उच्यते) ॥
yad prāg dvādaśasāhasram uditaṃ) daivikaṃ yugam | tad ekasaptati.guṇaṃ manvantaram iha-ucyate) ||
The before-mentioned age of the gods, (or) twelve thousand (of their years), being multiplied by seventy-one, (constitutes what) is here named the period of a Manu (Manvantara).
Translated by Georg Bühler
मन्वन्तराण्य् असंख्यानि सर्गः संहार एव च । क्रीडन्न्) इव-एतत् कुरुते) परमेष्ठी पुनः पुनः ॥
manvantarāṇy asaṃkhyāni sargaḥ saṃhāra eva ca | krīḍann) iva-etat kurute) parameṣṭhī punaḥ punaḥ ||
The Manvantaras, the creations and destructions (of the world, are) numberless; sporting, as it were, Brahman repeats this again and again.
Translated by Georg Bühler
चतुष्पात् सकलो धर्मः सत्यं च-एव कृते युगे । न-अधर्मेण-आगमः कश् चिन् मनुष्यान् प्रति वर्तते) ॥ [म्। उपवर्तते ]
catuṣpāt sakalo dharmaḥ satyaṃ ca-eva kṛte yuge | na-adharmeṇa-āgamaḥ kaś cin manuṣyān prati vartate) || [M. upavartate ]
In the Krita age Dharma is four-footed and entire, and (so is) Truth; nor does any gain accrue to men by unrighteousness.
Translated by Georg Bühler
इतरेष्व् आगमाद् धर्मः पादशस् त्व् अवरोपितः) । चौरिकअनृतमायाभिर् धर्मश् च-अपैति) पादशः ॥
itareṣv āgamād dharmaḥ pādaśas tv avaropitaḥ) | caurika.anṛta.māyābhir dharmaś ca-apaiti) pādaśaḥ ||
In the other (three ages), by reason of (unjust) gains (agama), Dharma is deprived successively of one foot, and through (the prevalence of) theft, falsehood, and fraud the merit (gained by men) is diminished by one fourth (in each).
Translated by Georg Bühler
अरोगाः सर्वसिद्धार्थाश् चतुर्वर्षशतआयुषः । कृते त्रेतादिषु ह्य् एषां आयुर् ह्रसति) पादशः ॥ [व्। वयो ह्रसति ]
a.rogāḥ sarvasiddhārthāś caturvarṣaśata.āyuṣaḥ | kṛte tretādiṣu hy eṣāṃ āyur hrasati) pādaśaḥ || [V. vayo hrasati ]
(Men are) free from disease, accomplish all their aims, and live four hundred years in the Krita age, but in the Treta and (in each of) the succeeding (ages) their life is lessened by one quarter.
Translated by Georg Bühler
वेदौक्तम् आयुर् मर्त्यानाम् आशिषश् च-एव कर्मणाम् । फलन्त्य्) अनुयुगं लोके प्रभावश् च शरीरिणाम् ॥
veda.uktam āyur martyānām āśiṣaś ca-eva karmaṇām | phalanty) anuyugaṃ loke prabhāvaś ca śarīriṇām ||
The life of mortals, mentioned in the Veda, the desired results of sacrificial rites and the (supernatural) power of embodied (spirits) are fruits proportioned among men according to (the character of) the age.
Translated by Georg Bühler
अन्ये कृतयुगे धर्मास् त्रेतायां द्वापरे ऽअपरे । [म्परे ] अन्ये कलियुगे न्क़्णां युगह्रासानुरूपतः ॥
anye kṛtayuge dharmās tretāyāṃ dvāpare 'apare | [M.pare ] anye kaliyuge nqṇāṃ yugahrāsānurūpataḥ ||
One set of duties (is prescribed) for men in the Krita age, different ones in the Treta and in the Dvapara, and (again) another (set) in the Kali, in a proportion as (those) ages decrease in length.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तपः परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायां ज्ञानम् उच्यते) । द्वापरे यज्ञम् एवाहुर्) दानम् एकं कलौ युगे ॥
tapaḥ paraṃ kṛtayuge tretāyāṃ jñānam ucyate) | dvāpare yajñam evāhur) dānam ekaṃ kalau yuge ||
In the Krita age the chief (virtue) is declared to be (the performance of) austerities, in the Treta (divine) knowledge, in the Dvapara (the performance of) sacrifices, in the Kali liberality alone.
