Verse 4.199

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

प्रेत्येह चेदृशा विप्रा गर्ह्यन्ते ब्रह्मवादिभिः ।
छद्मना चरितं यच्च व्रतं रक्षांसि गच्छति ॥ १९९ ॥

pretyeha cedṛśā viprā garhyante brahmavādibhiḥ |
cadmanā caritaṃ yacca vrataṃ rakṣāṃsi gacchati || 199 ||

Such Brāhmaṇas are condemned after death, and also here (in this life) by the expounders of the Veda; and penance done under a false pretence goes to the evil spirits.—(199)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The nature of things is such that, even though an act may be done with a view to a certain end, yet its other results also accrue to him. For instance, when one is intent upon obeying one’s Teacher, it is with a view to the fulfilment of a religious duty, and not for obtaining pleasure; and yet, from the very nature of the thing, the act of obedience brings pleasure.

Some people bold the following opinion:—“Penances serve the purpose of removing sins; and even though performed with a view to other ends, they do not renounce their own nature. So that, in the case in question, the Expiatory Rite would serve both purposes,—I shall become known by the people as righteous, and my sin also shall be removed.”

It is with a view to setting aside such a view that the Author adds the present verse.

‘The penance done under a false pretence goes to evil spirits;’—that is, it becomes useless, and it does not remove the sin.

It is not only that his purpose is not accomplished, in fact, such Brāhmaṇas—those performing penances under false pretences—‘are condemned’—reprehended—‘by the expounders of the Veda;’ i.e., by the cultured people, who know the authority of the Veda.—(199).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

(verses 4.195-199)

See Comparative notes for Verse 4.195.