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CHAPTERIV.
1.Havingdweltwithateacherduringthefourthpartof(aman's)life,aBrahmanashallliveduringthe
secondquarter(ofhisexistence)inhishouse,afterhehasweddedawife.
2.ABrahmanamustseekameansofsubsistencewhicheithercausesno,oratleastlittlepain(toothers),
andlive(bythat)exceptintimesofdistress.
3.Forthepurposeofgainingbaresubsistence,lethimaccumulatepropertyby(followingthose)
irreproachableoccupations(whichareprescribedfor)his(caste),without(unduly)fatiguinghisbody.
4.HemaysubsistbyRita(truth),andAmrita(ambrosia),orbyMrita(death)andbyPramrita(what
causesmanydeaths)orevenby(themode)calledSatyanrita(amixtureoftruthandfalsehood),but
neverbySvavritti(adog'smodeoflife).
5.ByRitashallbeunderstoodthegleaningofcornbyAmrita,whatisgivenunaskedbyMrita,food
obtainedbybeggingandagricultureisdeclaredtobePramrita.
6.Buttradeand(moneylending)areSatyanrita,evenbythatonemaysubsist.ServiceiscalledSvavritti
thereforeoneshouldavoidit.
7.Hemayeitherpossessenoughtofillagranary,orastorefillingagrainjarorhemaycollectwhat
sufficesforthreedays,ormakenoprovisionforthemorrow.
8.Moreover,amongthesefourBrahmanahouseholders,eachlater(named)mustbeconsideredmore
distinguished,andthroughhisvirtuetohaveconqueredtheworldmorecompletely.
9.Oneofthesefollowssixoccupations,anothersubsistsbythree,onebytwo,butthefourthlivesbythe
Brahmasattra.
10.Hewhomaintainshimselfbypickingupgrainsandearsofcorn,mustbealwaysintenton(the
performanceof)theAgnihotra,andconstantlyofferthoseIshtisonly,whichareprescribedforthedays
oftheconjunctionandopposition(ofthemoon),andforthesolstices.
11.Lethimnever,forthesakeofsubsistence,followthewaysoftheworldlethimlivethepure,
straightforward,honestlifeofaBrahmana.
12.Hewhodesireshappinessmuststriveafteraperfectlycontenteddispositionandcontrolhimselffor
happinesshascontentmentforitsroot,therootofunhappinessisthecontrary(disposition).
13.ABrahmana,whoisaSnatakaandsubsistsbyoneofthe(abovementioned)modesoflife,must
dischargethe(following)dutieswhichsecureheavenlybliss,longlife,andfame.
14.Lethim,untired,performdailytheritesprescribedforhimintheVedaforhewhoperformsthose
accordingtohisability,attainstothehigheststate.
15.Whetherheberichorevenindistress,lethimnotseekwealththroughpursuitstowhichmencleave,
norbyforbiddenoccupations,nor(lethimacceptpresents)fromany(giverwhosoeverhemaybe).
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16.Lethimnot,outofdesire(forenjoyments),attachhimselftoanysensualpleasures,andlethim
carefullyobviateanexcessiveattachmenttothem,by(reflectingontheirworthlessnessin)hisheart.
17.Lethimavoidall(meansofacquiring)wealthwhichimpedethestudyoftheVeda(lethimmaintain
himself)anyhow,butstudy,becausethat(devotiontotheVedastudysecures)therealisationofhisaims.
18.Lethimwalkhere(onearth),bringinghisdress,speech,andthoughtstoaconformitywithhisage,
hisoccupation,hiswealth,hissacredlearning,andhisrace.
19.LethimdailyporeoverthoseInstitutesofsciencewhichsoongiveincreaseofwisdom,thosewhich
teachtheacquisitionofwealth,thosewhicharebeneficial(forotherworldlyconcerns),andlikewiseover
theNigamaswhichexplaintheVeda.
20.ForthemoreamancompletelystudiestheInstitutesofscience,themorehefullyunderstands(them),
andhisgreatlearningshinesbrightly.
21.Lethimnever,ifheisable(toperformthem),neglectthesacrificestothesages,tothegods,tothe
Bhutas,tomen,andtothemanes.
22.Somemenwhoknowtheordinancesforsacrificialrites,alwaysofferthesegreatsacrificesintheir
organs(ofsensation),withoutany(external)effort.
23.Knowingthatthe(performanceofthe)sacrificeintheirspeechandtheirbreathyieldsimperishable
(rewards),somealwaysoffertheirbreathintheirspeech,andtheirspeechintheirbreath.
24.OtherBrahmanas,seeingwiththeeyeofknowledgethattheperformanceofthoseriteshas
knowledgeforitsroot,alwaysperformthemthroughknowledgealone.
25.ABrahmanashallalwaysoffertheAgnihotraatthebeginningorattheendofthedayandofthe
night,andtheDarsaandPaurnamasa(Ishtis)attheendofeachhalfmonth,
26.Whentheoldgrainhasbeenconsumedthe(Agrayana)Ishtiwithnewgrain,attheendofthe(three)
seasonsthe(Katurmasya)sacrifices,atthesolsticesananimal(sacrifice),attheendoftheyearSoma
offerings.
27.ABrahmana,whokeepssacredfires,shall,ifhedesirestolivelong,noteatnewgrainormeat,
withouthavingofferedthe(Agrayana)Ishtiwithnewgrainandananimal(sacrifice).
28.Forhisfires,notbeingworshippedbyofferingsofnewgrainandofananimal,seektodevourhis
vitalspirits,(becausetheyare)greedyfornewgrainandflesh.
29.Noguestmuststayinhishousewithoutbeinghonoured,accordingtohisability,withaseat,food,a
couch,water,orrootsandfruits.
30.Lethimnothonour,evenbyagreeting,heretics,menwhofollowforbiddenoccupations,menwho
livelikecats,rogues,logicians,(arguingagainsttheVeda,)andthosewholivelikeherons.
31.ThosewhohavebecomeSnatakasafterstudyingtheVeda,oraftercompletingtheirvows,(and)
householders,whoareSrotriyas,onemustworshipby(giftsoffood)sacredtogodsandmanes,butone
mustavoidthosewhoaredifferent.
32.Ahouseholdermustgive(asmuchfood)asheisable(tospare)tothosewhodonotcookfor
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themselves,andtoallbeingsonemustdistribute(food)withoutdetriment(toone'sowninterest).
