11. Children

Āpastamba

अथअप्य् अस्य प्रजातिम् अमृतम् आम्नाय आह प्रजाम् अनु प्रजायसे तद् उ ते मर्त्यामृतम् इति ॥1 अथअपि स एवअयं विरूढः पृथक् प्रत्यक्षेणौपलभ्यते दृश्यते चअपि सारूप्यं देहत्वम् एवअन्यत् ॥2 ते शिष्टेषु कर्मसु वर्तमानाः पूर्वेषां सांपरायेण कीर्तिं स्वर्गं च वर्धयन्ति एवम् अवरो ऽअवरः परेषाम् आ भूतसंप्लवात् ते स्वर्गजितः पुनः सर्गे बीजअर्था भवन्तिइति भविष्यत्पुराणे ॥3–6 अथअपि प्रजापतेर् वचनम् त्रयीं विद्यां ब्रह्मचर्यं प्रजातिं श्रद्धां तपो यज्ञम् अनुप्रदानम् य एतानि कुर्वते तैर् इत् सह स्मो रजो भूत्वा ध्वंसते ऽअन्यत् प्रशंसन्न् इति ॥7–8 तत्र ये पापकृतः त एव ध्वंसन्ति यथा पर्णं वनस्पतेर् न परान् हिंसन्ति ॥9 नअस्यअस्मिंल् लोके कर्मभिः संबन्धो विद्यते तथा परस्मिन् कर्मफलैः ॥10 तद् एतेन वेदितव्यम् ॥11 प्रजापतेर् ऋषीणाम् इति सर्गो ऽअयम् ॥12 तत्र ये पुण्यकृतः तेषां प्रकृतयः परा ज्वलन्त्य उपलभ्यन्ते ॥13

1 The scriptures declare, moreover, immortality consists of offspring: "In your offspring you are born again. That, O mortal, is your immortality". 2 Furthermore, we can see with our very eyes that the son is a distinct clone of the father himself. One can even see that they are identical, only the bodies are distinct. 3 And the sons, as they continue to perform the prescribed rites, increase the fame and heavenly life of their departed ancestors. 4 Each subsequent generation does the same for those that preceded it. 5 They dwell in heaven until the dissolution of creation. 6 "At the new creation, they serve as the seed," says the Bhavisyat Purana. 7 And there is also the declaration of Prajāpati: 8 Study of the triple Veda, studentship, procreation; faith, austerity, sacrifice, giving gifts-those who perform these dwell with us. Anyone who praises other things becomes dust and perishes. 9 If any of the children commit sins, they alone perish, like the leaf of a tree. They do not harm their ancestors. 10 As in this world a parent is not tied to the actions of his children, so in the next world he is not tied to the results of their actions. 11 This principle is illustrated by the following fact. 12 This creation is the work of Prajapati and the seers. 13 We see the bodies of those seers who have done meritorious deeds shining brilliantly far above. [A 2.24.1–13]

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Gautama

पुनन्ति साधवः पुत्राः । ॥29 त्रिपुरुषम् आर्षात् । ॥30 दश दैवाद् । ॥31 दशैव प्राजापत्यात् । ॥32 दश पूर्वान् दश परान् आत्मानं चब्राह्मीपुत्रो ब्राह्मीपुत्रः । ॥33

29 Virtuous sons purify—30 a son born from a "Seer's" marriage purifies three ancestors; 31 a son born from a "Divine" marriage, ten; 32 a son born from a "Prajāpati" marriage, also ten; 33 while a son born from a "Brahma" marriage purifies the ten ancestors before him and the ten descendants after him. [G 4.29–33]

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Baudhāyana

प्रजाकामस्यौपदेशः ॥1 प्रजनननिमित्ता समाख्याइत्य् अश्विनाव् ऊचतुः ॥2 आयुषा तपसा युक्तः स्वाध्यायैज्यापरायणः ॥3 प्रजाम् उत्पादयेद् युक्तः स्वेस्वे वर्णे जितैन्द्रियः ॥3 ब्राह्मणस्यऋणसंयोगः

त्रिभिर् भवति जन्मतः ॥4 तानि मुच्यआत्मवान् भवति विमुक्तो धर्मसंशयात् ॥4 स्वाध्यायेन ऋषीन् पूज्य सोमेन च पुरंदरम् ॥5 प्रजया च पित्क़्न् पूर्वान् अनृणो दिवि मोदते ॥5 पुत्रेण लोकाञ् जयति

