13.107
A narrative of life.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O grandsire, the Veda declares that a man possesses one hundred years of lifespan and one hundredfold strength. Then why do men—even children—die? (13-107-1)
By what does a person become long-lived or short-lived? By what does a person gain fame, and by what does one obtain wealth? (13-107-2)
O Grandfather, tell me whether that (is obtained) by austerity, by celibacy, by recitations, by oblations, likewise by herbs, by birth, or by speech. (13-107-3)
Bhishma said.
Here I will explain to you that which you ask of me: by what a human being becomes short-lived or long-lived. (13-107-4)
By whatever means a man obtains fame or prosperity, and in whatever way he acts, he attains excellence. (13-107-5)
It is from conduct that one truly obtains life, from conduct that one gains prosperity; from conduct a person attains fame, both after death and in this world. (13-107-6)
A man of bad conduct indeed does not attain great longevity here. The creatures whom he frightens, likewise despise him. (13-107-7)
Therefore, whoever desires their own prosperity should practice proper conduct here. Even for one with a sinful body, good conduct destroys misfortune. (13-107-8)
Dharma is marked by proper conduct; good men are recognized by such characteristics; and whatever the conduct of the virtuous, that is the true mark of proper behavior. (13-107-9)
Even a man who is unseen or only heard of, if he follows dharma and performs deeds of prosperity, people make him dear. (13-107-10)
Those who are atheists, inactive, transgressors of the teacher's scriptures, ignorant of dharma, and of bad conduct—they become ones whose life-force has departed. (13-107-11)
Men who are licentious, who transgress boundaries, are ever involved in promiscuous unions, and here, they become short-lived and destined for hell. (13-107-12)
Even a man without all external marks, if he has good conduct, faith, and is free from envy, lives for a hundred years. (13-107-13)
He who is free from anger, speaks the truth, does not harm beings, is not envious, and is straightforward lives for a hundred years. (13-107-14)
A man who crushes clods, cuts grass, eats nails, is always defiled by food remnants, and is covertly covetous does not attain long life here. (13-107-15)
One should awaken in the brāhma muhūrta, contemplate both dharma and artha, and after rising and performing ceremonial sipping, stand with hands joined in reverence for the morning sandhyā. (13-107-16)
In the same way, the evening twilight should be faithfully observed in silence. One should never look at the Sun as it rises or sets. (13-107-17)
The sages attained long life by observing lengthy twilight rituals. Therefore, one should always stand during both the morning and evening twilight periods, refraining from speech. (13-107-18)
The righteous king should make all those twice-born who worship only the morning twilight and not the evening perform Śūdra duties. (13-107-19)
No one of any class should ever approach another's wife. In this world, nothing else so shortens a man's life as association with another's wife does. (13-107-20)
One should perform the adornment of hair, applying collyrium, and cleaning of teeth, and also the worship of the deities, all in the forenoon. (13-107-21)
One should never initiate (a ritual) or reside in a place soiled by excrement or urine; nor should one ever engage in conversation with a woman of the lowest caste. (13-107-22)
One should not discharge excrement in a field or near a village, and one should never deposit either urine or excrement in water. (13-107-23)
One should always eat food facing east, in silence, and without despising it; having let it settle with the mind and after eating, one should touch fire. (13-107-24)
One who eats facing east partakes of longevity; facing south, of fame; facing west, of wealth; facing north, of truth. (13-107-25)
One should never stand upon husks, or articles made of hair, ashes, or potsherds; and should also avoid residing near the seat of another from a distance. (13-107-26)
He should perform śānti-homas and have the Sāvitrī mantras recited; he should eat only when seated, and never while walking. (13-107-27)
One should not pass urine while standing, nor on ashes nor in a cowshed. However, one should eat with wet feet; one should not lie down with wet feet. One who eats with wet feet lives for a hundred years. (13-107-29)
One should never touch the three powers—fire, a cow, or a Brāhmaṇa—while impure; thus, his lifespan will not be diminished. (13-107-30)
One who is impure (after eating) should never at any time look at the three luminous beings—the Sun, the Moon, and all the stars—in any way. (13-107-31)
