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...
Verse 2.225
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:
आचार्यश्च पिता चैव माता भ्राता च पूर्वजः ।
नार्तेनाप्यवमन्तव्या ब्राह्मणेन विशेषतः ॥ २२५ ॥ācāryaśca pitā caiva mātā bhrātā ca pūrvajaḥ |
nārtenāpyavamantavyā brāhmaṇena viśeṣataḥ || 225 ||The preceptor, the father, the mother and the elder brother should not be treated with disrespect, especially by a Brāhmaṇa,—even though he be distressed—(225)
Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):
In fact no one should bo treated with disrespect; specially these. That is to say, the disrespect of these entails a heavier expiation.
‘Distressed’—injured by them.
‘Treating with disrespect’ consists in disregard; the omitting of honour due; as also insulting, which is called ‘want of respect.’
The term ‘Brāhmaṇa’ has been added only for filling up the metre.—(225)
Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha
There is a confusion in the position of the two verses 225 and 226. Burnell places 226—‘Ācāryo brahmaṇo mūrtiḥ &c.’—before 225—‘Ācāryaśca pitā chaiva &c.’
This verse is quoted in Smṛticandrikā (Saṃskāra, p. 94).
Comparative notes by various authors
(verses 225-228)
Gautama (21.15).—‘There should be no remissness in one’s behaviour towards his father and mother.’
Āpastamba Dharmasūtra (1.14.6).—‘Towards the father and the mother, one’s service shall be as towards the Ācārya.’
Viṣṇu (31.1).—‘For man there are three super-elders;—the Father, the Mother and the Ācārya;—one should ever attend upon these;—one should do what is agreeable and beneficial to these.’