________________
34
LAWS OF MANU.
II, 27.
27. By burnt oblations during the mother's) pregnancy, by the Gatakarman (the ceremony after birth), the Kauda (tonsure), and the Mauñgibandhana (the tying of the sacred girdle of Muñga grass) is the taint, derived from both parents, removed from twice-born men.
28. By the study of the Veda, by vows, by burnt oblations, by (the recitation of) sacred texts, by the (acquisition of the) threefold sacred science, by offering (to the gods, Rishis, and manes), by (the procreation of) sons, by the great sacrifices, and by (Srauta) rites this (human) body is made fit for (union with) Brahman.
29. Before the navel-string is cut, the Gâtakarman (birth-rite) must be performed for a male (child); and while sacred formulas are being recited, he must be fed with gold, honey, and butter.
27. 'The burnt oblations during the mother's pregnancy' are the Pumsavana, Sîmantonnayana, and so forth; see Âsv. Grihya-stra I, 13-14.
28. By vows,' i.e. the vows undertaken by the student when he learns particular portions of the Vedas, such as the Savitrîvrata' (Medh., Gov., Nâr.); 'voluntary restraints, such as the abstention from honey, meat, &c.'(Kull., Râgh.); vows such as the Prâgâpatya penance' (Nand.). "By burnt oblations,' i.e. the daily offerings of fuel' (II, 108). Traividyena, 'by the acquisition of the threefold sacred science,' i.e. by learning the meaning of the three Vedas' (Medh., Nand.); by undertaking the vow to:study the three Vedas during thirty-six years' (III, 1; Gov., Kull., Nár., Râgh.). Igyaya,
by offering to the gods, Rishis, and manes,' i.e. by performing the so-called Tarpana (Medh., Gov., Kull., Rågh.), or 'by offering the Pâkayagñas '(Nár., Nand.). Medh. takes brâhmî,' fit for union with Brahman,' to mean 'connected with Brahman,' but gives our version, which all the other commentators adopt, as the opinion of others.'
29. Asv. Grihya-sútra I, 15, 1; Manava Grihya-sútra I, 17, 1; Pâraskara Grıhya-sūtra 1,16, 4. Though the text clearly says that the child is to be fed with gold, honey, and butter, it appears from the Grihya-stras, as also some of the commentators point out,
Digitized by Google