Indeed, the vital breaths leave upward from a youth when an elder approaches; by rising and saluting, the youth regains them. (13-107-32)
He should salute the elders, provide a seat for them, serve them with joined palms, and follow behind when they are walking. (13-107-33)
One should not sit on a broken seat, and should avoid broken bronze vessels. One should not eat while wearing only one garment, nor should a naked person bathe. One must not sleep naked, and after eating, one should not lie down without first purifying oneself. (13-107-34)
One who is impure from eating should not touch the head, for all vital energies depend on it. One should avoid grasping the hair and striking blows on the head. (13-107-35)
One should never scratch the head with both hands, nor should he wash the head too frequently; thus, his lifespan is not diminished. (13-107-36)
One who has bathed the head and anointed with oil should not let the body come into contact (with water) even a little, nor should eat sesame paste; by doing so, one attains a long life. (13-107-37)
One should not teach while impure, nor should one study at any time in such a state. One should not even contemplate in a windy place or where there is a foul smell. (13-107-38)
Here, the knowers of ancient lore recite verses spoken by Yama: "I cut off his life, and thus I take away his progeny." (13-107-39)
He who recites and studies self-study while impure, and the twice-born who, out of delusion, practices even at the time when study is forbidden—therefore, even if qualified, one should never study during the period when study is not permitted. (13-107-40)
Those who pollute the Sun, the Wind, the Earth, the twice-born, and the path — they become devoid of life. (13-107-41)
One should evacuate both urine and feces facing north during the day, and facing south at night; thus, his lifespan is not harmed. (13-107-42)
One who wishes for a long life should not despise three emaciated beings: a Brahmin, a Kshatriya, and a serpent; all three are truly as dangerous as venomous creatures. (13-107-43)
An angered venomous serpent burns (its victim) as long as it sees (it) with its eye; likewise, an angered Kṣatriya may burn (his enemy) as long as he touches (him) with his energy. (13-107-44)
But the Brāhmaṇa can destroy the family through meditation and careful observation. Therefore, a wise person should diligently practice these three. (13-107-45)
Yudhiṣṭhira, persistent hostility towards the teacher should never be done. If the teacher is angry, he must be appeased and propitiated. (13-107-46)
One must conduct oneself towards the teacher, whether his actions are right or wrong; criticism of the teacher destroys the lifespan of humans—there is no doubt about it. (13-107-47)
One who desires welfare should perform urination away from the dwelling, washing of feet at a distance, and the disposal of leftovers from food also at a distance. (13-107-48)
One should not go out either too early, too late, or when it is midday; nor should one go with unknown people, alone, or with wicked individuals. (13-107-49)
The path should be yielded to Brāhmaṇas, cows, kings, the elderly, the weary, pregnant women, and the weak. (13-107-50)
One should circumambulate well-known trees, and at crossroads, one should certainly perform circumambulations of all. (13-107-51)
One should never approach crossroads at midday, at night, at midnight, at both twilights, nor at any time. (13-107-52)
He should not wear sandals or a garment that have been worn by others; and a brahmacārī should always refrain from stepping with his foot on another's foot. (13-107-53)
A brahmacārī should always observe celibacy on amāvāsyā (new moon), paurṇamāsī (full moon), the fourteenth day, and, in every respect, on the eighth day during all lunar fortnights. (13-107-54)
One should not eat meat needlessly, nor the meat of the back; one should likewise avoid abuse, slander, and malicious gossip. (13-107-55)
One should not speak harshly, nor be cruel in speech; one should not take the best from those who are inferior. One should never say anything by which another may be pained — such blameworthy speech leads to sin. (13-107-56)
Sharp words come out from the mouth; by these, when someone is struck, they grieve for days and nights. Those words do not strike the vital spots of another; therefore, a wise person should not direct such words at others. (13-107-57)
A forest pierced by arrows or cut down with an axe can heal again, but a wound caused by horrible, harsh speech does not heal. (13-107-58)
One should not reproach people who have deficient or excess limbs, who lack knowledge, who are advanced in age, who lack beauty and wealth, or who lack strength. (13-107-59)
One should avoid atheism, reviling the Vedas, contempt for the gods, hatred, arrogance, pride, and harshness. (13-107-60)