पौत्रेणअनन्त्यम् अश्नुते ॥6 अथ पुत्रस्य पौत्रेण नाकम् एवअधिरोहति इति ॥6 सत्पुत्रम् उत्पाद्यआत्मानं तारयति ॥8 सप्तअवरान् सप्त पूर्वान् षड् अन्यान् आत्मसप्तमान् सत्पुत्रम् अधिगच्छानः तारयत्य् एनसो भयात्

॥9 तस्मात् प्रजासंतानम् उत्पाद्य फलम् अवाप्नोति ॥10 तस्माद् यत्नवान् प्रजाम् उत्पादयेत् ॥11 औषधमन्त्रसंयोगेन ॥12 तस्यौपदेशः श्रुतिसामान्येनौपदिश्यते ॥13 सर्ववर्णेभ्यः फलवत्त्वाद् इति फलवत्त्वाद् इति ॥14

1 Next, some instructions for a person desirous of offspring. 2 The pair of Asvins have proclaimed that fame rests on fathering offspring: 3 "Endowed with longevity, given to austerity, devoted to the recitation of his Veda and to sacrifice, and controlling his senses, a man should diligently beget offspring, each within his own class. 4 A Brahmin from his very birth becomes saddled with three debts. After he has paid them, free from doubts regarding the Law, he becomes autonomous. 5 After a man has worshipped the seers by the recitation of his Veda, Indra with Soma sacrifices, and his ancestors with offspring, he will rejoice in heaven free from debt. 6 He wins the worlds through a son, attains eternal life through a grandson, and climbs to the very summit of heaven through his son's grandson." 7 It is, moreover, stated: "At his very birth a Brahmin is born with three debts-of studentship to the seers, of sacrifice to the gods, and of offspring to the ancestors". In this manner, the Veda points out that people are saddled with debts. 8 By fathering a virtuous son a man rescues himself. 9 A man who obtains a virtuous son rescues seven generations after him and seven generations before him-that is, six others with himself as the seventh—from sin and danger. 10 By fathering offspring and thus continuing the line, therefore, he reaps the reward. 11 So a man should work hard at fathering offspring 12 through the use of medicines and incantations, 13 This instruction for him is here presented in conformity with the Veda, 14 because it produces rewards for people of all classes. [B 2.16.1–14]

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Vasiṣṭha

ऋणम् अस्मिन् सन्नयतिअमृतत्वम्च गच्छति ॥1 पिता पुत्रस्य जातस्य पश्येत्चेत्जीवतस्मुखम् ॥1 अनन्तास्पुत्रिणाम्लोकास्नअपुत्रस्य लोकसस्ति इति श्रूयते ॥2 अपजास्सन्तुअत्रिणसितिअभिशापः ॥3 प्रजाभिसग्ने अमृतत्वम् अश्याम् इतिअपि निगमस्भवति ॥4 पुत्रेण लोकान्जयति पौत्रेणअनन्त्यम् अश्नुते ॥5 अथ पुत्रस्य पौत्रेण ब्रध्नस्यआप्नोति विष्टपम् इति ॥5

1 A debt he pays in him and immortality he gains, the father who sees the face of his son born and alive. 2 "Eternal are the worlds of those men who have sons. A sonless man has no world"-so states a vedic text. 3 And there is the curse: "May our enemies be childless!". 4 There is also the vedic saying: "Through offspring, O Fire, may we attain immortality". 5 He wins the worlds through a son, attains eternal life through a grandson, and gains the crest of the sun through the son's grandson. [Va 17.1–5]

Āpastamba

उत्पादयितुः पुत्र इति हि ब्राह्मणम् ॥5 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति इदानीम् एवअहं जनक स्त्रीणाम् ईर्ष्यामि नो पुरा यदा यमस्य सादने जनयितुः पुत्रम् अब्रुवन् ॥6 रेतोधाः पुत्रं नयति परेत्य यमसादने तस्माद् भार्यां रक्षन्ति बिभ्यन्तः पररेतसः ॥6 अप्रमत्ता रक्षथ तन्तुम् एतं मा वः क्षेत्रे परबीजानि वाप्सुः जनयितुः पुत्रो भवति सांपराये मोघं वेत्ता कुरुते तन्तुम् एतम् इति ॥6

