The Apastamba Sutras - Prasna I

12/29/2014
TheApastambaSutrasPrasnaI
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PrasnaI,Patala1,Khanda1
Prasna1,Patala2,Khanda6
Prasna I, Patala 10, Khanda
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PRASNAI,PATALA1,KHANDA1.
1.Now,therefore,wewilldeclaretheactsproductiveofmeritwhich
formpartofthecustomsofdailylife,astheyhavebeen settledby
theagreement(ofthosewhoknowthelaw).1
2. The authority (for these duties) is the agreement of those who
knowthelaw,2
3.And(theauthoritiesforthelatterare)theVedasalone.
4. (There are) four castesBrhmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and

Sdras.
5.Amongstthese,eachpreceding(caste)issuperiorbybirthtothe
onefollowing.
6.(Forallthese),exceptingSdrasandthosewhohavecommitted
badactions,(areordained)theinitiation,thestudyoftheVeda,and
thekindlingof 6thesacredfireand(their)worksareproductiveof
rewards(inthisworldandthenext).
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7.Toservetheother(three)castes(isordained)fortheSdra.7
8.Thehigherthecaste(whichheserves)thegreateristhemerit.
9. The initiation is the consecration in accordance with the texts of
theVeda,ofamalewhoisdesirousof(andcanmakeuseof)sacred
knowledge.9
10.ABrhmanadeclaresthattheGyatrislearntforthesakeofall
the(three)Vedas.10
11. (Coming) out of darkness, he indeed enters darkness, whom a
manunlearnedintheVedas,initiates,and(sodoeshe)who,without
beinglearnedintheVedas,(performstheriteofinitiation.)Thathas
beendeclaredinaBrhmana.
12. As performer of this rite of initiation he shall seek to obtain a
man in whose family sacred learning is hereditary, who himself
possessesit,andwhoisdevout(infollowingthelaw).
13.Andunderhimthesacredsciencemustbe13
studied until the end, provided (the teacher) does not fall off from
theordinancesofthelaw.
14. He from whom (the pupil) gathers (kinoti) (the knowledge of)
hisreligiousduties(dharmn)(iscalled)thekrya(teacher).14
15.Himheshouldneveroffend.15
16. For he causes him (the pupil) to be born (a second time) by
(impartingtohim)sacredlearning.16
17.This(second)birthisthebest.17
18.Thefatherandthemotherproducethebodyonly.18
19.LethiminitiateaBrhmanainspring,aKshatriyainsummer,a
Vaisyainautumn,aBrhmanaintheeighthyearafterconception,a
Kshatriyaintheeleventhyearafterconception,(and)aVaisyainthe
twelfthafterconception.19
20.Now(followstheenumerationoftheyears
tobechosen)forthefulfilmentofsome(particular)wish,
21. (Let him initiate) a person desirous of excellence in sacred
learninginhisseventhyear,21
22.Apersondesirousoflonglifeinhiseighthyear,22
23.Apersondesirousofmanlyvigourinhisninthyear,
24.Apersondesirousoffoodinhistenthyear,
25.Apersondesirousofstrengthinhiseleventhyear,
26.Apersondesirousofcattleinhistwelfthyear.
27. There is no dereliction (of duty, if the initiation takesplace),in
thecaseofaBrhmanabeforethecompletionofthesixteenthyear,
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in the case of a Kshatriya before the completion of the twenty

second year, in the case of a Vaisya before the completion of the
twentyfourth year. (Let him be initiated at such an age) that he
maybeabletoperformtheduties,whichweshalldeclarebelow.27
28.Ifthepropertimefortheinitiationhaspassed,heshallobserve
forthespaceoftwomonths 28thedutiesofastudent,asobserved
bythosewhoarestudyingthethreeVedas.
29.Afterthathemaybeinitiated.
30.Afterthatheshallbathe(daily)foroneyear.30
31.Afterthathemaybeinstructed.
32.He,whosefatherandgrandfatherhavenotbeeninitiated, (and
histwoancestors)arecalled'slayersoftheBrahman.'32
33. Intercourse, eating, and intermarriage with them should be
avoided.33
34.Iftheywishit(theymayperformthefollowing)expiation
35. In the same manner as for the first neglect (of the initiation, a
penanceof)twomonths(was)prescribed,so(theyshalldopenance
for)oneyear.35
36. Afterwards they may be initiated, and then they must bathe
(daily),
1. For as many years as there are uninitiated persons, reckoning (one

year)foreachancestor(andthepersontobeinitiatedhimself),
2. (They should bathe daily reciting) the seven 2 Pvamns, beginning
with 'If near or far,' the Yagushpavitra, ('May the waters, the mothers
purifyus,'&c.)theSmapavitra,('Withwhathelpassists,'&c.),andthe
girasapavitra('Aswan,dwellinginpurity'),
3.OralsorecitingtheVyhritis(om,bhh,bhuvah,suvah).
4.Afterthat(suchaperson)maybetaught(theVeda).
5. But those whose greatgrandfather's (grandfather's and father's)
initiationisnotremembered,arecalled'burialgrounds.'
6. Intercourse, dining, and intermarriage with them should be avoided.
For them, if they like, the (following) penance (is prescribed). (Such a
man)shallkeepfortwelveyearstherulesprescribedforastudentwho
is studying the three Vedas. Afterwards he may be initiated. Then he
shall bathe, reciting the Pvamns and the other (texts mentioned
above,I,1,2,2).
7.Thenhemaybeinstructedinthedutiesofahouseholder.
8.Heshallnotbetaught(thewholeVeda),butonlythesacredformulas
requiredforthedomesticceremonies.
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9. When he has finished this (study of the Grihyamantras), hemaybe

