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LAWS OF MANU.
494
and Pisâkas (belong to) the highest (rank of) conditions among those produced by Darkness.
XII, 45.
45. Ghallas, Mallas, Natas, men who subsist by despicable occupations and those addicted to gambling and drinking (form) the lowest (order of) conditions caused by Activity.
46. Kings and Kshatriyas, the domestic priests of kings, and those who delight in the warfare of disputations (constitute) the middling (rank of the) states caused by Activity.
47. The Gandharvas, the Guhyakas, and the servants of the gods, likewise the Apsarases, (belong all to) the highest (rank of) conditions produced by Activity.
48. Hermits, ascetics, Brâhmanas, the crowds of the Vaimânika deities, the lunar mansions, and the Daityas (form) the first (and lowest rank of the) existences caused by Goodness.
(Gov., Kull.); but it may also, with Râgh., be referred to a class of mythological beings. Suparnas are the bird-deities, mentioned above, I, 37.
45. Għallas, Mallas, i. e. 'those mentioned above, X, 22 (Kull., Nâr.), who are fencers with sticks or wrestlers and jesters' (Medh., Kull.). Natas, i. e. 'those exhibiting themselves on the stage (rangâvatârakâh, Medh., Kull.). I read with Medh., Gov., Nâr., and Nand., purushâs ka kuvrittayah, 'men who subsist by despicable occupations,' instead of purushâh sastravrittayah, men living by the trade of arms' (Kull., editions).
46. With respect to the low estimation in which domestic priests are held, see the verse quoted Pañkatantra II, 63 (Bombay edition). Nand. reads dânayuddhapradhânâs ka, 'very liberal men, and those delighting in strife.'
47. Guhyakas, i. e. 'evil spirits who hurt children;' Yakshas, i. e. 'the guardians of treasures' (Nâr.). Both are demigods, servants of Kubera. 'The servants of the gods,' i. e. ' Vidyâdharas and so forth.'
48. Medh. mentions an opinion, held by 'others,' according to
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