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XI, 59.
RETRIBUTION FOR OFFENCES.
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whose sins have not been expiated, are born (again) with disgraceful marks.
55. Killing a Brâhmana, drinking (the spirituous liquor called) Surâ, stealing (the gold of a Brâhmana), adultery with a Guru's wife, and associating with such (offenders), they declare (to be) mortal sins (mahâpataka).
56. Falsely attributing to oneself high birth, giving information to the king (regarding a crime), and falsely accusing one's teacher, (are offences) equal to slaying a Brâhmana.
57. Forgetting the Veda, reviling the Vedas, giving false evidence, slaying a friend, eating forbidden food, or (swallowing substances) unfit for food, are six (offences) equal to drinking Surâ.
58. Stealing a deposit, or men, a horse, and silver, land, diamonds and (other) gems, is declared to be equal to stealing the gold (of a Brâhmana).
59. Carnal intercourse with sisters by the same mother, with (unmarried) maidens, with females of
65-7I. Âp. I, AI, T-I9; Gaut. XXI, 1-12 ; Vas. I, 19-23; Baudh. II, 2, 1-8; 12-13; 15-16; Vi. XXXIV, 1; XXXVXXXVIII, 6; XXXIX-XLII; Yâgñ. III, 227-242.
55. See above, IX, 235.
56. Guros kâlîkanirbandha), 'falsely accusing one's teacher' (Medh., Gov., Kull.), may also mean according to Medh.'wrongfully going to law with the teacher. Når. and Nand. explain it by 'persevering in doing what is disagreeable to the teacher.'
57. Garhitânadya, forbidden food and substances) unfit for food' (Gov., Kull., Râgh.), means according to Medh. 'forbidden food and such which one has resolved not to eat;' according to Nar. and Nand. 'food blemished by the contact with impure men or things, and such as is by its nature unfit for eating, e. g. garlic.'
59. The commentators point out that, though the crimes enumerated in verses 56-59 are stated to be equal to mortal sins, the penances are not always the same, but frequently less heavy.
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