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Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

by Ganganatha Jha | 1920 | 1,381,940 words | ISBN-10: 8120811550 | ISBN-13: 9788120811553

This is the English translation of the Manusmriti, which is a collection of Sanskrit verses dealing with ‘Dharma�, a collective name for human purpose, their duties and the law. Various topics will be dealt with, but this volume of the series includes 12 discourses (adhyaya). The commentary on this text by Medhatithi elaborately explains various t...

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

त्रय� धर्म� निवर्तन्ते ब्राह्मणात� क्षत्रिय� प्रत� �
अध्यापनं याजन� � तृतीयश्च प्रतिग्रहः � ७७ �

trayo dharmā nivartante brāhmaṇāt kṣatriya� prati |
adhyāpana� yājana� ca tṛtīyaśca pratigraha� || 77 ||

From the 󳾲ṇa coming to the ṣaٰⲹ, three of these functions cease;�viz., Teaching, Sacrificing for others, and third, the Receiving of gifts.�(77)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

These three functions, which are the means of livelihood, do not belong to the ṣaٰⲹ; but those that are conducive to spiritual ends�i.e., studying and the rest,—do not cease.

Inasmuch as the Veda is the subject-matter in consideration, it is the teaching of the Veda that is forbidden for the ṣaٰⲹ, and not that of the science of archery and other arts and sciences.�(77)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in ṛsṃh岹 (Āhnika, 37a).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

(verses 10.77-80)

[See texts under 9.326 et seq.]

Gautama (10.1, 7, 15, 49).—‘The occupations common to all the twice-born are—studying, offering sacrifices, and giving gifts,—to protect all beings is the additional function of the king (ṣaٰⲹ), and to learn the management of chariots and the use of the bow;—the additional occupations of the Vaiśya are agriculture, trade, cattle-tending, and money-lending.�

ܻⲹԲ (1.18.3, 4).—‘In the ṣaٰⲹ, the 󳾲ṇa placed strength, together with the duties and privileges of studying, sacrificing, giving gifts, using weapons and protecting the life and property of all beings,—for the growth of good government.—In the Vaiśyas, the 󳾲ṇa placed the power to work, with the duties of studying, sacrificing, giving gifts, cultivating the soil, trading, and cattle-tending,—for the growth of productive labour.�

Ā貹ٲ (2.10.6, 7).—‘The lawful occupations of the ṣaٰⲹ are the same as those of the 󳾲ṇa; with the exception of teaching, sacrificing for others and receiving gifts; and with the addition of governing and fighting. The lawful occupations of the Vaiśya are the same as those of the ṣaٰⲹ, with the exception of governing and fighting, and with the addition of agriculture, cattle tending and trade.�

ղśṣṭ (2.15-19).—‘The lawful occupations of the ṣaٰⲹ are three—studying, sacrificing for himself and bestowing gifts;—and his peculiar duty is to protect the people with his weapons; he may earn his livelihood by that means.—The lawful occupations of the Vaiśya are the same besides agriculture, trading, cattle-tending and money-lending.�

վṣṇ (2.6, 7, 9, 12, 13).—‘For the ṣaٰⲹ, constant practice in arms;—for the Vaiśya, the tending of cattle;—for all the twice-born, to sacrifice and to study;—the mode of livelihood for the ṣaٰⲹ is to protect the world (and receive due reward);—and for the Vaiśya, tillage, keeping cows, trade, money-lending and growing of seeds.�

ñⲹ (1.118, 119).—‘Sacrificing, studying and giving gifts are common to the ṣaٰⲹ and the Vaiśya (and the 󳾲ṇa);—the principal function of the ṣaٰⲹ is the protecting of the people; money-lending, agriculture, and trade and cattle-tending are the principal functions of the Vaiśya.�

Śܰīپ (4.3.33-34).—‘The additional special functions of the ṣaٰⲹ are the protection of the good, suppression of the wicked and realising of revenues. The additional functions of the Vaiśya are agriculture, pasture and trade.�

峾Ի岹첹 (1.20).—‘The King (ṣaٰⲹ) should live by his weapons and by protecting the people. The means of subsistence for the Vaiśya are cattle-rearing, agriculture and trade.�

ٳśٰ (p. 29).—‘The duties of the ṣaٰⲹ are studying, sacrificing, making gilts, living by arms, and protecting of living beings; of the Vaiśya—studying, sacrificing, giving gifts, agriculture, cattle-tending and trade.�

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