By avoiding disputes
with these, the householder becomes cleansed of all sins. By conquering
such disputes, he succeeds in conquering all the regions of felicity (in
the world hereafter). There is no doubt in this.[1001] The preceptor (if
duly reverenced) is able to lead one to the regions of Brahman. The
father (if reverenced) can lead to the regions of Prajapati. The guest is
puissant enough to lead to the region of Indra. The Ritwik has power 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.
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