5 "A son belongs to the man who fathers him"- so states a Brāhmaṇa. 6 Now, they also quote: "Only now, Janaka, have I become jealous about my wives; I was not so formerly. When we are in the abode of Death, they say, a son belongs to the man who fathered him. After he dies, the man who deposited the seed takes the son to himself in the abode of Death. People guard their wives, therefore, fearful of the seed of strangers. Diligently guard this progeny of yours, lest strangers sow their seeds in your field; in the transit to the next world, a son belongs to the man who fathered him. Otherwise a husband makes this progeny of his worthless for himself." [A 2.13.5–6]

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Gautama

जनयितुर् अपत्यम् । ॥9 समयाद् अन्यस्य । ॥10 जीवतश् च क्षेत्रे । ॥11 परस्मात् तस्य । ॥12 द्वयोर् वा । ॥13 रक्षणात् तु भर्तुर् एव । ॥14

9 The offspring belongs to the man who fathers it, 10 unless there has been a compact 11 or it has been fathered on a wife whose husband is still alive. 12 If it is fathered by an outsider, however, the offspring belongs to that outsider, 13 or to both; 14 but if the husband cares for that offspring, then it belongs to him alone. [G 18.9–14]

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Vasiṣṭha

क्षेत्रिणस्पुत्रस्जनयितुस्पुत्रसिति विवदन्ते ॥6 तत्रौभयथाअपिउदाहरन्ति ॥7 यदिअन्यगोषु वृषभस्वत्सानाम्जनयेत्शतम् ॥8 गोमिनाम् एव ते वत्सास्मोघम्स्यन्दितम् आर्षभम् इति ॥8 अप्रमत्तास्रक्षत तन्तुम् एतम्मा वस्क्षेत्रे परबीजानि वाप्सुः जनयितुस्पुत्रस्भवति संपराये मोघम्तेत्ता कुरुते तन्तुम् एतम् इति ॥9 बहूनाम् एकजातानाम् एकस्चेत् पुत्रवान् नरः ॥10 सर्वे ते तेन पुत्रेण पुत्रवन्तसिति श्रुतिः ॥10 बह्वीनाम् एकपत्नीनाम् एका पुत्रवती यदि ॥11 सर्वाः ताः तेन पुत्रेण पुत्रवन्त्यसिति श्रुतिः ॥11

6 People are in disagreement, some saying: "A son belongs to the husband of the woman," and others: "A son belongs to the man who fathered him". 7 And they produce evidence in support of both positions: 8 "Even if a bull fathers a hundred calves on someone else's cows, the calves belong to the owner of cows; the bull has spilled his semen in vain." 9 "Diligently guard this progeny of yours, lest strangers sow their seeds in your field; in the transit to the next world, a son belongs to the man who fathered him. Otherwise a husband makes this progeny of his worthless for himself." 10 If one among many brothers of the same father has a son, then through that son they all become men who have sons—so states a vedic text. 11 If one among many wives of the same husband has a son, then through that son they all become women who have sons-so states a vedic text. [Va 17.6–11]

Āpastamba

सवर्णापूर्वशास्त्रविहितायां यथर्तु गच्छतः पुत्राः तेषां कर्मभिः संबन्धः ॥1 दायेनअव्यतिक्रमश् चौभयोः ॥2

1 When a man has sexual intercourse with his wife during her season, a wife who belongs to the same class as he and has not been married before, and whom he has married in the manner prescribed in the scriptures-sons born to him have a claim to follow the occupations of his class, 2 and neither parent may deprive such a son of his share in the estate. [A 2.13.1–2]

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Gautama

पुत्राऔरसक्षेत्रजदत्तकृत्रिमगूढोत्पन्नापविद्धा रिक्थभाजः । ॥32 कानीनसहोढपौनर्भवपुत्रिकापुत्रस्वयंदत्तक्रीता गोत्रभाजः । ॥33 चतुर्थांशिन औरसाद्यभावे । ॥34

32 A natural son, a son begotten on the wife, a son given in adoption, a contrived son, a son born in secret, and a son adopted after being abandoned by his birth parents-these share in the inheritance. 33 A son of an unmarried woman, a son born to a woman who was pregnant at marriage, a son born to a re-married woman, a son born to an appointed daughter, a son who hands himself over for adoption, and a purchased son—these share in the lineage 34 and receive one-quarter of the estate in the absence of the sons in the list beginning with the natural son. [G 28.32–4]

