Manava Dharmashastra 3.169

3.169

prasaṅgācchūdrayājakasyāpratigrāhyatā'nena kathyate | vedavidapi yadi tasya śūdrayājakasya sambandhino dravyasya pratigrahaṃ karoti | lobhādityanuvādaḥ | so'pi vināśaṃ vrajati | abhilaṣitenārthena viyujyate dhanaputrapaśuśarīrādinā | kiṃ punaravedavit | vedavidaḥ kila pratigrahe nātīva doṣa iti vakṣyati | āmapātramapakvaṃ śarāvādibhājanam | ambhasi jale kṣiptam |

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):
In connection with the present subject, the author points out the impropriety of receiving gifts from one who officiates at sacrifices performed by Śūdras.

‘Though learned in the Veda;’—if he accepts the gift of something belonging to one who officiates at sacrifices performed by Śūdras,

‘Through covetousness’—is a mere reiterative reference.

He also perishes quickly—i.e., he is deprived of what he desires,—in the shape of wealth, children, cattle, body, and the like.

When such is the fate of one learned in the Veda—what is to be said of one who is ignorant of the Veda?

The author will point out later on that there is not much harm in the learned man’s receiving gifts.

‘Āma’—unbaked—‘pātra’—vessels, such as saucer, and the like.

‘In water’—i.e., when thrown into water.—(179)