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II, 172.
STUDENTSHIP.
of the Veda is declared (to be) in this world the highest austerity for a Brâhmana.
167. Verily, that twice-born man performs the highest austerity up to the extremities of his nails, who, though wearing a garland, daily recites the Veda in private to the utmost of his ability.
168. A twice-born man who, not having studied the Veda, applies himself to other and worldly .study), soon falls, even while living, to the condition of a Sudra and his descendants (after him).
169. According to the injunction of the revealed texts the first birth of an Aryan is from (his natural) mother, the second (happens) on the tying of the girdle of Muñga grass, and the third on the initiation to (the performance of) a (Srauta) sacrifice.
170. Among those (three) the birth which is symbolised by the investiture with the girdle of Muñga grass, is his birth for the sake of the Veda; they declare that in that (birth) the Savitri (verse) is his mother and the teacher his father.
171. They call the teacher (the pupil's) father because he gives the Veda; for nobody can perform a (sacred) rite before the investiture with the girdle of Muñga grass.
172. (He who has not been initiated) should not pronounce (any) Vedic text excepting (those required for) the performance of funeral rites, since he is on a level with a Sadra before his birth from the Veda.
167. Satapatha-brâhmana XI, 5, 7, 4. 168. Vas. III, 2; Vi. XXVIII, 36.
169-170. Vi. XXVIII, 37–38; Vas. II, 3; Yâgñ. I, 39; Aitareya-brâhmana I, 1; Max Müller, Hist. Anc. Sansk. Lit., P. 390 seq.
III-I73. Ấp. II, 15, 19; Gaut. I, Io; II, 4-6; Vas. II, 4, 6-7; Baudh. I, 3, 6; Vi. XXVIII, 40.
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