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:

यथा खनन् खनित्रेण नरो वार्यधिगच्छति ।
तथा गुरुगतां विद्यां शुश्रूषुरधिगच्छति ॥ २१८ ॥

yathā khanan khanitreṇa naro vāryadhigacchati |
tathā gurugatāṃ vidyāṃ śuśrūṣuradhigacchati || 218 ||

Just as a man digging with the spade obtains water,—even so one who is eager to serve acquires the learning that is in the Teacher.—(218)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

This describes the reward in connection with the entire body of injunctions bearing upon service; and it is commendatory of learning the Veda by means of serving the Teacher.

Just as a certain man digging the earth by a spade, or some such implement, obtains water,—and he does not obtain it without trouble; similarly the pupil who is eager to serve—and attends upon him—acquires the learning that is in the Teacher.—(218)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Saṃskāra, p. 525) as laying down the method of acquiring learning;—and in Smṛticandrikā (Saṃskāra, p. 139) as describing the results accruing from serving the Teacher.

 

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Baudhāyana (1.2.5).—‘All Vedas enter into him who learns and behaves thus; just as fire supplied with fuel shines brightly, so shines he who knowing this follows the life of the Religious Student.’

Vyāsa Smṛti (1.36, 37).—‘In this manner, living, from day to day, on alms, the Religious Student should keep his vows; speaking agreeably, avoiding.calumny,-, always accomplishing the needs of his teacher; from beginning to end of his Vedio Study, he should constantly attend upon him; studied in this manner, the Vedic Mantra carries the Brāhmaṇa forward.’

Āpastamba Dharmasūtra (1.14.5).—‘Service of the Teacher is the only means.’

Nārada (Vīramitrodaya-Saṃskāra, p. 525).—‘Knowledge is acquired by service of the Teacher, or by much wealth, or by knowledge (in exchange); there is no fourth means;—the white ants rear up a huge heap by collecting small particles of dust: it is not strength that accomplishes this but only effort; gradually and slowly is learning acquired, gradually and slowly are riches attained, gradually and slowly is the hill ascended, gradually and slowly is the rags-cover made up; and gradually is the journey accomplished.’

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