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Baudhāyana

सवर्णायां संस्कृतायां स्वयमुत्पादितम् औरसं पुत्रंविद्यात् ॥14 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति ॥14 अङ्गाद् अङ्गात् संभवसि हृदयाद् अधि जायसे ॥14 आत्मा वै पुत्रनामअसि स जीव शरदः शतम् इति ॥14 अभ्युपगम्य दुहितरि जातं पुत्रिकापुत्रम् अन्यं दौहित्रम् ॥15 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति ॥16 आदिशेत् प्रथमे पिण्डे मातरं पुत्रिकासुतः ॥16 द्वितीये पितरं तस्याः तृतीये च पितामहम् इति ॥16 मृतस्य प्रसूतो यः क्लीबव्याधितयोर् वाअन्येनअनुमते स्वे क्षेत्रे स क्षेत्रजः ॥17 स एष द्विपिता द्विगोत्रश् च द्वयोर् अपि स्वधारिक्थभाग्भवति ॥18 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति ॥19 द्विपितुः पिण्डदानं स्यात् पिण्डेपिण्डे च नामनी ॥19 त्रयश् च पिण्डाः षण्णां स्युर् एवं कुर्वन् न मुह्यति इति ॥19 मातापितृभ्यां दत्तोअन्यतरेण वा योअपत्यअर्थेपरिगृह्यते स दत्तः ॥20 सदृशं यं सकामं स्वयं कुर्यात् स कृत्रिमः ॥21 गृहे गूढौत्पन्नोअन्ते ज्ञातो गूढजः ॥22 मातापितृभ्याम् उत्सृष्टोअन्यतरेण वा योअपत्यअर्थेपरिगृह्यते सोअपविद्धः ॥23 असंस्कृताम् अनतिसृष्टां याम् उपगच्छेत् तस्यां यो जातः स कानीनः ॥24 या गर्भिणी संस्क्रियते विज्ञाता वाअविज्ञाता वा तस्यांयो जातः स सहोढः ॥25 मातापित्रोर् हस्तात् क्रीतोअन्यतरेण वा योअपत्यअर्थेपरिगृह्यते स क्रीतः ॥26 क्लीबं त्यक्त्वा पतितं वा याअन्यं पतिं विन्देत् तस्यांपुनर्भ्वां यो जातः स पौनर्भवः ॥27 मातापितृविहीनो यः स्वयम् आत्मानं दद्यात् स स्वयंदत्तः ॥28 द्विजातिप्रवरात्शूद्रायां जातो निषादः ॥29 कामात् पारशव इति पुत्राः ॥30

14 A son whom a man fathers by himself through a wife who belongs to the same class as he and whom he has married according to the proper rites should be recognized as his natural son. Now, they also quote: "From my body you spring-from every inch! From my heart you are born! You are my self, bearing the name 'son'. May you live a hundred years." 15 A male child born to a man's daughter following an agreement should be recognized as his son by an appointed daughter; any other child is his grandson by his daughter. 16 Now, they also quote: "At the ancestral offering, the son of an appointed daughter should offer the first ancestral oblation to his mother and the second and third to his mother's father and paternal grandfather, respectively." 17 When someone else fathers a son on the wife of a person who is dead, impotent, or sick, after she has received permission, he is a son begotten on his wife. 18 He has two fathers, belongs to two lineages, and makes ancestral offerings to and inherits the property of two different fathers, 19 Now, they also quote: "When a man with two fathers offers an ancestral offering, he invokes two names at each offering and offers three offerings to six ancestors. Acting in this manner, he will not stumble?" 20 When a boy is given for adoption by his parents or by one of them and is accepted as one's own child, he is a son given in adoption. 21 When a man accepts as his own a boy who is willing and is akin to him, he is a contrived son. 22 When a boy is born secretly in the house and is found out afterwards, he is a son born in secret. 23 When a boy is abandoned by his parents or by one of them and is accepted by someone as his own child, he is a son adopted after being abandoned. 24 When someone has sex with an unmarried woman without permission, the child she bears is a son of an unmarried woman. 25 When someone marries a pregnant woman, whether he is aware of her pregnancy or not, the child she bears is a son received with the marriage. 26 When a boy is sold by his parents or by one of them and is accepted as one's own child, he is a purchased son. 27 When a woman leaves a husband who is impotent or has become an outcaste and marries another husband, a boy born to such a remarried woman is a son of a remarried woman. 28 When a boy without mother or father gives himself over to someone, he is a son given in adoption by himself. 29 When a man belonging to the highest of the twice-born classes fathers a son by a Śūdra woman, that son is a Nisada; 30 whereas if they cohabit through lust, the son is a Parasava. These are the various types of sons. [B 2.3.14–30]