Translated by Georg Bühler
सर्वस्य-अस्य तु सर्गस्य गुप्तिअर्थं स महाद्युतिः । मुखबाहुऊरुपज्जानां पृथक्कर्माण्य् अकल्पयत्) ॥
sarvasya-asya tu sargasya gupti.arthaṃ sa mahā.dyutiḥ | mukha.bāhu.ūru.pajjānāṃ pṛthakkarmāṇy akalpayat) ||
But in order to protect this universe He, the most resplendent one, assigned separate (duties and) occupations to those who sprang from his mouth, arms, thighs, and feet.
Translated by Georg Bühler
अध्यापनम् अध्ययनं यजनं याजनं तथा । दानं प्रतिग्रहं च-एव ब्राह्मणानाम् अकल्पयत्) ॥
adhyāpanam adhyayanaṃ yajanaṃ yājanaṃ tathā | dānaṃ pratigrahaṃ ca-eva brāhmaṇānām akalpayat) ||
To Brahmanas he assigned teaching and studying (the Veda), sacrificing for their own benefit and for others, giving and accepting (of alms).
Translated by Georg Bühler
प्रजानां रक्षणं दानम् इज्याअध्ययनम् एव च । विषयेष्व् अप्रसक्तिश् च क्षत्रियस्य समासतः ) ॥ [म्समादिशत्]
prajānāṃ rakṣaṇaṃ dānam ijyā.adhyayanam eva ca | viṣayeṣv a.prasaktiś ca kṣatriyasya samāsataḥ ) || [M.samādiśat]
The Kshatriya he commanded to protect the people, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), and to abstain from attaching himself to sensual pleasures;
Translated by Georg Bühler
पशूनां रक्षणं दानम् इज्याअध्ययनम् एव च । वणिक्पथं कुसीदं च वैश्यस्य कृषिम् एव च ॥
paśūnāṃ rakṣaṇaṃ dānam ijyā.adhyayanam eva ca | vaṇikpathaṃ kusīdaṃ ca vaiśyasya kṛṣim eva ca ||
The Vaisya to tend cattle, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), to trade, to lend money, and to cultivate land.
Translated by Georg Bühler
एकम् एव तु शूद्रस्य प्रभुः कर्म समादिशत्) । एतेषाम् एव वर्णानां शुश्रूषाम् अनसूयया ॥
ekam eva tu śūdrasya prabhuḥ karma samādiśat) | eteṣām eva varṇānāṃ śuśrūṣām anasūyayā ||
One occupation only the lord prescribed to the Sudra, to serve meekly even these (other) three castes.
Translated by Georg Bühler
ऊर्ध्वं नाभेर् मेध्यतरः पुरुषः परिकीर्तितः) । तस्मान् मेध्यतमं त्व् अस्य मुखम् उक्तं) स्वयंभुवा ॥
ūrdhvaṃ nābher medhyataraḥ puruṣaḥ parikīrtitaḥ) | tasmān medhyatamaṃ tv asya mukham uktaṃ) svayaṃbhuvā ||
Man is stated to be purer above the navel (than below); hence the Self-existent (Svayambhu) has declared the purest (part) of him (to be) his mouth.
Translated by Georg Bühler
उत्तमाङ्गौद्भवाज् ज्येष्ठ्याद् ब्रह्मणश् च-एव धारणात् । [म्ज्यैष्ठ्याद्] सर्वस्य-एव-अस्य सर्गस्य धर्मतो ब्राह्मणः प्रभुः ॥
uttamāṅga.udbhavāj jyeṣṭhyād brahmaṇaś ca-eva dhāraṇāt | [M.jyaiṣṭhyād] sarvasya-eva-asya sargasya dharmato brāhmaṇaḥ prabhuḥ ||
As the Brahmana sprang from (Brahman's) mouth, as he was the first-born, and as he possesses the Veda, he is by right the lord of this whole creation.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तं हि स्वयंभूः स्वाद् आस्यात् तपस् तप्त्वा)-आदितो ऽअसृजत्) । हव्यकव्याभिवाह्याय सर्वस्य-अस्य च गुप्तये ॥
taṃ hi svayaṃbhūḥ svād āsyāt tapas taptvā)-ādito 'asṛjat) | havya.kavyābhivāhyāya sarvasya-asya ca guptaye ||
For the Self-existent (Svayambhu), having performed austerities, produced him first from his own mouth, in order that the offerings might be conveyed to the gods and manes and that this universe might be preserved.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यस्य-आस्येन सदा-अश्नन्ति) हव्यानि त्रिदिवओकसः । कव्यानि च-एव पितरः किं भूतम् अधिकं ततः ॥
yasya-āsyena sadā-aśnanti) havyāni tridiva.okasaḥ | kavyāni ca-eva pitaraḥ kiṃ bhūtam adhikaṃ tataḥ ||
What created being can surpass him, through whose mouth the gods continually consume the sacrificial viands and the manes the offerings to the dead?
