Chapter 93

Vishnu Smriti 93

What is given to a non-Brāhmaṇa has an equal fruit in the next world. // Vi_93.1 // To one who calls himself a Brāhmaṇa, double. // Vi_93.2 // To one who has studied much, a thousandfold. // Vi_93.3 // To one who has mastered the Veda, infinite. // Vi_93.4 // But a priest is a worthy vessel for oneself alone. // Vi_93.5 // And a sister, a daughter, and a son-in-law. // Vi_93.6 //

One should not give even water to a twice-born man who follows the vow of a cat (baiḍālavratika (बैडालव्रतिक)), / Nor to a sinful man who follows the vow of a heron (bakavratika (बकव्रतिक)), nor to one who does not know the Veda, if one knows dharma (धर्म). || Vi_93.7 ||

One who makes a banner of dharma (धर्म), is ever greedy, deceitful, a hypocrite in public, / Is to be known as a baiḍālavratika (बैडालव्रतिक)[^1], violent, and a betrayer of all. || Vi_93.8 ||

With downcast eyes, dishonest, intent on achieving his own ends, / A rogue, falsely humble—such a twice-born man is devoted to the vow of the heron (bakavrata (बकव्रत)). || Vi_93.9 ||

Those in the world who follow the vow of the heron, and those who wear the guise of a cat, / They fall into the Blinding Darkness hell because of that sinful deed. || Vi_93.10 ||

One should not perform a vow after committing a sin under the pretext of dharma (धर्म), / Concealing his sin with a vow, while deceiving women and Śūdras. || Vi_93.11 ||

Such a Brāhmaṇa is censured after death and in this world by those who speak of Brahman; / And the vow which is performed with deceit goes to the demons. || Vi_93.12 ||

He who, not being a religious ascetic, lives by the guise of one, / He takes away the sin of the ascetics and is born in the womb of an animal. || Vi_93.13 ||

One should not give a gift for the sake of fame, nor out of fear, nor to one who has done a favor, / Nor to those who live by dancing and singing; this is certain, for the sake of dharma (धर्म). || Vi_93.14 ||