2. The prince of the Yogís, who then abode in Mithilá, meditating for a moment, said to the Munis: Hearken to the rules of duty in the country of the black antelope![15]
3. There are fourteen repositories[16] of the sciences and of law; the four Vedas together with the Puráṇas, the Nyáya, the Mimánsá, the Dharma Śástras, and the six Angas.[17]
4. Manu, Atri, Vishṇu, Háríta, Yájnavalkya, Uśanas, Angiras, Yama, Ápastamba, Sanvarta, Kátyáyana, Brihaspati,
5. Paráśara, Vyása, Śankha, Likhita, Daksha, Gautama, Śátátapa, and Vaśishṭha,[18] are they who have promulgated Dharma Śástras.
6. When a gift is made, in due season, place and manner, in good faith and to a fit person—all this gives the idea of Law.
7. The Śruti, the Smriti,[19] the practice of good men, what seems good to one's self,[20] and a desire maturely considered—these are declared to be the root[21] of Law.
9. Four learned in the Vedas and in the Law form a Court, or Traividya.[22] Whatever is declared by this [Court], or by a single person who has, in an eminent degree, knowledge of the soul in its relations[23]—the same should be [held as] Law.
10. Bráhmaṇs, Kshattriyas, Vaisyás and Śúdrás are the casts: of them the three first are twice-born; all their rites, commencing with the procreative rites, and ending with those [which are gone through] where the corpse is disposed of,[24] are with Mantras.[25]
14. In the eighth year from conception, or in the eighth [of birth],[26] the investiture[27] of the Bráhmaṇ [takes place]; of Rajas[28] in the eleventh; of Vaisyás in the twelfth: some [have said, this varies] in accordance with [the usage of] the family.