History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.90

v6.c81.90

It appears that in the times of the Brāhmaṇas the word 'vrata' had come to have two secondary senses derived from the sense of 'religious observance or obligation'; viz 'a proper course or pattern of conduct for a person', and 'an upavāsa' i e. the sacrificer's staying at night near Gārhapatya fire or fasting. As illustrative of the first may be cited a passage that occurs towards the end of the Ait. Br viz 'this is the vrata for him (for the king who has performed what is called 'brahmaṇaḥ parimaraḥ') that he should not sit down before his enemy sits down (but should do so after), if he thinks (from information received) that his enemy is standing the king should also stand up; he should not lie down before his enemy (does so); if the king thinks that (the enemy) has sat down he may then himself sit down, he should never sleep before his enemy sleeps; if he thinks that the enemy is awake he should himself keep awake;