History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c40.9

v3.c40.9

Manu V. 4 declared that death overtakes brāhmaṇas on account of four causes, viz. absence of Vedic study, giving up the performance of proper duties and actions, laziness and blemishes attaching to the food taken. The Gṛ. R. p. 347 quotes verses to the effect 'food is the filth of men, everything is centred in food, the evil deeds of men resort to their food. Whoever eats the food of another partakes of that man's sin.' Therefore elaborate regulations are laid down about everything relating to food. Āp. Dh. S. I. 11. 31. 1, Vas. Dh. S. XII. 18. Viṣṇu Dh. S. 68. 40, Manu II. 5 say that one should face the east when taking food and the Viṣṇu Dh. S. 68. 41 and Āp. Dh.