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Vasiṣṭha

द्वादश इतिएव पुत्रास्पुराणदृष्टाः ॥12 स्वयम् उत्पादितस्स्वक्षेत्रे संस्कृतायाम्प्रथमः ॥13 ततलाभे नियुक्तायाम्क्षेत्रजस्द्वितीयः ॥14 तृतीयस्पुत्रिका ॥15 विज्ञायतेअभ्रातृका पुंसस्पितॄन् अभ्येति प्रतीचीनम्गच्छति पुत्रत्वम् ॥16 तत्र श्लोकः ॥17 अभ्रातृकाम्प्रदास्यामि तुभ्यम्कन्याम् अलंकृताम् ॥17 अस्याम्यस्जायते पुत्रस्स मे पुत्रस्भवेतिति ॥17 पौनर्भवस्चतुर्थः ॥18 या कौमारम्भर्त्तारम् उत्त्सृज्यअन्यैस्सह चरित्वा तस्यएव कुटुम्बम् आश्रयति सा पुनर्भूस्भवति ॥19 या च क्लीबम्पतितम् उन्मत्तम्वा भर्त्तारम् उत्सृज्यअन्यम्पतिम्विन्दते मृते वा सा पुनर्भूस्भवति ॥20 कानीनस्पञ्चमः ॥21 यम्पितृगृहेअसंस्कृता कामातुत्पादयेत्मातामहस्य पुत्रस्भवतिइतिआहुर् ॥22 अथअपिउदाहरन्ति ॥23 अप्रत्ता दुहिता यस्य पुत्रम्विन्देत तुल्यतः ॥23 पुत्री मातामहः तेन दद्यात् पिण्डम्हरेत्धनम् इति ॥23 गृहे च गूढौत्पन्नस्षष्ठः ॥24 इतिएते दायादास्बान्धवाः त्रातारस्महतस्भयातितिआहुर् ॥25 अथअदायादबन्धूनाम्सहोढसेव प्रथमः ॥26 या गर्भिणी संस्क्रियते सहोढस्पुत्रस्भवति ॥27 दत्तकस्द्वितीयः ॥28 यम्मातापितरौ दद्याताम् ॥29 क्रीतस्तृतीयः ॥30 तत्शुनःशेपेन व्याख्यातम् ॥31 हरिश्चन्द्रस्वै राजा ससजीगर्तस्य सौयवसेस्पुत्रम्चिक्राय ॥32 स्वयम् उपागतस्चतुर्थः ॥33 तत्शुनःशेपेन व्याक्यातम् ॥34 शुनःशेपस्वै यूपे नियुक्तस्देवताः तुष्टाव तस्यैह देवतास्पाशम्विमुमुचुः तम् ऋत्विजसूचुः ममएवअयम्पुत्रसस्तुइति तान् ह न संपेदे ते संपादयामासुः एषसेव यम्कामयेत् तस्य पुत्रसस्तुइति तस्य ह विश्वामित्रस्होताआसीत् तस्य पुत्रत्वम् इयाय ॥35 अपविद्धस्पञ्चमः ॥36 यम्मातापितृभ्याम् अपास्तम्प्रतिगृह्णीयात् ॥37 शूद्रापुत्रसेव षष्ठस्भवतिइतिआहुरितिएतेअदायादबान्धवाः ॥38

