________________
42
LAWS OF MANU.
II, 65.
65. (The ceremony called) Kesânta (clipping the hair) is ordained for a Brâhmana in the sixteenth year (from conception); for a Kshatriya, in the twenty-second; and for a Vaisya, two (years) later than that.
66. This whole series (of ceremonies) must be performed for females (also), in order to sanctify the body, at the proper time and in the proper order, but without (the recitation of) sacred texts.
67. The nuptial ceremony is stated to be the Vedic sacrament for women (and to be equal to the initiation), serving the husband (equivalent to) the residence in (the house of the) teacher, and the household duties (the same) as the daily) worship of the sacred fire.
68. Thus has been described the rule for the initiation of the twice-born, which indicates a (new) birth, and sanctifies ; learn (now) to what duties they must afterwards apply themselves.
69. Having performed the (rite of) initiation, the teacher must first instruct the (pupil) in (the rules of) personal purification, of conduct, of the fire-worship, and of the twilight devotions.
65. Yâgñ. I, 36. This is the ceremony also called Godâna; Âsv. Grihya-sätra I, 18; Pâraskara II, 1, 3-7.
66-67. Âsv. Grihya-sûtra I, 16, 16; Vi. XXVII, 13-14; Yâgî. I, 13. The Vedic sacrament,' i.e. 'the sacrament performed with sacred texts' (Nand., Râgh.), or having for its object the study of Vedic texts' (Medh., Nár.). Hence women indst not be initiated. As the parallel passage of Âsv. shows, the sacraments preceding the tonsure alone are to be given to them.
68. Which indicates their (real) birth, because an uninitiated man is equal to one unborn' (Medh., Gov.).
69-73. Gaut. I, 46-56; Vi. XXX, 32 ; Yâgs. I, 15, 27.
Digitized by Google
