The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,886 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3.

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 2,886 pages of information about The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3.
any food for only his own use; nor should be slaughter animals (for food) except in sacrifices.[1000] If it be an animal which the householder desires to kill (for food), or if it be a tree which he wishes to cut down (for fuel), he should do either act according to the ritual laid down in the Yajuses for that much is due to both animate and inanimate existences.  The house-holder should never sleep during the day, or during the first part of the night, or during the last part thereof.  He should never eat twice between morning and evening, and should never summon his wife to bed except in her season.  In his house, no Brahmana should be suffered to remain unfed or unworshipped.  He should always worship such guests as are presenters of sacrificial offerings, as are cleansed by Vedic lore and observance of excellent vows, as are high-born and conversant with the scriptures, as are observers of the duties of their own order, as are self-restrained, mindful of all religious acts, and devoted to penances.  The scriptures ordain that what is offered to the deities and the Pitris in sacrifices and religious rites is meant for the service of guests like these.  In this mode of life the scriptures ordain that a share of the food (that is cooked) should be given unto every creature (irrespective of his birth or character), unto one, that is, who for the sake of show keeps his nails and beard, unto one who from pride displays what his own (religious) practices are, unto one who has improperly abandoned his sacred fire, and even unto one who has injured his preceptor.  One leading a domestic mode of life should give (food) unto Brahmacharins and Sannyasins.  The householder should every day become an eater of vighasa, and should every day eat amrita.  Mixed with clarified butter, the remains of the food that is offered in sacrifices constitute amrita.  That householder who eats after having fed (all relatives and) servants is said to eat vighasa.  The food that remains after the servants have been fed is called vighasa, and that which is left after the presentation of sacrificial offerings is called amrita.  One leading a domestic mode of life should be content with his own wedded wife.  He should be self-restrained.  He should avoid malice and subdue his senses.  He should never quarrel with his Ritwik, Purohita, and preceptor, with his maternal uncle, guests and dependants, with the aged and the young in years, with those that are afflicted with diseases, with those that practise as physicians, with kinsmen, relatives, and friends, with his parents, with women that belong to his own paternal family, with his brother and son and wife, with his daughter, and with his servants.  By avoiding disputes with these, the householder becomes cleansed of all sins.  By conquering such disputes, he succeeds in conquering all the regions of felicity (in the world hereafter).  There is no doubt in this.[1001] The preceptor (if duly reverenced) is able to lead one to the regions
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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.