Verse 4.44

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

नाञ्जयन्तीं स्वके नेत्रे न चाभ्यक्तामनावृताम् ।
न पश्येत् प्रसवन्तीं च तेजस्कामो द्विजोत्तमः ॥ ४४ ॥

nāñjayantīṃ svake netre na cābhyaktāmanāvṛtām |
na paśyet prasavantīṃ ca tejaskāmo dvijottamaḥ || 44 ||

The brāhmaṇa, desiring brightness, shall not look at a woman who is a pplying collyrium to her own eyes, or who has anointed herself, or who is uncovered, or is bringing forth a child.—(44)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

One who is applying collyrium to another’s eyes, looks beautiful (hence there is no harm in looking at her).

‘Uncovered’— with her clothing removed. As a rule, men long for locking at a woman only when she is veiled; while, when the woman is undressed, all her limbs become visible, and, on scrutiny, nil these may not turn out to be shapely; consequently, one should avoid looking at a naked woman.

‘Desiring brightness.’—‘Brightness’ stands for brightness of complexion, as also for energy.—(44)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Aparārka (p. 180);—in Mitākṣarā, (on 1.135);—in Madanapārijāta (p. 123);—in Vīramitrodaya (Saṃskāra, p. 578);—in Smṛtisāroddhāra, (p. 320);—and in Saṃskāramayūkha (p. 71).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

(verses 4.43-44)

See Comparative notes for Verse 4.43.