________________
XII, 109.
DOUBTFUL POINTS OF LAW.
509
107. Thus the acts which secure supreme bliss have been exactly and fully described ; (now) the secret portion of these Institutes, proclaimed by Manu, will be taught.
108. If it be asked how it should be with respect to (points of) the law which have not been (specially) mentioned, (the answer is), 'that which Brâhmanas (who are) Sishtas propound, shall doubtlessly have legal (force).'
109. Those Brâhmanas must be considered as Sishtas who, in accordance with the sacred law, have studied the Veda together with its appendages, and are able to adduce proofs perceptible by the senses from the revealed texts.
those which, like the Bauddhas, Nirgranthas, and Lokâyatikas, deny the authority of the Vedas.
108-115. Âp. II, 29, 13-14; Gaut. XXVIII, 48–51; Vas. III, 20; Baudh. I, 1, 5-13, 16; Yâgs. I, 9-10.
109. 'In accordance with the sacred law,' i.e.'while observing the rules prescribed for a student. The expression srutipratyakshahetavah, who are able to adduce proofs perceptible by the senses from the revealed texts,' is variously interpreted. According to Medh. it means either those who possess the revealed texts, (proof through) perception and argument' (srutipratyakshe hetus ka srutipratyakshahetavah), or 'those for whom the revealed texts which are perceptible by the senses, are the reason for distinguishing between virtue and sin' (athavâ sruteh pratyakshasruteh i pratyakshasabdah sraute pratyaye pratyakshatulyatvât prayuktah Isa ka hetur dharmadharmaparigñâne kâranam yeshâm ta evam ukyante); according to Gov., 'who are the cause of the teaching of the subjects perceptible in the Veda' (vedagokarapadârthopadesakâranabhätâh); according to Kull., 'who are the causes of making the revealed texts perceptible, by reciting the revealed texts ;' and according to Nand., “those for whose knowledge and exposition of the law hearing and perception by means of the senses are the causes' (yeshâm sravanam pratyaksham ka dharmagñânavakanayor hetus te). "The appendages,'i.e. the Itihâsas and Purânas' (Medh. according to the Mahâbhârata,
Digitized by Google