33.ASnatakawhopineswithhunger,maybegwealthofaking,ofoneforwhomhesacrifices,andofa
pupil,butnotofothersthatisasettledrule.
34.ASnatakawhoisable(toprocurefood)shallneverwastehimselfwithhunger,norshallhewearold
ordirtyclothes,ifhepossessesproperty.
35.Keepinghishair,nails,andbeardclipped,subduinghispassionsbyausterities,wearingwhite
garmentsand(keepinghimself)pure,heshallbealwaysengagedinstudyingtheVedaand(suchactsas
are)conducivetohiswelfare.
36.Heshallcarryastaffofbamboo,apotfullofwater,asacredstring,abundleofKusagrass,and
(wear)twobrightgoldenearrings.
37.Lethimneverlookatthesun,whenhesetsorrises,iseclipsedorreflectedinwater,orstandsinthe
middleofthesky.
38.Lethimnotstepoveraropetowhichacalfistied,lethimnotrunwhenitrains,andlethimnotlook
athisownimageinwaterthatisasettledrule.
39.Lethimpassby(amoundof)earth,acow,anidol,aBrahmana,clarifiedbutter,honey,acrossway,
andwellknowntrees,turninghisrighthandtowardsthem.
40.Lethim,thoughmadwithdesire,notapproachhiswifewhenhercoursesappearnorlethimsleep
withherinthesamebed.
41.Forthewisdom,theenergy,thestrength,thesight,andthevitalityofamanwhoapproachesa
womancoveredwithmenstrualexcretions,utterlyperish.
42.Ifheavoidsher,whilesheisinthatcondition,hiswisdom,energy,strength,sight,andvitalitywill
increase.
43.Lethimnoteatinthecompanyofhiswife,norlookather,whilesheeats,sneezes,yawns,orsitsat
herease.
44.ABrahmanawhodesiresenergymustnotlookat(awoman)whoappliescollyriumtohereyes,has
anointedoruncoveredherselforbringsforth(achild).
45.Lethimnoteat,dressedwithonegarmentonlylethimnotbathenakedlethimnotvoidurineona
road,onashes,orinacowpen,
46.Noronploughedland,inwater,onanaltarofbricks,onamountain,ontheruinsofatemple,nor
everonananthill,
47.Norinholesinhabitedbylivingcreatures,norwhilehewalksorstands,noronreachingthebankofa
river,noronthetopofamountain.
48.Lethimnevervoidfaecesorurine,facingthewind,orafire,orlookingtowardsaBrahmana,the
sun,water,orcows.
49.Hemayeasehimself,havingcovered(theground)withsticks,clods,leaves,grass,andthelike,
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restraininghisspeech,(keepinghimself)pure,wrappinguphisbody,andcoveringhishead.
50.Lethimvoidfaecesandurine,inthedaytimeturningtothenorth,atnightturningtowardsthesouth,
duringthetwotwilightsinthesame(position)asbyday.
51.IntheshadeorindarknessaBrahmanamay,bothbydayandatnight,doit,assuminganyposition
hepleaseslikewisewhenhislifeisindanger.
52.Theintellectof(aman)whovoidsurineagainstafire,thesun,themoon,inwater,againsta
Brahmana,acow,orthewind,perishes.
53.Lethimnotblowafirewithhismouthlethimnotlookatanakedwomanlethimnotthrowany
impuresubstanceintothefire,andlethimnotwarmhisfeetatit.
54.Lethimnotplace(fire)under(abedorthelike)norstepoverit,norplaceit(whenhesleeps)atthe
foot(endofhisbed)lethimnottormentlivingcreatures.
55.Lethimnoteat,nortravel,norsleepduringthetwilightlethimnotscratchthegroundlethimnot
takeoffhisgarland.
56.Lethimnotthrowurineorfaecesintothewater,norsaliva,nor(clothes)defiledbyimpure
substances,noranyother(impurity),norblood,norpoisonousthings.
57.Lethimnotsleepaloneinadeserteddwellinglethimnotwake(asuperior)whoissleepinglethim
notconversewithamenstruatingwomannorlethimgotoasacrifice,ifheisnotchosen(tobe
officiatingpriest).
58.Lethimkeephisrightarmuncoveredinaplacewhereasacredfireiskept,inacowpen,inthe
presenceofBrahmanas,duringtheprivaterecitationoftheVeda,andatmeals.
59.Lethimnotinterruptacowwhoissuckling(hercalf),nortellanybodyofit.Awiseman,ifheseesa
rainbowinthesky,mustnotpointitouttoanybody.
60.Lethimnotdwellinavillagewherethesacredlawisnotobeyed,nor(stay)longwherediseasesare
endemiclethimnotgoaloneonajourney,norresidelongonamountain.
61.LethimnotdwellinacountrywheretherulersareSudras,norinonewhichissurroundedby
unrighteousmen,norinonewhichhasbecomesubjecttoheretics,norinoneswarmingwithmenofthe
lowestcastes.
62.Lethimnoteatanythingfromwhichtheoilhasbeenextractedlethimnotbeagluttonlethimnot
eatveryearly(inthemorning),norverylate(intheevening),nor(takeanyfood)intheevening,ifhe
haseaten(hisfill)inthemorning.
63.Lethimnotexerthimselfwithoutapurposelethimnotdrinkwateroutofhisjoinedpalmslethim
noteatfood(placed)inhislaplethimnotshow(idle)curiosity.
64.Lethimnotdance,norsing,norplaymusicalinstruments,norslap(hislimbs),norgrindhisteeth,
norlethimmakeuncouthnoises,thoughhebeinapassion.
65.Lethimneverwashhisfeetinavesselofwhitebrasslethimnoteatoutofabroken(earthen)dish,
noroutofonethat(tojudge)fromitsappearance(is)defiled.
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66.Lethimnotuseshoes,garments,asacredstring,ornaments,agarland,orawatervesselwhichhave
beenusedbyothers.
67.Lethimnottravelwithuntrainedbeastsofburden,norwith(animals)thataretormentedbyhunger
ordisease,orwhosehorns,eyes,andhoofshavebeeninjured,orwhosetailshavebeendisfigured.
