Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

by Ganganatha Jha | 1920 | 1,381,940 words | ISBN-10: 8120811550 | ISBN-13: 9788120811553

This is the English translation of the Manusmriti, which is a collection of Sanskrit verses dealing with ‘Dharma’, a collective name for human purpose, their duties and the law. Various topics will be dealt with, but this volume of the series includes 12 discourses (adhyaya). The commentary on this text by Medhatithi elaborately explains various t...

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

उच्छिष्टमन्नं दातव्यं जीर्णानि वसनानि च ।
पुलाकाश्चैव धान्यानां जीर्णाश्चैव परिच्छदाः ॥ १२५ ॥

ucchiṣṭamannaṃ dātavyaṃ jīrṇāni vasanāni ca |
pulākāścaiva dhānyānāṃ jīrṇāścaiva paricchadāḥ || 125 ||

Remnants of food and worn-out clothes shall be given to him; as also the grain-refuse and old furniture.—(125)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The meaning of the word ‘remnant of food’ has been already explained. The food left after the feeding of guests and others should be given to the Śūdra servant.

Similarly ‘worn-out clothes’—after they have been washed white; ‘grain refuse’—the seedless chaffs, and ‘furniture’—beds and seats.—(125)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Varṣakriyākaumudī (p. 571), which explains ‘pulākāḥ’ as ‘chaff,’—‘paricchadāḥ’ as ‘umbrellas, beddings and so forth,’—and adds that the intention appears to he that all this should be given to such Śūdras as are one’s servants.

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Gautama (10.58-59).—‘The Śūdra shall use their cast off shoes, umbrellas, garments, and sitting mats; and shall eat the remnants of their food.’

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: