Vasistha Dharmasutra
by Georg Bühler | 1882 | 44,713 words
The Dharmasutra of Vasistha forms an independent treatise and has no relationship with the Kalpasutra. The chapters of this text are divided in a way that resemble the practice of later Smritis. This Dharmasutra has a unique characteristic, it cites the opinions of Manu at many places. This led scholars like Bühler among others to form a hypothesis...
Chapter IX
1. A hermit shall wear (his hair in) braids, and dress (in garments made of) bark and skins;[1]
2. And he shall not enter a village.[2]
3. He shall not step on ploughed (land).[3]
4. He shall gather wild growing roots and fruit (only).[4]
5. He shall remain chaste.[5]
6. His heart shall be full of meekness.[6]
7. He shall honour guests coming to his hermitage with alms (consisting of) roots and fruit.[7]
8. He shall only give, not receive (presents).
9. He shall bathe at morn, noon, and eve.[8]
10. Kindling a fire according to the (rule of the) Śrāmaṇaka (Sūtra), he shall offer the Agnihotra.[9]
11. After (living in this manner during) six months,[10] he shall dwell at the root of a tree, keeping no fire and having no house.
12. He (who in this manner) gives (their due) to gods, manes, and men, will attain endless (bliss in) heaven.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
IX. Viṣṇu XCIV, 8-9; Gautama III, 34. Kṛṣṇapaṇḍita takes cīra, 'bark,' to mean '(made of) grass,' e.g. of Muñja or Balvaja.
[2]:
Gautama III, 33. The particle 'and' probably indicates that the hermit is not to enter any other inhabited place.
[3]:
Gautama III, 32.
[4]:
Viṣṇu XCV, 5.
[5]:
Viṣṇu XCV, 7.
[6]:
Manu VI, 8.
[7]:
Gautama III, 30.
[8]:
Viṣṇu XCV, 10.
[9]:
Gautama III, 27. Kṛṣṇapaṇḍita and MSS. B. F. read śrāvaṇakena, and the rest āvarṇakena. I read śrāmaṇakena, 'according to the rule of the Śrāmaṇaka Sūtra,' in accordance with Gautama's text. Baudhāyana, too, uses the same word.
[10]:
Manu VI, 25.