________________
V, 97.
IMPURITY.
twice-born men, as is proper, by the western, northern, or eastern (gates).
93. The taint of impurity does not fall on kings, and those engaged in the performance of a vow, or of a Saţtra; for the (first are) seated on the throne of Indra, and the last two are) ever pure like Brahman.
94. For a king, on the throne of magnanimity, immediate purification is prescribed, and the reason for that is that he is seated (there) for the protection of (his) subjects.
95. (The same rule applies to the kinsmen) of those who have fallen in a riot or a battle, (of those who have been killed) by lightning or by the king, and (of those who perished fighting) for cows and Brâhmanas, and to those whom the king wishes (to be pure).
96. A king is an incarnation of the eight guardian deities of the world, the Moon, the Fire, the Sun, the Wind, Indra, the Lords of wealth and water (Kubera and Varuna), and Yama.
97. Because the king is pervaded by (those)
northern, and a Brâhmana by the eastern (Medh., Gov., Kull., Nand., Râgh.).
93. 'A vow,' i.e. the studentship (Nâr.), also a lunar penance and the like' (Medh., Gov., Kull.); 'a Sattra,' i.e. 'a long sacrifice such as the Gavamayana.' Brahmabhätâh, pure like Brahman' (Kull., Nár., Râgh.), means according to Medh. they have reached Brahmahood.'
95. Nand. and K. explain dimbha, 'in a riot,' to mean 'by infants.' Whom the king wishes to be pure),' i.e. his servants and ministers whom he wants for his affairs.' Nâr. inserts another class, ' (the kinsmen of those who have been killed) by Brahmanas, i.e. by incantations. But I do not understand how the word could be made to suit the verse.
96. See below, VII, 4. 97. Medh. reads lokesaprabhavâpyayau, and the second half
Digitized by
Digitized by Google
