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The Sacred Laws of the Âryas: Vasishtha - 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) Srâmanaka (Sûtra), 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
1. Vishnu XCIV, 8-9; Gautama III, 34. Krishnapandita takes kîra, 'bark,' to mean '(made of) grass,' e.g. of Muñga or Balvaga.
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. Vishnu XCV, 5.
5. Vishnu XCV, 7.
6. Manu VI, 8.
7. Gautama III, 30.
8. Vishnu XCV, 10.
9. 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.
10. Manu VI, 25.
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