rub, or
bushy plant. Lata is a creeper, which cannot grow without a support.
Talli is of the same variety, with this difference, perhaps, that its
stems are more tree-like than those of creepers. Twaksara is the bamboo.
Trina includes all kinds of grass.

317. The commentator explains that the drift of Yudhishthira's query is
this: the giver and the receiver do not meet in the next world. How then
can an object given away return or find its way back to the giver in the
next world or next life?

318. Abhimanat is differently understood by the commentator.

319. Yuktaih is the better reading, although muktaih may not be
erroneous. Yuktain is charaih; while muktath is 'men charged with a
commission to do a thing'.

320. This sacrifice is the sacrifices of gifts. 'Spreading out a
sacrifice' means 'spreading out the articles and placing them in proper
order in view of the sacrifice.' 'Dadatah vartotam' means datustaya
saryanastu.

321. The sense is this: gifts made to such superior Brahmanas serve to
free a person from the debts which he owes to the deities. The 'water of
gifts' means the water that the giver sprinkles, with a blade of Kusa
grass, over the article given away, saying, 'I give this away'. In the
sacrifice constituted by gifts, such water is like the dedication of
offerings to the Pitris. A knowledge of the ritual of sacrifice is needed
to understand and appreciate the figures employed in such verses.

322. Some texts read tathabham, meaning abhayam or fearlessness is from
them--Tathobhayam (which I adopt) is that both, Heaven and Hell become
one's through them; if gratified, they bestow Heaven; if angry, they hurl
into Hell.

323. Yachyam is yachanarupamkarma, Anisasya is daridrasya. Abhiharam is
tirashkaram. Yachanti bhutani means those who beg or solicit. In the
Santi Parva, Bhishma in one place directs beggars to be driven away from
towns and cities as annoyers of respectable people. This, however,
applies to professional beggars, and not persons in real distress.

324. Antarvedyan is within the platform; and Anrisamsyatah is vahirvedyan
or outside the platform.

325. Sacrifices are a means of giving away unto the Brahmanas.

326. Weeping women means women of destitute condition and, therefore,
unable to pay.

327. The first word in the first line is not kshatam but kritam.

328. The Commentator explains that because giver by one that is dear or
given to one that is dear, therefore is she cal