________________
32
LAWS OF MANU.
II, 15.
flicting, both are held to be law; for both are pronounced by the wise (to be) valid law.
15. (Thus) the (Agnihotra) sacrifice may be (optionally) performed, at any time after the sun has risen, before he has risen, or when neither sun nor stars are visible; that is declared) by Vedic texts.
16. Know that he for whom (the performance of) the ceremonies beginning with the rite of impregnation (Garbhadhâna) and ending with the funeral rite (Antyeshti) is prescribed, while sacred formulas are being recited, is entitled (to study) these Institutes, but no other man whatsoever.
17. That land, created by the gods, which lies between the two divine rivers Sarasvati and Drishadvati, the (sages) call Brahmavarta.
18. The custom handed down in regular succession (since time immemorial) among the (four chief) castes (varna) and the mixed (races) of that country, is called the conduct of virtuous men.
19. The plain of the Kurus, the country of the) Matsyas, Pañkalas, and Sūrasenakas, these (form), indeed, the country of the Brahmarshis (Brahmanical sages, which ranks) immediately after Brahmâvarta.
15. The Agnihotra, here referred to, consists of two sets of oblations, one of which is offered in the morning and the other in the evening. The expression samayâdhvushite, rendered in accordance with Kull.'s gloss,' when neither sun nor stars are visible,' is explained by Medh. as 'the time of dawn' (ushasa) kâlah), or as the time when the night disappears,' with which latter interpretation Gov. agrees.
16. The persons meant are the males of the three Aryan varnas. The sacraments may be performed for women and Sadras also, but without the recitation of mantras (II, 66; X, 127).
19. This tract comprises the Doab from the neighbourhood of Delhi as far as Mathura, the capital of the ancient Sûrasenakas.
Digitized by Google
