Manava Dharmashastra 6.39

6.39

gārhasthyanindayā caturthāśramapraśaṃsā | yajñe hi paśavo hanyante | ‘‘prarohadharmakāścetanā’’ iti darśane tṛṇauṣadhīnāṃ cheda ityetadbhūtabhayam | tadgṛhātpravrajitasya samāropitāgnernāstītyuktam | abhayaṃ sarvabhūtebhyo dattveti | anenāśuṣkāṇāṃ tṛṇapalāśānāmanupādānamāha |
tejomayā nityaprakāśāḥ | udayāstamayau yatrādityasya na vibhāvyete | yathoktaṃ ‘‘ata ūrdhvamādityo naivodeti na vā'stameti’’ ityupaniṣadvityevamācurvacāṃsi |

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):
This verse eulogises the fourth life-stage at the expense of the Householding stage.

At sacrifices animals are killed; the cutting of herbs and grasses also constitutes ‘killing’, according to the theory that ‘all that grows is animate’. It is this that constitutes the ‘fear’ of living beings. So that when one has gone away from home, and has disposed of the Fires, there is no such fear from him. This is what is meant by the words—‘having granted freedom from fear to all beings.’ This also indicates that the Renunciate shall not pick up for his use any inch leaves or twigs as have not quite dried up.

‘Of light’—ever effulgent; where the rising and s etting of the sun are not perceived; this is what is described by the words of the Upaniṣads—‘Beyond this the sun does not rise or set’—(39).