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1. At a (Srâddha) offering to the Visvedevâs let him not enquire (into the qualities or descent of) a Brâhmana (whom he means to invite).
[LXXXII. 1, 2. M. III, 149.--3-29. M. III, 150 166; Y. I, 222-224; Âpast. II, 7, 17, 21; Gaut. XV, 16-18.]
2. But at a (Srâddha offering) to the manes he must enquire as closely as possible (into the qualities and descent of a Brâhmana, whom he means to invite).
3. He must not invite (to a Srâddha) such as have a limb too little, or a limb too much;
4. Nor such as follow an occupation forbidden (by the Veda or by the traditional law)[1].
5. Nor those who act (deceitfully) like cats;
6. Nor those wearing the insignia of some particular order, without having a claim to them;
7. Nor astrologers;
8. Nor Brâhmanas who subsist upon the offerings made to an idol which they attend;
9. Nor physicians;
10. Nor sons of an unmarried woman;
11. Nor sons of the son of an unmarried woman;
12. Nor those who sacrifice for a multitude of persons;
13. Nor those who offer sacrifices for a whole village;
14. Nor those who offer sacrifices for Sûdras;
15. Nor those who offer sacrifices for those for whom it is forbidden to sacrifice (such as outcasts and others);
16. Nor those for whom the ceremony of initiation has not been performed;
17. Nor those who sacrifice for such;
[4. 1 The particle ka, according to Nand., in this Sûtra, refers to other categories, mentioned by Atri, viz. persons belonging to the same Gotra, or descended from the same Rishi ancestors as the sacrificer, and unknown persons.
8. 'Ka indicates here that thieves and wicked persons are also intended, as stated in a Smriti.' (Nand.)]
18. Nor those who do work on holidays;
19. Nor malignant informers;
20. Nor those who teach (the Veda) for a fee;
21. Nor those who have been taught (the Veda) for a fee;
22. Nor those who subsist on food given to them by a Sûdra;
23. Nor those who have intercourse with an outcast;
24. Nor those who neglect their daily study of the Veda;
25. Nor those who neglect their morning and evening prayers;
26. Nor those who are in the king's service;
27. Nor 'naked' persons;
29. Nor those who quarrel with their father;
29. Nor those who have forsaken their father, mother, Guru, holy fire, or sacred study.
30. All those persons are said to defile a company, because they have been expelled from the community of Brâhmanas. Let a wise man avoid carefully, therefore, to entertain them at a Srâddha.