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Manusmriti

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अध्यापयामास पितॄन् शिशुराङ्गिरसः कविः । पुत्रका इति हौवाच ज्ञानेन परिगृह्य तान् ॥ १५१ ॥

Young Kavi, the son of Angiras, taught his (relatives who were old enough to be) fathers, and, as he excelled them in (sacred) knowledge, he called them ’Little sons.’

english translation

ते तमर्थमपृच्छन्त देवानागतमन्यवः । देवाश्चैतान् समेत्यौचुर्न्याय्यं वः शिशुरुक्तवान् ॥ १५२ ॥

They, moved with resentment, asked the gods concerning that matter, and the gods, having assembled, answered, ’The child has addressed you properly.’

english translation

अज्ञो भवति वै बालः पिता भवति मन्त्रदः । अज्ञं हि बालमित्याहुः पितेत्येव तु मन्त्रदम् ॥ १५३ ॥

’For (a man) destitute of (sacred) knowledge is indeed a child, and he who teaches him the Veda is his father; for (the sages) have always said "child" to an ignorant man, and "father" to a teacher of the Veda.’

english translation

न हायनैर्न पलितैर्न वित्तेन न बन्धुभिः । ऋषयश्चक्रिरे धर्मं योऽनूचानः स नो महान् ॥ १५४ ॥

Neither through years, nor through white (hairs), nor through wealth, nor through (powerful) kinsmen (comes greatness). The sages have made this law, ’He who has learnt the Veda together with the Angas (Anukana) is (considered) great by us.’

english translation

विप्राणां ज्ञानतो ज्यैष्ठ्यं क्षत्रियाणां तु वीर्यतः । वैश्यानां धान्यधनतः शूद्राणामेव जन्मतः ॥ १५५ ॥

The seniority of Brahmanas is from (sacred) knowledge, that of Kshatriyas from valour, that of Vaisyas from wealth in grain (and other goods), but that of Sudras alone from age.

english translation