अनुशासनिक पर्व — वे स्थितियाँ जिनमें मनुष्य वध किए बिना भी ब्रह्महत्या का दोषी होता है

Yudhishthira said O descendant of Bharata's race, you should answer this question of mine truly and in detail. What are those circumstances under which a person may become guilty of Brahmanicide without actually killing a Brahmana.

Bhishma said Formerly, O king, I had one day requested Vyasa to explain to me this very subject. I shall now describe to you what Vyasa told me on that occasion. Do you listen to it with rapt attention.

Going to Vyasa, I addressed him saying You, O great ascetic, are the fourth in descent from Vaishishtha! Do you explain to me this. What are those circumstances under which one becomes guilty of Brahmanicide without actually killing a Brahmana?

Thus addressed by me, the own begotten son of Parashara, o king an adept in the science of morality gave me the following answer at once excellent and fraught with certainly.

You should know that man as guilty of Brahmanicide who having of his own accord invited a Brahmana of pious conduct to his house for giving him alms then refuses too give anything on the pretence of there being nothing in the house.

You should, O Bharata, know that man as guilty of Brahmanicide who destroys the means of living of a Brahmana well-read in the Vedas, and all their branches and who is shorn of attachments to worldly creatures and goods.

You should o king, know that man to be guilty of Brahmanicide who puts impediments in the way of thirsty kine while engaged in satisfying that thirst.

You should take that man as guilty of Brahmanicide who, without studying them, finds fault with the Shrutis that have come down: from preceptor to pupil for ages and ages together, or with those scriptures that have been composed by the Rishis.

You should know that man as guilty of Brahmanicide who does not confer upon a suitable bridegroom his daughter endued with beauty and other excellent qualities.

You should know that foolish and sinful wightought to be guilty of Brahmanicide who pains the Brahmanas to the very core of their hearts.

You should know that man to be guilty of Brahmanicide who robs the blind, the lame, and idiots.

You should know that man to be guilty of Brahmanicide who sets fire to the hermitage of ascetics or to forests or to a village or a town.

You should know that man to be guilty of Brahmanicide who sets fire to the hermitage of ascetics or to forests or to a village or a town.