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LAWS OF MANU.
XI, 128.
killing a Vaisya; know that it is one-sixteenth for killing a virtuous Sudra.
128. But if a Brâhmana unintentionally kills a Kshatriya, he shall give, in order to purify himself, one thousand cows and a bull;
129. Or he may perform the penance prescribed for the murderer of a Brâhmana during three years, controlling himself, wearing his hair in braids, staying far away from the village, and dwelling at the root of a tree.
130. A Brâhmana who has slain a virtuous Vaisya, shall perform the same penance during one year, or he may give one hundred cows and one (bull).
(verse 66), according to which the murder of a Sadra, a Vaisya, and a Kshatriya is an Upapåtaka, to be expiated by a three months' Govrata or a lunar penance, refers to the cases of persons who do not live in accordance with the sacred law.
128. I read with Medh., Gov., Kull. (commentary), Nand., K., suddhyartham âtmanah, instead of sukaritavratah (editions), which latter reading is evidently wrong.
129. According to Medh. and Râgh., this verse is merely a repetition of the rule given in verse 127. But others, mentioned by him, Gov., Kull., and Nâr., think that the special observances prescribed during the twelve years' penance, e. g. carrying a skull instead of a flag, which this verse does not expressly mention, need not be kept. Nand. reads dvyabdam, 'two years,' instead of tryabdam.
130. I read with Gov., Kull., Nâr., Râgh., Nand., and K. dadyâd vaikasatam, instead of dadyâkkaikasatam (Medh., editions, and probably mentioned by Nâr.). According to Gov. and Kull. the two penances are to be performed optionally, in case a virtuous Vaisya has been killed unintentionally. Râgh. seems to hold the same opinion. But Medh. says that the first penance is to be performed for the murder of a Vaisya who was less distinguished than the one referred to in verse 127. Nár, finally thinks that the verse refers to a Vaisya engaged in the performance of a sacrifice, and that the
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