History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c91.67

v7.c91.67

It is provided by the Vāyu¹⁴⁹² that there is to be no examination of the qualities and character of the brāhmaṇas at Gayā and the Varāhapurāṇa provides that all brāhmaṇas of Mathurā are like gods and that a brāhmaṇa of Mathurā not knowing even a *ṛk* verse is superior to a brāhmaṇa of another place that has studied the four Vedas. Vide H. of Dh. vol. IV. pp. 579, 670 for details of Gayā and Mathurā brāhmaṇas. The Padmapurāṇa and the Skanda (Kāśīkhaṇḍa 6. 56-57) recommend that at tīrthas (sacred places) one should not engage in investigation (of the worth) of brāhmaṇas, and that Manu declares that brāhmaṇas appearing (at a tīrtha) and desiring food should be fed.¹⁴⁹³