Translated by Georg Bühler
भूतानां प्राणिनः श्रेष्ठाः प्राणिनां बुद्धिजीविनः । बुद्धिमत्सु नराः श्रेष्ठा नरेषु ब्राह्मणाः स्मृताः) ॥
bhūtānāṃ prāṇinaḥ śreṣṭhāḥ prāṇināṃ buddhijīvinaḥ | buddhimatsu narāḥ śreṣṭhā nareṣu brāhmaṇāḥ smṛtāḥ) ||
Of created beings the most excellent are said to be those which are animated; of the animated, those which subsist by intelligence; of the intelligent, mankind; and of men, the Brahmanas;
Translated by Georg Bühler
ब्राह्मणेषु च विद्वांसो विद्वत्सु कृतबुद्धयः । कृतबुद्धिषु कर्तारः कर्तृषु ब्रह्मवेदिनः ॥
brāhmaṇeṣu ca vidvāṃso vidvatsu kṛta.buddhayaḥ | kṛta.buddhiṣu kartāraḥ kartṛṣu brahmavedinaḥ ||
Of Brahmanas, those learned (in the Veda); of the learned, those who recognise (the necessity and the manner of performing the prescribed duties); of those who possess this knowledge, those who perform them; of the performers, those who know the Brahman.
Translated by Georg Bühler
उत्पत्तिर् एव विप्रस्य मूर्तिर् धर्मस्य शाश्वती । स हि धर्मार्थम् उत्पन्नो ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते) ॥
utpattir eva viprasya mūrtir dharmasya śāśvatī | sa hi dharmārtham utpanno brahmabhūyāya kalpate) ||
The very birth of a Brahmana is an eternal incarnation of the sacred law; for he is born to (fulfil) the sacred law, and becomes one with Brahman.
Translated by Georg Bühler
ब्राह्मणो जायमानो) हि पृथिव्याम् अधिजायते) । ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां धर्मकोशस्य गुप्तये ॥
brāhmaṇo jāyamāno) hi pṛthivyām adhijāyate) | īśvaraḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ dharmakośasya guptaye ||
A Brahmana, coming into existence, is born as the highest on earth, the lord of all created beings, for the protection of the treasury of the law.
Translated by Georg Bühler
सर्वं स्वं ब्राह्मणस्य-इदं यत् किं चित्- जगतीगतं । श्रैष्ठ्येन-अभिजनेन-इदं सर्वं वै ब्राह्मणो ऽअर्हति) ॥
sarvaṃ svaṃ brāhmaṇasya-idaṃ yat kiṃ cit- jagatīgataṃ | śraiṣṭhyena-abhijanena-idaṃ sarvaṃ vai brāhmaṇo 'arhati) ||
Whatever exists in the world is, the property of the Brahmana; on account of the excellence of his origin The Brahmana is, indeed, entitled to all.
Translated by Georg Bühler
स्वम् एव ब्राह्मणो भुङ्क्ते) स्वं वस्ते स्वं ददाति) च । आनृशंस्याद् ब्राह्मणस्य भुञ्जते) हि-इतरे जनाः ॥
svam eva brāhmaṇo bhuṅkte) svaṃ vaste svaṃ dadāti) ca | ānṛśaṃsyād brāhmaṇasya bhuñjate) hi-itare janāḥ ||
The Brahmana eats but his own food, wears but his own apparel, bestows but his own in alms; other mortals subsist through the benevolence of the Brahmana.
Translated by Georg Bühler
तस्य कर्मविवेकअर्थं शेषाणाम् अनुपूर्वशः । स्वायंभुवो मनुर् धीमान् इदं शास्त्रम् अकल्पयत्) ॥
tasya karmaviveka.arthaṃ śeṣāṇām anupūrvaśaḥ | svāyaṃbhuvo manur dhīmān idaṃ śāstram akalpayat) ||
In order to clearly settle his duties those of the other (castes) according to their order, wise Manu sprung from the Self-existent, composed these Institutes (of the sacred Law).
Translated by Georg Bühler
विदुषा ब्राह्मणेन-इदम् अध्येतव्यं) प्रयत्नतः । शिश्येभ्यश् च प्रवक्तव्यं) सम्यङ् न-अन्येन केन चित् ॥
viduṣā brāhmaṇena-idam adhyetavyaṃ) prayatnataḥ | śiśyebhyaś ca pravaktavyaṃ) samyaṅ na-anyena kena cit ||
A learned Brahmana must carefully study them, and he must duly instruct his pupils in them, but nobody else (shall do it).