initiated (after having performed the penance prescribed) for the first
neglect(I,1,1,28).
10. Afterwards (everything is performed) as in the case of a regular
initiation. 10He who has been initiated shall dwell as a religious student
inthehouseofhisteacher,11
12.Forfortyeightyears(ifhelearnsallthefourVedas),12
13.(Or)aquarterless(i.e.forthirtysixyears),
14.(Or)lessbyhalf(i.e.fortwentyfouryears),
15.(Or)threequartersless(i.e.fortwelveyears),
16.Twelveyears(shouldbe)theshortesttime(forhisresidencewithhis
teacher).16
17. A student who studies the sacred science shall not dwell with
anybodyelse(thanhisteacher).17
18.Now(follow)therulesforthestudentship.
19. He shall obey his teacher, except (when ordered to commit) crimes
whichcauselossofcaste.19
20.Heshalldowhatisserviceabletohisteacher,heshallnotcontradict
him.20
21. He shall always occupy a couch or seat lower (than that of his
teacher).21
22. He shall not eat food offered (at a sacrifice to the gods or the
Manes),
23.Norpungentcondiments,salt,honey,ormeat.23
24.Heshallnotsleepinthedaytime.
25.Heshallnotuseperfumes.25
26.Heshallpreservechastity.26
27.Heshallnotembellishhimself(byusingointmentsandthelike).27
28.Heshallnotwashhisbody(withhotwaterforpleasure).
29. But, if it is soiled by unclean things, he shall clean it (with earth or
water),inaplacewhereheisnotseenbyaGuru.29
30. Let him not sport in the water whilst bathing let him swim
(motionless)likeastick.30
31.Heshallwearallhishairtiedinonebraid.31
32. Or let him make a braid of the lock on the crown of the head, and
shavetherestofthehair.
33.ThegirdleofaBrhmanashallbemadeofMugagrass,andconsist
of three strings if possible, (the strings) should be twisted to the
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right.33
34.Abowstring(shouldbethegirdle)ofaKshatriya,
35.OrastringofMugagrassinwhichpiecesofironhavebeentied.
36.Awoolthread(shallbethegirdle)ofaVaisya,
37.Oraropeusedforyokingtheoxentotheplough,orastringymade
ofTamalabark.
38.ThestaffwornbyaBrhmanashouldbemadeofPalsawood,that
of a Kshatriya of a branch of the Banian tree, which grows downwards,
that of a Vaisya of Bdara or Udumbara wood. Some declare, without
anyreferencetocaste,thatthestaffofastudentshouldbemadeofthe
woodofatree(thatisfittobeusedatthesacrifice).38
39.(Heshallwear)acloth(tocoverhisnakedness).39
40.(Itshallbemade)ofhempforaBrhmana,offlax(foraKshatriya),
oftheskinofa(clean)animal(foraVaisya).40
41. Some declare that the (upper) garment (of a Brhmana) should be
dyedwithredLodh,41
PRASNAI,PATALA1,KHANDA3
1.AndthatofaKshatriyadyedwithmadder,
2.AndthatofaVaisyadyedwithturmeric.
3.(Theskin),wornbyaBrhmanashallbethatofacommondeerorofa
blackdoe.3
4.Ifhewearsablackskin,lethimnotspreadit(ontheground)tositor
lieuponit.
5.(Theskinworn)byaKshatriyashallbethatofaspotteddeer.
6.(Theskinworn)byaVaisyashallbethatofahegoat.
7.Theskinofasheepisfittobewornbyallcastes,
8.Andablanketmadeofwool.
9.HewhowishestheincreaseofBrhmanapowershallwearskinsonly
hewhowishestheincreaseofKshatriyapowershallwearclothonlyhe
who wishes the increase of both shall wear both (skin and cloth). Thus
saysaBrhmana.9
10. But (I, pastamba, say), let him wear a skin only as his upper
garment.10
11.Lethimnotlookatdancing.11
12. Let him not go to assemblies (for gambling, &c.), nor to crowds
(assembledatfestivals).12
13.Lethimnotbeaddictedtogossiping.
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14.Lethimbediscreet.
15. Let him not do anything for his own pleasure in places which his
teacherfrequents.15
16.Lethimtalkwithwomensomuch(only)ashispurposerequires.
17.(Lethimbe)forgiving.
18.Lethimrestrainhisorgansfromseekingillicitobjects.
19.Lethimbeuntiredinfulfillinghisduties19
20.Modest
21.Possessedofselfcommand
22.Energetic
23.Freefromanger23
24.(And)freefromenvy.
25. Bringing all he obtains to his teacher, he shall go begging with a
vessel in the morning and in the evening, (and he may) beg (from
everybody) except lowcaste people unfit for association (with ryas)
and Abhisastas. 25 A Brhmana declares: Since a devout student takes
awayfromwomen, who refuse (to give him alms, the merit gained) by
(Srauta)sacrifices, by gifts, (and) by burntofferings (offered in the
domesticfire),aswellastheiroffspring,theircattle,thesacredlearning
(oftheirfamilies),therefore,indeed,(awoman)shouldnotrefuse(alms)
to the crowd of students for amongst those (who come to beg), there
mightbeoneofthat(devout)kind,onewhothus(conscientiously)keeps
hisvow.
27. Alms (shall) not (be considered) leavings (and be rejected) by
inference from their appearance), but on the strength of ocular or oral
testimony(only).27
28.ABrhmanashallbeg,prefacing(hisrequest)bytheword'Lady'28
29. A Kshatriya (inserting the word) 'Lady' in the middle (between the
words'givealms')
30.AVaisya,addingtheword'Lady'(attheendoftheformula).
31. (The pupil) having taken those (alms) shall place them before his
teacherandofferthemtohim.31
32. He may eat (the food) after having been ordered to do so by his
teacher.32
33.Iftheteacherisabsent,thepupil(shallofferthefood)to(amember
of)theteacher'sfamily.
34. If the (family of the teacher) is (also) absent, the pupil (may offer
thefood)tootherlearnedBrhmanas(Srotriyas)also(andreceivefrom
themthepermissiontoeat).34
35.Heshallnotbegforhisownsake(alone).35
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36.Afterhehaseaten,hehimselfshallcleanhisdish.36
37.Andheshallleavenoresidue(inhisdish).
38.Ifhecannot(eatallthathehastakeninhisdish),heshallbury(the
remainder)intheground
39.Orhemaythrowitintothewater
40.Orhemayplace(allthatremainsinapot),andputitdownnearan
(uninitiated)rya40
41. Or (he may put it down) near a Sdra slave (belonging to his
teacher).
42.If(thepupil)isonajourney,heshallthrow42
apartofthealmsintothefireandeat(theremainder).
43. Alms are declared to be sacrificial food. In regard to them the
teacher(holdsthepositionwhich)adeity(holdsinregardtofoodoffered
atasacrifice).
44. And (the teacher holds also the place which) the havanya fire
occupies (at a sacrifice, because a portion of the alms is offered in the
fireofhisstomach).44
45.Tohim(theteacher)the(student)shalloffer(aportionofthealms),
1.And(havingdoneso)eatwhatisleft.
2.Forthis(remnantoffood)iscertainlyaremnantofsacrificialfood.
Ifheobtainsotherthings(besidesfood,suchascattleorfuel,andgives
them to his teacher) as he obtains them, then those (things hold the
placeof)rewards(giventopriestsfortheperformanceofasacrifice).
4.Thisisthesacrificetobeperformeddailybyareligiousstudent.
5.And(theteacher)shallnotgivehimanythingthatisforbiddenbythe
revealedtexts,(notevenas)leavings,
6.Suchaspungentcondiments,salt,honey,ormeat(andthelike).6
7. By this (last Stra it is) explained (that) the other restrictions
(imposeduponastudent,suchasabstinencefromperfumes,ointments,
&c.,arelikewisenottobebroken).7
8. For (explicit) revealed texts have greater force than custom from
which (the existence of a permissive passage of the revelation) may be
inferred.8
9.Besides(inthisparticularcase)a(worldly)motiveforthepracticeis
apparent.9
10. For pleasure is obtained (by eating or using the forbidden
substances).10
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11.Aresidueoffoodleftbyafatherandanelderbrother,maybeeaten.
12.Iftheyactcontrarytothelaw,hemustnoteat(theirleavings).12
13. In the evening and in the morning he shall fetch water in a vessel
(fortheuseofhisteacher).13
14.Dailyheshallfetchfuelfromtheforest,andplaceitonthefloor(in
histeacher'shouse).14
15.Heshallnotgotofetchfirewoodaftersunset.
16. After having kindled the fire, and having swept the ground around
(thealtar),heshallplace16thesacredfuelonthefireeverymorningand
evening,accordingtotheprescription(oftheGrihyastra).
17.Somesaythatthefireisonlytobeworshippedintheevening.
18. He shall sweep the place around the fire after it has been made to
burn(bytheadditionoffuel),withhishand,andnotwiththebroom(of
Kusagrass).18
19. But, before (adding the fuel, he is free to use the broom) at his
pleasure
20.Heshallnotperformnonreligiousactswiththeresidueofthewater
employedforthefireworship,norsipit.20
21.Heshallnotsipwaterwhichhasbeenstirredwiththehand,norsuch
ashasbeenreceivedintoonehandonly.
22.Andheshallavoidsleep(whilsthisteacherisawake).
23. Then (after having risen) he shall assist his teacher daily by acts
tendingtotheacquisitionofspiritualmeritandofwealth.23
24. Having served (his teacher during the day in this manner, he shall
say when going to bed): I have protected the protector of the law (my
teacher).24
25. If the teacher transgresses the law through carelessness or
knowingly,heshallpointitouttohimprivately.
26. If (the teacher) does not cease (to transgress), he himself shall
perform the religious acts (which ought to be performed by the
former)26
27.Orhemayreturnhome.
28. Now of him who rises before (his teacher) and goes to rest after
(him),theysaythathedoesnotsleep.
29. The student who thus entirelyfixeshismindthere(intheteacher's
family),hastherebyperformedallactswhichyieldrewards(suchasthe
Gyotishtoma), and also those which must be performed by a
householder.29
1.Theword'austerity'(mustbeunderstoodtoapply)to(theobservance
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of)therules(ofstudentship).1
2.Iftheyaretransgressed,studydrivesouttheknowledgeoftheVeda
acquiredalready,fromthe(offender)andfromhischildren.2
3.Besideshewillgotohell,andhislifewillbeshortened.
4. On account of that (transgression of the rules of studentship) no
Rishisarebornamongstthemenoflaterages.4
5. But some in their new birth, on account of a residue of the merit
acquiredbytheiractions(informerlives),become(similarto)Rishisby
theirknowledge(oftheVeda),5
6.LikeSvetaketu.6
7.AndwhateverelsebesidestheVeda,(astudent)whoobeystherules
learnsfromhisteacher,thatbringsthesamerewardastheVeda.7
8. Also, if desirous to accomplish something (be it good or evil), he
thinksitinhismind,orpronouncesitinwords,orlooksuponitwithhis
eye,evensoitwillbethusteach(thosewhoknowthelaw).
9.(Thedutiesofastudentconsistin)actstopleasethespiritualteacher,
the observance (of rules) conducive to his own welfare, and industry in
studying.9
10.Actsotherthantheseneednotbeperformedbyastudent.10
11. A religious student who retains what he has learned, who finds
pleasureinthefulfilmentofthelaw,whokeepstherulesofstudentship,
whoisuprightandforgiving,attainsperfection.11
12. Every day he shall rise in the last watch of the night,andstanding
near his teacher, salute him with (this) salutation: I, N. N., ho! (salute
thee.)12
13.And(heshallsalute)beforethemorningmealalso other very aged
(learnedBrhmanas)whomayliveinthesamevillage.
14. If he has been on a journey, (he shall salute
14
the persons
mentioned)whenhemeetsthemonhis,return.
15.(Hemayalsosalutethepersonsmentionedatothertimes),ifheis
desirousofheavenandlonglife.
16.ABrhmana.shallsalutestretchingforwardhisrightarmonalevel
with his ear, a Kshatriya holding it on a level with the breast, a Vaisya
holding it on a level with the waist, a Sdra holding it low, (and)
stretchingforwardthejoinedhands.16
17. And when returning the salute of (a man belonging) to the first
(three)castes,the(lastsyllableofthe)name(ofthepersonaddressed)
isproducedtothelengthofthreemoras.17
18.Butwhenhemeetshisteacheraftersunrise(comingforhislesson),
heshallembrace(hisfeet).18
19. On all other occasionsheshall salute(himin themannerdescribed
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above).
20.Butsomedeclarethatheoughttoembracethe(feetofhis)teacher
(ateveryoccasioninsteadofsalutinghim).
21.Havingstrokedtheteacher'srightfootwithhisrighthandbelowand
above,hetakesholdofitandoftheankle.
22.Somesay,thathemustpressbothfeet,eachwithbothhands,and
embracethem.22
23. He shall be very attentive the whole day 23long, never allowing his
mindtowanderfromthelessonduringthe(timedevotedto)studying.
24. And (at other times he shall be attentive) to the business of his
teacher.
25. And during the time for rest (he shall give) his mind (to doubtful
passagesofthelessonlearnt).
26.Andheshallstudyafterhavingbeencalledbytheteacher(andnot
requesttheteachertobeginthelesson).26
PRASNA1,PATALA2,KHANDA6.
1. Every day he shall put his teacher to bed after having washed his
(teacher's)feetandafterhavingrubbedhim.1
2. He shall retire to rest after having received (the teacher's
permission).2
3.Andheshallnotstretchouthisfeettowardshim.
4. Some say, that it is not (sinful) to stretch out the feet (towards the
teacher),ifhebelyingonabed.4
5. And he shall not address (the teacher), whilst he himself is in a
recliningposition.5
6. But he may answer (the teacher) sitting (if the teacher himself is
sittingorlyingdown).6
7.Andif(theteacher)stands,(heshallanswerhim,)afterhavingrisen
also.
8.Heshallwalkafterhim,ifhewalks.
9.Heshallrunafterhim,ifheruns.
10. He shall not approach (his teacher) with shoes on his feet, or his
headcovered,orholding(implements)inhishand.
11. But on a journey or occupied in work, he may approach him (with
shoeson,withhisheadcovered,orwithimplementsinhishand),
12.Providedhedoesnotsitdownquitenear(tohisteacher).
13. He shall approach his teacher with the same reverence as a deity,
withouttellingidlestories,attentiveandlisteningeagerlytohiswords.
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14.(Heshallnotsitnearhim).withhislegscrossed.
15. If (on sitting down) the wind blows from the pupil towards the
master,heshallchangehisplace.15
16. (He shall sit) without supporting himself with his hands (on the
ground),
17.Withoutleaningagainstsomething(asawallorthelike).
18. If the pupil wears two garments, he shall wear the upper one after
thefashionofthesacredthreadatthesacrifices.18
19.But,ifhewearsa(lower)garmentonly,heshallwrapitaroundthe
lowerpartofhisbody.
20.Heshallturnhisfacetowardshisteacherthoughthelatterdoesnot
turnhistowardshim.20
21.Heshallsitneithertoonearto,nortoofar(fromtheteacher),
22.(But)atsuchadistance,that(theteacher)maybeabletoreachhim
withhisarms(withoutrising).
23. (He shall not sit in such a position) that the wind blows from the
teacher,towardshimself.23
24. (If there is) only one pupil, he shall sit at the right hand (of the
teacher).
25.(Ifthereare)many,(theymaysit)asitmaybeconvenient.
26. If the master (is not honoured with a seat and) stands, the (pupil)
shallnotsitdown.
27. (If the master is not honoured with a couch) and sits, the (pupil)
shallnotliedownonacouch.
28.Andiftheteachertries(todosomething),then(thepupil)shalloffer
todoitforhim,ifitisinhispower.
29.And,ifhisteacherisnear,heshallnotembrace(thefeetof)another
Guruwhoisinferior(indignity),29
30. Nor shall he praise (such a person in the teacher's presence) by
(pronouncingthenameof)hisfamily.
31.Nor,shallherisetomeetsuchan(inferiorGuru)orriseafterhim,31
32.EvenifhebeaGuruofhisteacher.
33. But he shall leave his place and his seat, (in order to show him
honour.)
34. Some say, that (he may address) a pupil of his teacher by
(pronouncing) his name, if he is also one of his (the pupil's) own
Gurus.34
35. But towardssuch a personwhoisgenerallyrevered for some other
reason than being the teacher (e.g. for his learning), the (student)
shouldbehaveastowardshisteacher,thoughhebeinferiorindignityto
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thelatter.
36.Afterhavingeateninhis(teacher's)presence,heshallnotgiveaway
theremainderofthefoodwithoutrising.36
37. Nor shall he sip water (after having eaten in the presence of his
teacherwithoutrising).
38.(Heshallrise)addressinghim(withthesewords),'WhatshallIdo?'
1.Orhemayrisesilently.
2. Nor shall he (in going away) move around his teacher with his left
handturnedtowardshimheshallgoawayafterhavingwalked around
himwithhisrightsideturnedtowardshim.
3.Heshallnotlookatanakedwoman.3
4.Heshallnotcutthe(leavesorflowers)ofherbsortrees,inorderto
smellatthem.4
5. He shall avoid (the use of) shoes, of an umbrella a chariot, and the
like(luxuries).5
6.Heshallnotsmile.
7.Ifhesmiles,heshallsmilecovering(themouthwith his hand) thus
saysaBrhmana.
8. He shall not touch a woman with his face, in order to inhale the
fragranceofherbody.
9.Norshallhedesireherinhisheart.
10.Norshallhetouch(awomanatall)withoutaparticularreason.10
11. A Brhmana declares, 'He shall be dusty, be shall have dirty teeth,
andspeakthetruth.'11
12.Thoseteachers,whoinstructedhisteacherinthat science which he
(thepupil)studieswithhim,(aretobeconsideredas)spiritualteachers
(bythepupil).12
13.Butif(ateacher),beforetheeyesofhis(pupil),embracesthefeetof
anyotherpersons,thenhe(thepupilalso)mustembracetheirfeet,(as
longasheremains)inthat(stateofstudentship).13
14.If(apupil)hasmorethanoneteacher,thealms(collectedbyhim)
areatthedisposalofhimtowhomheis(justthen)bound.14
15. When (a student) has returned home (from his teacher), he shall
give(whateverhemayobtainbybeggingorotherwise)tohismother.
16.Themothershallgiveittoherhusband
17.(And)thehusbandtothe(student's)teacher.
18.Orhemayuseitforreligiousceremonies.18
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19. After having studied as many (branches of) sacred learning as he

