31. Let (the first part of) a Brahmana's
name (denote something) auspicious, a Kshatriya's be
connected with power, and a Vaisya's with wealth, but
a Sudra's (express something) contemptible.
32. (The
second part of) a Brahmana's (name) shall be (a word)
implying happiness, of a Kshatriya's (a word) implying
protection, of a Vaisya's (a term) expressive of thriving, and of a Sudra's (an expression) denoting service.
33. The names of women should be easy to pronounce, not imply anything dreadful, possess a plain meaning,
be pleasing and auspicious, end in long vowels, and contain a word of benediction.
34. In the fourth month
the Nishkramana (the first leaving of the house) of the
child should be performed, in the sixth month the Annaprasana (first feeding with rice), and optionally (any
other) auspicious ceremony required by (the custom of)
the family.
35. According to the teaching of the revealed
texts, the Kudakarman (tonsure) must be performed, for
the sake of spiritual merit, by all twice-born men in the first or third year.
36. In the eighth year after conception, one should perform the initiation (upanayana) of
a Brahmana, in the eleventh after conception (that) of
a Kshatriya, but in the twelfth that of a Vaisya.
37.
(The initiation) of a Brahmana who desires proficiency
in sacred learning should take place in the fifth (year
after conception), (that) of a Kshatriya who wishes to
become powerful in the sixth, (and that) of a Vaisya who
longs for (success in his) business in the eighth.
38. The
(time for the) Savitri (initiation) of a Brahmana does
not pass until the completion of the sixteenth year (after conception), of a Kshatriya until the completion of
the twenty-second, and of a Vaisya until the completion
of the twenty-fourth.
39. After those (periods men of)
these three (castes) who have not received the sacrament
at the proper time, become Vratyas (outcasts), excluded
from the Savitri (initiation) and despised by the Aryans.
40. With such men, if they have not been purified ac
cording to the rule, let no Brahmana ever, even in times
of distress, form a connexion either through the Veda or
by marriage.
|