68.Lethimalwaystravelwith(beasts)whicharewellbrokenin,swift,endowedwithluckymarks,and
perfectincolourandform,withouturgingthemmuchwiththegoad.
69.Themorningsun,thesmokerisingfroma(burning)corpse,andabrokenseatmustbeavoided.Let
himnotcliphisnailsorhair,andnottearhisnailswithhisteeth.
70.Lethimnotcrushearthorclods,nortearoffgrasswithhisnailslethimnotdoanythingthatis
uselessorwillhavedisagreeableresultsinthefuture.
71.Amanwhocrushesclods,tearsoffgrass,orbiteshisnails,goessoontoperdition,likewisean
informerandhewhoneglects(therulesof)purification.
72.Lethimnotwranglelethimnotwearagarlandover(hishair).Torideonthebackofcows(orof
oxen)isanyhowablamableact.
73.Lethimnotenterawalledvillageorhouseexceptbythegate,andbynightlethimkeepatalong
distancefromtherootsoftrees.
74.Lethimneverplaywithdice,norhimselftakeoffhisshoeslethimnoteat,lyingonabed,norwhat
hasbeenplacedinhishandoronaseat.
75.Lethimnoteataftersunsetany(food)containingsesamumgrainslethimneversleepnaked,norgo
anywhereunpurified(aftermeals).
76.Lethimeatwhilehisfeetare(yet)wet(fromtheablution),butlethimnotgotobedwithwetfeet.
Hewhoeatswhilehisfeetare(still)wet,willattainlonglife.
77.Lethimneverenteraplace,difficultofaccess,whichisimpervioustohiseyelethimnotlookat
urineorordure,norcrossariver(swimming)withhisarms.
78.Lethimnotsteponhair,ashes,bones,potsherds,cottonseedorchaff,ifhedesireslonglife.
79.Lethimnotstaytogetherwithoutcasts,norwithKandalas,norwithPukkasas,norwithfools,nor
withoverbearingmen,norwithlowcastemen,norwithAntyavasayins.
80.LethimnotgivetoaSudraadvice,northeremnants(ofhismeal),norfoodofferedtothegodsnor
lethimexplainthesacredlaw(tosuchaman),norimpose(uponhim)apenance.
81.Forhewhoexplainsthesacredlaw(toaSudra)ordictatestohimapenance,willsinktogetherwith
that(man)intothehell(called)Asamvrita.
82.Lethimnotscratchhisheadwithbothhandsjoinedlethimnottouchitwhileheisimpure,norbathe
without(submerging)it.
83.Lethimavoid(inanger)tolayholdof(hisownorothermen's)hair,ortostrike(himselforothers)
onthehead.Whenhehasbathed(submerging)hishead,heshallnottouchanyofhislimbswithoil.
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84.LethimnotacceptpresentsfromakingwhoisnotdescendedfromtheKshatriyarace,norfrom
butchers,oilmanufacturers,andpublicans,norfromthosewhosubsistbythegainofprostitutes.
85.Oneoilpressisas(bad)astenslaughterhouses,onetavernas(badas)tenoilpresses,onebrothelas
(badas)tentaverns,onekingas(badas)tenbrothels.
86.Akingisdeclaredtobeequal(inwickedness)toabutcherwhokeepsahundredthousandslaughter
housestoacceptpresentsfromhimisaterrible(crime).
87.HewhoacceptspresentsfromanavariciouskingwhoactscontrarytotheInstitutes(ofthesacred
law),willgoinsuccessiontothefollowingtwentyonehells:
88.Tamisra,Andhatamisra,Maharaurava,Raurava,theKalasutrahell,Mahanaraka,
89.Samgivana,Mahaviki,Tapana,Sampratapana,Samghata,Sakakola,Kudmala,Putimrittika,
90.Lohasanku,Rigisha,Pathin,the(flaming)river,Salmala,Asipatravana,andLohakaraka.
91.LearnedBrahmanas,whoknowthat,whostudytheVedaanddesireblissafterdeath,donotaccept
presentsfromaking.
92.Lethimwakeinthemuhurta,sacredtoBrahman,andthinkof(theacquisitionof)spiritualmeritand
wealth,ofthebodilyfatiguearisingtherefrom,andofthetruemeaningoftheVeda.
93.Whenhehasrisen,hasrelievedthenecessitiesofnatureandcarefullypurifiedhimself,lethimstand
duringthemorningtwilight,mutteringforalongtime(theGayatri),andatthepropertime(hemust
similarlyperform)theevening(devotion).
94.Byprolongingthetwilightdevotions,thesagesobtainedlonglife,wisdom,honour,fame,and
excellenceinVedicknowledge.
95.HavingperformedtheUpakarmanaccordingtotheprescribedruleon(thefullmoonofthemonth)
Sravana,oronthatofPraushthapada(Bhadrapada),aBrahmanashalldiligentlystudytheVedasduring
fourmonthsandahalf.
96.WhenthePushyaday(ofthemonthPausha),orthefirstdayofthebrighthalfofMaghahascome,a
BrahmanashallperformintheforenoontheUtsarganaoftheVedas.
97.HavingperformedtheUtsargaoutside(thevillage),astheInstitutes(ofthesacredlaw)prescribe,he
shallstopreadingduringtwodaysandtheinterveningnight,orduringthatday(oftheUtsarga)and(the
following)night.
98.AfterwardsheshalldiligentlyrecitetheVedasduringthebright(halvesofthemonths),andduly
studyalltheAngasoftheVedasduringthedarkfortnights.
99.Lethimnotrecite(thetexts)indistinctly,norinthepresenceofSudrasnorlethim,ifinthelatter
partofthenightheistiredwithrecitingtheVeda,goagaintosleep.
100.Accordingtotheruledeclaredabove,lethimrecitethedaily(portionofthe)Mantras,andazealous
Brahmana,(whois)notindistress,(shallstudy)theBrahmanaandtheMantrasamhita.
101.Lethimwhostudiesalwaysavoid(reading)onthefollowingoccasionswhentheVedastudyis
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forbidden,and(let)himwhoteachespupilsaccordingtotheprescribedrule(doitlikewise).
102.Thosewhoknowthe(rulesof)recitationdeclarethatintherainyseasontheVedastudymustbe
stoppedonthesetwo(occasions),whenthewindisaudibleatnight,andwhenitwhirlsupthedustinthe
daytime.
