plained by the commentator, means here a small chief. A small king is
equal to ten thousand butchers. A great king, however, is equal to half
of that, i.e., five thousand butchers. In other words, by accepting a
gift from a great king, a man incurs as much sin as is a full five
thousand times of the sin which is incurred by accepting a gift from a
butcher.

541. The reason is the declarations in the scriptures to that effect.

542. The sense, as explained by the commentator, is this: the Brahmana
who becomes the Ritwik and eats at a Sraddha becomes a Pitri of the
person performing the Sraddha. Hence, when his identity has been changed,
he should, on that day, abstain from sexual congress with even his own
spouse. By indulging in such congress, he incurs the sin of adultery.

543. Batakashaya is explained by the commentator as substance that is
named by pounding the hanging roots of the banian. The Priyangu here
mentioned is not the Aglaia Roxburghiana but the seed called
Rajasarshapa, i.e., Brassica juncea; Sinapis ramasa, Roxb. The Shashtika
paddy is that which ripens in sixty days.

544. The sense seems to be that the libations, few and far between, of
men who do not daily worship their fire are not borne by the fire to the
destined places.

545. Kshirapah means those that depend on the lacteal sustenance, hence,
little children.

546. Aurddhsadehikam danam means gifts made in course of Sraddhas and
other rites that are observed for improving the position of a deceased
person.

547. What is meant by the gift of lamps is the lighting of lamps in the
sky. These are placed on long poles which are fastened to the tallest
trees.

548. The commentator explains that when evening comes, one should
respectfully salute one's own feet. This custom has certainly died out in
Bengal. A whirl is certainly observable on cowdung when it first drops
from the cow; but the practice of making offering to it has also died out.

549. The second line seems to be unintelligible. The reading I take is
Sraddheshu and not Schidreshu.

550. Vows and fasts, &c., should be observed after the Sankalpa or
Resolution to that effect has been formally enunciated. Even a plunge in
a piece of sacred water cannot be productive of merit unless the Sankalpa
has been formally enunciated. The Sankalpa is the enunciation of the
purpose for which the act is performed as also of the act that is
intended to be performed.

551. Vrishalipati literally