11.7. The rules regarding Bhaksya-abhaksya

[Full title: (F) The distinctive ritualistic features; (II) Ahnika (daily rituals); (7) Bhaksyabhaksya].

7) BHAKSYABHAKSYA : IMPORTANCE OF GHEE IN BHOJANA : The ghee is the most necessary article in the food of a householder. He should not take food, without ghee at any time, because the ghee is not only purifying and agreeable, but also kaloda's

+ + 756 destructive of sins according the author (716). Plenty of ghee was also to be served to the guest. The author adds that the householder, not serving ghee to the guest, even when it is available in the house goes to Hell (635). EATING OF SEEDS PROHIBITED : be The text prescribes that seeds, should not eaten except for curing diseases, as the eating of them would destroy the production of future innumerable fruits (717). This shows that seeds can be used for curing diseases. But in ordinary circumstances, the seeds should not be destroyed by eating. Numerous other trees, giving plenty of fruits can shoot forth from seeds. CUSTOMS CONNECTED WITH THE USE OF MILK : The following two customs, connected with use of milk in the text (718) are noteworthy. (1) Any article, which is a product. of milk is not to be partaken during night-time. The Brahmanda-Purana (quoted in Grihastha Ratnakara 370) strictly prohibits the partaking of curds 21 at night, even at the time of commencing the journey during night-time. (2) The milk is the most pure & purifying article of food & hence it should not be denied, when served. Both these customs are still prevalent in some parts of Maharastra. KAUS UMBHA FORBIDDEN : Kausumbha means the product of kusumbha, known as karadai in Marathi, safflower in English, Kusmbi, Kasambi, Kabri (seed) in Gujarati, Kusumbar, Kusum in Hindi. It is prohibited by the kopana's

757 author (721). But the green leaves of it are freely used as a vegetable, even by brahmins in the Maharastra, before the ground-nut oil became popular. 1 DRINKING OF URINE ETC. FOR CURING DISEASES, NOT ALLOWED: The diseases can be cured by the use of urine etc. This remedy was known from very ancient times. Even the works like caraka eta. do contain references to such use. The present text (796-802) indicates that not only urine, but the intoxicants, human semen, ordure, milk etc. can work as a remedy for diseases, but are strictly prohibited & an expiation is prescribed for such a use by a person. The expiation, mentioned in the text for drinking human semen, ordure urine etc. is somewhat liberal than that mentioned by Manu (11.151) & Yajnavalkya (3.254) smrtis 22 • Devala maintains that the twice-born person should fast for three days, if he drinks urine, semen etc. through ignorance and should perform the tapakrechra penance, if these are drunk intentionally, while Manu & Yajnavalkya enjoin punahs amskara, even when these are drunk through ignorance. } +' DRINKING OF WINE: Many varieties of wine are mentioned in the text. The eleven kinds of intoxicants are referred to in the verse (1635). The verses 769 & 770 enumerate seven & ten varieties of wine. The 23 (22/83-84) also mentions ten kinds of intoxicants Visnu smr 24 like Devala (verse 770), while pulsatya' (quoted by Mitaksara on Yajna.3.253) refers to eleven varieties of them, excluding sura, which would be the twelfth one... " fei :

- 758 All these varieties of intoxicants are strictly prohibited for brahmanas, but the ksatriya & the vaisya are allowed to drink them (771). Even the expiation also is enjoined, only for the brahmana by Devala (1633 & 1635). The Visnu Smr. (22/83-84) also 25 contains similar rule. But Manu' (XI. 94,95) prohibits the drinking of three kinds of sura for all the three varnas viz. for brahmana, ksatriya & vaisya also.