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346
LAWS OF MANU.
IX, 105.
105. (Or) the eldest alone may take the whole paternal estate, the others shall live under him just as (they lived) under their father.
106. Immediately on the birth of his first-born a man is (called) the father of a son and is freed from the debt to the manes; that (son), therefore, is worthy (to receive) the whole estate.
107. That son alone on whom he throws his debt and through whom he obtains immortality, is begotten for (the fulfilment of) the law; all the rest they consider the offspring of desire.
108. As a father (supports) his sons, so let the eldest support his younger brothers, and let them also in accordance with the law behave towards their eldest brother as sons (behave towards their father).
109. The eldest (son) makes the family prosperous or, on the contrary, brings it to ruin; the eldest (is considered) among men most worthy of honour, the eldest is not treated with disrespect by the virtuous.
110. If the eldest brother behaves as an eldest brother (ought to do), he (must be treated) like a
turning ascetic (Râgh.). The equal division takes place if the eldest does not desire to receive an additional share (Kull.). The last clause shows that a division of the property may take place with the parents' permission during their lifetime (Kull., Nâr., Ragh.).
105. Gaut. XXVIII, 3; Baudh. II, 3, 13. I.e. if the eldest son is virtuous (Kull., Râgh.), or possesses particularly eminent qualities, while the others are less distinguished (Nâr.).
106. Regarding the debt, see Vas. XI, 48.
107. This verse alludes to the Vedic text quoted, Vas. XVII, 1; Vi. XV, 45.
108. I. e. if they make no division and the eldest takes the whole estate (Kull.). Nand. places this verse after the next.
110. Behaves as an eldest brother (ought to do),' i.e..duly protects and educates the younger ones' (Medh., Kull., Nár., Râgh.).
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