MARKANDEYA PURANA

Some significant Do�s and Don�ts as human responsibilty

The general expectaion is that Grihastas wake up at the ‘Brahma Muhurta’-that is, well before the Sunrise with a resolve to follow the commands of Four ‘Purusharthas’ viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha and with a pure mind sit up facing East with Prayers for the success of the day. After performing the ablutions and ‘Snaan’, the ‘Purva Sandhya Vandana’ should be performed even when Stars appear on the Sky and in the same manner, ‘Sayam Sandhya Vandana’ is performed when Sun still appears on the Sky.Daily Homas also should be performed pursuant to the ‘Sandhya Vandanam’.

Care must be taken not to view the Sun Globe at the Sunrise and Sunset timings.

(Sayampratastatha Homam kurvati Niyamaatmavaan,
Naayaastamaye Bimbamudeekshet vivaswathah)

Tasks like hair combing, looking at mirror, cleaning the teeth, and Deva Tarpan before the afternoon, while urinating and defecating ought to be avoided at Tirthas, Kshetras, road side fields as also Goshalas (Cowsheds). Acts like defecation, copulation and release of hair, ash (Bhasma) and such material must never be done in water bodies. Complaining of food not of one’s choice otherwise edible must be refrained, especially in a haughty and offensive tone. Fumingly hot and highly salted food should be avoided. After ‘achamana’ at the formal conclusion of food, nibbling further is to be avoided, conversation must not be carried-on nor ‘Veda Adhyaya’ should be performed. Once having risen after having food, touching of Cows, Brahmanas, Agni, and one’s own head be shunned and viewing Sun, Moon, and Stars be avoided. Performing Puja and Bhojan wearing a single cloth is not advisable. Even bathing and sleeping with a single cloth is to be avoided. Never wear the clothes, footwear, ornaments, Yagnopaveet, kamandalu and garlands already worn or used by others. Never resort to oil massage and copulation on Chaturdasi, Ashtami, Amavasya / Pournami and on festival days. Never spread thighs and feet nor keep foot over another foot while sitting. Never provoke/aggravate persons who are fools, argumentative, insane, unhappy, angry, ugly, crooked and deformed, by hurting their sensibilities or Self-pride. Do not sleep keeping head to North and West. Do not take a bath during night excepting during eclipse timings. Avoid sleep, study, meals and copulation during Sandhyas or mornings and evenings. Perform Pujas to Devas during ‘Purvaahna’ or before noon, ‘Madhyamaahna’ to Pitras and Godmen / religious persons in the evenings.
Irresponsibly blaming Gurus, Pativratas, Yagnasheel, and the Virtuous persons even in light-vein manner would attract heavy sins. Wearing unworthy dress, uttering non- propitious words, and behaving in unbecoming manner are to be avoided at any cost. The company of spendthrifts, misers, enemies, the belligerent, blame-worthy, suspicious, non- religious and unreliable persons must be given up at once. But, six categories of Persons viz. ‘Sahrudaya’ ( Good-hearted), ‘Dikshit’ (Dedicated), ‘Bhupati’ (King), ‘Snaatak’ (Guru), ‘Svasura’ ( father-in-law), and Ritviks (Homa kartas) are worthy of ‘Arghyapradaan’, ‘Puja’ and ‘Pradakshina’; richly deserving award of ‘Madhuparkas’(clothes) for commending them would mean respecting one’s own self! A Place is not worthwhile staying if there is no provision of at least four Materials viz. a willing provider of loans, a kind and effective ‘Vaidya’ (Physician), a Srotriva’ (Purohit) and a River of running water suppy.