Institutes of VIshnu 38-42

1276.

1. Causing (bodily) pain to a Brâhma n a;

2. Smelling at things which ought not to be smelt (such as excrements), or at spirituous liquor;

3. Dishonest dealing;

4. Sexual connection with cattle;

5. And (sexual connection) with a man (or unnatural intercourse with a woman):

6. Such are the crimes effecting loss of caste.

7. He who has knowingly committed one of the acts effecting loss of caste shall perform the Sântapana penance; he who has done so unawares shall perform the Prâ g âpatya penance.

 

INSTITUTES OF VISHNU 39

1283.

1. Killing domestic or wild animals are crimes degrading to a mixed caste.

2. He who has committed a crime degrading to a mixed caste shall eat barley-gruel for a month (if he has committed it knowingly), or perform the penance K rikkh râtik rikkh ra (if he has committed it unawares).

 

INSTITUTES OF VISHNU 40

1286.

1. Receiving anything from a (Mle kkh a or other) despicable person (even though not as a present, but in the form of interest, etc.), trafficking (even with articles that are not forbidden to sell), subsisting by money-lending (even without exceeding the legitimate rate of interest), telling lies (even though not in giving evidence), and serving a Sûdra (even though without doing servile acts for him) are crimes rendering unworthy to receive alms.

2. He who has committed a crime rendering unworthy to receive alms, is purified by the penance Taptak rikkh ra (in case he committed it knowingly), or by the penance Sîtak rikkh ra (in case he did it unawares), or by the penance Mahâsântapana (in case it was committed) repeatedly.

 

INSTITUTES OF VISHNU 41

1293.

1. Killing birds, amphibious animals, and aquatic animals (such as fish);

2. And worms or insects;

3. Eating (nutmegs or other) plants similar to intoxicating drinks (in their effect upon the system):

4. Such are the crimes causing defilement.

5. The penance ordained for crimes causing defilement is the Taptak rikkh ra penance (if they were committed unintentionally), or they shall be atoned for by the K rikkh râtik rikkh ra penance (if they were committed intentionally).

 

INSTITUTES OF VISHNU 42

1299.

1. Miscellaneous crimes are those which have not been mentioned before.

2. Having committed one out of the number of miscellaneous crimes, a prudent man should always perform a penance, by the advice of a Brâhma n a, after the higher or less degree of his guilt has been ascertained.

 

 

The Insitutes of Vishnu CHAPTER FORTY NINE

Divisions 1301-1335