174.  A Manwantara is a very long period of time, not unequal to a geological age.

175.  “Numbered among human gods,” i.e., among kings.

176.  The correct reading is charanishpanda as given in the Bombay edition.

177.  In both the vernacular versions the second line of 130 has been rendered wrongly.  The two lines are quite unconnected with each other.  Nilakantha rightly supposes that Karyam is understood after Mahikshitah.  Karana, however, is not kriya as explained by Nilakantha but opportunities and means.

178.  Nilakantha explains this verse erroneously.  He thinks that the meaning is—­“The king becomes obedient to that person who beholds his face to be amiable, etc., etc.”  It should be borne in mind that Bhishma is answering Yudhishthira’s query as to why the whole world adores one man.  One of the reasons is a mysterious influence which induces every man who beholds the amiable face of the king to render him homage.

179.  The difference between a Ritwija and a Purohita is that the former is engaged on special occasions, while the services of the latter are permanent and constant.

180. viz., returning unwounded from battle.

181.  For without battle, he cannot extend his kingdom and acquire wealth to give away and meet the expenses of sacrifices.

182.  A Beshtana is literally a cloth tied round (the head); hence, a turban or pagree.  The word Ousira is applied to both beds and seats.  The Hindu Upanaha had wooden soles.

183.  The Burdwan Pundits understand this verse to mean that the Sudra should offer the funeral cake unto his sonless master and support masters if old and weak.  There can be little doubt that they are wrong.

184.  Atirekena evidently means ‘with excessive zeal.’  Nilakantha explains it as ’with greater zeal than that which is shown in supporting his own relations.’  It cannot mean, as K.P.  Sinha puts it, ’with the surplus left after supporting his own relations.’

185.  A Paka-yajna is a minor sacrifice, such as the propitiation of a planet foreboding evil, or worship offered to the inferior deities called Viswadevas.  A Purnapatra is literally a large dish or basket full of rice.  It should consist of 256 handfuls.  Beyond a Purnapatra, the Sudra should not give any other Dakshina in any sacrifice of his.

186.  This ordinance lays down that the Dakshina should be a hundred thousand animals such as kine or horses.  In the case of this particular Sudra, that ordinance (without its mantras) was followed, and a hundred thousand Purnapatras were substituted for kine or horses of that number.

187.  Hence the Sudra, by devotion to the members of the three other classes, may earn the merit of sacrifices though he is not competent to utter mantras.

188.  For this reason the Sudra earns the merit of the sacrifices performed by their Brahmana masters and progenitors.