can,heshallprocureinarighteousmannerthefeefor(theteachingof)
theVeda(tobegiventohisteacher),accordingtohispower.19
20. But, if the teacher has fallen into distress, he may take (the fee)
fromanUgraorfromaSdra.20
21.Butsomedeclare,thatitislawfulatanytimetotakethemoneyfor
theteacherfromanUgraorfromaSdra.
22.Andhavingpaid(thefee),heshallnotboastofhavingdoneso.
23.Andheshallnotrememberwhathemayhavedone(forhisteacher).
24.Heshallavoidselfpraise,blamingothers,andthelike.24
25. If he is ordered (by his teacher to do something), he shall do just
that.
26. On account of the incompetence of his teacher, (he may go) to
another(and)study(there).26
27. He shall behave towards his teacher's wife as towards the teacher
himself, but he shall not embrace her feet, nor eat the residue of her
food.27
28. So also (shall he behave) towards him who teaches him at (the
teacher's)command,28
29. And also to a fellowstudent who is superior (in learning and
years).29
30. He shall behave to his teacher's son (who is superior to himself in
learningoryears)astohisteacher,butnoteattheresidueofhisfood.30
31. Though he may have returned home, the behaviour towards his
(teacherandtherest)whichisprescribedbytheruleofconductsettled
bytheagreement(ofthosewhoknowthelaw,mustbeobservedbyhim
totheend),
1.Justasbyastudent(actuallylivingwithhisteacher).1
2. He may wear garlands,anoint hisface(withsandal), oil his hair and
moustaches, smear his eyelids (with collyrium), and(hisbody)withoil,
wear a turban, a cloth round his loins, a coat, sandals, and wooden
shoes.
3.Withinthesightofhis(teacherorteacher'srelations)heshalldonone
ofthose(actions,asputtingonagarland),norcausethemtobedone.
4. Nor (shall he wear garlands &c. whilst performing) acts for his
pleasure,
5. As, for instance, cleaning his teeth, shampooing, combing the hair,
andthelike.
6. And the teacher shall not speak of the goods of the (pupil) with the
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intentiontoobtainthem.6
7.Butsomedeclare,that,ifapupilwhohasbathed(aftercompletinghis
studies)iscalledbyhisteacherorhasgonetoseehim,heshallnottake
off 7that(garlandorotherornaments)whichhewearsaccordingtothe
lawatthetime(ofthatceremony).
8.Heshallnotsitonaseathigher(thanthatofhisteacher),
9.Noronaseatthathasmorelegs(thanthatofhisteacher),
10.Noronaseatthatstandsmorefirmlyfixed(onthegroundthanthat
ofhisteacher),10
11. Nor shall he sit or lie on a couch or seat which is used (by his
teacher).11
12. If he is ordered (by his teacher), he shall on journey ascend a
carriageafterhim.12
13.(Athisteacher'scommand)heshallalsoenteranassembly,ascend
aroller(whichhisteacherdragsalong),sitonamatoffragrantgrassor
acouchofstraw(togetherwithhisteacher).13
14. If not addressed by a Guru, he shall not speak to him, except (in
ordertoannounce)goodnews.
15.HeshallavoidtotouchaGuru(withhisfinger),towhisper(intohis
ear),tolaugh(intohisface),tocallouttohim,topronouncehisname
ortogivehimordersandthelike(acts)15
16.Intimeofneedhemayattractattention(byanyoftheseacts).
17. If (a pupil) resides (in the same village) with (his teacher after the
completion of his studies), he shall go to see him every morning and
evening,withoutbeingcalled.17
18. And if he returns from a journey, he shall (go to) see him on the
sameday.
19. If his teacher and his teacher's teacher meet, he shall embrace the
feetofhisteacher'steacher,andthenshowhisdesiretodothesameto
histeacher.
20.Theother(theteacher)shall(then)forbidit.
21.And(othermarksof)respect(duetotheteacher)areomittedinthe
presenceofthe(teacher'steacher).
22.And(ifhedoesnotliveinthesamevillage),heshallgofrequentlyto
his teacher's residence, in order to see him, and bring him some
(present) with his own hand, be it even only a stick for cleaning the
teeth.Thus(thedutiesofastudenthavebeenexplained).
23.(Now)theconductofateachertowardshispupil(willbeexplained).
24.Lovinghimlikehisownson,andfullofattention,heshallteachhim
thesacredscience,withouthidinganythinginthewholelaw.24
25. And he shall not use. him for his own purposes to the detriment of
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hisstudiesexceptintimesofdistress.
26. That pupil who, attending to two (teachers), accuses his (principal
andfirst)teacherofignorance,remainsno(longer)apupil.
27. A teacher also, who neglects the instruction (of his pupil), does no
(longer)remainateacher.26
28.Ifthe(pupil)commitsfaults,(theteacher)shallalwaysreprovehim.
29. Frightening, fasting, bathing in (cold) water, and banishment from
theteacher'spresencearethepunishments(whicharetobeemployed),
according to the greatness (of the fault), until (the pupil) leaves off
(sinning).29
30.Heshalldismiss(thepupil),afterhehasperformedtheceremonyof
the Samvartana and has finished his studentship, with these words,
'Applythyselfhenceforthtootherduties.'
1. After having performed the Upkarma for studying the Veda on the
full moon of the month' Srvana (JulyAugust), he shall for one month
notstudyintheevening.1
2. On the full moon of the month of Pausha (DecemberJanuary), or
undertheconstellationRohini,heshallleaveoffreadingtheVeda.2
3.Somedeclare,(thatheshallstudy)forfourmonthsandahalf.3
4.HeshallavoidtoStudytheVedaonahighroad.4
5.Orhemaystudyit(onahighroad),afterhavingsmeared(aspace)
withcowdung.
6. He shall never study in a burialground nor anywhere near it within
thethrowofaSamy.6
7. If a village has been built over (a burial ground) or its surface has
beencultivatedasafield,therecitationoftheVeda(insuchaplace)is
notprohibited.
8. But if that place is known to have been a burialground he shall not
study(there).8
9.ASdraandanoutcastare(includedbytheterm)burialground,(and
therulegiven,Stra6,appliestothem).9
10. Some declare,that (oneoughttoavoidonly,to study) in the same
house(wheretheydwell).
11.Butif(astudentand)aSdrawomanmerelylookateachother,the
recitationoftheVedamustbeinterrupted,
12.Likewise,if(astudentand)awoman,whohashadconnexionwitha
manofalowercaste,(lookateachother).
13. If he, who is about to study the Veda, wishes to talk to a woman
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duringhercourses,heshallfirstspeaktoaBrhmanaandthentoher,
then again speak to a Brhmana, and afterwards study. Thereby the
children(ofthatwoman)willbeblessed.13
14.(Heshallnotstudyinavillage)inwhichacorpselies14
15.NorinsuchaonewhereKndlaslive.
16.Heshallnotstudywhilstcorpsesarebeingcarriedtotheboundaryof
thevillage,
17.Norinaforest,if(acorpseorKndla)iswithinsight.
18. And if outcasts have entered the village, he shall not study on that
day,18
19.Norifgoodmen(havecome).19
20.Ifitthundersintheevening,(heshallnotstudy)duringthenight.20
21. If lightning is seen (in the evening, he shall not study during that
night),untilhehasslept.
22.Iflightningisseenaboutthebreakofdawn,oratthetimewhenhe
may distinguish at the distance of a Samythrow, whether (a cow) is
black or red, be shall not study during that day, nor in the following
evening.
24.Ifitthundersinthesecondpartofthethirdwatchofthenight,(he
shallnotstudyduringthefollowingdayorevening).
24. Some (declare, that this rule holds good, if it thunders), after the
firsthalfofthenighthaspassed.
25.(Norshallhestudy)whilstthecowsarepreventedfromleaving(the
villageonaccountofthievesandthelike),
26. Nor (on the imprisonment of criminals) whilst they are being
executed.
27.Heshallnotstudywhilstheridesonbeasts(ofburden).27
28.Atthenewmoon,(heshallnotstudy)fortwodaysandtwonights.28
1.(Norshallhestudy)onthedaysofthefullmoonsofthosemonthsin
which the Kturmasyasacrifice may be performed (nor on the days
precedingthem).1
2.AtthetimeoftheVedotsarga,onthedeathofGurus,attheAshlak
Srddha,andatthetimeoftheUpkarma,(heshallnotstudy)forthree
days2
3.Likewiseifnearrelationshavedied.3
4.(Heshallnotstudy)fortwelvedays,ifhismother,father,orteacher
havedied.
5. If these (have died), he must (also) bathe for the same number of
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days.
6. Persons who are younger (than the relation deceased), must shave
(theirhairandbeard),6
7. Some declare, that students who have returned home oncompletion
oftheirstudentship,shallnevershave,exceptifengagedintheinitiation
toaSrautasacrifice.7
8.NowaBrhmanaalsodeclares,'Verily,anempty,uncovered(pot)is
he,whosehairisshavedoffentirelythetoplockishiscovering.'8
9.Butatsacrificialsessionsthetoplockmustbeshavedoff,becauseit
issoenjoinedintheVeda.9
10. Some declare, that, upon the death of the teacher, (the reading
shouldbeinterrupted)forthreedaysandthreenights.10
11.If(hehearsof)thedeathofalearnedBrhmana(Srotriya)beforea
full year (since the death) has elapsed, (he shall interrupt his reading)
foronenight(andday).11
12.Somedeclare,(thatthedeceasedSrotriyamusthavebeen)afellow
student.
1314.IfalearnedBrhmana(Srotriya)hasarrivedandheisdesirousof
studying or is actually studying, (or if he is desirous of teaching or is
teaching,)hemaystudyorteachafterhavingreceivedpermission(todo
sofromtheSrotriya).
1516.Hemaylikewisestudyorteachinthepresenceofhisteacher,if
(thelatter)hasaddressedhim(saying),'Ho,study!(or,Ho,teach!)'15
17.Whenastudentdesirestostudyorhasfinishedhislesson,heshall
atbothoccasionsembracethefeetofhisteacher.17
18. Or if, whilst they study, another person comes in, he shall continue
his recitation, after those words, ('Ho, study!') have been pronounced
(bythenewcomer).18
19.Thebarkingof(many)dogs,thebrayingof(many)asses,thecryof
a wolf or of a solitary jackal or of an owl, all sounds of musical
instruments, of weeping, and of the Sman melodies (are reasons for
discontinuingthestudyoftheVeda).19
20. If another branch of the Veda (is being recited in the
neighbourhood),theSmanmelodiesshallnotbestudied.
21.Andwhilstothernoises(arebeingheard,therecitationoftheVeda
shall be discontinued), if they mix (with the voice of the person
studying).21
22.Afterhavingvomited(heshallnotstudy)untilhehasslept.22
23. Or (he may study) having eaten clarified butter (after the attack of
vomiting).
24.Afoulsmell(isareasonforthediscontinuanceofstudy).24
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25.Foodturnedsour(byfermentation),whichhehasinhisstomach,(is
a reason for the discontinuance of the recitation, until the sour rising
ceases).25
26.(Norshallhestudy)afterhavingeatenintheevening,26
27.Noraslongashishandsarewet.27
28.(Andheshalldiscontinuestudying)for,adayandanevening,after
having eaten food prepared in honour of a dead person (for whom the
Sapindkaranahasnotyetbeenperformed),28
29.Oruntilthefood(eatenonthatoccasion)isdigested.29
30.Butheshall(always)eatinaddition(tothemealgiveninhonourof
a dead person), food which has not been given at a sacrifice to the
Manes.30
1.(TherecitationoftheVedashallbeinterruptedforadayandevening
ifhehaseaten),onbeginningafreshKnda(ofhisVeda),foodgivenby
amotherlessperson,1
2. And also if he has eaten, on the day of the completion of a Knda,
foodgivenbyafatherlessperson.
3. Some declare, that (the recitation shall be interrupted for the same
space of time), if he has eaten at a sacrifice offered in honour of gods
whowereformerlymen.3
4.Noristherecitationinterrupted,ifhehaseatenricereceivedtheday
before, or raw meat (though these things may have been offered in
honourofthedead),4
5. Nor (if he has eaten at a funeral dinner) roots or fruits of herbs and
trees.
6.WhenheperformstheceremonyforbeginningofaKnda,orwhenhe
studiestheindexoftheAnuvkas 6ofa(Knda),heshallnotstudythat
(Knda)onthatday(norinthatnight).
7.Andifheperformstheceremoniesprescribedonbeginningorending
the recitation of one entire Veda, he shall not study that Veda (during
thatday).7
8. If the wind roars, or if it whirls up the grass on the ground, or if it
drives the raindrops forward during a rainshower, (then the recitation
shallbeinterruptedforsolongatimeasthestormlasts).8
9.(Norshallhestudy)ontheboundarybetweenavillageandforest,
10.Noronahighway.
11.If(someofhis)fellowstudentsareonajourney,heshallnotstudy
duringthatday,(thepassage)whichtheylearntogether.11
12.Andwhilstperformingactsforhispleasure,
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13.Suchaswashinghisfeet,shampooingoranointinghimself,
14.Heshallneitherstudynorteach,aslongasheisthusoccupied.
15.(Heshallnotstudyorteach)inthetwilight,15
16.Norwhilstsittingonatree,16
17.Norwhilstimmersedinwater,
18.Noratnightwithopendoors,
19.Norinthedaytimewithshutdoors.
20.Duringthespringfestivalandthefestival(ofIndra),inthemonthof
shdha(JuneJuly),thestudyofanAnuvkaisforbidden.20
21.(Therecitation)ofthedailyportionoftheVeda(attheBrahmayaga
islikewiseforbiddenifdone)inamannerdifferingfromtherule(ofthe
Veda).21
22. (Now follows) the rule (for the daily recitation) of that
(Brahmayaga).
23. Before taking his morningmeal, he shall go to the waterside, and
havingpurifiedhimself,heshallrecitealoud(aportionoftheVeda)ina
pure 23place,leavingoutaccordingto(theorderofthe)texts(whathe
hasreadthedaybefore).
24. If a stoppage of study is enjoined (for the day, he shall recite the
dailyportion)mentally.
25.Iflightningflasheswithoutinterruption,or,thunderrollscontinually,
ifamanhasneglectedtopurifyhimself,ifhehaspartakenofamealin
honour of a dead person, or if hoarfrost lies on the ground, (in these
cases) they forbid the mental recitation (of the daily portion of the
Veda).25
26.Someforbiditonlyincaseonehaseatenafuneraldinner.26
27. Where lightning, thunder, and rain happen together out of season,
therecitationshallbeinterruptedforthreedays.27
28.Some(declare,thattherecitationshallstop)untilthegroundisdry.
29.Ifoneortwo(ofthephenomenamentionedinStra27appear,the
recitation shall be interrupted) from that hour until the same hour next
day.
30.Inthecaseofaneclipseofthesunorofthemoon,ofanearthquake,
of a whirlwind, of the fall of a meteor, or of a fire (in the village), at
whatever time these events happen, the recitation of all the sacred
sciences(VedasandAgas)mustbeinterruptedfromthathouruntilthe
samehournextday.30
31. If a cloud appears out of season, if the sun or the moon is
surroundedbyahalo,ifarainbow,aparhelionoracometappears,ifa
(high) wind (blows), 31 a foul smell (is observed), or hoarfrost (lies on
the ground, at all these occasions (the recitation of all the sacred
sciencesmustbeinterrupted)duringtheduration(ofthesephenomena).
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32. After the wind has ceased, (the interruption of the recitation
continues)foronemuhrta.32
33.If(thehowlof)awolforofasolitaryjackal(hasbeenheard,heshall
stopthereading)untilhehasslept.
34. At night (he shall not study) in a wood, where there is no fire nor
gold.
35.OutoftermheshallnotstudyanypartoftheVedawhichhehasnot
learntbefore.
36. Nor (shall he study during term some new part of the Veda) in the
evening.36
37. That which has been studied before, must never be studied (during
thevacationorintheevening).37
38. Further particulars (regarding the interruption 38 of the Vedastudy
maybelearnt)fromthe(teachingandworksofother)Vedicschools.
1.ABrhmanadeclares,'Thedailyrecitation(oftheVeda)isausterity.'1
2. In the same (sacred text) it is also declared, Whether he recites the
dailyportionoftheVedastanding,orsitting,orlyingdown,heperforms
austeritytherebyforthedailyrecitationisausterity.'2
3.NowtheVgasaneyibrhmanadeclaresalso,'Thedailyrecitationisa
sacrifice at which the Veda is offered. When it thunders, when lightning
flashes or thunderbolts fall, and when the wind blows violently, these
soundstaketheplaceoftheexclamationsVashat(VaushatandSvh).
Therefore he shall recite the Veda whilst it thunders, whilst lightning
flashesandthunderboltsfall,andwhilstthewindblowsviolently,lestthe
Vashat(shouldbeheard)invain.3
4. The conclusion of the passage from that (Vgasaneyibrhmana is
found)inanotherSkh(oftheVeda).
5. 'Now, if the wind blows, or if it thunders, or if lightning flashes, or
thunderbolts fall, then he shall recite one Rikverse (in case he studies
theRigVeda),oroneYagus(incasehestudiestheYagurveda),orone
Sman(incasehestudiestheSmaveda),or(withouthavingaregard
to his particular Veda, the following Yagus), "Bhh Bhuvah, Suvah, in
faith I offer true devotion." Then, indeed, his daily recitation is
accomplishedtherebyforthatday.'5
6. If that is done, (if the passage of the Vgasaneyibrhmana is
combined with that quoted in Stra 5, the former stands) not in
contradictionwiththedecisionoftheryas.6
7. For they (who know the law) teach both the continuance and the
interruption (of the daily recitation of the Veda). That would be
meaningless, if one paid attention to the (passage of the) Vgasaneyi
brhmana(alone).
8.Forno(worldly)motiveforthedecisionofthoseryasisperceptible
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(andhenceitmusthaveareligiousmotiveandbefoundedonapassage
oftheVeda).8
9. (The proper interpretation therefore is, that) the prohibition to study
(givenaboveandbytheryasgenerally)refersonlytotherepetitionof
the sacred texts in order to learn them, not to their application at
sacrifices.
10. (But if you ask, why the decision of the ryas presupposes the
existence of a Vedic passage, then I answer): All precepts were
(originally) taught in the Brhmanas, (but) these texts have been lost.
Their(formerexistence)may,however,beinferredfromusage.10
11. But it is not (permissible to infer the former existence of) a (Vedic)
passage in cases where pleasure is obtained (by following a rule of the
Smritioracustom).11
12.Hewhofollowssuch(usages)becomesfitforhell.
13. Now follow (some rites and) rules that have been declared in the
Brhmanas.13
14. By way of laudation they are called 'great sacrifices ' or 'great
sacrificialsessions.'14
15.(Theseritesinclude):ThedailyBaliofferingtothe(sevenclassesof)
beingsthe(daily)giftof(food)tomenaccordingtoone'spower
1. The oblation to the gods accompanied by the exclamation Svh,

