Institutes of VIshnu 82

2371.

1. At a (S râddha) offering to the Vi s vedevâs let him not enquire (into the qualities or descent of) a Brâhma n a (whom he means to invite).

2. But at a (S râddha offering) to the manes he must enquire as closely as possible (into the qualities and descent of a Brâhma n a, whom he means to invite).

3. He must not invite (to a Srâddha) such as have a limb too little, or a limb too much;

4. Nor such as follow an occupation forbidden (by the Veda or by the traditional law).

5. Nor those who act (deceitfully) like cats;

6. Nor those wearing the insignia of some particular order, without having a claim to them;

7. Nor astrologers;

8. Nor Brâhma n as who subsist upon the offerings made to an idol which they attend;

9. Nor physicians;

10. Nor sons of an unmarried woman;

11. Nor sons of the son of an unmarried woman;

12. Nor those who sacrifice for a multitude of persons;

13. Nor those who offer sacrifices for a whole village;

14. Nor those who offer sacrifices for S ûdras;

15. Nor those who offer sacrifices for those for whom it is forbidden to sacrifice (such as outcasts and others);

16. Nor those for whom the ceremony of initiation has not been performed;

17. Nor those who sacrifice for such;

18. Nor those who do work on holidays;

19. Nor malignant informers;

20. Nor those who teach (the Veda) for a fee;

21. Nor those who have been taught (the Veda) for a fee;

22. Nor those who subsist on food given to them by a S ûdra;

23. Nor those who have intercourse with an outcast;

24. Nor those who neglect their daily study of the Veda;

25. Nor those who neglect their morning and evening prayers;

26. Nor those who are in the king's service;

27. Nor 'naked' persons;

29. Nor those who quarrel with their father;

29. Nor those who have forsaken their father, mother, Guru, holy fire, or sacred study.

30. All those persons are said to defile a company, because they have been expelled from the community of Brâhma n as. Let a wise man avoid carefully, therefore, to entertain them at a S râddha.

 

The Insitutes of Vishnu CHAPTER NINETY

Divisions 2401-2425