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X, 67.
MIXED CASTES.
417
65. (Thus) a Sadra attains the rank of a Brâhmana, and (in a similar manner) a Brâhmana sinks to the level of a Sūdra; but know that it is the same with the offspring of a Kshatriya or of a Vaisya.
66. If (a doubt) should arise, with whom the preeminence (is, whether) with him whom an Aryan by chance begot on a non-Âryan female, or (with the son) of a Brahmana woman by a non-Âryan,
67. The decision is as follows: 'He who was begotten by an Aryan on a non-Aryan female, may become (like to) an Aryan by his virtues; he whom an Aryan (mother) bore to a non-Aryan father is and remains) unlike to an Åryan.'
that the meaning of Manu's verse may be the same, and that the translation should be, "If the offspring of a Brâhmana and of a Sudra female begets children with a most excellent (male of the Brâhmana caste or female of the Parasava tribe), the inferior (tribe) attains the highest caste in the seventh generation. The chief objection to this version, which consists in the fact that sregasa,
with a most excellent,' stands in the masculine, may be met by Manu's peculiar use of the masculine instead of the feminine above in verse 32, where âyogave is used for âyogavyâm.
65. The manner in which a Brâhmana sinks to the level of a Sûdra is, according to Medh., Gov., and Kull., the following. If the son of a Brâhmana and of a Sudra female and his descendants marry Sadra wives, the seventh descendant will be a pure Sadra. Medh., Gov., and Kull. hold that the offspring of a Brahmana and of a Kshatriya female obtains the higher or lower rank in the third generation, and the offspring of a Brâhmana and of a Vaisya female in the fifth. Medh. and Gov. expressly state that they,'i.e. the older commentators, give this explanation.
66. 'A non-Aryan female,' i.e.'a Sadra female' (Medh., Gov., Kull., Râgh., Nand.), or 'the daughter of a Vrâtya and the like' (Nar.). By chance,' i.e. even on an unmarried one (Medh., Gov., Kull., Râgh., Nand.), or "unknowingly' (Nâr.). 'An Aryan female,' i. e. 'a Brahmani' (Medh., Gov., Kull., Râgh., Nâr., Nand.).
67. May become (like to) an Aryan by his virtues,' i. e. 'may become most excellent or praiseworthy by offering the Pâkayagñas [25]
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