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402
LAWS OF MANU.
2. The Brahmana must know the means of subsistence (prescribed) by law for all, instruct the others, and himself live according to (the law).
3. On account of his pre-eminence, on account of the superiority of his origin, on account of his observance of (particular) restrictive rules, and on account of his particular sanctification the Brâhmana is the lord of (all) castes (varna).
4. The Brâhmana, the Kshatriya, and the Vaisya castes (varna) are the twice-born ones, but the fourth, the Sudra, has one birth only; there is no fifth (caste).
5. In all castes (varna) those (children) only which are begotten in the direct order on wedded wives, equal (in caste and married as) virgins, are to be
occupations,' and indicates that those who follow forbidden occupations, i.e. live like SQdras, shall not study the Veda. The commentators entirely forget to mention that, according to II, 241-242, a Brahmana may learn the Veda from a non-Brâhmanical teacher, and that hence this rule is not absolute.
2. Gaut. XI, 25; Vas. I, 39-41. Medh. points out that this rule gives an exception to IV, 80, where it is said that a Brahmana shall not give spiritual advice to a Sadra.
3. See above, I, 93. "On account of his pre-eminence,' i. e. through his qualities' (Medh.), or by race' (Gov., Kull., Nar., Ragh.). Niyamasya ka dhâranât, on account of his observance of (particular) restrictive rules,' i. e. of the rules prescribed for a Snataka' (Medh., Gov., Nâr., Râgh.), means according to Kull. 'on account of his possessing a particularly great knowledge of the Veda.' 'On account of his particular sanctification,' i. e.
because special observances are required from him in sipping water and so forth, or because he must be initiated earlier than a Kshatriya' (Medh.). The other commentators give the second explanation only. The lord,' i.e. the adviser and instructor.'
4. Ap. I, 1, 3; Vas. II, 1-2; Baudh. I, 16, 1; Yâgñ. I, 10.
5. Ap. II, 13, 1; Vi. XVI, 1; Yâgñ. I, 90. 'In the direct order,' i.e.by a Brâhmana on a Brâhmanî, by a Kshatriya on a Kshatriya, and so forth' (Medh., Gov., Kull.), means according to Nár., that
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