WHY LAWLESSNESS IS LAWFUL? 67
If out of arrogance he spits (on a superior) the King shall cause both his lips to be cut off, if he urinates (on him), the penis; if he breaks wind (against him) the anus.
If he lays hold of the hair (of a superior), let the (King) unhesitatingly cut off his hands, likewise (if he takes him by the feet) the beard, the neck or the scrotum.
STATUS, DIGNITY AND POSITION OF EACH CLASS
Man is stated to be purer above the navel (than below); hence the self existent (Swayambhu) has declared the purest (part) of him to be his mouth.
As the Brahmana sprang from the mouth, as he was the firstborn and as he possesses the Veda, he is by right the lord of his whole creation.
For the self existent (Swayambhu) having performed austerities, produced him first from his own mouth, in order that the offerings might be conveyed to the gods and manes and that this universe might be preserved.
What created being can surpass him, through whose mouth the gods continually consume the sacrificial viands and the manes the offerings of the dead.
Of created beings the most excellent are said to be those who are animated; of the animated, those who subsist by intelligence; of the intelligent mankind, and of men the Brahmanas.
A Brahmana coming into existence is born as the highest on earth, the lord of all created things.
Whatever exists in the world is the property of the Brahmana; on account of the excellence of his origin the Brahmana is indeed, entitled to all.
A Brahmana be he ignorant or learned is a great divinity, just as the fire, whether carried forth (for the performance of a burnt oblation) or not carried forth, is a great divinity.
Thus though Brahmans employ themselves in all (sorts of) mean occupations, they must be honoured in every way; for (each of) them is a great divinity.
But let (the father perform or) cause to be performed the Namadheya (the right of naming the child) on the tenth or twelfth (day after birth), or on a lucky lunar day, in a lucky Muhurta, under an auspicious constellation.
(17) Manu V111.282: (18) Ibid., VIII.283.
(1) Manu 1.92: (2) Ibid., 1.93: (3) Ibid., 1.94: (4) Ibid., 1.95: (5) Ibid., 1.96: (6) Ibid.,
1.99: (7) Ibid., 1.100: (8) Ibid., IX.317: (9) Ibid., IX.319: (10) Ibid. 11.30.