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virtuous, those who seek beatitude from a perfect acquaintance with scriptural doctrine.

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98. The very birth of Bráhmens is a constant incar'nation of DHERMA, God of Justice; for the Bráhmen is born to promote justice, and to procure ultimate happiness.

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99. When a Bráhmen springs to light, he is born above the world, the chief of all creatures, assigned to guard the treasury of duties, religious and civil.

100. Whatever exists in the universe, is all in ' effect, though not in form, the wealth of the Bráh6 men; since the Brahmen is entitled to it all by his primogeniture and eminence of birth:

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101. The Bráhmen eats but his own food; wears but his own apparel: and bestows but his own in alms through the benevolence of the Bráhmen, indeed, other mortals enjoy life.

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102. To declare the sacerdotal duties, and those of the other classes in due order, the sage MENU, 6 sprung from the self-existing, promulged this code

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of laws :

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103. A code which must be studied with extreme

care by every learned Bráhmen, and fully explained

'to his disciples, but must be taught by no other

man of an inferior class.

104. The Bráhmen who studies this book, having

'performed

'performed sacred rites, is perpetually free from of- CHAP. fence in thought, in word, and in deed;

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105. He confers purity on his living family, on 'his ancestors, and on his descendants, as far as the • seventh person; and He alone deserves to possess this whole earth.

106. This most excellent code produces every thing auspicious; this code increases understanding; this code procures fame and long life; this code leads. to supreme bliss.

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107. In this book appears the system of law in
its full extent, with the
with the good and bad properties
of human actions, and the immemorial customs of
the four classes.

108. Immemorial custom is transcendent law, approved in the sacred scripture, and in the codes of divine legislators: let every man, therefore, of the three principal classes, who has a due reverence for the supreme spirit which dwells in him, diligently ' and constantly observe immemorial custom :

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109. A man of the priestly, military, or commercial class, who deviates from immemorial usage, tastes not the fruit of the Veda; but, by an exact 'observance of it, he gathers that fruit in perfection. 110. Thus have holy sages, well knowing that law is grounded on immemorial custom, embraced, as the root of all piety, good usages long established.

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I.

I.

CHAP. 111. THE creation of this universe, the forms of 'institution and education, with the observances and 'behaviour of a student in theology; the best rules ' for the ceremony on his return from the mansion of his preceptor;

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112.

The law of marriage in general, and of nuptials in different forms; the regulations for the great sacraments, and the manner, primevally settled, of performing obsequies;

113.

The modes of gaining subsistence, and the 'rules to be observed by the master of a family; the 'allowance and prohibition of diet, with the purifica'tion of men and utensils;

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114. ' Laws concerning women, the devotion of hermits, and of anchorets wholly intent on final beatitude, the whole duty of a king, and the judicial ' decision of controversies,

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115. With the law of evidence and examination; laws concerning husband and wife, canons of inheritance; the prohibition of gaming, and the punishments of criminals;

116. Rules ordained for the mercantile and servile classes, with the origin of those that are mixed; the 'duties and rights of all the classes in time of distress for subsistence; and the penances for expiating sins;

117. The several transmigrations in this universe, caused by offences of three kinds, with the ultimate

• bliss

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bliss attending good actions, on the full trial of vice CHAP. and virtue ;

118. All these titles of law, promulgated by MENU, and occasionally the customs of different countries, 'different tribes, and different families, with rules con

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cerning hereticks and companies of traders, are discussed in this code.

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119. Even as MENU, at my request, formerly re'vealed this divine Sástra, hear it now from me without any diminution or addition.

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CHAP. II.

On Education; or on the Sacerdotal Class, and the First

Order.

CHAP.

1.

II.

KNow that system of duties, which is revered by such as are learned in the Vedas, and impressed, 'as the means of attaining beatitude, on the hearts 'of the just, who are ever exempt from hatred and inordinate affection.

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2. Self-love is no laudable motive, yet an exemp'tion from self-love is not to be found in this world:

on self-love is grounded the study of scripture, and 'the practice of actions recommended in it.

3. " Eager desire to act has its root in expectation ' of some advantage; and with such expectation are 'sacrifices performed; the rules of religious austerity and abstinence from sins are all known to arise 'from hope of remuneration.

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4. Not a single act here below appears ever to be done by a man free from self-love; whatever he performs, it is wrought from his desire of a re'ward.

5. He, indeed, who should persist in discharging 'these duties without any view to their fruit, would ' attain hereafter the state of the immortals, and even

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