One should not, in anger, raise the staff of punishment against another person or strike him down; except in the case of a son or a disciple, beating is permitted for the sake of instruction. (13-107-61)
One should not speak ill of Brāhmaṇas, nor point out constellations, nor tell the lunar day of the fortnight; thus, his life is not shortened. (13-107-62)
After urinating or defecating, but also after stepping onto the street again, one should wash the feet before self-study and before eating. (13-107-63)
The three gods established for the Brāhmaṇas three purifications: the unseen (internal), that which is purified with water, and that which is praised by speech. (13-107-64)
One should not prepare coarse flour preparation, rice and pulse dish, meat, fried cake, or rice pudding for oneself; rather, one should arrange them for the deity. (13-107-65)
One should always maintain the sacred fire, give alms daily, and, being restrained in speech, always use a tooth-stick; one should never lie down after sunrise—for such a person would become one requiring expiation. (13-107-66)
One should first rise and respectfully greet one's mother and father. Then, or even the teacher, by doing so, one attains great longevity. (13-107-67)
One should always avoid toothsticks that are to be avoided; one should use those prescribed by śāstra, and even on festival days, should avoid the prohibited ones. (13-107-68)
One should always perform purification facing north, with concentration; without first performing worship of the deity, one should never go to anyone else, except to a preceptor, elder, righteous person or wise man. (13-107-70)
A dirty mirror should not be looked at by the wise; nor should one ever approach an unfamiliar or pregnant woman. (13-107-71)
One should not sleep with the head towards the north, nor towards the west; but the wise should sleep with the head towards the east or towards the south. (13-107-72)
One should not sleep on a broken or split bed, nor in a hidden place, nor on a bed that is joined together, nor ever lying crosswise. (13-107-73)
A wise person should never bathe while naked or at night; and after bathing, he should not wipe his limbs. (13-107-74)
One should not anoint oneself without bathing; and after bathing, one should not shake out the garment. A man should always wear clothes only when they are damp. He should not drag down garlands, nor should he wear them outside. (13-107-75)
A red garland should not be worn; only a white garland should be worn by the learned, except for the lotus and the blue water-lily, O eminent one. (13-107-76)
A red substance is to be worn on the head, as well as silk (cloth), thus also; and likewise, a golden garland—such a one never becomes spoiled. The color for the one who has bathed should always be freshly moist, O Lord of the people. (13-107-77)
An intelligent person should not exchange clothes; likewise, he should not wear garments worn by others, nor garments used only in distress. (13-107-78)
O best of men, one should use different clothing for sleeping, other clothing in the streets, and yet different clothing while worshipping the gods. (13-107-79)
A wise person should separately anoint (the body) with priyaṅgu and sandalwood, with bilva, with tagara, and with kesara (saffron). (13-107-80)
The celibate student should always observe fasting, after bathing, maintaining purity and proper attire, on all festival occasions. (13-107-81)
One should never eat food that has been left after being licked by a tube. Likewise, one should not eat food whose essence has been taken out without offering it to those who are present and observing. (13-107-82)
A wise person, who is not closely associated, impure, nor among the virtuous, should not secretly eat forbidden foods related to duties. (13-107-83)
One desiring worldly results, O best of men, should not eat the sacred fig, banyan, hemp leaf, likewise the cluster fig. (13-107-84)
One should avoid goat flesh, cow products, whatever flesh (is referred), peacock meat, as well as dried meat and likewise any stale meat. (13-107-85)
A learned person should not eat salt from the hand, nor eat (salt) at night; he should not eat curds and roasted barley meal, and he should avoid unnecessary consumption of meat. (13-107-86)
But one with body hair should not eat another's śrāddha food, likewise; a self-controlled person should eat in the evening and in the morning, not in between. (13-107-87)
One who has restrained speech should never wear only a single garment, nor ever lie down at any time. He should never eat while on the ground, nor while seated, nor while making sound. (13-107-88)
O lord of people, first offering water and food to the guests, only afterwards should a wise man eat, and never with his mind elsewhere.