103.Manuhasstated,thatwhenlightning,thunder,andrain(areobservedtogether),orwhenlargefiery
meteorsfallonallsides,therecitationmustbeinterrupteduntilthesamehour(onthenextday,counting
fromtheoccurrenceoftheevent).
104.Whenoneperceivesthese(phenomena)alltogether(inthetwilight),afterthesacredfireshavebeen
madetoblaze(fortheperformanceoftheAgnihotra),thenonemustknowtherecitationoftheVedato
beforbidden,andalsowhencloudsappearoutofseason.
105.On(theoccasionof)apreternaturalsoundfromthesky,(of)anearthquake,andwhenthelightsof
heavenaresurroundedbyahalo,lethimknowthat(theVedastudymustbe)stoppeduntilthesamehour
(onthenextday),evenif(thesephenomenahappen)inthe(rainy)season.
106.Butwhenlightningandtheroarofthunder(areobserved)afterthesacredfireshavebeenmadeto
blaze,thestoppageshalllastaslongasthelight(ofthesunorofthestarsisvisible)iftheremaining
(abovenamedphenomenon,rain,occurs,thereadingshallcease),bothinthedaytimeandatnight.
107.Forthosewhowishtoacquireexceedingiygreatmerit,acontinualinterruptionoftheVedastudy
(isprescribed)invillagesandintowns,and(theVedastudymust)always(cease)whenanykindoffoul
smell(isperceptible).
108.Inavillagewhereacorpselies,inthepresenceofa(manwholivesasunrighteouslyasa)Sudra,
while(thesoundof)weeping(isheard),andinacrowdofmenthe(recitationoftheVedamustbe)
stopped.
109.Inwater,duringthemiddlepartofthenight,whilehevoidsexcrements,orisimpure,andafterhe
haspartakenofafuneraldinner,amanmustnoteventhinkinhisheart(ofthesacredtexts).
110.AlearnedBrahmanashallnotrecitetheVedaduringthreedays,whenhehasacceptedaninvitation
toa(funeralrite)inhonourofoneancestor(ekoddishta),orwhenthekinghasbecomeimpurethrougha
birthordeathinhisfamily(sutaka),orwhenRahubyaneclipsemakesthemoonimpure.
111.Aslongasthesmellandthestainsofthe(foodgiven)inhonourofoneancestorremainonthebody
ofalearnedBrahmana,solonghemustnotrecitetheVeda.
112.Whilelyingonabed,whilehisfeetareraised(onabench),whilehesitsonhishamswithacloth
tiedroundhisknees,lethimnotstudy,norwhenhehaseatenmeatorfoodgivenbyapersonimpureon
accountofabirthoradeath,
113.Norduringafog,norwhilethesoundofarrowsisaudible,norduringboththetwilights,noronthe
newmoonday,noronthefourteenthandtheeighth(daysofeachhalfmonth),noronthefullmoonday.
114.Thenewmoondaydestroystheteacher,thefourteenth(day)thepupil,theeighthandthefullmoon
days(destroyallremembranceof)theVedalethimthereforeavoid(readingon)those(days).
115.ABrahmanashallnotrecite(theVeda)duringaduststorm,norwhiletheskyispreternaturallyred,
norwhilejackalshowl,norwhilethebarkingofdogs,thebrayingofdonkeys,orthegruntingofcamels
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(isheard),norwhile(heisseated)inacompany.
116.Lethimnotstudynearaburialground,nornearavillage,norinacowpen,nordressedina
garmentwhichheworeduringconjugalintercourse,norafterreceivingapresentatafuneralsacrifice.
117.Beitananimalorathinginanimate,whateverbethe(gift)ataSraddha,lethimnot,havingjust
acceptedit,recitetheVedaforthehandofaBrahmanaishismouth.
118.Whenthevillagehasbeenbesetbyrobbers,andwhenanalarmhasbeenraisedbyfire,lethim
knowthat(theVedastudymustbe)interrupteduntilthesamehour(onthenextday),andon(the
occurrenceof)allportents.
119.On(theoccasionof)theUpakarmanand(of)theVedotsargaanomission(oftheVedastudy)for
threedayshasbeenprescribed,butontheAshtakasandonthelastnightsoftheseasonsforadayanda
night.
120.LethimnotrecitetheVedaonhorseback,noronatree,noronanelephant,norinaboat(orship),
noronadonkey,noroncamel,norstandingonbarrenground,norridinginacarriage,
121.Norduringaverbalaltercation,norduringamutualassault,norinacamp,norduringabattle,nor
whenhehasjusteaten,norduringanindigestion,noraftervomiting,norwithsoureructations,
122.Norwithoutreceivingpermissionfromaguest(whostaysinhishouse),norwhilethewindblows
vehemently,norwhilebloodflowsfromhisbody,norwhenheiswoundedbyaweapon.
123.LethimneverrecitetheRigvedaortheYagurvedawhiletheSaman(melodies)areheard(lethim
stopallVedastudyforadayandanight)afterfinishingaVedaorafterrecitinganAranyaka.
124.TheRigvedaisdeclaredtobesacredtothegods,theYagurvedasacredtomen,andtheSamaveda
sacredtothemaneshencethesoundofthelatterisimpure(asitwere).
125.Knowingthis,thelearneddailyrepeatfirstindueordertheessenceofthethree(Vedas)and
afterwardsthe(textofthe)Veda.
126.Knowthat(theVedastudymustbe)interruptedforadayandanight,whencattle,afrog,acat,a
dog,asnake,anichneumon,oraratpassbetween(theteacherandhispupil).
127.LetatwicebornmanalwayscarefullyinterrupttheVedastudyontwo(occasions,viz.)whenthe
placewhereherecitesisimpure,andwhenhehimselfisunpurified.
128.AtwicebornmanwhoisaSnatakashallremainchasteonthenewmoonday,ontheeighth(lunar
dayofeachhalfmonth),onthefullmoonday,andonthefourteenth,even(iftheyfall)intheperiod
(properforconjugalintercourse).
129.Lethimnotbathe(immediately)afterameal,norwhenheissick,norinthemiddleofthenight,nor
frequentlydressedinallhisgarments,norinapoolwhichhedoesnotperfectlyknow.