which may consist even of a piece of wood only the offering to the
ManesaccompaniedbytheexclamationSvadh,whichmayconsisteven
ofavesselwithwateronlythedailyrecitation.1
2.Respectmustbeshowntothosewhoaresuperiorbycaste,2
3. And also to (persons of the same caste who are) venerable (on
accountoflearning,virtue,andthelike).
4. A man elated (with success) becomes proud, a proud man
transgresses the law, but through the transgression of the law hell
indeed(becomeshisportion).
5. It has not been declared, that orders (may be addressed by the
teacher)toapupilwhohasreturnedhome.5
6.Thesyllable'Om'isthedoorofheaven.6Thereforehewhoisaboutto
studytheVeda,shallbegin(hislesson)by(pronouncing)it.
7. If he has spoken anything else (than what refers to the lesson, he
shallresumehisreadingbyrepeatingtheword'Om'). Thus the Veda is
separatedfromprofanespeech.
8. And atsacrifices the orders(given tothe priests)are headed by this
word.
9.Andincommonlife,attheoccasionofceremoniesperformedforthe
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sake of welfare, the sentences shall be headed by this word, as, for
instance,'(Om)anauspiciousday,''(Om)welfare,''(Om)prosperity.'9
10.Withoutavowofobedience(apupil)shallnotstudy (nor a teacher
teach) a difficult (new book) with the exception of (the texts called)
TrihsrvanaandTr.ihsahavakana.10
11.Hritadeclares,thatthe(whole)Vedamustbestudiedunderavow
of obedience until there is no doubt (regarding it in the mind of the
pupil).11
12.Noobedienceisdue(totheteacherforteaching)workswhichdonot
belongtotheVeda.
13.(Astudent)shallembracethefeetofaperson,who teaches him at
therequestofhis(regularteacher),aslongastheinstructionlasts.13
14. Some (declare, that he shall also) always, (if the substitute is) a
worthyperson.14
15.Butobedience(astowardstheteacher)isnotrequired(tobeshown
towardssuchaperson).
16. And (pupils) older (than their teacher need not show him
obedience).16
17. If (two persons) teach each other mutually (different redactions of)
theVeda,obedience(towardseachother)isnotordainedforthem.
18. (For) the (wise) say, 'The Vedaknowledge (of either of them)
grows.'
19. Svetaketu declares, 'He who desires to study more, after having
settled (as a householder), shall dwell two months every year, with
collectedmind,inthehouseofhisteacher,'
20.(Andheadds),'ForbythismeansIstudiedalargerpartoftheVeda
thanbefore,(duringmystudentship.)'
21.ThatisforbiddenbytheSstras.
22.Forafterthestudenthassettledasahouseholder,heisorderedby
theVeda,toperformthedailyrites,
1.(Thatistosay)theAgnihotra,hospitality,1
2.Andwhatelseofthiskind(isordained).
3. He whom (a student) asks for instruction, shall certainly not refuse
it3
4.Providedhedoesnotseeinhimafault,(whichdisqualifieshimfrom
beingtaught).
5. If by chance (through the pupil's stupidity the teaching) is not
completed,obediencetowardsthe(teacheristhepupil'sonlyrefuge).5
6.Towardsamother(grandmotherandgreatgrandmother)andafather
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(grandfatherandgreatgrandfather)thesameobediencemustbeshown
astowardsateacher.6
7.ThefeetofallGurusmustbeembraced(everyday)byastudentwho
hasreturnedhome7
8.Andalsoonmeetingthem,afterreturningfromajourney.8
9.Thefeetof(elder)brothersandsistersmustbeembraced,according
totheorderoftheirseniority.9
10. And respect (must) always (be shown to one's elders and betters),
accordingtotheinjunction10(givenaboveandaccordingtotheorderof
theirseniority).
11. He shall salute an officiating priest, a fatherinlaw, a father's
brother,andamother's.brother,(thoughtheymaybe)youngerthanhe
himself,and(whensaluting)risetomeetthem.11
12.Orhemaysilentlyembracetheirfeet.12
13. A friendship kept for ten years with fellow citizens (is a reason for
giving a salutation, and so is) a friendship, contracted at school, which
haslastedforfiveyears.ButalearnedBrhmana(known)forlessthan
threeyears,mustbesaluted.13
14. If the age (of several persons whom one meets) is exactly known,
onemustsalutetheeldest(first).
15.Heneednotsaluteaperson,whoisnotaGuru,andwhostandsina
lowerorhigherplacethanhehimself.
16. Or he may descend or ascend (to the place where such a person
stands)andsalutehim.16
17.Buteveryone(Gurusandothers)heshallsalute,afterhavingrisen
(fromhisseat).17
18.Ifheisimpure,heshallnotsalute(anybody)18
19.(Norshallhesalute)apersonwhoisimpure.
20.Norshallhe,beingimpure,returnasalutation.
21.Marriedwomen(mustbesaluted)accordingtothe(respective)ages
oftheirhusbands.
22.Heshallnotsalutewithhisshoeson,orhisheadwrappedup,orhis
handsfull.
23. In saluting women, a KshatriyaoraVaisyaheshall use a pronoun,
nothisname.23
24.Some(declare,thatheshallsaluteinthismannereven)hismother
andthewifeofhisteacher.24
25. Know that a Brhmana of ten years and a Kshatriya of a hundred
yearsstandtoeachotherintherelationoffatherandson.Butbetween
thosetwotheBrhmanaisthefather.25
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26. A younger person or one of equal age he shall ask, about his well
being(employingthewordkusala).26
27. (He shall ask under the same conditions) a Kshatriya, about his
health(employingthewordanmaya)
28.AVaisyaifhehaslostanything(employingthewordanashta).28
29.ASdra,abouthishealth(employingthewordrogya).
30.HeshallnotpassalearnedBrhmanawithoutaddressinghim
31. Nor an (unprotected) woman in a forest (or any other lonely
place).31
1.WhenheshowshisrespecttoGurusoragedpersonsorguests,when
heoffersaburntoblation(orothersacrifice),whenhemurmursprayers
at dinner, when sipping water and during the (daily) recitation of the
Veda, his garment (or his sacrificial thread) shall pass over his left
shoulderandunderhisrightarm.1
2. By sipping (pure) water, that has been collected on the ground, he
becomespure.2
3. Or he, whom a pure person causes to sip water, (becomes also
pure).3
4.Heshallnotsipraindrops.4
5.(Heshallnotsipwater)froma(natural)cleftintheground.
6. He shall not sip water heated (at the fire) except for a particular
reason(assickness).6
7. He who raises his empty hands (in order to scare) birds, (becomes
impureand)shallwash(hishands).7
8. If he can (find water to sip) he shall not remain impure (even) for a
muhrta.
9.Nor(shallheremain)naked(foramuhrtaifhecanhelpit).
10. Purification (by sipping water) shall not take place whilst he is
(standing)inthewater.
11.Also,whenhehascrossedariver,heshallpurifyhimselfbysipping
water.11
12. He shall not place fuel on the fire, without having sprinkled it (with
water).12
13. (If he is seated in company with) other unclean persons on a seat
consistingofaconfusedheapofstraw,anddoesnottouchthem,hemay
considerhimselfpure.
14.(Thesameruleapplies,ifheisseated)ongrassorwoodfixedinthe
ground.14
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15. He shall put on a dress, (even if it is clean,) only after having

