Apastamba Dharma-sutra
by Āpastamba | 1879 | 60,011 words
The Dharmasutra of Āpastamba forms a part of the larger Kalpasūtra of Āpastamba. It contains thirty praśnas, which literally means ‘questions’ or books. The subjects of this Dharmasūtra are well organized and preserved in good condition. These praśanas consist of the Śrautasūtra followed by Mantrapāṭha which is used in domestic rites and is a colle...
Praśna II, Paṭala 4, Khaṇḍa 9
1. And on the following day (he shall search for him), feast him to his heart's content, and accompany him (on his departure).[1]
2. (If the guest) possesses a carriage, (he shall accompany him) as far as that.
3. Any other (guest he must accompany), until permission to return is given.
4. If (the guest) forgets (to give leave to depart), the (host) may return on reaching the boundary of his village.
5. To all (those who come for food) at (the end of) the Vaiśvadeva he shall give a portion, even to dogs and Caṇḍālas.
6. Some declare that he shall not give anything to unworthy people (such as Caṇḍālas).
7. A person who has been initiated shall not eat the leavings of women or of an uninitiated person.[2]
8. All gifts are to be preceded by (pouring out) water.[3]
9. (But gifts offered to priests) at sacrifices (are to be given) in the manner prescribed by the Veda.
10. The division of the food must be made in such a manner that those who receive daily portions (slaves) do not suffer by it.
11. At his pleasure, he may stint himself, his wife, or his children, but by no means a slave who does his work.
12. And he must not stint himself so much that he becomes unable to perform his duties.
13. Now they quote also (the following two verses):
'Eight mouthfuls are the meal of an ascetic, sixteen that of a hermit living in the woods, thirty-two that of a householder, and an unlimited quantity that of a student. An Agnihotrin, a draught-ox, and a student, those three can do their work only if they eat; without eating (much), they cannot do it.'[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
9. Yājñ. I, 113.
[2]:
After a long discussion on the object of this Sūtra, Haradatta comes to the conclusion that it is given 'against the improper custom to dine out of the same vessel with one's wife and uninitiated children, which prevails in some countries.'
[3]:
'Consequently a gift of food also.' The custom is to pour water, usually with the spoon called Darvī (Pallī), into the extended palm of the recipient's right hand.
[4]:
Manu VI, 28; Yājñ. III, 55.