“In a brother's place stand the stranger and the suppliant, to him whose wits have even a little range.”[241]
Nestor at Pylos, making sacrifice to Poseidon with his sons and company, welcomes the unknown Telemachos and Mentor to the sacrificial feast.[242] When the duty of feeding the guests has been satisfactorily accomplished, he then asks them whether they are merchants or pirates, that “wander over the brine at hazard of their own lives bringing bale to alien men!”
It would appear that the virtue lay in the hospitality of the host and not in the worthiness of the guest, and that therefore it was worth while to run the risk of having invited the presence of a polluted man whose impiety in not refusing to partake would doubtless fall on his own head.
Right of maintenance of the younger members of the family.
To return to the organisation of the Indian inheritance:—The duty of maintenance[243] of the younger members of the family devolves upon the eldest son at the death of his father. If the brothers are [pg 101] all “perfect in their own occupations,” and they come to an equal division, “some trifle should be given to the elder (brother) to indicate an increased respect for him.”[244] Also if in division there remains over an odd goat or sheep, or animal, it goes to the eldest brother.
If any brother has disgraced himself, he does not deserve a share in the property.[245]
Sisters' portions are allotted out of all the brothers' shares equally.[246]
Property is divided once only.[247] But if “on living together after being separated, they divide (the inheritance) a second time, in that case the division should be equal, (as) in that case no right of primogeniture occurs.”[248]
The father's wealth acquired during his lifetime is at his own disposal, and need not be divided amongst his sons.[249] Likewise with any property acquired by the sons.[250] If “any one of the brothers, being able (to support himself) by his own occupation, does not desire (his share of the) property,” he may be excluded from the division, but “something for his support” should be given him to discharge his claim of maintenance from the family at any future time.[251]