Verse 12

⁶Well behaved, eating little, capable, trusting, with his senses mastered, he should deal with women, and with men whom women have mastered, only as far as the matter requires. ⁷One who is not a householder, under the great vow, should keep away from talk of women. The senses churn, and they carry off even the mind of one who is striving. ⁸A young man should not have his hair dressed for him, or be rubbed, bathed or oiled, by the young women of his teacher's household. ⁹A woman, surely, is fire, and a man is like a pot of ghee. Even his own daughter he should avoid in private, and with others do only what the matter requires.

¹⁰This world of two is a semblance a man has fashioned for himself. So long as he is not master of it he should not leave off; from leaving off comes his overturning. ¹¹All this is handed down for the householder as well, and for the one who strives. Serving a teacher is, as an alternative, laid down for a householder who goes to his wife only in her season. ¹²Those who hold to the vow should give up eye paint, oiling and rubbing, pictures of women, meat and honey, garlands, scents, ointments and ornaments.