O king, one who, sitting in the same row, eats food without sharing it with friends, partakes of deadly halahala poison. (13-107-90)
The remains of water, milk-rice, ghee, curd, roasted barley meal, or honey—having set them aside—should certainly not be given to anyone. (13-107-91)
O tiger among men, while eating, one should never entertain any doubt. Indeed, curd and also drinking after (food) should not be done by one who desires well-being. (13-107-92)
After sipping water and with the hand having poured out water in this way, one should cause it to flow over the big toe of the right foot. (13-107-93)
A man skilled in performance who, having placed his hand on his head, touches fire with concentration, attains superiority among his relatives. (13-107-94)
Having touched the vital airs and the navel with water and the palm of the hand, one should stand (thus) touching; and one should not do this even with a wet hand. (13-107-95)
The Brahman holy place is said to be in the space of the thumb; but after the little finger, the place of the gods is mentioned here. (13-107-96)
O Bhārata, one should thus perform ancestral rites using the middle part between the thumb and index finger, having properly touched water in that way. (13-107-97)
A person seeking prosperity should never speak slander of others nor utter unpleasant words at any time, and should not allow anger to arise towards anyone. (13-107-98)
However, one should neither seek conversation nor associate nor even meet with the fallen; by doing so, one attains great longevity. (13-107-99)
One should not approach sexual intercourse during the day, nor with a maiden, nor with a prostitute; nor should one go to a woman who has not bathed; thus one attains great longevity. (13-107-100)
Having performed ācamana at his own respective sacred water, for the prescribed rite, when the man has sipped the water three times and wiped (his mouth) twice, he becomes purified. (13-107-101)
After touching the senses once and sprinkling water three times, a human should perform both ancestor and deity rites in the manner prescribed by the Veda. (13-107-102)
O Kaurava, hear from me the purity which is for the sake of a brāhmaṇa. Having described what is initiated and beneficial at both the commencement and conclusion of eating, likewise. (13-107-103)
In all acts of purification, one should use Brāhma (prescribed) water for touching. After spitting or sneezing, when one touches water, one becomes pure. (13-107-104)
An old person, a relative, a friend, and even a poor man—whoever they may be—should be allowed to reside in the house; they truly bring prosperity and long life. (13-107-105)
Pigeons, parrots, and starlings in a house are fortunate; the presence of these in homes is not sinful, and so too are oil drinkers. (13-107-106)
When lamp-lighters, vultures, pigeons, and bees also settle there, then one should only observe peace. (13-107-107)
Inauspicious matters, as well as harsh words against the great-souled, and the secrets of the great-souled, should never be spoken. (13-107-108)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, one should not approach those women who are to be avoided, wives of the king, their companions, as well as physicians, children, elders, and servants. (13-107-109)
O king, one attains a great lifespan as well as relations with relatives, Brāhmaṇas, the protector, and kinsmen. (13-107-110)
O king of men, a wise man who desires prosperity should always live in a residence built by a Brāhmaṇa and an architect. (13-107-111)
O king, one should not sleep, study, or eat at twilight; thus, an intelligent person attains great longevity. (13-107-112)
One should not perform ancestral rites at night; nor should one adorn oneself after eating. Offering water at night should not be done by one who desires prosperity. (13-107-113)
O Bhārata, cakes should indeed always be avoided at night, as well as remnants, impure things, water, and these especially at meals. (13-107-114)
One should not mix foods, nor should one perform (sacrificial acts) at night; one should not break the sacred thread, and after eating, one should not perform rites. (13-107-115)
A very wise man should marry a maiden who is of good family, virtuous, endowed with auspicious marks, and of suitable age. (13-107-116)
O Bhārata, after producing offspring and thus establishing the lineage, sons should be instructed in knowledge and family customs. (13-107-117)
A daughter, once born, should be given to a wise son of a noble family; sons should be established, and servants obtained from the family, O Bhārata. (13-107-118)
After bathing the head, one should then perform the rites for the gods and also for the ancestors. But one should not perform them on the constellation in which a man was born, nor on the Proṣṭhapada nakṣatras, nor in the Agneya nakṣatra, O Bhārata. (13-107-119)
One should avoid all harsh situations every day, and avoid all those things which have been stated in astrology. (13-107-120)
One should, being composed, have barbering acts performed while facing east. Or facing north, O king, one likewise obtains great longevity. (13-107-121)
One should not speak blame of others or of oneself in the same way; blame is not considered as righteousness, O best of the Bharatas. (13-107-122)
O best of men, one should avoid marrying a deformed woman, a maiden with hereditary disease, a disfigured woman, one born of one's own mother, and also a woman from one's own clan. (13-107-123)
One should avoid women who are aged, who have renounced the world, who are devoted to their husbands, who are of very dark complexion, and those of a superior caste. (13-107-124)
A wise person should not have intercourse through unnatural or improper organs. You should not take as wife a woman who is yellowish or afflicted with leprosy. (13-107-125)
O lord of men, one should avoid (a woman) born in a family afflicted by epilepsy, or deficient (of lineage), and also one born in the family of those with leprosy—these three.