sprinkleditwithwater.15
16.Ifhehasbeentouchedbyadog,heshallbathe,withhisclotheson
17.Orhebecomespure,afterhavingwashedthatpart(ofhisbody)and
havingtoucheditwithfireandagainwashedit,aswellashisfeet,and
havingsippedwater.17
18. Unpurified, he shall not approach fire, (so near thathecanfeelthe
heat).18
19.Somedeclare,that(heshallnotapproachnearer)thanthelengthof
anarrow.
20.Norshallheblowonfirewithhisbreath.20
21.Norshallheplacefireunderhisbedstead.21
22.ItislawfulforaBrhmanatodwellinavillage,wherethereisplenty
of fuel and water, (and) where he may perform the rites of purification
byhimself.22
23. When he has washed away the stains of urine and fces after
voidingurineorfces,thestainsoffood(afterdinner),thestainsofthe
food eaten the day before (from his vessels), and the stains of semen,
and has also washed his feet and afterwards has sipped water, he
becomespure.23
1.Heshallnotdrinkwaterstandingorbentforwards.1
2. Sitting he shall sip water (for purification) thrice, the water
penetratingtohisheart.2
3.Heshallwipehislipsthreetimes.
4.Some(declare,thatheshalldoso)twice.
5.Heshallthentouch(hislips)once(withthethreemiddlefingers).
6.Some(declare,thatheshalldoso)twice.
7. Having sprinkled water on his left hand with his right, he shall touch
both his feet, and his head and (the following three) organs, the eyes,
thenose,andtheears.7
8.Thenheshallwash(hishands).
9.Butifheisgoingtoeatheshall,thoughpure,twice sip water, twice
wipe(hismouth),andoncetouch(hislips).9
10.Heshallrubthegumsandtheinnerpartofhislips(withhisfingeror
withapieceofwood)andthensipwater.
11.Hedoesnotbecomeimpurebythehair(ofhismoustaches)getting
intohismouth,aslongashedoesnottouchthemwithhishand.11
12.If(intalking),drops(ofsaliva)areperceivedtofallfromhismouth,
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thenheshallsipwater.12
13.Somedeclare,thatif(thesalivafalls)ontheground,heneednotsip
water.
14.Ontouchingduringsleeporinsternutationtheeffluviaofthenoseor
oftheeyes,ontouchingblood,hair,fire,kine,aBrhmana,orawoman,
and after having walked on the high road, and after having touched an
(thing or man), and after having put on his lower garment, he shall
either bathe or sip or merely touch water (until he considers himself
clean).14
15.(Orhemaytouch)moistcowdung,wetherbs,ormoistearth.
16. He shall not eat meat which has been cut with a sword (or knife)
usedforkilling.
17. He shall not bite off with his teeth (pieces from) cakes (roots or
fruits).
18.Heshallnoteatinthehouseofa(relationwithinsixdegrees)where
apersonhasdied,beforethetendays(ofimpurity)haveelapsed.18
19.(Norshallheeatinahouse)wherealyinginwoman has not (yet)
comeout(ofthelyinginchamber),19
20.(Norinahouse)whereacorpselies.20
21. Food touched by a (Brhmana or other highcaste person) who is
impure,becomesimpure,butnotunfitforeating.21
22. But what has been brought (be it touched or not) by an impure
Sdra,mustnotbeeaten,22
23.Northatfoodinwhichthereisahair,23
24.Oranyotheruncleansubstance.24
25. (Nor must that food be eaten) which has been touched with an
uncleansubstance(suchasgarlic),
26. Nor (that in which) an insect living on impure substances (is
found),26
27.Nor(thatinwhich)excrementsorlimbsofamouse(arefound),
28.Northatwhichhasbeentouchedbythefoot(evenofapureperson),
29.Norwhathasbeen(touched)withthehemofagarment,
30.NorthatwhichhasbeenlookedatbyadogoranApaptra,30
31.Norwhathasbeenbroughtinthehemofagarment,(even though
thegarmentmaybeclean),
32.Norwhathasbeenbroughtatnightbyafemaleslave.32
33.Ifduringhismeal,
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1.ASdratoucheshim,(thenheshallleaveoffeating).1
2.Norshallheeatsittinginthesamerowwithunworthypeople.2
3.Norshallheeat(sittinginthesamerowwithpersons)amongstwhom
one, whilst they eat, rises and gives his leavings to his pupils or sips
water3
4.Nor(shallheeat)wheretheygivehimfood,revilinghim.4
5.Nor(shallheeat)whathasbeensmeltatbymenorother(beings,as
cats).5
6.Heshallnoteatinaship,
7.Noronawoodenplatform.
8. He may eat sitting on ground which has been purified (by the
applicationofcowdungandthelike).
9.(Ifheeats)outofanearthenvessel,heshalleatoutofonethathas
notbeenused(forcooking).
10.(Ifhecanget)ausedvessel(only,heshalleatfromit),afterhaving
heateditthoroughly.
11. A vessel made of metal becomes pure by being scoured withashes
andthelike.11
12.Awoodenvesselbecomespurebybeingscraped.12
13.Atasacrifice(thevesselsmustbecleaned)accordingtotheprecepts
oftheVeda.
14. He shall not eat food which has been bought or obtained ready
preparedinthemarket.
15. Nor (shall he eat) flavoured food (bought in the market) excepting
rawmeat,honey,andsalt.
16. Oil and clarified butter (bought in the market) he may use, after
havingsprinkledthemwithwater.16
17.Preparedfoodwhichhasstoodforanight,mustneitherbeeatennor
drunk.17
18. Nor (should prepared food) that has turned sour (be used in any
way).18
19.(Theprecedingtworulesdo)not(holdgoodinregardto)thejuiceof
sugarcane, roasted ricegrains, porridge prepared with whey, roasted
yava,gruel,vegetables,meat,flour,milkandpreparationsfromit,roots
andfruitsofherbsandtrees.19
20. (Substances which have turned) sour without being mixed with
anythingelse(aretobeavoided).20
21.Allintoxicatingdrinksareforbidden.
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22.Likewisesheep'smilk,22
23.Likewisethemilkofcamels,ofdoes,ofanimalsthatgivemilkwhile
bigwithyoung,ofthosethatbeartwins,andof(onehoofedanimals),23
24. Likewise the milk of a cow (buffalocow or shegoat) during the
(first)tendays(aftertheirgivingbirthtoyoungones),24
25. Likewise (food mixed) with herbs which serve for preparing
intoxicatingliquors,
26.(Likewise)redgarlic,onions,andleeks,26
27. Likewise anything else which (those who are learned in the law)
forbid.27
28. Mushrooms ought not to be eaten that has been declared in a
Brhmana28
29. (Nor the meat) of onehoofed animals, of camels, of the Gayal, of
villagepigs,ofSarabhas,andofcattle.29
30.(Butthemeat)ofmilchcowsandoxenmaybeeaten.
31.TheVgasaneyakadeclares'bull'sfleshisfitforofferings.'
32.Amongstbirdsthatscratchwiththeirfeetfor,food,the(tame)cock
(mustnotbeeaten).32
33. Amongst birds that feed thrusting forward their beak, the (heron,
called)Plava(orSakatabila,mustnotbeeaten).33
34.Carnivorous(birdsareforbidden),34
35.Likewisetheswan,theBhsa,theBrhmanduck,andthefalcon.35
36. Common cranes and Srascranes (are not to 36be eaten) with the
exceptionoftheleathernosedLakshmana.
37.Fivetoedanimals(oughtnottobeeaten)withtheexceptionofthe
iguana, the tortoise, the porcupine, the hedgehog, the rhinoceros, the
hare,andthePtikhasha.37
38.Amongstfishes,theKetaoughtnottobeeaten,
39.Northesnakeheadedfish,northealligator,northosewhichliveon
fleshonly,northosewhicharemisshaped(like)mermen.39
1. Honey, uncooked (grain), venison, land, roots, fruits, (a promise of)
safety,apastureforcattle,ahouse,andfodderforadraughtoxmaybe
accepted(even)fromanUgra.1
2.Hritadeclares,thateventhese(presents)aretobeacceptedonlyif
theyhavebeenobtainedbyapupil.
3. Or they (Brhmana householders) may accept (from an Ugra)
uncookedor(alittle)unflavouredboiledfood.
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4.(Ofsuchfood)theyshallnottakeagreatquantity(butonlysomuch
assufficestosupportlife).4
5.If(intimesofdistress)heisunabletokeephimself,hemayeat(food
obtainedfromanybody),
6.Afterhavingtouchedit(once)withgold,
7.Or(havingtoucheditwith)fire.
8.Heshallnotbetooeagerafter(suchawayofliving).Heshallleaveit
whenhehasobtaineda(lawful)livelihood.8
9.(AstudentoftheBrahmaniccaste)whohasreturnedhomeshallnot
eat(inthehouse)ofpeoplebelongingtothethreetribes,beginningwith
theKshatriya(i.e.ofKshatriyas,Vaisyas,andSdras).9
10. He may (usually) eat (the food) of a Brhmana on account of (the
giver's) character (as a Brhmana). It must be avoided for particular
reasonsonly.
11.Heshallnoteatinahousewhere(thehost)performsaritewhichis
notariteofpenance,whilstheoughttoperformapenance.11
12. But when the penance has been performed, he may eat (in that
house).12
13.Accordingtosome(foodofferedbypeople)ofanycaste,whofollow
thelawsprescribedforthem,exceptthatofSdras,maybeeaten.
14.(Intimesofdistress)eventhefoodofaSdra,wholivesunderone's
protectionforthesakeofspiritualmerit,(maybeeaten).14
15. He may eat it, after havingtouchedit(once) withgoldorwithfire.
He shall not be too eager after (such a way of living). He shall leave it
whenheobtainsa(lawful)livelihood.15
16.Foodreceivedfromamultitudeofgiversmustnotbeeaten,16
17.Norfoodofferedbyageneralinvitation(toallcomers).17
18.Foodofferedbyanartisanmustnotbeeaten,18
19.Nor(thatofmen)wholivebytheuseofarms(withtheexceptionof
Kshatriyas),19
20.Nor(thatofmen)wholivebylettinglodgingsorland.
21. A (professional) physician is a person whose food must not be
eaten,21
22.(Also)ausurer,22
23. (Also) a Brhmana who has performed the Dkshanyeshti (or
initiatoryceremonyoftheSomasacrifice)beforehehasboughttheking
(Soma).23
24. (The food given by a person who has performed the Dkshanyeshti
maybeeaten),whenthevictimsacredtoAgniandSomahasbeenslain.
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25.Orafterthattheomentumofthevictim(sacredto Agni and Soma)

