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482
LAWS OF MANU.
XI, 259.
259. Or if, pure (in mind and in body), he thrice repeats the Samhita of the Veda in a forest, sanctified by three Parâka (penances), he is freed from all crimes causing loss of caste (pâtaka).
260. But if (a man) fasts during three days, bathing thrice a day, and muttering in the water the hymn seen by) Aghamarshana, he is (likewise) freed from all sins causing loss of caste.
261. As the horse-sacrifice, the king of sacrifices, removes all sin, even so the Aghamarshana hymn effaces all guilt.
262. A Brâhmana who retains in his memory the Rig-veda is not stained by guilt, though he may have destroyed these three worlds, though he may eat the food of anybody.
263. He who, with a concentrated mind, thrice recites the Riksamhitâ, or (that of the) Yagur-veda, or (that of the) Sâma-veda together with the secret(texts, the Upanishads), is completely freed from all sins.
264. As a clod of earth, falling into a great lake, is quickly dissolved, even so every sinful act is engulfed in the threefold Veda.
265. The Rikas, the Yagus(-formulas) which differ (from the former), the manifold Sâman(-songs), must
259. The Samhitâ,' i. e. the Mantras and Brâhmanas (Kull., Râgh.), the former alone (Nâr.). Parâka penances,' see above, verse 216. The verse seems to refer to the Anasnatpârayana, fully described by Baudh. III, 9.
260-261. Gaut. XXIV, 10-12; Vas. XXVI, 8; Baudh. III, 5; IV, 2, 15; Vi. LV, 7; Yâgñ. III, 302. The Aghamarshana is found Rig-veda X, 190. 262. Vas. XXVII, 3.
263. Baudh. IV, 5, 29. 264. I read with Gov., Nand., and K. pr. manu .kshipram'instead of kshiptam' (Mech., K. sec. manu, editions).
265. Medh. and Gov. read adyâni, chief,' instead of anyâni, which differ.' Medh. explains it as 'either those found in the
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