a kings often took more than one Kshatriya spouse.

298. i.e., each order was created for performing sacrifices. The Sudra is
competent to perform sacrifice. Only his sacrifice should be by serving
the three other orders.

299. For them there is no investiture with the sacred-thread.

300. Broken earthenpots are always cast off. They are some times utilised
by persons of the lower orders.

301. The second line is exceedingly terse. The sense seems to be this:
one who is of low birth must remain low in disposition. Absolute goodness
may arise in his heart, but it disappears immediately without producing
any effect whatsoever. The study of the scriptures, therefore, cannot
raise such a person. On the other hand, the goodness which according to
its measure has ordained for one (1) the status of humanity and (2) the
rank in that status, is seen to manifest itself in his act.

302. The son begotten upon a maiden by one who does not become her
husband, and born after her marriage, is regarded as belonging not to the
begetter but to the husband.

303. Such a son becomes the property of the mother's husband and not of
his begetter. If however, the begetter expresses a wish to have him and
rear him, he should be regarded as the begetter's. The principle upon
which he becomes the child of the mother's husband is that the begetter
conceals himself and never wishes to have him.

304. The objects of Yudhishthira's question will appear clearly from the
answer given to it by Bhishma.

305. There is no fault in kine, etc., and kine are like fire etc. The
Hindu idea is that kine are cleansing or sanctifying. The Rishis
discovered that the magnetism of the cow is something that is possessed
of extraordinary virtues. Give the same kind of food to a cow and a
horse. The horse-dung emits an unhealthy stench, while the cowdung is an
efficacious disinfectant. Western science has not yet turned its
attention to the subject, but there can be little doubt that the urine
and dung of the cow possess untold virtues.

306. Saptopadam mitram means that by speaking only seven words or walking
only seven steps together, two persons, if they be good, become friends.

307. Vajrasuchyagram may also mean furnished with an end like that of the
needle with which diamonds and other hard gems are bored through.

308. The ever-changing beautiful masses of afternoon or evening clouds,
presenting diverse kinds of forms almost every minute, are regarded