Verse 4.31

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

वेदविद्याव्रतस्नातांश्रोत्रियान् गृहमेधिनः ।
पूजयेद् हव्यकव्येन विपरीतांश्च वर्जयेत् ॥ ३१ ॥

vedavidyāvratasnātāṃśrotriyān gṛhamedhinaḥ |
pūjayed havyakavyena viparītāṃśca varjayet || 31 ||

Those who have become Snatakas after studying the Veda, or after completing their vows, (and) householders, who are Srotriyas, one must worship by (gifts of food) sacred to gods and manes, but one must avoid those who are different.—(31)

Note: The above is an alternate translation by George Bühler.

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

 

NOTE: Pages 336 and 337 are missing from the book. Please email me if you have a copy of the text.

 

... Answer:—The term has been added for the purpose of laying stress upon the fact that those persons are meant who still keep up their study of the Veda.

‘Householders.’—This does not mean that the mendicant, the ascetic and the student are not to be honoured; all that is meant is that, since all these live upon alms, they cannot be regarded as ‘guests;’ especially as the student cannot dwell anywhere else except at his teacher’s house, and the ascetic cannot dwell away from the forests. For the Renunciate also, dwelling in villages is not possible, since it has been distinctly declared that ‘he shall go to the village only when seeking for alms’ (Gautama, 3. 14). From all this it follows that, in view of the fact that persons in the other stages of life live in places other than ‘households,’—even though it be somehow possible for them to have the character of ‘guests,’—what is said here can apply to householders only, as a rule.

‘With offerings to Gods, and to Pitṛs.’—That is, these persons are to be received and honoured at the performance of rites in honour of Gods and of Pitṛs.

‘Otherwise.’—Those who are not ‘accomplished,’ should be avoided, even though they be free from the aforesaid defects (described in 30).—(31)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Hemādri (Śrāddha, p. 182).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Laghuśātātapa (78, 83).—‘If, in the matter of feeding and gifts, one ignores a Brāhmaṇa Student who may happen to be at hand, he destroys his family up to the seventh generation. If a Vedic Scholar, accomplished in the Veda, in learning and in observances, come to one’s house, all the vegetables become delighted at the prospect of reaching the highest state.’

Bṛhad-Yama (42, 43).—‘The man who is free from jealousies, who is of good character, a Vedic Scholar cognisant of Brahman, young and endowed with learning and modesty is the proper recipient, the best of the twice-born. He who is conversant with the Vedanta, who is Jyeṣṭhasāman, free from avarice, devoted to the Veda, is the person who should be employed with special effort in the rites offered to gods and Pitṛs.’