Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c19.s2.t2.18

v2.c19.s2.t2.18

Gautama ordains the following: "On failure of the (occupations lawful for a Brāhmaṇa) he may live by the occupations of a Kshatriya."[1] This is, of course, based on the injunctions of Manu. Baudhāyana, while repeating the statements of Gautama and the earlier lawgivers, introduces a detail which is interesting. "Now they quote also (the following verse): 'Out of regard for the sacred law a Brāhmaṇa and a Vaiśya may take up arms (for the protection of) cows or Brāhmaṇas, or when a confusion of the castes (threatens to take place)'".[2]