You deserve to marry her who is endowed with auspicious marks, who is worthy by such marks, pleasing to the mind, and beautiful to behold. (13-107-127)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, one wishing for prosperity should establish (a relationship) in a great family or in an equal family; an inferior or fallen (woman or family) should indeed not be accepted. (13-107-128)
Having established the sacred fires with care, all the ritual acts that are well performed and declared in the Vedas by the Brāhmaṇas should also be performed. (13-107-129)
Jealousy should never be practiced towards women; wives should be protected in every way. Jealousy leads to a short life; therefore, one should avoid jealousy. (13-107-130)
Daytime sleep is not conducive to long life; so too is lying down at sunrise, sleeping in the morning and at night, and likewise those who sleep without having cleansed themselves after eating. (13-107-131)
Intercourse with another's wife shortens life; likewise, contact with a barber's remnants. These should not be practiced intentionally, O Bhārata. (13-107-132)
One should not eat, bathe, or void faeces at twilight; one should remain pure at that time and refrain from any activity. (13-107-133)
O king, having thus bathed, one should worship the Brāhmaṇas, bow to the gods, and also salute the elders. (13-107-134)
One who is not invited should not go to a sacrifice; only an observer may go. Going there uninvited indeed shortens one's life, O Bhārata. (13-107-135)
One should not wander alone, nor should one go out at night. When the evening twilight has not yet arrived, one should remain at home. (13-107-136)
O best of men, the instructions of the mother, father, and teachers should be carried out as duty; whether they are beneficial or even not beneficial, they are not to be deliberated upon. (13-107-137)
O king, effort should be made in the science of archery and in the Veda, as well as on elephants, horses, and in chariot operations. Be diligent, O king of kings; for the diligent one attains happiness. (13-107-138)
He who is unassailable by enemies, servants, and his own people, and who is devoted to the protection of his subjects, does not incur harm anywhere. (13-107-139)
O Bhārata, you should know the science of reasoning, the science of language, the science of music, and the arts thoroughly, O king. (13-107-140)
The ancient tales, histories, and likewise the narratives, and the conduct of great souls—all these are indeed always to be heard. (13-107-141)
One should neither approach nor call a wife who is menstruating; but the discerning man may approach her at night on the fourth day, after she has bathed. (13-107-142)
A daughter is born on the fifth day, a son on the sixth; thus, by following this rule, the wise should approach his wife. (13-107-143)
Relatives, kinsmen, and friends should always be honored; sacrifices with various offerings should be performed according to one's ability. Afterwards, the forest life should also be undertaken, O king. (13-107-144)
This enumeration of the characteristics of lifespans has been declared to you. The remainder should be asked from the learned elders skilled in the three Vedas, O Yudhiṣṭhira. (13-107-145)
Conduct gives rise to beings; conduct increases one's fame. Lifespan is increased by conduct, and conduct eliminates inauspiciousness. (13-107-146)
Indeed, among all scriptures, conduct is said to be the best. From conduct arises righteousness, and from righteousness, lifespan increases. (13-107-147)
This great utterance, which bestows fame, grants long life, leads to heaven, and brings welfare, has been declared by Brahmā out of compassion for all classes. (13-107-148)