hasbeenoffered.25
26. For a Brhmana declares, 'Or they may eat of the remainderofthe
animal,afterhavingsetapartaportionfortheoffering.'
27.Aeunuch(isapersonwhosefoodmustnotbeeaten),27
28. (Likewise) the (professional) messenger employed by a king (or
others),28
29. (Likewise a Brhmana) who offers substances that are not fit for a
sacrifice,29
30.(Likewise)aspy,30
31.(Also)apersonwhohasbecomeanasceticwithout(beingauthorized
theretoby)therules(ofthelaw),31
32. (Also) he who forsakes the sacred fires without performing the
sacrificenecessaryonthatoccasion),32
33.LikewisealearnedBrhmanawhoavoidseverybody,oreatsthefood
of anybody, or neglects the (daily) recitation of the Veda, (and) he
whose(onlyliving)wifeisoftheSdracaste.33
1. A drunkard, a madman, aprisoner,he wholearnsthe Veda from his

son, a creditor who sits with his debtor (hindering the fulfilment of his
duties),adebtorwhothussits(withhiscreditor,arepersonswhosefood
mustnotbeeaten)aslongastheyarethusengagedorinthatstate.1
2.Who(then)arethosewhosefoodmaybeeaten?2
3.Kanvadeclares,thatitishewhowishestogive.
4.Kautsadeclares,thatitishewhoisholy.4
5.Vrshyyanideclares,thatitiseverygiver(offood).
6. For if guilt remains fixed on the man (who committed a crime, then
foodgivenbyasinner)maybeeaten(becausetheguiltcannotleavethe
sinner).Butifguiltcanleave(thesinneratanytime,thenfoodgivenby
thesinnermaybeeatenbecause)hebecomespurebythegift(whichhe
makes).
7.Offeredfood,whichispure,maybeeaten,accordingtoEka,Kunika,
Knva,Kutsa,andPushkarasdi.
8.Vrshyyani'sopinionis,that(food)givenunasked(maybeaccepted)
fromanybody.
9.(Foodoffered)willinglybyaholymanmaybeeaten.
10.Foodgivenunwillinglybyaholymanoughtnottobeeaten.10
11.Foodofferedunaskedbyanypersonwhatsoevermaybeeaten,
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12.'Butnotifitbegivenafteranexpresspreviousannouncement'thus
saysHrita.
13. Now they quote also in a Purna the following two verses: 13 'The
Lordofcreatureshasdeclared,thatfoodofferedunaskedandbroughtby
thegiverhimself,maybeeaten,though(thegiverbe)asinner,provided
thegifthasnotbeenannouncedbeforehand.TheManesoftheancestors
ofthatmanwhospurnssuchfood,donoteat (his oblations) for fifteen
years,nordoesthefirecarryhisofferings(tothegods).'
14. (Another verse from a Purna declares): 'The food given by a
physician,ahunter,asurgeon,afowler,anunfaithfulwife,oraeunuch
mustnotbeeaten.'14
15. Now (in confirmation of this) they quote (the following verse): 'The
murdererofaBrhmanalearnedintheVedaheapshisguiltonhisguest,
an innocent man on his calumniator, a thief set at liberty on the king,
andthepetitioneronhimwhomakesfalsepromises.'15
1. He shall not fulfil his sacred duties merely in order to acquire these
worldlyobjects(asfame,gain,andhonour).
2. For when they ought to bring rewards, (duties thus fulfilled) become
fruitless.
3.(Worldlybenefits)areproducedasaccessories(tothefulfilmentofthe
law), just as in the case of a mango tree, which is planted in order to
obtainfruit,shadeandfragrance(areaccessoryadvantages).
4. But if (worldly advantages) are not produced, (then at least) the
sacreddutieshavebeenfulfilled.
5. Let him not become irritated at, nor be deceived by the speeches of
hypocrites,ofrogues,ofinfidels,andoffools.
6. For Virtue and Sin do not go about and say, 'Here we are' nor do
gods,Gandharvas,orManessay(tomen),'Thisisvirtue,thatissin.'
7.Butthatisvirtue,thepracticeofwhichwisemenofthethreetwice
borncastespraisewhattheyblame,issin.7
8.Heshallregulatehiscourseofactionaccordingto the conduct which
inallcountriesisunanimouslyapprovedbymenofthethreetwiceborn
castes, who have been properly obedient (to their teachers), who are
aged,ofsubduedsenses,neithergiventoavarice,norhypocrites.8
9.Actingthushewillgainbothworlds.
10.TradeisnotlawfulforaBrhmana.
11.Intimesofdistresshemaytradeinlawfulmerchandise,avoidingthe
following(kinds),thatareforbidden:11
12.(Particularly)men,condimentsandliquids,colours,perfumes, food,
skins,heifers,substances 12usedforglueing(suchaslac),water,young
cornstalks, substances from which spirituous liquor may be extracted,
red and black pepper, corn, flesh, arms, and the hope of rewards for
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meritoriousdeeds.
13. Among (the various kinds of) grain he shall especially not sell
sesamumorrice(excepthehavegrownthemhimself).13
14. The exchange of the one of these (abovementioned goods) for the
otherislikewiseunlawful.
15. But food (may be exchanged) for food, and slaves for slaves, and
condimentsforcondiments,andperfumesforperfumes,andlearningfor
learning.15
16.Lethimtrafficwithlawfulmerchandisewhichhehasnotbought,
1.WithMugagrass,Balbagagrass(andarticlesmadeofthem),roots,
andfruits,
2.Andwith(otherkindsof)grassandwoodwhichhavenotbeenworked
up(intoobjectsofuse).2
3.Heshallnotbetooeager(aftersuchalivelihood).
4.Ifheobtains(anotherlawful)livelihood,heshallleaveoff(trading).4
5.Intercoursewithfallenmenisnotordained,5
6.NorwithApaptras.6
7.Now(followstheenumerationof)theactionswhichcauselossofcaste
(Patanya).
8. (These are) stealing (gold), crimes whereby one becomes an
Abhisasta, homicide, neglect of the Vedas, causing abortion, incestuous
connectionwithrelationsbornfromthesamewombasone's mother or
father,andwiththeoffspringofsuchpersons,drinkingspirituousliquor,
andintercoursewithpersonstheintercoursewithwhomisforbidden.8
9. That man falls who has connection with a female friend of a female
Guru, or with a female friend of a male Guru, or with any married
woman.9
10.Some(teachersdeclare),thathedoesnotfallbyhavingconnection
withanyothermarriedfemaleexcepthisteacher'swife.10
11. Constant commission of (other) sins (besides those enumerated
above)alsocausesamantolosehiscaste.
12. Now follows (the enumeration of) the acts which makemenimpure
(Asukikara).
13.(Theseare)thecohabitationofAryanwomenwithSdras,
14.Eatingthefleshofforbidden(creatures),
15.Asofadog,aman,villagecocksorpigs,carnivorousanimals,
16.Eatingtheexcrementsofmen,
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17. Eating what is left by a Sdra, the cohabitation of Aryans with

