The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c19.s3.88

c19.s3.88

89\. Of the vānaprastha it is said that he should always give but not receive (*dātā nityam anādātā*), (*Manu* 6. 8). The sannyāsin, on the other hand, receives gifts but does not give (*Kaṭhaśruti Upaniṣad* 3). The pivotal point seems to be that relations of reciprocity involving gift exchanges are barred. *Manu* 1. 88 (cf. 10. 75) describes the activities of the (ideal) brahmin as teaching and learning, sacrificing and officiating, giving and receiving. At first sight, this would seem to go straight against the renunciatory ideology. In the first place, if this statement refers to reciprocal relations (which seems doubtful), it is clear that such relations would only be possible for the brahmin within the brahmin community. However, from the following verses dealing with the activities of kṣatriyas and vaiśyas another interpretation seems to emerge. Out of the six activities allowed to the brahmin only three are allowed to the kṣatriya and vaiśya: learning, sacrificing, and giving. That is, only the brahmin is complete and independent in that he alone encompasses both sides of the relationships involved.