Chapter 59

Vishnu Smriti 59

A householder shall perform the domestic sacrifices in the nuptial fire. // Vi_59.1 //

In the evening and in the morning, the Agnihotra. // Vi_59.2 //

He shall offer oblations to the gods.[^10] // Vi_59.3 //

At the conjunction and opposition of the moon and sun, he shall sacrifice with the new and full moon sacrifices. // Vi_59.4 //

Every year, with an animal. // Vi_59.5 //

And in autumn and spring, with the Āgrayaṇa sacrifice. // Vi_59.6 //

Or at the ripening of the rice and barley. // Vi_59.7 //

When he has more than a three years' supply of grain. // Vi_59.8 //

Every year, with Soma. // Vi_59.9 //

In the absence of wealth, with the Vaiśvānarī sacrifice. // Vi_59.10 //

He shall give away the entire sum obtained by begging for the sake of a sacrifice. // Vi_59.11 //

In the evening and in the morning, he shall offer the Vaiśvadeva oblation. // Vi_59.12 //

And he shall give alms to a mendicant. // Vi_59.13 //

By giving alms to a honored mendicant, he obtains the fruit of giving a cow. // Vi_59.14 //

In the absence of a mendicant, he shall give a mouthful to cows. // Vi_59.15 //

Or he shall throw it into the fire. // Vi_59.16 //

Even if the food has been eaten, if there is any left, he shall not turn away a mendicant. // Vi_59.17 //

The grinding-stone, the pestle, the hearth, the water-pot, and the broom—these are the five pañca sūnā (the five slaughter-houses) of a householder. // Vi_59.18 //

And for their expiation, he shall perform the pañca mahāyajña (the five great daily sacrifices) to Brahma, the gods, the spirits, the ancestors, and men. // Vi_59.19 //

The study of the Veda is the sacrifice to Brahma. // Vi_59.20 //

The oblation into the fire is the sacrifice to the gods. // Vi_59.21 //

The offering of water to the ancestors is the sacrifice to the ancestors. // Vi_59.22 //

The offering of a bali is the sacrifice to the spirits. // Vi_59.23 //

And the sacrifice to men is the honoring of guests. // Vi_59.24 //

He who does not offer to these five—the gods, guests, dependents, / Ancestors, and himself—he does not live, though he breathes. || Vi_59.25 ||

The brahmacārī, the ascetic, and the mendicant live from the household; / Therefore, a householder shall not dishonor them when they arrive. || Vi_59.26 ||

The householder alone sacrifices, the householder performs austerity, / The householder also gives; therefore, the householder stage of life is the best. || Vi_59.27 ||

The sages, the ancestors, the gods, the spirits, and the guests / Look to the householders for support; therefore, the householder stage of life is the best. || Vi_59.28 ||

By the pursuit of the three aims of life, by the constant giving of food, by the worship of the gods, and by the honoring of Brāhmaṇas, / By the study of the Veda and by the offering of water to the ancestors, a householder goes to the abode of Śakra. || Vi_59.29 ||