Translated by Georg Bühler
इदं शास्त्रम् अधीयानो) ब्राह्मणः शंसितव्रतः । मनस्वाच्देहजैर् नित्यं कर्मदोषैर् न लिप्यते) ॥
idaṃ śāstram adhīyāno) brāhmaṇaḥ śaṃsita.vrataḥ | manas.vāc.dehajair nityaṃ karmadoṣair na lipyate) ||
A Brahmana who studies these Institutes (and) faithfully fulfils the duties (prescribed therein), is never tainted by sins, arising from thoughts, words, or deeds.
Translated by Georg Bühler
पुनाति) पङ्क्तिं वंश्यांश् च सप्तसप्त परअवरान् । पृथिवीम् अपि च-एव-इमां कृत्स्नाम् एको ऽअपि सो ऽअर्हति) ॥
punāti) paṅktiṃ vaṃśyāṃś ca sapta.sapta para.avarān | pṛthivīm api ca-eva-imāṃ kṛtsnām eko 'api so 'arhati) ||
He sanctifies any company (which he may enter), seven ancestors and seven descendants, and he alone deserves (to possess) this whole earth.
Translated by Georg Bühler
इदं स्वस्त्ययनं श्रेष्ठम् इदं बुद्धिविवर्धनम् । इदं यशस्यम् आयुष्यम् इदं निःश्रेयसं परम् ॥ [म्। इदं यशस्यं सततम्]
idaṃ svastyayanaṃ śreṣṭham idaṃ buddhivivardhanam | idaṃ yaśasyam āyuṣyam idaṃ niḥśreyasaṃ param || [M. idaṃ yaśasyaṃ satatam]
(To study) this (work) is the best means of securing welfare, it increases understanding, it procures fame and long life, it (leads to) supreme bliss.
Translated by Georg Bühler
अस्मिन् धर्मो ऽअखिलेन-उक्तो) गुणदोषौ च कर्मणाम् । चतुर्णाम् अपि वर्णानाम् आचारश् च-एव शाश्वतः ॥
asmin dharmo 'akhilena-ukto) guṇa.doṣau ca karmaṇām | caturṇām api varṇānām ācāraś ca-eva śāśvataḥ ||
In this (work) the sacred law has been fully stated as well as the good and bad qualities of (human) actions and the immemorial rule of conduct, (to be followed) by all the four castes (varna).
Translated by Georg Bühler
आचारः परमो धर्मः श्रुतिउक्तः स्मार्त एव च । तस्माद् अस्मिन् सदा युक्तो) नित्यं स्याद्) आत्मवान् द्विजः ॥
ācāraḥ paramo dharmaḥ śruti.uktaḥ smārta eva ca | tasmād asmin sadā yukto) nityaṃ syād) ātmavān dvijaḥ ||
The rule of conduct is transcendent law, whether it be taught in the revealed texts or in the sacred tradition; hence a twice-born man who possesses regard for himself, should be always careful to (follow) it.
Translated by Georg Bühler
आचाराद् विच्युतो) विप्रो न वेदफलम् अश्नुते) । आचारेण तु संयुक्तः) सम्पूर्णफलभाज् भवेत्) ॥ [म्। संपूर्णफलभाक् स्मृतः]
ācārād vicyuto) vipro na vedaphalam aśnute) | ācāreṇa tu saṃyuktaḥ) sampūrṇaphalabhāj bhavet) || [M. saṃpūrṇaphalabhāk smṛtaḥ]
A Brahmana who departs from the rule of conduct, does not reap the fruit of the Veda, but he who duly follows it, will obtain the full reward.
Translated by Georg Bühler
एवम् आचारतो दृष्ट्वा) धर्मस्य मुनयो गतिं । सर्वस्य तपसो मूलम् आचारं जगृहुः) परम् ॥
evam ācārato dṛṣṭvā) dharmasya munayo gatiṃ | sarvasya tapaso mūlam ācāraṃ jagṛhuḥ) param ||
The sages who saw that the sacred law is thus grounded on the rule of conduct, have taken good conduct to be the most excellent root of all austerity.
