Manu Samriti on Vedas

MANU SAMRITI ON VEDAS
(B) KNOWLEDGE OF VEDAS·

• An Aryan (shreshtha or excellent person) must study the whole Veda together with the Rahasyas, performing at the same time various kinds of austerities and the vows prescribed by the rules (of the Veda)(2.165). ·
• Unless one be asked, one must not explain (anything) to anybody, nor (must one answer) a person who asks improperly; let a wise man, though he knows (the answer), behave among men as (if he were) an idiot.(2.110) ·
• Where merit and wealth are not (obtained by teaching) nor (at least) due obedience, in such (soil) sacred knowledge must not be sown, just as good seed (must) not (be thrown) on barren land.( 2.112) Even in times of dire distress a teacher of the Veda should rather die with his knowledge than sow it in barren soil(2.113).·
• Of him who gives natural birth and him who gives (the knowledge of) the Veda, the giver of the Veda is the more venerable father; for the birth for the sake of the Veda (ensures) eternal (rewards) both in this (life) and after death (2.146).
• By daily reciting the Veda, by (the observance of the rules of) purification, by (practising) austerities, and by doing no injury to created beings, one (obtains the faculty of) remembering former births (MS4:148).·
• 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.'(2.154).
• A man is not therefore (considered) venerable because his head is gray; him who, though young, has learned the Veda, the gods consider to be venerable( 2.156).·
• The eternal lore of the Veda upholds all created beings; hence I (Manu) hold that to be supreme, which is the means of (securing happiness to) these creatures (MS12.99).·
• The Veda is the eternal eye of the manes, gods, and men; the Veda-ordinance (is) both beyond the sphere of (human) power, and beyond the sphere of (human) comprehension; that is a certain fact(MS12.94).·
• All those traditions (smriti) and those despicable systems of philosophy, which are not based on the Veda, produce no reward after death; for they are declared to be founded on Darkness ( MS12.95). ·
• The four castes, the three worlds, the four orders, the past, the present, and the future are all severally known by means of the Veda(MS12.97).·
• Sound, touch, colour, taste, and fifthly smell are known through the Veda alone, (their) production (is) through the (Vedic rites, which in this respect are) secondary acts.(MS12.98).·
• As a fire that has gained strength consumes even trees full of sap, even so he who knows the Veda burns out the taint of his soul which arises from (evil) acts(MS12.101).·
• In whatever order (a man) who knows the true meaning of the Veda-science may dwell, he becomes even while abiding in this world, fit for the union with Brahman(MS12.102).