34. Males ought not to listen to (discourses on) religious
knowledge, or to tales (about the exploits of heroes) from the
mouths of women, [Footnote: This is in strict unison with the
present Hindû practice of keeping women ignorant. That women in
ancient times were not only educated, but sometimes erudite and
celebrated as religious teachers, is proved by the example of
Maitreyî, Gârgî and others] nor ought they to carry on
controversial discussions with females; nor with a king or his
officials.
35. Never speak disrespectfully of religious preceptors, of
superiors, of those who have gained renown in the world, of
learned men, and of those that carry arms.
36. Never do any act rashly; nor be slow in a religious duty.
Impart to others the knowledge you may receive, and daily
associate with holy men.
37. Do not go empty-handed to pay a visit to a religious
preceptor, a god or a king. Never betray a trust or violate
confidence. Never praise yourself with your own lips.
38. The clothing of my followers should not be of such an
improper kind that, when put on, the limbs are exposed to view.
39. The worship of K.rish.na must not be performed without
attending to religious duties. Adoration of K.rish.na should not
be abandoned through fear of the reproaches of ignorant people.
40. On religious festivals and on ordinary days, the males and
females that go to K.rish.na's temple should keep separate and
not touch each other.
41. Those twice-born persons who have received initiation into
the worship of K.rish.na from a duly qualified religious teacher
should always wear on their necks two rosaries made of Tulsî wood
(one for Râdhâ and another for K.rish.na), and should make an
upright mark on their foreheads.
42. This mark should be made with Gopî-çandana (_i.e._ white
earth from Dvârikâ), or with sandal which is left from that
employed in the worship of Hari (K.rish.na), and mixed with
saffron.
43. Within this (erect mark) there ought to be made a round
(v.ritta) mark with the materials (or earth) used for the
Pu.n.dra, or with saffron which has served for the Prasâda of
Râdhâ and K.rish.na (that is, with a portion left from that
employed in their worship).
44. Those pure Šûdras who are worshippers of K.rish.na, while
practising their own peculiar duties, should, like the twice-born,
use a rosary and a vertical mark on the forehead.
45. By those (Šûdra) worshippers who are different from the pure
Šûdras two rosaries made of sandal wood, etc., are to be worn on
the throat, and only a round mark is to be made on the forehead.
46. Those twice-born of my followers, who have inherited from
their forefathers the custom of using a rosary of Rudrâksha
berries (sacred to Šiva), and the three horizontal (Šaiva) marks,
should not discontinue that practice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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