Translated by Georg Bühler
जगतश् च समुत्पत्तिं संस्कारविधिम् एव च । व्रतचर्याउपचारं च स्नानस्य च परं विधिम् ॥
jagataś ca samutpattiṃ saṃskāravidhim eva ca | vratacaryā.upacāraṃ ca snānasya ca paraṃ vidhim ||
The creation of the universe, the rule of the sacraments, the ordinances of studentship, and the respectful behaviour (towards Gurus), the most excellent rule of bathing (on return from the teacher's house),
Translated by Georg Bühler
दाराधिगमनं च-एव विवाहानां च लक्षणम् । महायज्ञविधानं च श्राद्धकल्पं च शाश्वतम् ॥
dārādhigamanaṃ ca-eva vivāhānāṃ ca lakṣaṇam | mahāyajñavidhānaṃ ca śrāddhakalpaṃ ca śāśvatam ||
(The law of) marriage and the description of the (various) marriage-rites, the regulations for the great sacrifices and the eternal rule of the funeral sacrifices,
Translated by Georg Bühler
वृत्तीनां लक्षणं च-एव स्नातकस्य व्रतानि च । भक्ष्यअभक्ष्यं च शौचं च द्रव्याणां शुद्धिम् एव च ॥
vṛttīnāṃ lakṣaṇaṃ ca-eva snātakasya vratāni ca | bhakṣya.abhakṣyaṃ ca śaucaṃ ca dravyāṇāṃ śuddhim eva ca ||
The description of the modes of (gaining) subsistence and the duties of a Snataka, (the rules regarding) lawful and forbidden food, the purification of men and of things,
Translated by Georg Bühler
स्त्रीधर्मयोगं तापस्यं मोक्षं संन्यासम् एव च । राज्ञश् च धर्मम् अखिलं कार्याणां च विनिर्णयम् ॥
strīdharma.yogaṃ tāpasyaṃ mokṣaṃ saṃnyāsam eva ca | rājñaś ca dharmam akhilaṃ kāryāṇāṃ ca vinirṇayam ||
The laws concerning women, (the law) of hermits, (the manner of gaining) final emancipation and (of) renouncing the world, the whole duty of a king and the manner of deciding lawsuits,
Translated by Georg Bühler
साक्षिप्रश्नविधानं च धर्मं स्त्रीपुंसयोर् अपि । विभागधर्मं द्यूतं च कण्टकानां च शोधनम् ॥
sākṣipraśna.vidhānaṃ ca dharmaṃ strī.puṃsayor api | vibhāgadharmaṃ dyūtaṃ ca kaṇṭakānāṃ ca śodhanam ||
The rules for the examination of witnesses, the laws concerning husband and wife, the law of (inheritance and) division, (the law concerning) gambling and the removal of (men nocuous like) thorns,
Translated by Georg Bühler
वैश्यशूद्रौपचारं च संकीर्णानां च संभवम् । आपद्धर्मं च वर्णानां प्रायश्चित्तविधिं तथा ॥
vaiśya.śūdra.upacāraṃ ca saṃkīrṇānāṃ ca saṃbhavam | āpad.dharmaṃ ca varṇānāṃ prāyaścitta.vidhiṃ tathā ||
(The law concerning) the behaviour of Vaisyas and Sudras, the origin of the mixed castes, the law for all castes in times of distress and the law of penances,
Translated by Georg Bühler
संसारगमनं च-एव त्रिविधं कर्मसंभवम् । निःश्रेयसं कर्मणां च गुणदोषपरीक्षणम् ॥
saṃsāragamanaṃ ca-eva trividhaṃ karma.saṃbhavam | niḥśreyasaṃ karmaṇāṃ ca guṇa.doṣaparīkṣaṇam ||
The threefold course of transmigrations, the result of (good or bad) actions, (the manner of attaining) supreme bliss and the examination of the good and bad qualities of actions,
Translated by Georg Bühler
देशधर्मान्-जातिधर्मान् कुलधर्मांश् च शाश्वतान् । पाषण्डगणधर्मांश् च शास्त्रे ऽअस्मिन्न् उक्तवान्) मनुः ॥
deśadharmān-jātidharmān kuladharmāṃś ca śāśvatān | pāṣaṇḍa.gaṇadharmāṃś ca śāstre 'asminn uktavān) manuḥ ||
The primeval laws of countries, of castes (gati), of families, and the rules concerning heretics and companies (of traders and the like)- (all that) Manu has declared in these Institutes.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यथा-इदम् उक्तवान्)-शास्त्रं पुरा पृष्टो) मनुर् मया । तथा-इदं यूयम् अप्य् अद्य मत्सकाशात्-निबोधत) ॥
yathā-idam uktavān)-śāstraṃ purā pṛṣṭo) manur mayā | tathā-idaṃ yūyam apy adya mat.sakāśāt-nibodhata) ||
As Manu, in reply to my questions, formerly promulgated these Institutes, even so learn ye also the (whole work) from me.
Translated by Georg Bühler