130.Lethimnotintentionallystepontheshadowof(imagesof)thegods,ofaGuru,ofaking,ofa
Snataka,ofhisteacher,ofareddishbrownanimal,orofonewhohasbeeninitiatedtotheperformance
ofaSrautasacrifice(Dikshita).
131.Atmiddayandatmidnight,afterpartakingofmeatatafuneraldinner,andinthetwotwilightslet
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himnotstaylongonacrossroad.
132.Lethimnotstepintentionallyonthingsusedforcleansingthebody,onwaterusedforabath,on
urineorordure,onblood,onmucus,andonanythingspatoutorvomited.
133.Lethimnotshowparticularattentiontoanenemy,tothefriendofanenemy,toawickedman,toa
thief,ortothewifeofanotherman.
134.Forinthisworldthereisnothingsodetrimentaltolonglifeascriminalconversationwithanother
man'swife.
135.Lethimwhodesiresprosperity,indeed,neverdespiseaKshatriya,asnake,andalearnedBrahmana,
betheyeversofeeble.
136.Becausethesethree,whentreatedwithdisrespect,mayutterlydestroyhimhenceawisemanmust
neverdespisethem.
137.Lethimnotdespisehimselfonaccountofformerfailuresuntildeathlethimseekfortune,nor
despairofgainingit.
138.Lethimsaywhatistrue,lethimsaywhatispleasing,lethimutternodisagreeabletruth,andlethim
utternoagreeablefalsehoodthatistheeternallaw.
139.(Whatis)well,lethimcallwell,orlethimsay'well'onlylethimnotengageinauselessenmityor
disputewithanybody.
140.Lethimnotjourneytooearlyinthemorning,nortoolateintheevening,norjustduringthemidday
(heat),norwithanunknown(companion),noralone,norwithSudras.
141.Lethimnotinsultthosewhohaveredundantlimbsoraredeficientinlimbs,northosedestituteof
knowledge,norveryagedmen,northosewhohavenobeautyorwealth,northosewhoareoflowbirth.
142.ABrahmanawhoisimpuremustnottouchwithhishandacow,aBrahmana,orfirenor,beingin
goodhealth,lethimlookattheluminariesinthesky,whileheisimpure.
143.Ifhehastouchedthese,whileimpure,lethimalwayssprinklewithhishandwaterontheorgansof
sensation,allhislimbs,andthenavel.
144.Exceptwhensickhemustnottouchthecavities(ofthebody)withoutareason,andhemustavoid
(totouch)thehaironthesecret(parts).
145.Lethimeagerlyfollowthe(customswhichare)auspiciousandtheruleofgoodconduct,becareful
ofpurity,andcontrolallhisorgans,lethimmutter(prayers)and,untired,dailyofferoblationsinthefire.
146.Nocalamityhappenstothosewhoeagerlyfollowauspiciouscustomsandtheruleofgoodconduct,
tothosewhoarealwayscarefulofpurity,andtothosewhomutter(sacredtexts)andofferburnt
oblations.
147.Lethim,withouttiring,dailymuttertheVedaatthepropertimefortheydeclarethattobeone's
highestduty(all)other(observances)arecalledsecondaryduties.
148.BydailyrecitingtheVeda,by(theobservanceoftherulesof)purification,by(practising)
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austerities,andbydoingnoinjurytocreatedbeings,one(obtainsthefacultyof)rememberingformer
births.
149.Hewho,recollectinghisformerexistences,againrecitestheVeda,gainsendlessblissbythe
continualstudyoftheVeda.
150.LethimalwaysofferontheParvadaysoblationstoSavitriandsuchasavertevilomens,andonthe
AshtakasandAnvashtakaslethimconstantlyworshipthemanes.
151.Farfromhisdwellinglethimremoveurine(andordure),far(lethimremove)thewaterusedfor
washinghisfeet,andfartheremnantsoffoodandthewaterfromhisbath.
152.Earlyinthemorningonlylethimvoidfaeces,decorate(hisbody),bathe,cleanhisteeth,apply
collyriumtohiseyes,andworshipthegods.
153.ButontheParvadayslethimgotovisitthe(imagesofthe)gods,andvirtuousBrahmanas,andthe
ruler(ofthecountry),forthesakeofprotection,aswellashisGurus.
154.Lethimreverentiallysalutevenerablemen(whovisithim),givethemhisownseat,lethimsitnear
themwithjoinedhandsand,whentheyleave,(accompanythem),walkingbehindthem.
155.Lethim,untired,followtheconductofvirtuousmen,connectedwithhisoccupations,whichhas
beenfullydeclaredintherevealedtextsandinthesacredtradition(Smriti)andistherootofthesacred
law.
156.Throughvirtuousconductheobtainslonglife,throughvirtuousconductdesirableoffspring,through
virtuousconductimperishablewealthvirtuousconductdestroys(theeffectof)inauspiciousmarks.
157.Foramanofbadconductisblamedamongpeople,constantlysuffersmisfortunes,isafflictedwith
diseases,andshortlived.
158.Amanwhofollowstheconductofthevirtuous,hasfaithandisfreefromenvy,livesahundred
years,thoughhebeentirelydestituteofauspiciousmarks.
159.Lethimcarefullyavoidallundertakings(thesuccessof)whichdependsonothersbutlethim
eagerlypursuethat(theaccomplishmentof)whichdependsonhimself.
160.Everythingthatdependsonothers(gives)pain,everythingthatdependsononeself(gives)pleasure
knowthatthisistheshortdefinitionofpleasureandpain.
161.Whentheperformanceofanactgladdenshisheart,lethimperformitwithdiligencebutlethim
avoidtheopposite.
162.Lethimneveroffendtheteacherwhoinitiatedhim,norhimwhoexplainedtheVeda,norhisfather
andmother,nor(anyother)Guru,norcows,norBrahmanas,noranymenperformingausterities.
163.Lethimavoidatheism,cavillingattheVedas,contemptofthegods,hatred,wantofmodesty,pride,
anger,andharshness.
164.Lethim,whenangry,notraiseastickagainstanotherman,norstrike(anybody)exceptasonora
pupilthosetwohemaybeatinordertocorrectthem.
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165.AtwicebornmanwhohasmerelythreatenedaBrahmanawiththeintentionof(doinghim)a
corporalinjury,willwanderaboutforahundredyearsintheTamisrahell.
