Chapter 100

Vishnu Smriti 100

This excellent Dharmaśāstra was spoken by the god himself; / Those twice-born men who will uphold it, for them the highest state is in heaven. || Vi_100.1 ||

This is purifying, auspicious, conducive to heaven, and life-giving, / And it brings knowledge, fame, and increases wealth and good fortune. || Vi_100.2 ||

It should be studied, upheld, recited, and listened to; / And it should be recited at śrāddhas (श्राद्धs) by men who always desire prosperity. || Vi_100.3 ||

The man who, desiring prosperity, always recites this, / This supreme secret has been told to you, O Dhara. || Vi_100.4 ||

By me, being pleased, for the welfare of the world, this eternal Dharmaśāstra, / Which is supreme good fortune, famous, a destroyer of bad dreams, endowed with much merit, and an abode of auspiciousness. || Vi_100.5 ||

[^1]: Baiḍālavratika (बैडालव्रतिक), literally "one who follows the vow of a cat," refers to a hypocrite who feigns piety and contemplation to deceive others, much like a cat waiting silently to pounce on a mouse. [^2]: Bakavratika (बकव्रतिक), literally "one who follows the vow of a heron," refers to a deceitful person who appears calm and meditative but is inwardly cunning and intent on personal gain, like a heron standing still in the water to catch fish. [^3]: The source text reads nābhirājo (नाभिराजो). This is likely a scribal error for nābhir ojaḥ (नाभिरोजः), "the navel and vitality," which fits the context of a list of vital centers. Ojas (ओजस्) is a key concept in Āyurveda, representing the subtle essence of all bodily tissues that sustains life and immunity. [^4]: The source text notes two orthographic variants for hṛṣīkeśa (हृषीकेश).