| Manusmriti |
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| Scriptures |
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Manusmriti: The Laws of Manu |
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161. Let him not,
even though in pain, (speak words) cutting (others) to
the quick; let him not injure others in thought or deed;
let him not utter speeches which make (others) afraid
of him, since that will prevent him from gaining heaven.
162. A Brahmana should always fear homage as if it were poison; and constantly desire (to suffer) scorn as (he would long for) nectar. 163. For he who is scorned (nevertheless may) sleep with an easy mind, awake with an easy mind, and with an easy mind walk here among men; but the scorner utterly perishes. 164. A twice-born man who has been sanctified by the (employment of) the means, (described above) in due order, shall gradually and cumulatively perform the various austerities prescribed for (those who) study the Veda. 165. An Aryan must study the whole Veda together with the Rahasyas, performing at the same time various kinds of austerities and the vows prescribed by the rules (of the Veda). 166. Let a Brahmana who desires to perform austerities, constantly repeat the Veda; for the study of the Veda is declared (to be) in this world the highest austerity for a Brahmana. 167. Verily, that twice-born man performs the highest austerity up to the extremities of his nails, who, though wearing a garland, daily recites the Veda in private to the utmost of his ability. 168. A twice-born man who, not having studied the Veda, applies himself to other (and worldly study), soon falls, even while living, to the condition of a Sudra and his descendants (after him). 169. According to the injunction of the revealed texts the first birth of an Aryan is from (his natural) mother, the second (hap- pens) on the tying of the girdle of Munga grass, and the third on the initiation to (the performance of) a (Srauta) sacrifice. 170. Among those (three) the birth which is symbolised by the investiture with the girdle
of Munga grass, is his birth for the sake of the Veda;
they declare that in that (birth) the Savitri (verse) is his
mother and the teacher his father. |
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