166.Havingintentionallystruckhiminanger,evenwithabladeofgrass,hewillbebornduringtwenty
oneexistencesinthewombs(ofsuchbeingswheremenareborninpunishmentoftheir)sins.
167.AmanwhoinhisfollycausedbloodtoflowfromthebodyofaBrahmanawhodoesnotattackhim,
willsufferafterdeathexceedinglygreatpain.
168.Asmanyparticlesofdustasthebloodtakesupfromtheground,duringsomanyyearsthespillerof
thebloodwillbedevouredbyother(animals)inthenextworld.
169.AwisemanshouldthereforeneverthreatenaBrahmana,norstrikehimevenwithabladeofgrass,
norcausehisbloodtoflow.
170.Neitheramanwho(lives)unrighteously,norhewho(acquires)wealth(bytelling)falsehoods,nor
hewhoalwaysdelightsindoinginjury,everattainhappinessinthisworld.
171.Lethim,thoughsufferinginconsequenceofhisrighteousness,neverturnhisheartto
unrighteousnessforhewillseethespeedyoverthrowofunrighteous,wickedmen.
172.Unrighteousness,practisedinthisworld,doesnotatonceproduceitsfruit,likeacowbut,
advancingslowly,itcutsofftherootsofhimwhocommittedit.
173.If(thepunishmentfalls)noton(theoffender)himself,(itfalls)onhissons,ifnotonthesons,(at
least)onhisgrandsonsbutaniniquity(once)committed,neverfailstoproducefruittohimwho
wroughtit.
174.Heprospersforawhilethroughunrighteousness,thenhegainsgreatgoodfortune,nextheconquers
hisenemies,but(atlast)heperishes(branchand)root.
175.Lethimalwaysdelightintruthfulness,(obedienceto)thesacredlaw,conductworthyofanAryan,
andpuritylethimchastisehispupilsaccordingtothesacredlawlethimkeephisspeech,hisarms,and
hisbellyundercontrol.
176.Lethimavoid(theacquisitionof)wealthand(thegratificationofhis)desires,iftheyareopposedto
thesacredlaw,andevenlawfulactswhichmaycausepaininthefutureorareoffensivetomen.
177.Lethimnotbeuselesslyactivewithhishandsandfeet,orwithhiseyes,norcrooked(inhisways),
nortalkidly,norinjureothersbydeedsoreventhinkofit.
178.Lethimwalkinthatpathofholymenwhichhisfathersandhisgrandfathersfollowedwhilehe
walksinthat,hewillnotsufferharm.
179.Withanofficiatingoradomesticpriest,withateacher,withamaternaluncle,aguestanda
dependant,withinfants,agedandsickmen,withlearnedmen,withhispaternalrelatives,connexionsby
marriageandmaternalrelatives,
180.Withhisfatherandhismother,withfemalerelatives,withabrother,withhissonandhiswife,with
hisdaughterandwithhisslaves,lethimnothavequarrels.
181.Ifheavoidsquarrelswiththesepersons,hewillbefreedfromallsins,andbysuppressing(all)such
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(quarrels)ahouseholderconquersallthefollowingworlds.
182.TheteacheristhelordoftheworldofBrahman,thefatherhaspowerovertheworldoftheLordof
createdbeings(Pragapati),aguestrulesovertheworldofIndra,andthepriestsovertheworldofthe
gods.
183.Thefemalerelatives(havepower)overtheworldoftheApsarases,thematernalrelativesoverthat
oftheVisveDevas,theconnexionsbymarriageoverthatofthewaters,themotherandthematernal
uncleovertheearth.
184.Infants,aged,poorandsickmenmustbeconsideredasrulersofthemiddlesphere,theeldest
brotherasequaltoone'sfather,one'swifeandone'ssonasone'sownbody,
185.One'sslavesasone'sshadow,one'sdaughterasthehighestobjectoftendernesshenceifoneis
offendedby(anyoneof)these,onemustbearitwithoutresentment.
186.Though(byhislearningandsanctity)hemaybeentitledtoacceptpresents,lethimnotattach
himself(toomuch)tothat(habit)forthroughhisaccepting(many)presentsthedivinelightinhimis
soonextinguished.
187.Withoutafullknowledgeoftherules,prescribedbythesacredlawfortheacceptanceofpresents,a
wisemanshouldnottakeanything,eventhoughhemaypinewithhunger.
188.Butanignorant(man)whoacceptsgold,land,ahorse,acow,food,adress,sesamumgrains,(or)
clarifiedbutter,isreducedtoasheslike(apieceof)wood.
189.Goldandfooddestroyhislongevity,landandacowhisbody,ahorsehiseye(sight),agarmenthis
skin,clarifiedbutterhisenergy,sesamumgrainshisoffspring.
190.ABrahmanawhoneitherperformsausteritiesnorstudiestheVeda,yetdelightsinacceptinggifts,
sinkswiththe(donorintohell),justas(hewhoattemptstocrossoverin)aboatmadeofstone(is
submerged)inthewater.
191.Henceanignorant(man)shouldbeafraidofacceptinganypresentsforbyreasonofaverysmall
(gift)evenafoolsinks(intohell)asacowintoamorass.
192.(Aman)whoknowsthelawshouldnotofferevenwatertoaBrahmanawhoactslikeacat,nortoa
Brahmanawhoactslikeaheron,nortoonewhoisunacquaintedwiththeVeda.
193.Forproperty,thoughearnedinaccordancewithprescribedrules,whichisgiventothesethree
(persons),causesinthenextworldmiserybothtothegiverandtotherecipient.
194.Ashewho(attemptsto)crosswaterinaboatofstonesinks(tothebottom),evensoanignorant
donorandanignorantdoneesinklow.
195.(Aman)who,evercovetous,displaystheflagofvirtue,(whois)ahypocrite,adeceiverofthe
people,intentondoinginjury,(and)adetractor(fromthemerits)ofallmen,onemustknowtobeone
whoactslikeacat.
196.ThatBrahmana,whowithdowncastlook,ofacrueldisposition,issolelyintentonattaininghisown
ends,dishonestandfalselygentle,isonewhoactslikeaheron.
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197.ThoseBrahmanaswhoactlikeherons,andthosewhodisplaythecharacteristicsofcats,fallin
consequenceofthatwickedmodeofactinginto(thehellcalled)Andhatamisra.
