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348
LAWS OF MANU.
IX, 115.
115. But among (brothers) equally skilled in their occupations, there is no additional share, (consisting of the best animal) among ten; some trifle only shall be given to the eldest as a token of respect.
116. If additional shares are thus deducted, one must allot equal shares (out of the residue to each); but if no deduction is made, the allotment of the shares among them shall be (made) in the following manner.
117. Let the eldest son take one share in excess, the (brother) born next after him one (share) and a half, the younger ones one share each; thus the law is settled.
118. But to the maiden (sisters) the brothers shall severally give (portions) out of their shares, each out of his share one-fourth part; those who refuse to give (it), will become outcasts.
. The best of ten animals,' thus Kull., Nâr., Râgh., according to Gaut. XXVIII, 12, where they read dasatah pasanâm, instead of dasatam. Medh. gives the same explanation, but applies the rule also to clothes and ornaments. He adds, that others' explain the text in accordance with Vas. XVII, 43, 'And a tithe (of the cattle and horses).' Nand. nearly agrees with Medh.'s opinion, as he says that everything shall be divided into ten shares, and the eldest shall take one in excess. All the commentators agree that this additional share belongs to an eldest brother only, if he is endowed with particularly good qualities and the rest are inferior to him.
115. Âp. II, 13, 13. “Their occupations,'i.e. reciting the Veda and so forth' (Kull., Râgh.). According to Nár., the phrase 'no additional share (consisting of the best animals) among ten' indicates that none of the other additions, mentioned in verse 114, shall be given. Nand. omits this verse.
116. Gaut. XXVIII, 8.
117. Gaut. XXVIII, 9-10; Vas. XVII, 42. One share in excess,' i. e. •two shares' (Medh., Kull., Nár., Râgh., Nand.). The latter four point out that this division is to be made when the eldest and the second brothers are more eminent than the rest.
118. Vi. XVIII, 35; Yâgñ. II, 124. According to all the com
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