Verse 4.117

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

प्राणि वा यदि वाऽप्राणि यत् किं चित्श्राद्धिकं भवेत् ।
तदालभ्याप्यनध्यायः पाण्यास्यो हि द्विजः स्मृतः ?? ॥ ११७ ॥

prāṇi vā yadi vā'prāṇi yat kiṃ citśrāddhikaṃ bhavet |
tadālabhyāpyanadhyāyaḥ pāṇyāsyo hi dvijaḥ smṛtaḥ ?? || 117 ||

Any śrāddha-gift, be it animate or inanimate, if the Brāhmaṇa accepts, it becomes an occasion unfit for study; because the Brāhmaṇa has been declared as having the hand for his mouth.—(117)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The rice and other things that are given in connection with Śrāddhas are generally known as ‘śrāddhika,’ ‘śrāddha-gift;’ and it is with a view to show that, in the present context it is not this alone that is meant, that the present verse is added; the sense being—it is not only the acceptance of Vrīhi, Rice and other grains that makes the occasion unfit for study; but other things, also—be they ‘animate’—in the shape of the cow and other animals—‘or inaminate’ in the shape of pairs of cloth, etc,.—having accepted such a thing,—i.e., after having touched it with his hand, at the time of acceptance—the man shall not study. Because the act itself constitutes the act of ‘eating.’ ‘Pāṇyāsya’ is one whose hand is his mouth. What this means is the eating at a śrāddha and accepting gifts in connection with it—both stand on the same footing.—(117)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Hemādri (Kāla, p. 757);—and in Gadādharapaddhati (Kāla, p. 195).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Gautama (16.48-49).—‘For those partaking in the Śrāddha till the same time next day; also when there is some connection with Śrāddha performed with uncooked food.’

Vaśiṣṭha (13.7).—‘Fruits, water, sesamum, foods and other things connected with the Śrāddha,—on the acceptance of all this, it becomes unfit for study, the Brāhmaṇas having been declared to have their hands for their mouth.’

Baudhāyana (1.11.26-30).—‘By accepting gifts and eating at the Śrāddha, the rest of the day becomes unfit for study;—after eating, till digestion; the Brāhmaṇa has his hands for his mouth. In this connection they cite the following:—There is no difference between what is eaten and what is received in gift.’