541.  The reason is the declarations in the scriptures to that effect.

542.  The sense, as explained by the commentator, is this:  the Brahmana who becomes the Ritwik and eats at a Sraddha becomes a Pitri of the person performing the Sraddha.  Hence, when his identity has been changed, he should, on that day, abstain from sexual congress with even his own spouse.  By indulging in such congress, he incurs the sin of adultery.

543.  Batakashaya is explained by the commentator as substance that is named by pounding the hanging roots of the banian.  The Priyangu here mentioned is not the Aglaia Roxburghiana but the seed called Rajasarshapa, i.e., Brassica juncea; Sinapis ramasa, Roxb.  The Shashtika paddy is that which ripens in sixty days.

544.  The sense seems to be that the libations, few and far between, of men who do not daily worship their fire are not borne by the fire to the destined places.

545.  Kshirapah means those that depend on the lacteal sustenance, hence, little children.

546.  Aurddhsadehikam danam means gifts made in course of Sraddhas and other rites that are observed for improving the position of a deceased person.

547.  What is meant by the gift of lamps is the lighting of lamps in the sky.  These are placed on long poles which are fastened to the tallest trees.

548.  The commentator explains that when evening comes, one should respectfully salute one’s own feet.  This custom has certainly died out in Bengal.  A whirl is certainly observable on cowdung when it first drops from the cow; but the practice of making offering to it has also died out.

549.  The second line seems to be unintelligible The reading I take is Sraddheshu and not Schidreshu.

550.  Vows and fasts, &c., should be observed after the Sankalpa or Resolution to that effect has been formally enunciated.  Even a plunge in a piece of sacred water cannel be productive of merit unless the Sankalpa has been formally enunciated.  The Sankalpa is the enunciation of the purpose for which the act is performed as also of the act that is intended to be performed.

551.  Vrishalipati literally means the husband of a Sudra woman.  By actually marrying a woman of the lowest order, by marrying before the elder brother, by marrying a girl that has attained to puberty, and by certain other acts, a Brahmana comes to be regarded as a Vrishalipati.

552.  Kutapa is the hour about noontide.  The shade of the elephant’s body implies a particular instant of time that is regarded as very favourable for the Sraddha.  The man that performs such a Sraddha is regarded as acquiring the merits attaching to Sraddhas regularly performed for thirteen years.

553.  In India the tooth-brush consists of a twig or a little branch.  One end of it is chewed and softened.  The softened fibres serve the purpose of a brush.  Such a brush is used only once.  It is thrown away after the brushing of the teeth is over.