२९ उपसंहारः

Thus has been described the eternal course of life of the Brāhmaṇa-Householder, as also the series of observances for the Accomplished Student, which is conducive to the increase of the quality of goodness, and is praiseworthy.—(259)

अध्यायार्थोपसंहारः । एषा वृत्तिर् विप्रस्य गृहस्थस्य्ओक्ता । शाश्वती नित्या । अनित्या त्व् आपदि या वक्ष्यते । विप्रग्रहणाद् ब्राह्मणस्यैव स्नातकव्रतानां कल्पो विधिः । सत्वं नामात्मगुणस् तस्य वृद्धिकरः । शुभः प्रशस्तः । प्रशंसैषा ॥ ४.२५९ ॥

This sums up the contents of the whole Discourse:—

“Thus has been described the eternal course of life of the Householder,”—the ‘non-eternal’ one being that which shall be described in connection with abnormal times.

The addition of the term, ‘Brāhmaṇa,’ indicates that the observances laid down are for the Brāhmaṇa Accomplished Student.

‘Goodness’—is a quality of the soul; and it is conducive to the increase of this quality.

‘Praiseworthy’—excellent. All this is mere praise.—(259)

259 Thus have been declared the means by which a Brahmana householder must always subsist, and the summary of the ordinances for a Snataka, which cause an increase of holiness and are praiseworthy.

The Brāhmaṇa, learned in the Vedic soriptures, who conducts himself by this course of life, has his sins removed, and remains for ever exalted in the region of Brahman.—(260)

सर्वस्यास्य फलकथनम् एतत् । अनेन विप्रो वर्तयन् वर्तमानो वेदशास्त्रविद् व्यपेतकल्मषः प्रतिषेधापराधजं पापं कल्मषं¹ तद्व्यपेतं व्यपनीतं प्रायश्चित्तैः । तेनैतद् उक्तं भवति । विहितकरणात् प्रतिषिद्धस्यानासेवनात् कथंचित् कृतस्य प्रायश्चित्तैर् निष्क्रीतत्वात् । ब्रह्मलोके महीयते ब्रह्मलोके स्थानविशेषे महिमानं प्राप्नोति । दर्शनान्तरं ब्रह्मरूपः सम्पद्यत इति सिद्धम् ॥ ४.२६० ॥

**इति मानवे धर्मशास्त्रे भृगुप्रोक्तायां संहितायाम् **

चतुर्थो ऽध्यायः ॥ ४ ॥

**इति भट्टवीरस्वामिसूनोर् भट्टमेधातिथिविरचिते **

मनुभाष्ये चतुर्थो ऽध्यायः ॥ ४ ॥

This describes the result of all that has gone before.

‘The Brāhmaṇa, learned in the Vedic scriptures, who conducts himself by this course of life, has his sins’—arising from doing what is forbidden—‘removed’—by means of Expiatory Rites. The meaning is that by doing what is enjoined, and by avoiding what is forbidden, and by expiating by means of rites those sins that may happen to be committed,—‘becomes exalted in the region of Brahman;— or, according to another theory, be becomes of the same nature as Brahman—(260)

Thus ends Discourse IV.

Cf. 2.244.

This verse is quoted in Nityācārapradīpa (p, 42).

Gautama (9.71).—‘The Accomplished Student who maintains this behaviour saves from sin his parents and relations both above and below himself, and fails not in attaining the regions of Brahman.’

Vaśiṣṭha (8.17).—‘Ever bathing, ever wearing the sacred thread, ever studying the Veda, avoiding the food of outcasts, approaching his wife only during the periods, and offering oblations according to law, the Brāhmaṇa fails not to reach the regions of Brahman.’

Baudhāyana (2.4.24).—‘The Brāhmaṇa who every day, during the day and the night and the twilights offers prayers, becomes purified by Brahman and becomes Brahman Itself; and following the scriptures, he wins the regions of Brahman.’

End of Adhyāya IV.

260 A Brahmana who, being learned in the lore of the Vedas, conducts himself in this manner and daily destroys his sins, will be exalted in Brahman’s world.