Apastamba-sutra Part 33

Householder's duties

1. After marriage the rites prescribed for a householder and his wife (must be performed). 1
2. He shall eat at the two (appointed) times, (morning and evening) 2
3. And he shall not eat to repletion.
4. And both (the householder and his wife) shall fast on (the days of) the new, and full moon,
5. To eat once (on those days in the morning) that also is called fasting.
6. And they may eat (at that meal) until they are quite satisfied.
7. And on (the anniversary of) that (wedding)-day they may eat that food of which they are fond. 7
8. And (on the night of that day) they shall sleep on the ground (on a raised heap of earth). 8
9. And they shall avoid connubial intercourse.
10. And on the day after (that day) a Sthâlîpâka must be offered. 10
11. The manner in which that offering must be 11
performed has been declared by (the description of the Sthâlîpâka) to be performed on the days of the new and full moon (the Pârvana).
12. And they declare (that this rite which is known) amongst the people (must be performed) every (year). 12
13. At every (burnt-offering), when he wishes to place the fire on the altar (called Sthandila), let him draw on that (altar) three lines from west to east and three lines from south to north, and sprinkle (the altar) with water, turning the palm of the hand downwards, and let him then make the fire burn brightly by adding (fuel). 13
14. He shall pour out (the remainder of) this water used for sprinkling, to the north or to the east (of the altar), and take other (water into the vessel).
15. The water-vessels in the house shall never be empty; that is the duty to be observed by the householder and his wife. 15
16. Let him not have connubial intercourse (with his wife) in the day-time.
17. But let him have connection with his wife at the proper time, according to the rules (of the law). 17
18. Let him have connubial intercourse in the interval also, if his wife (desires it, observing the restrictions imposed by the law).
19. (The duty of) connubial intercourse (follows from) the passage of a Brâhmana, ('Let us dwell together until a son be born.')
20. But during intercourse he shall be dressed in a particular dress kept for this purpose.
21. And during intercourse only they shall lie together,
22. Afterwards separate.
23. Then they both shall bathe;