Verse 4.118

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

चोरैरुपद्रुते ग्रामे सम्भ्रमे चाग्निकारिते ।
आकालिकमनध्यायं विद्यात् सर्वाद्भुतेषु च ॥ ११८ ॥

corairupadrute grāme sambhrame cāgnikārite |
ākālikamanadhyāyaṃ vidyāt sarvādbhuteṣu ca || 118 ||

When the village has bees beset with thieves, when alarm has been caused by fire, it is unfit for study, till the same time next day; as also at the appearance of all portents.—(118)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

‘Beset’— attacked. One shall not study in a village where many thieves have come in for attacking.

‘Alarm.’—When alarm has been caused by fire—i.e., when lire has set in in a house, even though the house may not be entirely burnt.

‘Ākālika-anādhyāya.’—That is, from the time that the trouble appears up to the same time next day, it is unfit for study.

‘Also at the appearance of other portents’—heavenly, earthly and atmospheric; e.g., the floating of stones, stars visible during the day, and so forth.—(118)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Aparārka (p. 188) to the effect that there should be option between (a) ‘the duration of the phenomenon’ and (b) ‘the day and night’;—in Parāśaramādhava (Ācāra, p. 148);—in Vīramitrodaya (Saṃskāra, p. 531) which explains ‘adbhuteṣu’ as ‘the rain of blood and the like’;—in Puruṣārthacintāmaṇi (p. 443);—in Hemādri (Kāla, p. 762), which explains ‘adbhuteṣu’ as ‘the rain of blood’;—and in Smṛticandrikā (Saṃskāra, p, 150).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Gautama (16.34).—‘On account of a catastrophe, or fire-alarm, or completion of Veda, or vomitting or eating at a Śrāddha or at a sacrifice to men, it is unfit for study for one day and night.’

Baudhāyana (11.22).—‘By reason of fire-calamity during one day and night.’

Bharadvāja (Vīramitrodaya-Saṃskāra, p. 531).—‘When there are fire-portents, there shall be no reading in the village.’

Pāraskara (2.11.2, 5).—‘On account of eating at Śrāddha, or meteor-shower, or earthquake, or fire-calamity till the same time next day;—during running, while the accused or the outcast is looking on, and during a wonderful phenomenon, it is unfit for study during the time.’