| Manusmriti |
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| Scriptures |
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Manusmriti: The Laws of Manu |
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81.
But a Brahmana, unable to subsist by his peculiar occupations just
mentioned, may live according to the law applicable to Kshatriya;
for the latter is next to him in rank. 82.
If it be asked, 'How shall it be, if he cannot maintain himself by
either (of these occupations?' the answer is), he may adopt a Vaisya
mode of life, employing himself in agriculture and rearing cattle. 83.
But a Brahmana, or a Kshatriya, living by a Vaisya mode of
subsistence, shall carefully avoid (the pursuit of) agriculture,
(which causes) injury to many beings and depends on others. 84.
(Some) declare that agriculture is something excel-lent, (but) that
means of subsistence is blamed by the virtuous; (for) the wooden
(implement) with iron point injuries the earth and (the beings)
living in the earth. 85. But he, who, through a want of means of subsistence, gives up the strictness with respect to his duties, may sell, in order to increase his wealth, the commodities sold by Vaisya, making (however) the (following) exceptions. |
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