41.
A Brahmana who, being an Agnihotrin, voluntarily neglects the sacred
fires, shall perform a lunar penance during one month; for
that (offence) is equal to the slaughter of a son.
42.
Those who, obtaining wealth from Sudras, (and using that) offer an
Agnihotra, are priests officiating for Sudras, (and hence) censured
among those who recite the Veda.
43.
Treading with his foot on the heads of those fools who worship afire
(kindled at the expense) of a Sudra, the giver (of the wealth) shall
always pass over his miseries (in the next world).
44.
A man who omits a prescribed act, or performs a blamable act, or
cleaves to sensual enjoyments, must perform a penance.
45.
(All) sages prescribe a penance for a sin unintentionally committed;
some declare, on the evidence of the revealed texts, (that it may be
performed) even for an intentional (offence).
46.
A sin unintentionally committed is expiated by the recitation of
Vedic texts, but that which (men) in their folly commit
intentionally, by various (special) penances.
47.
A twice-born man, having become liable to perform a penance, be it
by (the decree of) fate or by (an act) committed in a former life,
must not, before the penance has been performed, have intercourse
with virtuous men.
48.
Some wicked men sfier a change of their (natural) appearance in
consequence of crimes committed in this life, and some in
consequence of those committed in a former (existence).
49.
He who steals the gold (of a Brahmana) has diseased nails; a drinker
of (the spirituous liquor called) Sura, black teeth; the slayer of a
Brahmana, consumption; the violator of a Guru's bed, a diseased
skin;
50.
An informer, a foul-smelling nose; a calumniator, a stinking breath;
a stealer of grain, deficiency in limbs; he who adulterates (grain),
redundant limbs;
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