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362
LAWS OF MANU.
IX, 169.
with (a libation of) water, in times of distress (to a man) as his son, must be considered as an adopted son (Datrima).
169. But he is considered a son made (Kritrima) whom (a man) makes his son, (he being) equal (by caste), acquainted with the distinctions between) right and wrong, (and) endowed with filial virtues.
170. If (a child) be born in a man's house and his father be not known, he is a son born secretly in the house (Gudhotpanna), and shall belong to him of whose wife he was born.
171. He whom (a man) receives as his son, (after he has been) deserted by his parents or by either of them, is called a son cast off (Apaviddha). II, 130. Sadrisam,' equal (by caste),' (Kull., Nár., Râgh., Nand.), means according to Medh. equal by virtues, not by caste. His mother or his father,' i.e. after mutually agreeing' (Kull.), the mother, if there is no father' (Râgh.). Medh. and Nand. read mâtâ pitä ka, his mother and his father,' but Medh. adds that va is the proper reading. Affectionately,' i. e. not out of avarice' (Medh.), or 'not out of fear and so forth' (Kull., Nand.), or not by force or fraud' (Ragh.). In times of distress,' i.e.' if the adopter has no son' (Kull., Râgh.), or if the adoptee's parents are in distress' (Når.).
169. Baudh. II, 3, 21; Yagñ. II, 131. Medh. again says, 'equal by qualities.' 'Acquainted with (the distinctions between) right and wrong,' i.e.' by performing or not performing Sraddhas and other sacred rites merit or sin will follow' (Kull.), or 'I am now the son of so and so, and if I do not serve him I shall become an outcast' (Râgh.), or not an infant' (Medh..some,' Når.). Nar. adds that some read gunadoshavikakshanah, and refer the adjective to the adopter, who is thereby warned not to take an outcast or the like.
170. Vas. XVII, 24; Baudh. II, 3, 22; Vi. XV, 13-14; Yâgñ. II, 129. According to the commentators the condition is that there is no suspicion that the wife had intercourse with a man of lower caste. Når. says that the case contemplated is, that a wife had intercourse with several men of equal caste.
171. Vas. XVII, 37; Baudh. II, 3, 23; Vi. XV, 24-25; Yaga.
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