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The Forty-First Chapter
Then Manu said to the twice-born, "The forty-eight *Deekshaanvaya Kriyaas* (actions related to initiation) that I will describe are conducive to liberation. Listen, O twice-born, I will speak of the actions that lead to liberation, which are appropriate from the time of *Aavataar* (descent) to *Nirvana* (liberation).
The practice of *Vratas* (vows) is initiation, and these *Vratas* are of two types, *Mahavrat* (great vow) and *Anuvrat* (minor vow), based on the complete or partial renunciation of faults.
*Mahavrat* is the complete renunciation of all faults like violence, etc., while *Anuvrat* is the renunciation of gross faults like violence, etc.
The attitude of a person who is inclined towards these *Vratas* is called *Deeksha* (initiation), and the actions related to this *Deeksha* are called *Deekshaanvaya Kriyaas*.
The forty-eight types of *Deekshaanvaya Kriyaas* have been previously defined. Now, I will describe their characteristics.
The first *Deekshaanvaya Kriya* is called *Aavataar*. This action is performed when a *Bhavya* (soul destined for liberation) who is tainted by *Mithyatva* (false belief) is inclined to embrace the right path.
Such a *Bhavya*, being intelligent, approaches a *Yogiindra* (great yogi) of virtuous conduct and great intellect, or a householder teacher, and asks:
"O great wise ones, please tell me the faultless Dharma (righteousness), because the opinions of others seem to me to be mostly corrupt.
Even the Vedic pronouncements that are considered authoritative in the performance of religious actions cannot withstand scrutiny, for they appear to be meaningless upon reflection. In fact, these pronouncements are fabricated by wicked men."