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SÚTRAKRITÂNGA. abstain from slaughter of living beings. This is the Law proclaimed by the Sage. (14)
As a bird covered with dust removes the grey powder by shaking itself, so a worthy and austere Brâhmana?, who does penance, annihilates his Karman. (15)
Young and old people claim a houseless Sramana as their own, though he begs according to the Law, observes the rules of conduct, and performs austerities. People will even cry themselves hoarse, but they will not captivate him. (16)
Whatever they will do to move his pity, however they will cry about their son, they will not captivate a worthy and virtuous monk or make him return to domestic life. (17)
Though they tempt him with pleasures, and though they should bind him and carry him home, if he does not care for a (worldly) life, they will not captivate him or make him return to domestic life. (18)
His father and mother, his children and wife who claim him, will admonish him : 'See, you are our supporter; care not for the next world in order to support us.' (19)
Some people are (foolishly) attached to others, and are thereby deluded; the unrighteous make them adopt unrighteousness, and they exult in their wickedness. (20)
Therefore a worthy and wise man should be
1 Mâhana = brâhmana. The commentator derives the word from mâ and root han! The word is a synonym of muni, with which it frequently occurs in the same verse and has then been left out in the translation.
