Chapter IX

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. ⁹

10. Kindling a fire according to the (rule of the) Srâmanaka (Sûtra), he shall offer the Agnihotra. ¹⁰

11. After (living in this manner during) six months, ¹¹

p. 46

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

45:1 IX. Vishnu XCIV, 8-9; Gautama III, 34. Krishnapandita takes kîra, 'bark,' to mean '(made of) grass,' e.g. of Muñga or Balvaga.

45:2 Gautama III, 33. The particle 'and' probably indicates that the hermit is not to enter any other inhabited place.

45:3 Gautama III, 32.

45:4 Vishnu XCV, 5.

45:5 Vishnu XCV, 7.

45:6 Manu VI, 8.

45:7 Gautama III, 30.

45:9 Vishnu XCV, 10.

45:10 Gautama III, 27. Krishnapandita and MSS. B. F. read srâvanakena, and the rest âvarnakena. I read srâmanakena, 'according to the rule of the Srâmanaka Sûtra,' in accordance with Gautama's text. Baudhâyana, too, uses the same word.

45:11 Manu VI, 25.