Apaptrawomen.
18.Somedeclare,thattheseactsalsocauseamantolosehiscaste.
19.Otheractsbesidesthose(enumerated)arecausesofimpurity.
20. He who learns (that a man has) committed a sin, shall not be the
first to make it known to others but he shall avoid the (sinner), when
performingreligiousceremonies.20
1. He shall employ the means which tend to the acquisition of (the
knowledge of) the tman, which are attended by the consequent
(destruction of the passions, and) which prevent the wandering (of the
mindfromitsobject,andfixitonthecontemplationofthetman).1
2.Thereisnohigher(object)thantheattainmentof (the knowledge of
the)tman.2
3. We shall quote the verses (from the Veda) 3 which refer to the
attainmentof(theknowledgeof)thetman.
4. All living creatures are the dwelling of him who lies enveloped in
matter, who is immortal and who is spotless. Those become immortal
whoworshiphimwhoisimmovableandlivesinamovabledwelling.4
5.Despisingallthatwhichinthisworldiscalledanobject(ofthesenses)
awisemanshallstriveafterthe(knowledgeofthe)tman.5
6. O pupil, I, who had not recognised in my own self the great self
luminous, universal, (absolutely) free tman, which must be obtained
withoutthemediationofanythingelse,desired(tofind)itinothers(the
senses). (But now as I have obtained the pure knowledge, I do so no
more.) Therefore follow thou also this good road that leads to welfare
(salvation),andnottheonethatleadsintomisfortune(newbirths).6
7. It is he who is the eternal part in all creatures, whose essence is
wisdom, who is immortal, unchangeable, destitute of limbs, of voice, of
the (subtle) body, 7 (even) of touch, exceedingly pure he is the
universe,heisthehighestgoal(hedwellsinthemiddleofthebodyas)
the Vishuvat day is (the middle of a Sattrasacrifice) he, indeed, is
(accessibletoall)likeatownintersectedbymanystreets.
8.Hewhomeditatesonhim,andeverywhereandalwayslivesaccording
to his (commandments), and who, full of devotion, sees him who is
difficulttobeseenandsubtle,willrejoicein(his)heaven.8
1.ThatBrhmana,whoiswiseandrecognisesallcreaturestobeinthe
tman,whopondering(thereon)doesnotbecomebewildered,andwho
recognises the tman in every (created) thing, shines, indeed, in
heaven.
2.He,whoisintelligenceitselfandsubtlerthanthethreadofthelotus
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fibre,pervadestheuniverse,andwho,unchangeableandlargerthanthe
earth,containstheuniversehe,whoisdifferentfromtheknowledgeof
this world, obtained by the senses and identical with its objects,
possesses the highest (form consisting of absolute knowledge). From
him, who divides himself, spring all (created) bodies. He is the primary
cause,heiseternal,heisunchangeable.2
3. But the eradication of the faults is brought about in this life by the
means(calledYoga).Awisemanwhohaseradicatedthe(faults)which
destroythecreatures,obtainssalvation.
4.Nowwewillenumeratethefaultswhichtendtodestroythecreatures.
5. (These are) anger, exultation, grumbling, covetousness, perplexity,
doing injury, hypocrisy, lying, gluttony, calumny, envy, lust, secret
hatred,neglecttokeepthesensesinsubjection,neglectto concentrate
the mind. The eradication of these (faults) takes place through the
meansof(salvationcalled)Yoga.
6. Freedom from anger, from exultation, from grumbling, from
covetousness, from perplexity, from hypocrisy (and) hurtfulness
truthfulness, moderation in eating, silencing a slander, freedom from
envy, selfdenying liberality, avoiding to accept gifts, uprightness,
affability,extinctionofthepassions,subjectionofthesenses,peacewith
all created beings, concentration (of the mind on the contemplation of
the tman), regulation of one's conduct according to that of the ryas,
peacefulness and contentednessthese (good qualities) have been
settledbytheagreement(ofthewise)forall(thefour)ordershewho,
according to the precepts of the sacred law, practises these, enters the
universalsoul.
1. He who has killed a Kshatriya shall give a thousand cows (to
Brhmanas)fortheexpiationofhissin.1
2.(Heshallgive)ahundredcowsforaVaisya,2
3.TenforaSdra,3
4.Andineveryone(ofthesecases)onebull(mustbegiven)inexcess
(ofthenumberofcows)forthesakeofexpiation.
5. And if women of the (three castes mentioned have been slain) the
same(compositionmustbepaid).
6.Hewhohasslainamanbelongingtothetwo(firstmentionedcastes)
whohasstudiedtheVeda,orhadbeeninitiatedfortheperformanceofa
Somasacrifice,becomesanAbhisasta.6
7.And(heiscalledanAbhisasta)whohasslainamanbelongingmerely
to the Brhmana caste (though he has not studied the Veda or been
initiatedforaSomasacrifice),
8. Likewise he who has destroyed an embryo of a (Brhmana, even
thoughitssexbe)undistinguishable,
9.Orawoman(oftheBrhmanacaste)duringhercourses.9
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10.(Nowfollows)thepenanceforhim(whoisanAbhisasta).
11.He(himself)shallerectahutintheforest,restrainhisspeech,carry
(on his stick) the skull (of the person slain) like a flag, and cover the
space from his navel to his knees with a quarter of a piece of hempen
cloth.11
12.Thepathforhimwhenhegoestoavillage,isthespacebetweenthe
tracks(ofthewheels).
13. And if he sees another (rya), he shall step out of the road (to the
distanceoftwoyards).
14. He shall go to the village, carrying a broken tray of metal of an
inferiorquality.
15.Hemaygotosevenhousesonly,(crying,)'Whowillgivealmstoan
Abhisasta?'
16.Thatis(thewayinwhichhemustgain)hislivelihood.
17.Ifhedoesnotobtainanything(atthesevenhouses),hemustfast.
18.And(whilstperformingthispenance)hemusttendcows.
19. When they leave and enter the village, that is the second occasion
(onwhichhemayenter)thevillage.
20. After having performed (this penance) for twelve years, he must
perform) the ceremony known (by custom), through which he is re
admittedintothesocietyofthegood.20
21.Or(afterhavingperformedthetwelveyears'penance),hemaybuild
ahutonthepathofrobbers,andlivethere,tryingtotakefromthemthe
cows of Brhmanas. He is free (from his sin), when thrice he has been
defeatedbythem,orwhenhehasvanquishedthem.21
22.Orheisfreed(fromhissin),if(afterthetwelveyears'penance)he
bathes(withthepriests)attheendofahorsesacrifice.22
23. This very same (penance is ordained) for him who, when his duty
andloveofgaincomeintoconflict,choosesthegain.23
24.IfhehasslainaGuruoraBrhmana,whohasstudiedtheVedaand
finished the ceremonies of a Somasacrifice, he shall live according to
thisverysameruleuntilhislastbreath.24
25. He cannot be purified in this life. But his sin is removed (after
death).25
1.HewhohashadconnectionwithaGuru'swifeshallcut off his organ
together with the testicles, take them into his joined hands and walk
towardsthesouthwithoutstopping,untilhefallsdowndead.1
2.Orhemaydieembracingaheatedmetalimageofawoman.2
3.Adrinkerofspirituousliquorshalldrinkexceedinglyhotliquorsothat
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hedies.3
4. A thief shall go to the king with flying hair, carrying a club on his
shoulder,andtellhimhisdeed.He(theking)shallgivehimablowwith
that(club).Ifthethiefdies,hissinisexpiated.4
5. If he is forgiven (by the king), the guilt falls upon him who forgives
him,5
6. Or he may throw himself into the fire, or perform repeatedly severe
austerities,6
7.Orhemaykillhimselfbydiminishingdailyhisportionoffood,
8. Or he may perform Krikkhra penances (uninterruptedly) for one
year.8
9.Nowtheyquotealso(thefollowingverse):9
10.Thosewhohavecommittedatheft(ofgold),drunkspirituousliquor,
or had connection with a Guru's wife, but not those who have slain a
Brhmana, shall eat every fourth mealtime a little food, bathe at the
times of the three libations (morning, noon, and evening), passing the
day standing and the night sitting. After the lapse of three years they
throwofftheirguilt.
11.(Amanofanycaste)exceptingthefirst,whohasslainamanofthe
firstcaste,shallgoonabattlefieldandplacehimself(betweenthetwo
hostile armies). There they shall kill him (and thereby he becomes
pure).11
12.Orsuchasinnermaytearfromhisbodyandmakethepriestofferas
aburntofferinghishair,skin,flesh,andtherest,andthenthrowhimself
intothefire.12
13. If a crow, a chameleon, a peacock, a Brhman duck, a swan, the
vulture called Bhsa, a frog, an ichneumon, a muskrat, or a dog has
beenkilled,thenthesamepenanceasforaSdramustbeperformed13
1. (The same penance must be performed), if a milchcow or a full