198.Whenhehascommittedasin,lethimnotperformapenanceunderthepretence(thattheactis
intendedtogain)spiritualmerit,(thus)hidinghissinunder(thepretextof)avowanddeceivingwomen
andSudras.
199.SuchBrahmanasarereprehendedafterdeathandinthis(life)bythosewhoexpoundtheVeda,and
avow,performedunderafalsepretence,goestotheRakshasas.
200.Hewho,withoutbeingastudent,gainshislivelihoodby(wearing)thedressofastudent,takesupon
himselftheguiltof(all)studentsandisbornagaininthewombofananimal.
201.Lethimneverbatheintanksbelongingtoothermenifhebathes(insuchaone),heistaintedbya
portionoftheguiltofhimwhomadethetank.
202.Hewhouseswithoutpermissionacarriage,abed,aseat,awell,agardenorahousebelongingtoan
(otherman),takesuponhimselfonefourthof(theowner's)guilt.
203.Lethimalwaysbatheinrivers,inponds,dugbythegods(themselves),inlakes,andinwaterholes
orsprings.
204.Awisemanshouldconstantlydischargetheparamountduties(calledyama),butnotalwaysthe
minorones(calledniyama)forhewhodoesnotdischargetheformer,whileheobeysthelatteralone,
becomesanoutcast.
205.ABrahmanamustnevereat(adinnergiven)atasacrificethatisofferedbyonewhoisnota
Srotriya,byonewhosacrificesforamultitudeofmen,byawoman,orbyaeunuch.
206.Whenthosepersonsoffersacrificialviandsinthefire,itisunluckyforholy(men)itdispleasesthe
godslethimthereforeavoidit.
207.Lethimnevereat(foodgiven)byintoxicated,angry,orsick(men),northatinwhichhairorinsects
arefound,norwhathasbeentouchedintentionallywiththefoot,
208.NorthatatwhichtheslayerofalearnedBrahmanahaslooked,northatwhichhasbeentouchedby
amenstruatingwoman,northatwhichhasbeenpeckedatbybirdsortouchedbyadog,
209.Norfoodatwhichacowhassmelt,norparticularlythatwhichhasbeenofferedbyaninvitationto
allcomers,northat(given)byamultitudeorbyharlots,northatwhichisdeclaredtobehadbyalearned
(man),
210.Northefood(given)byathief,amusician,acarpenter,ausurer,onewhohasbeeninitiated(forthe
performanceofaSrautasacrifice),amiser,oneboundwithfetters,
211.Byoneaccusedofamortalsin(Abhisasta),ahermaphrodite,anunchastewoman,orahypocrite,
nor(anysweetthing)thathasturnedsour,norwhathasbeenkeptawholenight,nor(thefood)ofa
Sudra,northeleavings(ofanotherman),
212.Nor(thefoodgiven)byaphysician,ahunter,acruelman,onewhoeatsthefragments(ofanother's
meal),northefoodofanUgra,northatpreparedforawomaninchildbed,northat(givenatadinner)
where(aguestrises)prematurely(and)sipswater,northat(givenbyawoman)whosetendaysof
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impurityhavenotelapsed,
213.Nor(food)givenwithoutduerespect,nor(thatwhichcontains)meateatenfornosacredpurpose,
nor(thatgiven)byafemalewhohasnomale(relatives),northefoodofanenemy,northat(given)by
thelordofatown,northat(given)byoutcasts,northatonwhichanybodyhassneezed
214.Northefood(given)byaninformer,byonewhohabituallytellsfalsehoods,orbyonewhosells
(therewardsfor)sacrifices,northefood(given)byanactor,atailor,oranungrateful(man),
215.Byablacksmith,aNishada,astageplayer,agoldsmith,abasketmaker,oradealerinweapons,
216.Bytrainersofhuntingdogs,publicans,awasherman,adyer,apitiless(man),andamaninwhose
house(lives)aparamour(ofhiswife),
217.Nor(thefoodgiven)bythosewhoknowinglybearwithparamours(oftheirwives),andbythose
whoinallmattersareruledbywomen,norfood(givenbymen)whosetendaysofimpurityonaccount
ofadeathhavenotpassed,northatwhichisunpalatable.
218.Thefoodofakingimpairshisvigour,thefoodofaSudrahisexcellenceinsacredlearning,thefood
ofagoldsmithhislongevity,thatofaleathercutterhisfame
219.Thefoodofanartisandestroyshisoffspring,thatofawashermanhis(bodily)strengththefoodofa
multitudeandofharlotsexcludeshimfrom(thehigher)worlds.
220.Thefoodofaphysician(isasvileas)pus,thatofanunchastewoman(equalto)semen,thatofa
usurer(asvileas)ordure,andthatofadealerinweapons(asbadas)dirt.
221.Thefoodofthoseotherpersonswhohavebeensuccessivelyenumeratedassuchwhosefoodmust
notbeeaten,thewisedeclare(tobeasimpureas)skin,bones,andhair.
222.Ifhehasunwittinglyeatenthefoodofoneofthose,(hemust)fastforthreedaysifhehaseatenit
intentionally,or(hasswallowed)semen,ordure,orurine,hemustperformaKrikkhrapenance.
223.ABrahmanawhoknows(thelaw)mustnoteatcookedfood(given)byaSudrawhoperformsno
Sraddhasbut,onfailureof(other)meansofsubsistence,hemayacceptraw(grain),sufficientforone
night(andday).
224.Thegods,havingconsidered(therespectivemerits)ofaniggardlySrotriyaandofaliberalusurer,
declaredthefoodofbothtobeequal(inquality).
225.TheLordofcreatedbeings(Pragapati)cameandspaketothem,'Donotmakethatequal,whichis
unequal.Thefoodofthatliberal(usurer)ispurifiedbyfaith(thatofthe)ofthe)other(man)isdefiledby
awantoffaith.'
226.Lethim,withouttiring,alwaysoffersacrificesandperformworksofcharitywithfaithforofferings
andcharitableworksmadewithfaithandwithlawfullyearnedmoney,(procure)endlessrewards.
227.Lethimalwayspractise,accordingtohisability,withacheerfulheart,thedutyofliberality,bothby
sacrificesandbycharitableworks,ifhefindsaworthyrecipient(forhisgifts.)