12 Only twelve types of sons are recorded in the Purāṇas. 13 The first is a son sired by the husband himself on his own wife whom he has married according to the proper rites. 14 Failing that, a son begotten on his wife after she has been duly appointed is the second. 15 The third is an appointed daughter. 16 "A brotherless girl," it is stated, "goes back to her male ancestors and returning gains the status of a son." 17 On this there is a verse: "I will give you in marriage the brotherless girl adorned with finery with the provision that the son she bears will be my son." 18 The fourth is a son of a remarried woman. 19 "Remarried woman"-one who, after leaving the husband of her youth and consorting with others, returns to his house again is a remarried woman. 20 Or, one who, after leaving a husband who is impotent, an outcaste, or mad, or after her husband is dead, finds another husband is a remarried woman. 21 The fifth is a son of an unmarried woman. 22 Someone born of lust to an unmarried woman in her father's house is the "son of an unmarried woman"; they say that he is the son of his maternal grandfather. 23 Now, they also quote: "When someone's unmarried daughter bears a son from a man of the same class, through that child his maternal grandfather gets a son. He should make funeral offerings to that grandfather and inherit his estate." 24 The sixth is a son born in secret at home. 25 These types of sons, they say, are heirs and relatives; they rescue one from great danger. 26 Now, among the sons who are relatives but not heirs, the first is the son received with the marriage. 27 When one marries a pregnant woman, the child born to her is "the son received with the marriage". 28 The second is a son given in adoption, 29 that is, given for adoption by his parents. 30 The third is a purchased son. 31 This type is described in the story of Śunaḥśepa: 32 "There was a king Hariścandra. He purchased the son of Ajigarta Sauyavasi."33 The fourth is a son given in adoption by himself. 34 This type is described in the story of Śunaḥśepa: 35 "Sunaśepa, when he was tied to the sacrificial post, praised the gods. The gods released him from his bonds. The officiating priests said to him: 'Let him be my son.' He did not acquiesce to them. Then they said: 'Let him be the son of whomever he chooses.' The Hotr priest of that sacrifice was Visvamitra, and Sunahsepa made himself his son." 36 The fifth is a son who has been abandoned, 37 that is, a son who is adopted after he has been abandoned by his parents. 38 The sixth, they say, is simply the son from a Śūdra wife. These types of sons are relatives but not heirs. [Va 17.12–38]

Gautama

। ॥18 अभिसंधिमात्रात् पुत्रिकेत्य् एकेषाम् । ॥19 तत्संशयान् नोपयच्छेद् अभ्रातृकाम् । ॥20

18 A father who has no son should offer an oblation to Fire and Prajāpati, proclaim "Your son is for my benefit", and appoint his daughter. 19 According to some, he may appoint the daughter by his mere intention. 20 Because of this uncertainty, a man should not marry a girl who has no brother. [G 28.18–20]

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Baudhāyana

अभ्युपगम्य दुहितरि जातं पुत्रिकापुत्रम् अन्यं दौहित्रम् ॥15 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति ॥16 आदिशेत् प्रथमे पिण्डे मातरं पुत्रिकासुतः ॥16 द्वितीये पितरं तस्याः तृतीये च पितामहम् इति ॥16

15 A male child born to a man's daughter following an agreement should be recognized as his son by an appointed daughter; any other child is his grandson by his daughter. 16 Now, they also quote: "At the ancestral offering, the son of an appointed daughter should offer the first ancestral oblation to his mother and the second and third to his mother's father and paternal grandfather, respectively." [B 2.3.15–16]

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Vasiṣṭha

तृतीयस्पुत्रिका ॥15 विज्ञायतेअभ्रातृका पुंसस्पितॄन् अभ्येति प्रतीचीनम्गच्छति पुत्रत्वम् ॥16 तत्र श्लोकः ॥17 अभ्रातृकाम्प्रदास्यामि तुभ्यम्कन्याम् अलंकृताम् ॥17 अस्याम्यस्जायते पुत्रस्स मे पुत्रस्भवेतिति ॥17

15 The third is an appointed daughter. 16 "A brotherless girl," it is stated, "goes back to her male ancestors and returning gains the status of a son." 17 On this there is a verse: "I will give you in marriage the brotherless girl adorned with finery with the provision that the son she bears will be my son." [Va 17.15–17]

Gautama

पुत्राऔरसक्षेत्रजदत्तकृत्रिमगूढोत्पन्नापविद्धा रिक्थभाजः । ॥32

32 A natural son, a son begotten on the wife, a son given in adoption, a contrived son, a son born in secret, and a son adopted after being abandoned by his birth parents - these share in the inheritance. [G 28.32]

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Baudhāyana

मातापितृभ्यां दत्तोअन्यतरेण वा योअपत्यअर्थेपरिगृह्यते स दत्तः ॥20 सदृशं यं सकामं स्वयं कुर्यात् स कृत्रिमः ॥21 गृहे गूढौत्पन्नोअन्ते ज्ञातो गूढजः ॥22 मातापितृभ्याम् उत्सृष्टोअन्यतरेण वा योअपत्यअर्थेपरिगृह्यते सोअपविद्धः ॥23 मातापितृविहीनो यः स्वयम् आत्मानं दद्यात् स स्वयंदत्तः ॥28 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति ॥31 औरसं पुत्रिकापुत्रं क्षेत्रजं दत्तकृत्रिमौ ॥31 गूढजं चअपविद्धं च रिक्थभाजः प्रचक्षते ॥31

