________________
V, 2.
LAWFUL AND FORBIDDEN FOOD.
169
257. When he has paid, according to the law, his debts to the great sages, to the manes, and to the gods, let him make over everything to his son and dwell (in his house), not caring for any worldly concerns.
258. Alone let him constantly meditate in solitude on that which is salutary for his soul; for he who meditates in solitude attains supreme bliss.
259. Thus have been declared the means by which a Brâhmana householder must always subsist, and the summary of the ordinances for a Snâtaka, which cause an increase of holiness and are praise
worthy.
260. A Brâhmana who, being learned in the lore of the Vedas, conducts himself in this manner and daily destroys his sins, will be exalted in Brahman's world.
CHAPTER V. 1. The sages, having heard the duties of a Snataka thus declared, spoke to great-souled Bhrigu, who sprang from fire:
2. “How can Death have power over Brâhmanas
257. Regarding the three debts, see Vas. XI, 48. This verse and the next describe, as Medh. points out, a kind of informal sam
nyâsa.
260. Vas. VIII, 17; Baudh. II, 3, 1; Gaut. IX, 74.
V. 1. Medh., Gov., and Ragh. state correctly that Bhrigu, though above, I, 35, he is said to have been created by Manu, and has therefore been named Mânava below, V, 3, is here called the offspring of Fire, in accordance with other passages of the Veda and of the Mahabharata.
2. I.e. how can they be deprived of the length of life, one hundred years, allotted to men in the Veda ?' (Gov., Kull.)
Digitized by Google
