History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v1.c6.s18.14.2

v1.c6.s18.14.2

units of time from *nimeṣa* to year, the four *yugas* and their twilights; one thousand *yugas* equal a day of Brahmā; extent of *Manvantara*, *pralaya*; successive decline of *dharma* in the four *yugas*; different dharmas and goals in the four *yugas*; the special privileges and duties of the four *varṇas*; eulogy of Brāhmaṇas and of the *śāstra* of Manu; ācāra is the highest dharma; table of contents of the whole śāstra; (II) definition of *dharma*, sources of *dharma* are Veda, smṛti, ācāra of the good, one’s own satisfaction; who has *adhikāra* for this *śāstra*; limits of Brahmāvarta, Brahmarṣideśa, Madhyadeśa, Āryāvarta; why saṁskāras are necessary; such *saṁskāras* as *jātakarma*, nāmadheya, chūḍākarma, upanayana; the proper time of upanayana for the *varṇas*, the proper girdle, sacred thread, staff and skin for the Brahmacāri of the three *varṇas*; duties of the Brahmacārī and his code of conduct; (III) Brahmacarya for 36, 18, 9 years; *samāvartana*; marriage; marriageable girl; brāhmaṇa could marry a girl of any of the four *varṇas*; eight forms of marriage defined; which form suited to which caste; duties of husband and wife; eulogy of women; the five daily yajñas; praise of the status of householder; honouring guests; madhuparka; śrāddhas; who should not be invited at śrāddhas; (IV) mode of life and means of subsistence for a house-holder, the code of conduct for a *snātaka*; occasions for cessation from study;