Satapatha Bramhana Part 02

SR No.: 007678
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Julius Eggeling
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1885
Total Pages: 2521
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 44 MB

Page 1415

324
THE LI Kİ.
in a low situation be fond of arrogating a directing power; let one who is living in the present age go back to the ways of antiquity;-on all who act thus calamity is sure to come.'
BK, XXVIII.
43. To no one but the son of Heaven does it belong to discuss the subject of ceremonial usages; to fix the measures; and to determine (the names of) the written characters.
44. Now, throughout the whole kingdom, carriages have all wheels of the same breadth of rim; all writing is with the same characters; and for conduct there are the same rules.
45. One may occupy the throne, but if he have not the proper virtue, he should not presume to make ceremonies or music. One may have the virtue, but if he have not the throne, he in the same way should not presume to make ceremonies or music.
46. The Master said, 'I might speak of the ceremonies of Hsiâ, but Kht could not sufficiently attest (my words). I have learned the ceremonies of Yin, and they are preserved in Sung. I have learned the ceremonies of Kâu, and they are now used. I follow Kâu.'
47. If he who attains to the sovereignty of all the kingdom attach the due importance to (those) three points 1, there are likely to be few errors (among the people).
48. However excellent may have been (the regulations of) those of former times, they cannot be attested. Not being attested, they cannot command credence. Not commanding credence, the people
1 What are those three points? The old interpretations said,— 'The ceremonies of the three kings;' Kû Hsf thought they were the three things in paragraph 43;-which is more likely.
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