History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v1.c6.s7.6.1

v1.c6.s7.6.1

1. the authoritative sources of *dharma* are the Veda and the usages of those who know *dharma*; the four *varṇas*, their precedence; definition of *ācārya* and his greatness, time for *upanayana* according to the *varṇas* and according to one's desire; *vrātyastoma* if proper time for *upanayana* is gone; he whose father, grand-father and great-grand-father have no *upanayana* performed becomes *patita*, but he can be purified by *prāyaścitta*; the duties of *brahmacārin*, residence with teacher for 48 years, 36, 24, or 12 years; duties of teacher to *brahmacārin*, his staff, girdle and garment, rules about begging for food, bringing fuel and offering to fire, what things (like *prāṇāyāma*) are his *tapas*, rules about saluting teachers and others according to *varṇas*; giving *dakṣiṇā* to the teacher at the end of study; rules for *snātaka*; rules about holidays and about the time and place for Vedic study; rules about holidays apply to study of the Veda and not to the use of *mantras* in Vedic rites; the five great daily *yajñas* to the *bhūtas*, men, gods, pitṛs, and sages, honouring men of higher castes, old men, parents, brothers and sister and others, method of inquiring about one's health &c. according to *varṇas*; occasions of wearing yajñopavīta; times and manner of *ācamana*; rules about forbidden and permitted food and drink; the avocation of a *vaṇij* not allowed to a Brāhmaṇa except in distress; rules forbidding the sale or exchange of certain things;