क्रियाक्रमेण महता तपसा नियमेन च । दानेन तीर्थयात्राभिश्चिरकालं विवेकतः ॥ ३१ ॥
kriyākramēṇa mahatā tapasā niyamēna ca | dānēna tīrthayātrābhiścirakālaṁ vivēkataḥ || 31 ||
Translation
By the ordered way of rites, by great austerity and restraint, by charity, by pilgrimages, and by long and patient discernment,
Word by word
- kriyā
- of rites
- kramēṇa
- by the ordered way
- mahatā
- by great
- tapasā
- austerity
- niyamēna
- restraint
- ca
- and
- dānēna
- by charity
- tīrthayātrābhiś
- (tīrthayātrābhiḥ) by pilgrimages
- cirakālaṁ
- long and patient
- vivēkataḥ
- by discernment
Meaning
Verses 31 and 32 are one sentence, and the commentary gives it a long note. It recalls the Upaniṣad's words, that Brahmins seek to know the Self through Vedic study, sacrifice, charity and austerity (Bṛhadāraṇyaka 4.4.22), and sets out at length from Gautama's law book the forty sacraments and eight virtues that make up the path of action. After 2.10.22, which called such works no means to the crossing, this shows their real office, which is described in the next verse.