20 When a boy is given for adoption by his parents or by one of them and is accepted as one's own child, he is a son given in adoption. 21 When a man accepts as his own a boy who is willing and is akin to him, he is a contrived son, 22 When a boy is born secretly in the house and is found out afterwards, he is a son born in secret. 23 When a boy is abandoned by his parents or by one of them and is accepted by someone as his own child, he is a son adopted after being abandoned. ... 28 When a boy without mother or father gives himself over to someone, he is a son given in adoption by himself. 31 Now, they also quote: "A natural son, a son by an appointed daughter, a son begotten on the wife, a son given in adoption, a contrived son, a son born in secret, and a son adopted after being abandoned-these, they declare, share in the inheritance." [B 2.3.20–3,28,31]

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Vasiṣṭha

दत्तकस्द्वितीयः ॥28 यम्मातापितरौ दद्याताम् ॥29 क्रीतस्तृतीयः ॥30 तत्शुनःशेपेन व्याख्यातम् ॥31 हरिश्चन्द्रस्वै राजा ससजीगर्तस्य सौयवसेस्पुत्रम्चिक्राय ॥32 स्वयम् उपागतस्चतुर्थः ॥33 तत्शुनःशेपेन व्याक्यातम् ॥34 शुनःशेपस्वै यूपे नियुक्तस्देवताः तुष्टाव तस्यैह देवतास्पाशम्विमुमुचुः तम् ऋत्विजसूचुः ममएवअयम्पुत्रसस्तुइति तान् ह न संपेदे ते संपादयामासुः एषसेव यम्कामयेत् तस्य पुत्रसस्तुइति तस्य ह विश्वामित्रस्होताआसीत् तस्य पुत्रत्वम् इयाय ॥35 अपविद्धस्पञ्चमः ॥36 यम्मातापितृभ्याम् अपास्तम्प्रतिगृह्णीयात् ॥37

28 The second is a son given in adoption, 29 that is, given for adoption by his parents. 30 The third is a purchased son. 31 This type is described in the story of Sunahśepa: 32 "There was a king Hariścandra. He purchased the son of Ajīgarta Sauyavasi." 33 The fourth is a son given in adoption by himself. 34 This type is described in the story of Sunahsepa: 35 "Sunahsepa, when he was tied to the sacrificial post, praised the gods. The gods released him from his bonds. The officiating priests said to him: 'Let him be my son.' He did not acquiesce to them. Then they said: 'Let him be the son of whomever he chooses.' The Hotr priest of that sacrifice was Viśvamitra, and Sunahsepa made himself his son." 36 The fifth is a son who has been abandoned, 37 that is, a son who is adopted after he has been abandoned by his parents. [Va 15.28–37]

शोणितशुक्रसंभवस्पुरुषस्भवति मातापितृनिमित्तकः ॥1 तस्य प्रदानविक्रयत्यागेषु मातापितरौ प्रभवतः ॥2 न तुएकम्पुत्रम्दद्यात् प्रतिगृह्णीयात्वा ॥3 स हि सन्तानाय पूर्वेषाम् ॥4 न स्त्री पुत्रम्दद्यात् प्रतिगृह्णीयात्वाअन्यत्रअनुज्ञानात्भर्तुः ॥5 पुत्रम्प्रतिगृहीष्यन् बन्धून् आहूय राजनि च निवेद्य निवेशनस्य मध्ये व्याहृतिभिस्हुत्वाअदूरबान्धवम्बन्धुसन्निकृष्टम् एव प्रतिगृह्णीयात् ॥6 सन्देहे चौत्पन्ने दूरेबान्धवम्शूद्रम् इव स्थापयेत् ॥7 विज्ञायते हिएकेन बहून्त्रायतेइति ॥8 तस्मिन्चेत् प्रतिगृहीतेऔरसस्पुत्रसुत्पद्येत चतुर्थभागभागी स्यात्दत्तकः ॥9 यदि नआभ्युदयिकेषु युक्तस्स्यात् ॥10

1 A man comes into being through blood and semen with his mother and father as the cause. 2 His father and mother have the power to give for adoption, to sell, or to abandon him. 3 No one should give for adoption or adopt an only son, 4 for he is intended to continue the family line for his ancestors. 5 A wife, however, should neither give a son for adoption nor adopt a son except with her husband's permission. 6 When someone is going to adopt a son, he should summon his relatives; inform the king; in the middle of the house make an offering of ghee in the fire, reciting the Calls; and then take in adoption only someone whose relatives do not live far away, and who is not closely related. 7 If, however, a doubt arises, he should keep the person whose relatives live far away as if he were a Śūdra, for it is stated: 8 "By means of one he saves a multitude." 9 If, after adopting him, a natural son is born, the former inherits one-quarter of the estate, 10 unless he is devoted to performing rites to secure prosperity. [Va 15.1–10]

