Chapter 57

Vishnu Smriti 57

Now, those who are to be avoided (tyājya, one who is to be avoided/ostracized). // Vi_57.1 //

Vrātyas. // Vi_57.2 //

Fallen persons. // Vi_57.3 //

Those who are impure for three generations on the mother's and father's side. // Vi_57.4 //

All of them are those from whom food should not be eaten and gifts should not be accepted. // Vi_57.5 //

And one should avoid the occasion of accepting gifts from those from whom gifts should not be accepted. // Vi_57.6 //

By accepting gifts, the brāhmaṃ tejaḥ (a Brāhmaṇa's spiritual power) of Brāhmaṇas perishes. // Vi_57.7 //

He who, without knowing the rule for accepting gifts of various things, accepts a gift, he sinks together with the giver. // Vi_57.8 //

And he who is able to accept a gift but avoids doing so, he attains the world of the giver. // Vi_57.9 //

Fuel, water, roots, fruits, protection, meat, honey, a bed, a seat, a house, flowers, curd, and vegetables, when offered, one should not refuse. // Vi_57.10 //

Alms offered after being called, and offered before being asked for, / Prajāpati has deemed acceptable, even from one who has done evil deeds. || Vi_57.11 ||

His ancestors do not eat for fifteen years, / Nor does the fire carry his oblation, he who scorns such an offering. || Vi_57.12 ||

One who wishes to support his teachers and dependents, and to worship his ancestors and gods, / May accept gifts from anyone, but he should not satisfy himself with them. || Vi_57.13 ||

But even in these circumstances, if one is able to accept them, / One should not take them from a harlot, a eunuch, a fallen person, or an enemy. || Vi_57.14 ||

When his teachers have passed away, or living in the house without them, / Seeking his own livelihood, he may always accept gifts from the virtuous. || Vi_57.15 ||

A sharecropper, a family friend, a slave, a herdsman, and a barber— / From these Śūdras, food may be eaten, and from one who has offered himself as a servant. || Vi_57.16 ||