grownox(hasbeenslain),withoutareason.1
2. And for other animals (which have no bones), if an oxload of them
hasbeenkilled.2
3. He who abuses a person who (on account of his venerability) ought
not to be abused, or speaks an untruth (regarding any small matter)
mustabstainforthreedaysfrommilk,pungentcondiments,andsalt.3
4.(Ifthesamesinshavebeencommitted)byaSdra,hemustfastfor
sevendays.
5.Andthesame(penancesmustalsobeperformed)bywomen,(butnot
thosewhichfollow).5
6.Hewhocutsoffalimbofapersonforwhosemurderhewouldbecome
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anAbhisasta(mustperformthepenanceprescribedforkillingaSdra),
ifthelife(ofthepersoninjured)hasnotbeenendangered.
7. He who has been guilty of conduct unworthy of an Aryan, of
calumniatingothers,ofactionscontrarytotheruleofconduct,ofeating
or drinking things forbidden, of connection with a woman of the Sdra
caste, of an unnatural crime, of performing magic rites with intent (to
harmhisenemies)or(ofhurtingothers)unintentionally,shallbatheand
sprinklehimselfwithwater,recitingthe(seven)versesaddressedtothe
Waters,ortheversesaddressedtoVaruna,or(otherverseschosenfrom
the Anuvka, called) Pavitra, in proportion to the frequency with which
thecrimehasbeencommitted.7
8.A(student)whohasbrokenthevowofchastity,shalloffertoNirritian
ass,accordingtothemannerofthePkayagarites.8
9.ASdrashalleat(theremainder)ofthat(offering).
10. (Now follows) the penance for him who transgresses the rules of
studentship.
11. He shall for a year serve his teacher silently, emitting speech only
during the daily study (of the Veda, in announcing necessary business
to)histeacherorhisteacher'swife,andwhilstcollectingalms.
12. The following penances) which we are going to proclaim, may be
performedforthesamesin,and12alsoforothersinfulacts,whichdonot
causelossofcaste.
13.HemayeitherofferoblationstoKmaandManyu(withthefollowing
twoMantras),'Kma(passion)hasdoneitManyu(anger)hasdoneit.'
Orhemaymutter(theseMantras).13
14.Or,afterhavingeatensesamumorfastedonthedaysofthefulland
newmoonhemay,onthefollowingdaybathe,andstoppinghisbreath,
repeattheGyatronethousandtimes,orhemaydosowithoutstopping
hisbreath.
1.Afterhavingeatensesamumorhavingfastedonthefullmoondayof
the month Srvana JulyAugust), he may on the following day bathe in
the water of a great river and offer (a burntoblation of) one thousand
piecesofsacredfuel,whilst.recitingtheGyatr,orhemaymutter(the
Gyatr)asmanytimes.1
2.OrhemayperformIshtisandSomasacrificesforthesakeofpurifying
himself(fromhissins),2
3.Afterhavingeatenforbiddenfood,hemustfast,until his entrails are
empty.3
4.Thatis(generally)attainedaftersevendays.
5. Or he may during winter and during the dewy season (November
March)batheincoldwaterbothmorningandevening.
6.OrhemayperformaKrikkhrapenance,whichlaststwelvedays.
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7. The rule for the Krikkhra penance of twelve days (is the following):
Forthreedayshemustnoteatintheevening,and then for three days
notinthemorningforthreedayshemustliveonfoodwhichhasbeen
givenunasked,andthreedayshemustnoteatanything.7
8.Ifherepeatsthisforayear,thatiscalledaKrikkhrapenance,which
lastsforayear.
9. Now follows another penance. He who has committed even a great
many sins which do not cause him to fall, becomes free from guilt, if,
fasting, he recites the entire Skh of his Veda three times
consecutively.9
10. He who cohabits with a nonAryan woman, he who lends money at
interest, he who drinks (other) spirituous liquors (than Sur), he who
praises everybody in a manner unworthy of a Brhmana, shall sit on
grass,allowinghisbacktobescorched(bythesun).
11.ABrhmanaremovesthesinwhichhecommittedbyservingoneday
andnight(amanof)theblackrace,ifhebathesforthreeyears,eating
ateveryfourthmealtime.11
1.Hewho,underanyconditionswhatsoever,covets(andtakes)another
man's possessions is a thief thus (teach) Kautsa and Hrita as well as
KanvaandPushkarasdi.
2.Vrshyyanideclares,thatthereareexceptionstothislaw,inregard
tosomepossessions.
3. (E.g.) seeds ripening in the pod, food for a draughtox (if these are
taken),theowners(ought)not(to)forbidit.3
4.Totakeeventhesethingsintoogreataquantityissinful.
5.Hritadeclares,thatineverycasethepermission(oftheownermust
beobtained)first.
6.Heshallnotgotovisitafallenteacherorbloodrelation.
7.Norshallheacceptthe(meansforprocuring)enjoymentsfromsucha
person.7
8. If he meets them accidentally he shall silently embrace (their feet)
andpasson.
9. A mother does very many acts for her son, therefore he must
constantlyserveher,thoughshebefallen.
10. But (there shall be) no communion (with a fallen mother) in acts
performedfortheacquisitionofspiritualmerit.
11.Enjoymentstakenunrighteouslyheshallgiveupheshallsay,'Iand
sin (do not dwell together).' Clothing himself with a garment reaching
from the navel down to the knee, bathing daily, morn, noon, and
evening, eating food which contains neither milk nor pungent
condiments,norsalt,heshallnotenterahousefortwelveyears.11
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12.Afterthathe(maybe)purified.
13.ThenhemayhaveintercoursewithAryans.
14.Thispenancemayalsobeemployedinthecaseoftheothercrimes
which cause loss of caste (for which no penance has been ordained
above).
15.ButtheviolatorofaGuru'sbedshallenterahollowironimageand,
havingcausedafiretobelitonbothsides,heshallburnhimself.15
16. According to Hrita, this (lastmentioned penance must) not (be
performed).
17.Forhewhotakeshisownoranother'slifebecomesanAbhisasta.
18.He(theviolatorofaGuru'sbed)shallperformtohislastbreath(the
penance)prescribedbythatrule(Stra11).Hecannotbepurifiedinthis
world.But(afterdeath)hissinistakenaway.
19.Hewhohasunjustlyforsakenhiswifeshallputonanass'sskin,with
thehairturnedoutside,andbeginsevenhouses, saying, 'Give alms to
himwhoforsookhiswife.'Thatshallbehislivelihoodforsixmonths.
20. But if a wife forsakes her husband, she shall perform the twelve
nightKrikkhrapenanceforaslongatime.
21. He who has killed a Bhrna (a man learned in the Vedas and
Vedgas and skilled in the performance of the rites) shall put on the
skin of a dog or of an ass, with the hair turned outside, and take a
humanskullforhisdrinkingvessel,
1.Andheshalltakethefootofabedinsteadofastaffand,proclaiming
the name of his deed, he shall go about (saying), 'Who (gives) alms to
themurdererofaBhrna?'Obtainingthushislivelihoodinthevillage,he
shalldwellinanemptyhouseor under a tree, (knowing that) he is not
allowed to have intercourse with Aryans. According to this rule he shall
act until his last breath. He cannot be purified in this world. But (after
death)hissinistakenaway.
2.Heevenwhoslaysunintentionally,reapsneverthelesstheresultofhis
sin.
3.(Hisguiltis)greater,(ifheslays)intentionally.
4.Thesame(principleapplies)alsotoothersinfulactions,
5.Andalsotogoodworks.5
6.ABrhmanashallnottakeaweaponintohishand,thoughhebeonly
desirousofexaminingit.
7. In a Purna (it has been declared), that he who slays an assailant
doesnotsin,for(inthatcase)wrathmeetswrath.
8. But Abhisastas shall live together in dwellings (outside the village)
considering this their lawful (mode of life), they shall sacrifice for each
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other,teacheachother,andmarryamongsteachother.
9.Iftheyhavebegotsons,letthem.saytothem:'Gooutfromamongst
us, for thus the ryas, (throwing the guilt) upon us, will receive you
(amongsttheirnumber).'9
10.Fortheorgansdonotbecomeimpuretogetherwiththeman.
11. (The truth of) that may be learned from this (parallel case) a man
deficientinlimbsbegetsasonwhopossessesthefullnumberoflimbs.11
12.Hritadeclaresthatthisiswrong.
13. A wife is similar to the vessel which contains the curds (for the
sacrifice).13
14. For if one makes impure milk curdle (by mixing it with whey and
water) in a milkvessel and stirs it, no sacrificial rite can be performed
with (the curds produced from) that. Just so no intercourse can be
allowedwiththeimpureseedwhichcomes(fromanAbhisasta).
15.Sorceryandcurses(employedagainstaBrhmana)causeamanto
becomeimpure,butnotlossofcaste.
16.Hritadeclaresthattheycauselossofcaste.
17. But crimes causing impurity must be expiated, (when no particular
penance is prescribed,) by performing the penance enjoined for crimes
causing loss of caste during twelve months, or twelve half months, or
twelvetwelvenights,ortwelvesennights,ortwelvetimesthreedays,or
twelvedays,orsevendays,orthreedays,oroneday.
18. Thus acts causing impurity must be expiated according to the
manner in which the (sinful) act has been committed (whether
intentionallyorunintentionally).
1. Some declare, that a student shall bathe after (having acquired) the
knowledge of the Veda, (however long or short the time of his
studentshipmayhavebeen).1
2. (He may) also (bathe) after having kept the student's vowforforty
eight, (thirtysix or twentyfour) years, (though he may not have
masteredtheVeda).
Somedeclare,thatthestudent(shallbathe)after(havingacquired)the
knowledgeoftheVedaandafter(theexpirationof)hisvow.
4.Toallthosepersonswhohavebathed(Inaccordancewithanyofthe
aboverulesmustbeshown)thehonourcluetoaSntaka.
5. The reverence (shown to a Sntaka) brings, however, different
rewardsaccordingtothedegreeofdevotionoroflearning(possessedby
thepersonhonoured).
6.Nowfollowtheobservances(chieflytobekept)byaSntaka.
7. He shall usually enter the village and leave it by the eastern or the
northerngate.
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8. During the morning and evening twilights, he shall sit outside the
village,andnotspeakanything(referringtoworldlymatters).
9. (But an Agnihotr, who is occupied at home by oblations in the
morningandevening,mustnotgooutfor)inthecaseofaconflict(of
duties),thatenjoinedbytheVedaisthemoreimportant.
10.Heshallavoidalldyeddresses,10
11.Andallnaturallyblackcloth.
12.Heshallwearadressthatisneithershining,
13.Nordespicable,ifheisable(toaffordit).13
14.Andinthedaytimeheshallavoidtowrapuphishead,exceptwhen
voidingexcrements.
15. But when voiding excrements, he shall envelop his head and place
some(grassorthelike)ontheground.15
16.Heshallnotvoidexcrementsintheshade(ofatree,wheretravellers
rest).
17.Buthemaydischargeurineonhisownshadow.
18. He shall not void excrements with his shoes on, nor on a ploughed
field,noronapath,norinwater.18
19.Heshallalsoavoidtospitinto,ortohaveconnectionwithawoman
inwater.19
20. He shall not void excrements facing the fire, the sun, water, a
Brhmana,cows,or(imagesof)thegods.20
21.Heshallavoidtocleanhisbodyfromexcrementswithastone,aclod
of earth, or with (boughs of) herbs or trees which he has broken off,
whilsttheywereonthetreeandfullofsap.
22. If possible, heshall notstretchouthisfeettowardsafire,water,a
Brhmana,acow,(iniagesof)thegods,adoor,oragainstthewind.22
23.Nowtheyquotealso(thefollowingverse):
1. He shall eat facing the east, void fces facing, the south, discharge
urinefacingthenorth,andwashhisfeetturnedtowardsthewest.
2.Heshallvoidexcrementsfarfromhishouse,havinggonetowardsthe
southorsouthwest.2
3. But after sunset he must not void excrements outside the village or
farfromhishouse.
4.Andaslongasheisimpurehe(shallavoid)topronouncethenames
ofthegods.
5.Andheshallnotspeakevilofthegodsoroftheking.5
6. He shall not touch with his foot a Brhmana, a cow, nor any other
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(venerablebeings).
7.(Norshallhetouchthem)withhishand,exceptforparticularreasons.
8.Heshallnotmentiontheblemishesofacow,ofsacrificialpresents,or
ofagirl.8
9.Andheshallnotannounceit(totheowner)ifacowdoesdamage(by
eatingcornorgrassinafield).
10. (Nor shall he call attention to it) if a cow is together with her calf,
exceptforaparticularreason.
11.Andofacowwhichisnotamilchcowheshallnotsay,'Sheisnota
milchcow.'Hemustsay,'Thisisacowwhichwillbecomeamilchcow.'
12.Heshallnotcall'lucky'thatwhichislucky.Heshallcallit'amercy,a
blessing.'12
13.Heshallnotstepoveraropetowhichacalf(orcow)istied.13
14. He shall not pass between the posts from which a swing is
suspended.14
15.(Incompany)heshallnotsay,'Thispersonismyenemy.'Ifhesays,
'This person is my enemy,' he will raise for himself an enemy, who will
showhishatred.
16. If he sees a rainbow, he must not say to others, 'Here is Indra's
bow.'16
17.Heshallnotcount(aflockof)birds.17
18.Heshallavoidtolookatthesunwhenherisesorsets.18
19. During the day the sun protects the creatures, during the night the
moon.Thereforelethimeagerlystrivetoprotecthimselfonthenightof
thenewmoonbypurity,continence,andritesadaptedfortheseason.
20.Forduringthatnightthesunandthemoondwelltogether.
21. He shall not enter the village by a by path. If he enters it thus, he
shallmutterthisRikverse,'PraisebetoRudra,thelordofthedwelling,'
orsomeother(verse)addressedtoRudra.21
22.Heshallnot(ordinarily)givetheresidueofhisfoodtoapersonwho
isnotaBrhmana.Whenhegivesit(tosuchaone),heshallcleanhis
teeth and give (the food) after having placed in it (the dirt from his
teeth).22
23.Andlethimavoidthefaultsthatdestroythecreatures,suchasanger
andthelike.23
1. Let him who teaches, avoid connubial intercourse during the rainy
seasonandinautumn.1
2.Andifhehashadconnection(withhiswife),heshallnotliewithher
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duringthewholenight2
3.Heshallnotteachwhilstheislyingonabed.
4. Nor shall he teach (sitting) on that couch on which he lies (at night
withhiswife).
5. He shall not show himself adorned with a garland, or anointed with
ointments.5
6.Atnightheshallalwaysadornhimselfforhiswife.
7.Lethimnotsubmergehisheadtogetherwithhisbody(inbathing),
8.And(lethimavoid)tobatheaftersunset.
9.Lethimavoidtouseaseat,clogs,sticksforcleaningtheteeth,(and
otherutensils)madeofPalsawood.
10.Lethimavoidtopraise(himself)beforehisteacher,saying,'Ihave
properlybathedorthelike.'
11.Lethimbeawakefrommidnight.
12.Lethimnotstudy(orteach)inthemiddleofthenightbut(hemay
pointout)theirdutiestohispupils.
13.Or(hemay)byhimselfmentally(repeatthesacredtexts).
14.Aftermidnighthemayteach.
15.Whenhehasrisen(atmidnight,andtaught)duringthethirdwatch
of the night, let him not lie down again (saying), 'Studying is
forbidden.'15
16.Athispleasurehemay(sleep)leaning(againstapostorthelike).
17.Orhemaymentallyrepeat(thesacredtexts).
18.Lethimnotvisitinferiormen(suchasNishdas),norcountrieswhich
areinhabitedbythem,18
19.Norassembliesandcrowds.
20. If he has entered a crowd, he shall leave it, turning his right hand
towardsthecrowd.
21.Norshallheentertownsfrequently.
22.Lethimnotanswerdirectlyaquestion(thatisdifficulttodecide).
23.Nowtheyquotealso(thefollowingverse):
24. (The foolish decision) of a person who decides wronglydestroyshis
ancestors and his future happiness, it harms his children, cattle, and
house.'OhDharmaprahrda,(thisdeedbelongs)nottoKumlana!'thus
decidedDeath,weeping,thequestion(addressedtohimbytheRishi).24
25.Lethimnotascendacarriageyokedwithassesandlethimavoidto
ascendortodescendfromvehiclesindifficultplaces.
26.And(lethimavoid)tocrossariverswimming.26
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27.And(lethimavoid)shipsofdoubtful(solidity).
28. He shall avoid cutting grass, crushing clods of earth, and spitting,
withoutaparticularreason,28
29.Andwhateverelsetheyforbid.
SuggestedFurtherReading
TheHinduDharmashastras,subjectindex
TheApastambasutrasPrasnaII
IntroductiontotheBaudhayanaDharmashastra
TheBaudhayanadharmaShastra
TheBaudhayanadharmaShastra,Part2
TheBaudhayanadharmaShastra,Part3
TheGautamaSutras,Chapters1to14
TheGautamaSutrasChapters15to28
ManusmritithelawsofManu
TheVashishtaDharmashastra,introduction
TheVashishtaDharmashastra,Part1
Source:TheSacredLawsoftheryastranslatedbyGeorgBhlerPartI:pastambaandGuatama(Sacred
BooksoftheEast,Volume2.)[1879].ThetexthasbeenreproducedandreformattedfromSacred
texts.combyJayaramVforHinduwebsite.com.Whilewehavemadeeveryefforttoreproducethetext
correctly,wedonotguaranteeoracceptanyresponsibilityforanyerrorsoromissionsorinaccuraciesin
thereproductionofthistext.
Monday,December29,2014
20002014Hinduwebsite.com.AllRightsarereserved.Nopartofthiswebsitecanbecopiedorreproducedinanymanner.Hinduwebsite.com
presentsoriginalarticlesonvarioussubjects.Theyareforyourpersonalandspiritualgrowthnotforcopyingandpostingonyourwebsite.Wedonot
acceptdonations.Werelysolelyuponourcontenttoserveyou.Ifyouwanttopromoteourwebsitepleasewriteanintroductionandpostalinkto it
onyourblogorwebsite.However,pleasedonotcopyinformationfromthewebsiteandthentellusthatyouweretryingtogiveuspublicity.We like
publicity, but not in this manner. Please protect Dharma by following its values, which include nonstealing. Your use of the website is subject to
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The Apastamba Sutras - Prasna I

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The Apastamba Sutras - Prasna I

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12/29/2014

Prasna I, Patala 10, Khanda

Prasna I, Patala 10, Khanda

Prasna I, Patala 11, Khanda

Prasna I, Patala 11, Khanda

Prasna I, Patala 11, Khanda

4. (There are) four castesBrhmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and

in the case of a Kshatriya before the completion of the twenty

1. For as many years as there are uninitiated persons, reckoning (one

9. When he has finished this (study of the Grihyamantras), hemaybe

19. After having studied as many (branches of) sacred learning as he

1. The oblation to the gods accompanied by the exclamation Svh,

15. He shall put on a dress, (even if it is clean,) only after having

25.Orafterthattheomentumofthevictim(sacredto Agni and Soma)

1. A drunkard, a madman, aprisoner,he wholearnsthe Veda from his

17. Eating what is left by a Sdra, the cohabitation of Aryans with

1. (The same penance must be performed), if a milchcow or a full

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