228.Ifheisasked,lethimalwaysgivesomething,beiteversolittle,withoutgrudgingforaworthy
recipientwill(perhaps)befoundwhosaveshimfromall(guilt).
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229.Agiverofwaterobtainsthesatisfaction(ofhishungerandthirst),agiveroffoodimperishable
happiness,agiverofsesamumdesirableoffspring,agiverofalampamostexcellenteyesight.
230.Agiveroflandobtainsland,agiverofgoldlonglife,agiverofahousemostexcellentmansions,a
giverofsilver(rupya)exquisitebeauty(rupa),
231.Agiverofagarmentaplaceintheworldofthemoon,agiverofahorse(asva)aplaceintheworld
oftheAsvins,agiverofadraughtoxgreatgoodfortune,agiverofacowtheworldofthesun
232.Agiverofacarriageorofabedawife,agiverofprotectionsupremedominion,agiverofgrain
eternalbliss,agiveroftheVeda(brahman)unionwithBrahman
233.ThegiftoftheVedasurpassesallothergifts,water,food,cows,land,clothes,sesamum,gold,and
clarifiedbutter.
234.Forwhateverpurpose(aman)bestowsanygift,forthatsamepurposehereceives(inhisnextbirth)
withduehonourits(reward).
235.Bothhewhorespectfullyreceives(agift),andhewhorespectfullybestowsit,gotoheaveninthe
contrarycase(theybothfall)intohell.
236.Lethimnotbeproudofhisausteritieslethimnotutterafalsehoodafterhehasofferedasacrifice
lethimnotspeakillofBrahmanas,thoughhebetormented(bythem)whenhehasbestowed(agift),let
himnotboastofit.
237.Byfalsehoodasacrificebecomesvain,byselfcomplacency(therewardfor)austeritiesislost,
longevitybyspeakingevilofBrahmanas,and(therewardof)agiftbyboasting.
238.Givingnopaintoanycreature,lethimslowlyaccumulatespiritualmerit,forthesake(ofacquiring)
acompaniontothenextworld,justasthewhiteant(graduallyraisesits)hill.
239.Forinthenextworldneitherfather,normother,norwife,norsons,norrelationsstaytobehis
companionsspiritualmeritaloneremains(withhim).
240.Singleiseachbeingbornsingleitdiessingleitenjoys(therewardofits)virtuesingle(itsuffers
thepunishmentofits)sin.
241.Leavingthedeadbodyonthegroundlikealogofwood,oraclodofearth,therelativesdepartwith
avertedfacesbutspiritualmeritfollowsthe(soul).
242.Lethimthereforealwaysslowlyaccumulatespiritualmerit,inorder(thatitmaybehis)companion
(afterdeath)forwithmeritashiscompanionhewilltraverseagloomdifficulttotraverse.
243.(Thatcompanion)speedilyconductsthemanwhoisdevotedtodutyandeffaceshissinsby
austerities,tothenextworld,radiantandclothedwithanetherealbody.
244.Lethim,whodesirestoraisehisrace,everformconnexionswiththemostexcellent(men),and
shunalllowones.
245.ABrahmanawhoalwaysconnectshimselfwiththemostexcellent(ones),andshunsallinferior
ones,(himself)becomesmostdistinguishedbyanoppositeconducthebecomesaSudra.
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246.Hewhoispersevering,gentle,(and)patient,shunsthecompanyofmenofcruelconduct,anddoes
noinjury(tolivingcreatures),gains,ifheconstantlylivesinthatmanner,bycontrollinghisorgansand
byliberality,heavenlybliss.
247.Hemayacceptfromany(man),fuel,water,roots,fruit,foodofferedwithoutasking,andhoney,
likewiseagift(whichconsistsin)apromiseofprotection.
248.TheLordofcreatedbeings(Pragapati)hasdeclaredthatalmsfreelyofferedandbrought(bythe
giverhimself)maybeacceptedevenfromasinfulman,provided(thegift)hadnotbeen(askedforor)
promisedbeforehand.
249.Duringfifteenyearsthemanesdonoteat(thefood)ofthatmanwhodisdainsa(freelyofferedgift),
nordoesthefirecarryhisofferings(tothegods).
250.Acouch,ahouse,Kusagrass,perfumes,water,flowers,jewels,sourmilk,grain,fish,sweetmilk,
meat,andvegetableslethimnotreject,(iftheyarevoluntarilyoffered.)
251.HewhodesirestorelievehisGurusandthosewhomheisboundtomaintain,orwishestohonour
thegodsandguests,mayaccept(gifts)fromanybodybuthemustnotsatisfyhis(ownhunger)withsuch
(presents).
252.ButifhisGurusaredead,orifhelivesseparatefromthemin(another)house,lethim,whenhe
seeksasubsistence,accept(presents)fromgoodmenalone.
253.Hislabourerintillage,afriendofhisfamily,hiscowherd,hisslave,andhisbarberare,among
Sudras,thosewhosefoodhemayeat,likewise(apoorman)whooffershimself(tobehisslave).
254.Ashischaracteris,astheworkiswhichhedesirestoperform,andasthemannerisinwhichhe
meanstoserve,evenso(avoluntaryslave)mustofferhimself.
255.Hewhodescribeshimselftovirtuous(men),inamannercontrarytotruth,isthemostsinful
(wretch)inthisworldheisathiefwhomakesawaywithhisownself.
256.Allthings(havetheirnature)determinedbyspeechspeechistheirroot,andfromspeechthey
proceedbuthewhoisdishonestwithrespecttospeech,isdishonestineverything.
257.Whenhehaspaid,accordingtothelaw,hisdebtstothegreatsages,tothemanes,andtothegods,
lethimmakeovereverythingtohissonanddwell(inhishouse),notcaringforanyworldlyconcerns.
258.Alonelethimconstantlymeditateinsolitudeonthatwhichissalutaryforhissoulforhewho
meditatesinsolitudeattainssupremebliss.
259.ThushavebeendeclaredthemeansbywhichaBrahmanahouseholdermustalwayssubsist,andthe
summaryoftheordinancesforaSnataka,whichcauseanincreaseofholinessandarepraiseworthy.
260.ABrahmanawho,beinglearnedintheloreoftheVedas,conductshimselfinthismanneranddaily
destroyshissins,willbeexaltedinBrahman'sworld.

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