gh duty that has always been current among them that are
righteous. Householders of pure mind are capable of earning very great
merit. Indeed, he who cleanses his soul by the performance of the five
sacrifices, who is truthful in speech, who is free from malice, who makes
gifts, who treats with hospitality and honour all regenerate guests, who
lives in well-cleaned abodes, who is free from pride, who is always
sincere in his dealings, who uses sweet and assuring words towards
others, who takes pleasure in serving guests and others arrived at his
abode, and who eats the food that remains after the requirements have
been gratified of all the members of his family and dependants, wins
great merit. That man who offers water to his guests for washing their
feet and hands, who presents the Arghya for honouring the recipient, who
duly gives seats, and beds, and lamps for lighting the darkness, and
shelter to those that come to his abode, is regarded as highly righteous.
That householder who rises at dawn and washes his mouth and face and
serves food to his guests, and having honoured them duly dismisses them
from his abode and follows them (as a mark of honour) for a little
distance, acquires eternal merit. Hospitality towards all, and the
pursuit of the aggregate of three, are the duties of the householder. The
duties of the Sudra consist in the pursuit of the aggregate of three. The
Religion ordained for the householder is said to have Pravritti for its
chief indication. Auspicious, and beneficial to all creatures, I shall
expound it to thee. The householder should always make gifts according to
the measure of his power. He should also perform sacrifices frequently
after the same manner. Indeed, he who wishes to achieve his own good
should always achieve meritorious acts. The householder, should acquire
wealth by righteous means. The wealth thus acquired should be carefully
divided into three portions, keeping the requirements of righteousness in
view. With one of those portions he should accomplish all acts of
righteousness. With another he should seek to gratify his cravings for
pleasure. The third portion he should lay out for increasing. The
Religion of Nivritti is different. It exists for emancipation (from
re-birth by absorption into Brahman). I shall tell thee the conduct that
constitutes it. Listen to me in detail, O goddess. One of the duties
inculcated by that religion is compassion towards all creatures. The man
tha