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426
LAWS OF MANU.
X, 114.
king for them; if he is not disposed to be liberal, he must be left.
114. (The acceptance of) an untilled field is less blamable than (that of) a tilled one; (with respect to) cows, goats, sheep, gold, grain, and cooked food, (the acceptance of) each earlier-named (article is less blamable than of the following ones).
115. There are seven lawful modes of acquiring property, (viz.) inheritance, finding or friendly donation, purchase, conquest, lending at interest, the performance of work, and the acceptance of gifts from virtuous men.
according to Medh. 'pots, kettles, wooden stools, and the like; according to Gov.' all property of small value such as beds, seats;' according to Kull., Ragh., and Nand. also grain and clothes.' But Nâr. takes it in its usual sense, common metals such as brass and copper.' I translate the last clause according to the first explanation of Medh., Gov., Nâr., and Ragh., who think that all Brâhmanas should leave the realm of a king who does not support famishing Snâtakas. Nand., however, says that such a king is to be excluded from instruction and admission to sacrifices. Medh.'s second interpretation, according to which tyagah means dharma. hânih, a loss of spiritual merit,' agrees with Nand.'s view. Kull. finally takes the phrase very differently, “but he who does not wish to give anything, being known for his avarice, must be left to himself, i.e. must not be asked.' Kull. and Gov. hold that the prince' meant here is a Kshatriya king who does not follow the Sâstras, or a Sudra king (see note on IV, 33), and that the verse thus rescinds the prohibition given above, IV, 84 seq.
114. Vas. XII, 3.
115. Gaut.X, 39-42. Lâbha, finding or friendly donation' (Medb., Gov., Kull.), refers according to Nâr, and Nand. to the acquisition of treasure-trove alone, not to the acceptance of presents from friends, from a father-in-law, &c. Gaya, 'conquest,' means according to Nand.' gaining lawsuits. The same commentator takes prayoga,
lending money at interest,' in the sense of teaching,' and karmayoga, ' performance of labour,' in the sense of sacrificing for others.' All the commentators, except Nand., point out that the first three modes of acquisition are lawful for all castes, the fourth for Ksha
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