Next comes the life of a householder. We shall explain to you all the pious acts and characteristic marks of that mode. This mode of life is ordained for those who, having lived the full term in the preceptor's house, return home, who are of pious conduct, who wish the fruits of a virtuous life with their wives. In it exist Virtue, Profit and pleasure. It is (thus) suited to the cultivation of the three-fold objects of life. Acquiring riches by irreproachable acts, or with wealth of great efficacy which is got from recitation of the Vedas, or living upon means followed by the regenerate Rishis, or with the produce of inountains and mincs, or with the wealth of offerings made in sacrifices and on the finish of vows and other observances, and those made to gods, the house-holder should lead this mode of life, That mode of life is considered as the root of all the others. Those who live in the houses of preceptors, those who lead lives of mendicancy, and others who observe vows and restraints, derive from this mode the means they live upon, the offerings they make to the departed manes and the gods, and, in short, their entire support.
गार्हस्थ्यं खलु द्वितीयमाश्रमं वदन्ति। तस्य समुदाचारलक्षणं सर्वमनुव्याख्यास्यामः। समावृत्तानां सदाचाराणां सहधर्मचर्यफलार्थिना गृहाश्रमो विधीयते। धर्मार्थकामावाप्तिहत्र त्रिवर्गसाधनमपेक्ष्यागहितेन कर्मणा धनान्यादाय स्वाध्यायोपलब्धप्रकर्षेण वा ब्रह्मर्षिनिमितेन वा अद्रिसारगतेन वा। हव्यकव्यनियमाभ्यासदैवतप्रसादोपलब्धेन वा धनेन गृहस्थो गार्हस्थ्यं वर्तयेत्। तद्धि सर्वाश्रमाणां मूलमुदाहरन्ति। गुरुकुलनिवासिनः परिव्राजका ये चान्ये संकल्पितव्रतनि यम धर्मानुष्ठायिनस्तेषामप्यत एव भिक्षाबलिसंविभागाः प्रवर्तन्ते॥