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140
LAWS OF MANU.
IV, 70.
70. Let him not crush earth or clods, nor tear off grass with his nails; let him not do anything that is useless or will have disagreeable results in the future.
71. A man who crushes clods, tears off grass, or bites his nails, goes soon to perdition, likewise an informer and he who neglects (the rules of) purification
72. Let him not wrangle; let him not wear a garland over (his hair). To ride on the back of cows (or of oxen) is anyhow a blamable act.
73. Let him not enter a walled village or house except by the gate, and by night let him keep at a long distance from the roots of trees.
74. Let him never play with dice, nor himself take off his shoes; let him not eat, lying on a bed, nor what has been placed in his hand or on a seat.
Râgh. 'the sun in the sign of Kanya, or Virgo,' i.e. the sun in autumn. The same explanation is mentioned by Nandapandita in his comment on the parallel passage of Vishnu. It is, however, probably wrong: see the Introduction. Let him not clip his nails or hair,' i.e. not himself, but let him employ a barber' (Medh., Gov.), or before they have grown long' (Kull.), or except at the proper time for clipping' (Nand.).
70. Ap. I, 32, 18; Gaut. IX, 51; Vi. LXXI, 42-43.
72. Ap. I, 32, 5; Gaut. IX, 32 ; Baudh. II, 69. I read with all the commentators 'vigrihya' instead of the 'vigarhya' of the editions. "Let him not wear a garland over his dress),' (Medh.), or 'let him not wear a garland outside (the house),' or 'one that is not fragrant' (others, Medh.).
73. Ap. I, 31, 23; Gaut. IX, 32; Baudh. II, 6, 13; Yâgñ. I, 140.
74. Gaut. IX, 32; Vas. XII, 36; Baudh. II, 6, 6; Vi. LXVIII, 23; Vi. LXXI, 45; Yagñ. I, 138. Nor what has been placed in his hand,' i.e. in his left hand or in a vessel held in that hand' (Når.). This is no doubt the best explanation, as Hindus always eat with the fingers of the right hand, and the left hand is considered unclean for very good reasons.
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