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38
VASISHTHA.
VI, 23.
23. The qualities by which a (true) Brâhmana may be recognised are, the concentration of the mind, austerities, the subjugation of the senses, liberality, truthfulness, purity, sacred learning, compassion, worldly learning, intelligence, and the belief (in the existence of the deity and of a future life).
24. One may know that bearing grudges, envy, speaking untruths, speaking evil of Brâhmanas, backbiting, and cruelty are the characteristics of a Sudra.
25. Those Brâhmanas can save (from evil) who are free from passion, and patient of austerities, whose ears have been filled with the texts of the Veda, who have subdued the organs of sensation and action, who have ceased to injure animated beings, and who close their hands when gifts are offered.
26. Some become worthy receptacles of gifts through sacred learning, and some through the practice of austerities. But that Brâhmana whose stomach does not contain the food of a Sadra, is even the worthiest receptacle of all.
27. If a Brâhmana dies with the food of a Sudra in his stomach, he will become a village pig (in his next life) or be born in the family of that (Sudra).
28. For though a (Brâhmana) whose body is nourished by the essence of a Sudra's food may
24. Krishnapandita connects brâhmanadashanam, translated above by 'speaking evil of Brâhmanas,' with sûdralakshanam, and renders the two words thus, the characteristics of a Sudra which degrade a Brâhmana.'
25. Close their hands,' i. e. are reluctant to accept.
26. Krishnapandita takes kimkit, translated by some,' to mean 'somewhat,''to a certain degree,' i. e. neither very distinguished nor very despicable.
Digitized by Google
| SR No. | 007674 |
| Book Title | Dhammapada |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Max Muller |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1881 |
| Total Pages | 2540 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 45 MB |