in
respect of the regions of the deities. Female relatives of the paternal
line have lordship in respect of the regions of the Apsaras, and kinsmen
(by blood), in respect of the region of the Viswedevas. Relatives by
marriage and collateral kinsmen have power in respect of the several
quarters of the horizon (viz., north, etc.), and the mother and the
maternal uncle have power over the earth. The old, the young, the
afflicted, the wasted have power over the sky.[1002] The eldest brother is
like unto the sire himself (to all his younger brothers). The wife and
the son are one's own body. One's menial servants are one's own shadow.
The daughter is an object of great affection. For these reason, a
house-holder endued with learning, observant of duties, and possessed of
endurance, should bear, without warmth or anxiety of heart every kind of
annoyance and even censure from the last named relatives. No righteous
household should do any act, urged by considerations of wealth. There are
three courses of duty in respect of a life of domesticity. Of these, that
which comes next (in the order of enumeration) is more meritorious than
the preceding one.[1003] As regards the four (principal) modes of life
also, the same rule of merit applies, viz., the one that comes after is
superior to the one preceding it. Accordingly, domesticity is superior to
Brahmacharya, forest life is superior to domesticity, and a life of
mendicancy or complete renunciation is superior to a forest life. One
desirous of prosperity should accomplish all those duties and rites that
have been ordained in the scriptures in respect of those modes. That
kingdom grows in prosperity where these highly deserving persons live,
viz., those that lead a life of domesticity according to the Kumbhadhanya
method, they that lead it according to the Unchha method, and they that
lead it according to the Kapoti method.[1004] That man who cheerfully
leads a life of domesticity in the observance of those duties, succeeds
in sanctifying ten generations of his ancestors above and ten generations
of descendants below. A householder, duly observing the duties of
domesticity, obtains an end that yields felicity equal to what occurs in
the regions attained by great kings and emperors. Even this is the end
that has been ordained for those who have subdued their senses. For all
high-souled householders heaven has been ordained. That heaven is
equipped with delightful cars for each (moving