115 - Origin of different dharmas (Karmas of different castes)

1. Hearing these words of Earth, lord Näräyana said: “O goddess, I shall tell you about the actions that lead to the pleasures of heaven.

2. O Earth, I shall answer your questions relating to the existence and attitude of devotees that are laid down.

3. I am never pleased with petty-minded people even if they make a thousand dänas, perform hundreds of sacrifices and offer a lot of money.

4. I am pleased with him who (tried to) know me with steadfast mind even though he may have many faults.

5. Now that you ask me about the actions that lead to the pleasures of heaven, I shall tell you. Please listen.

6. Those people who bow to me always, at midnight, in darkness, at noon or afternoon, although of diverse minds.

7. Who with unfailing devotion to me observe fast on Dvädashi day.

8. Realise me in the fruition of their devotion.

9. The good man with clean mind devoted to me gets a place in heaven by the very desire.

10. I shall tell you about those actions in the path of devotion that lead to my realisation.

11. Those devotees who fast on Dvädašhi day certainly attain me.

12. He who after fasting, offers me libations of water saying ‘Bow to Näräyana’ and looks at the sun.

13. Remains honoured in heaven for as many thousands of years as there are drops in the water of libation.

14-15. Now listen to what happens to those pious people who worship me on dvådašhi day with due rites and with white flowers and incense.

16. Putting flowers on the head and dressing in White cloth he may utter the mantra: ‘‘May the worshipful lord Hari be pleased to accept these flowers.”

17. Sandal paste is to be offered with the mantra: “Bow to lord be pleased to accept the sandal paste which gives out its Scent fully and slightly alternately or fragrant sandal paste”.

18. The incense is to be offered with the manta: ‘‘May lord Achyuta receive the incense at the main ritual”

19. He who makes my image according to Sastras reaches my abode and becomes four-armed.

20. Thus have I told you, O goddess, this mantrapüjå which brings about happiness and which is dear to me.

21. He, who being devoted to my service, eats (only) the grains shyåmäka,svastika, godhüma, mudgaka, shàli, yava, nivára and kàñguka, attains (the divine) conch, disc, plough and club.

22. O Earth, I shall now tell you what actions the Brahmins devoted to me should do. 

23. Free from ego and attending seriously to the six duties ordained,¹ with full control of senses, living on alms and unconcerned about loss or gain.

1. The six duties of the Brahmin are adhyapana (teaching) adhyayana (learning), yajana (performing sacrifice), yajana (making others perform sacrifice), dana (giving gifts) and pratigraha (receiving gifts).

24. Engaged in my service, free from malignity, following the prescribed rules, fully unbiased, and neither senile nor childish.

25. Performing deeds beneficial to the people at large, and full of concentration of mind, such a Brahmin attains me.

26. I shall now tell you about what the Kshatriyas devoted to me should do.

27. Free from bias, munificent in gifts, pure, keen on sacrifices, devoted to my service, free from ego.

28. Reserved in speech, capable of knowing merit, always considerate towards other devotees, free from malice, avoiding all prohibited deeds, learning from the master.

29. Eager to show respect to others, without a trace of avarice, such a kshatriya attains me.

30. I shall now tell you about what the Vaišhya devoted to me should do.

31 Doing the duties ordained to him, without the motive of gain or loss, doing the duties by his wife at the proper time, free from greed, calm in mind.

32. Remaining pure, skilful, fasting When worshipping me.

 33. Always honouring his guru, considerate towards other devotees, such a Vaišhya always remains mine and always remain his.

34. I shall now tell you about what the Šhüdra should do in order that he may be mine.

35. Husband and wife always pious, devoted to me and ever engaged in doing service to me.

36. Knowing the appropriate. place and time for their actions, unstained by Rajas and Tamas.

37. Free from ego, pure in mind, humble, hospitable, free from greed and malice, and full of sincerity.

38, Fond of prostrating (before me), ever thinking of me, such be the actions of the Šhüdras.

39. Leaving thousands of sages, I always look after Shüdras. Such are the duties of devotees in the four castes which you wished to know.

40. So much about the four castes. Now listen to another matter relating to yoga (of attaining me).

41. Giving up (thoughts of) gain and loss, delusion and desire.

42. Without thinking of heat and cold, what is obtained and what is not, without preference among what is hot, bitter, sweet, sour and saline.

43. Giving up attachment towards wife, children, father and mother and concentrating on service to me.

44. Steadfast, proficient, serious and determined.

45. Always earnest, averse to all other actions, doing things appropriate to his age, eating the minimum, maintaining family prestige.

 46. Full of compassion, honouring all, highly patient, keeping silence when necessary; particularly when observing vows.

47. Performing rites prescribed for morning, noon and evening, not taking food without giving it to others.

48. Doing all actions with me in the mind, answering calls or nature. and bathing at the right time. 

49. Always eager to offer me sandal paste, flowers and incense.

50. Eating sometimes roots, sometimes fruits, sometimes milk, sometimes what is got by begging, and sometimes living simply on air.

51. Sometimes eating once in four days, at other times once  in six days, often once  in ten days or once  in a fortnight or once  in a month.

52. Those that do all this in seven lives, become yogins and attain me.