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476
LAWS OF MANU.
XI, 224.
the penitent) himself, and he must abstain from injuring (sentient creatures), speak the truth, and keep himself free from anger and from dishonesty.
224. Let him bathe three times each day and thrice each night, dressed in his clothes; let him on no account talk to women, Sudras, and outcasts.
225. Let him pass the time standing (during the day) and sitting (during the night), or if he is unable (to do that) let him lie on the (bare) ground; let him be chaste and observe the vows (of a student) and worship his Gurus, the gods, and Brâhmanas.
226. Let him constantly mutter the Savitri and (other) purificatory texts according to his ability ; (let him) carefully (act thus) on (the occasion of) all (other) vows (performed) by way of penance.
227. By these expiations twice-born men must be purified whose sins are known, but let him purify those whose sins are not known by the recitation of) sacred texts and by (the performance of) burnt oblations.
224. Medh. remarks that the penitent may however talk to the female members of his household, if an occasion requires it.
225. Vratî syât, 'observe the vows (of a student),' i. e. 'wear the girdle of Muñga-grass, a staff and so forth' (Gov., Kull. När.), means according to Medh. let him resolve to abstain from that which is not forbidden by good men.' .
226. Purificatory texts,' i. e. 'the Aghamarshana, the Pavamânîs and so forth;' see Vi. LVI. '(Other) vows,' i. e. 'the Krikkhras.'
227. Vas. XXV, 3. Penances are usually imposed by a parishad, an assembly of learned Brahmanas. In the case of secret sins the penances shall be settled by the learned in a general way, not with reference to a special case. By this interpretation the commentators get over the difficulty which the reading sodhayet, let him purify,' offers. But Nâr, reads anâvishkrita pâpâs tu mantrair homais ka sodhanaih, but those whose sins are not known, by sacred texts and burnt oblations, (declared to be) means of purification.'
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