Āpastamba

सगोत्रस्थानीयां न परेभ्यः समाचक्षीत ॥2 कुलाय हि स्त्री प्रदीयत इत्य् उपदिशन्ति ॥3 तद् इन्द्रियदौर्बल्याद् विप्रतिपन्नम् ॥4 अविशिष्टं हि परत्वं पाणेः ॥5 तद्व्यतिक्रमे खलु पुनर् उभयोर् नरकः ॥6 नियमआरम्भणो हि वर्षीयान् अभ्युदय एवम् आरम्भणाद् अपत्यात् ॥7

2 "A man should not introduce to an outsider the woman who has assumed his lineage, 3 for a wife is given to the family"—so they admonish. 4 That is now forbidden because of the weakness of the flesh, 5 for with respect to the husband all are equally outsiders. 6 When this is violated, both husband and wife will undoubtedly end up in hell, 7 for the happiness resulting from restriction is far greater than that resulting from children obtained by following that custom. [A 2.27.2–7]

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Gautama

अपतिर् अपत्यलिप्सुर् देवरात् । ॥4 गुरुप्रसूता नर्तुम् अतीयात् । ॥5 पिण्डगोत्रर्षिसंबन्धेभ्यो योनिमात्राद् वा । ॥6 नादेवराद् इत्य् एके । ॥7 नातिद्वितीयम् । ॥8

4 When her husband is dead, she may seek to obtain offspring through her husband's brother 5 after she has been appointed to the task by the elders. She should not have sex with him outside her season. 6 Alternatively, she may obtain offspring through a relative belonging to the same ancestry, lineage, or line of seers, or just a relative; 7 according to some, however, through no one other than her husband's brother. 8 She shall bear no more than two children. [G 18.4–8]

बीजं वा लिप्सेत । ॥22 देवरवत्याम् अन्यजातम् अभागम् । ॥23

22 Alternatively, the widow may this seek to procure a son. 23 When her brother-in-law is alive, a son born to such a widow by another person does not share in the inheritance. [G 28.22–3]

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Baudhāyana

संवत्सरं प्रेतपत्नी मधुमांसमद्यलवणानि वर्जयेदधः शयीत ॥7 षण्मासान् इति मौद्गल्यः ॥8 अत ऊर्ध्वं गुरुभिर् अनुमता देवराज् जनयेत् पुत्रम् अपुत्रा ॥9 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति ॥10 वशा चौत्पन्नपुत्रा च नीरजस्का गतप्रजा ॥10 नअकामा संनियोज्या स्यात् फलं यस्यां न विद्यते इति ॥10

7 When her husband dies, a wife should abstain from honey, meat, liquor, and salt, and sleep on the floor for one year; 8 for six months, according to Maudgalya. 9 After that time, if she has no son, she may bear one through brother-in-law with the consent of her elders. 10 Now, they also quote: "One should not enjoin a leviratic union on a woman who is barren, who has borne a son or reached menopause, whose children have died, or who is unwilling—that is, a woman from whom a fruitful outcome cannot be expected." [B 2.4.7–10]

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Vasiṣṭha

प्रेतपत्नी षट्मासान् व्रतचारिणीअक्षारलवणम्भुञ्जानाअधस्शयीत ॥55 ऊर्ध्वम्षड्भ्यस्मासेभ्यस्स्नात्त्वा श्राद्धम्च पत्ये दत्त्वा विद्याकर्मगुरुयोनिसंबन्धान् संनिपात्य पिता भ्राता वा नियोगम्कारयेत् ॥56 न सौन्मादाम् अवशाम्व्याधिताम्वा नियुञ्ज्यात् ॥57 ज्यायसीम् अपि ॥58 षोडश वर्षाणि ॥59 न चेतामयावी स्यात् ॥60 प्रजापत्ये मुहूर्ते पाणिग्राहवतुपचरेतन्यत्र सम्प्रहास्य वाच्पारुष्यदण्डपारुष्यात्च ॥61 ग्रासआच्छादनस्नानअनुलेपनेषु प्राक्गामिनी स्यात् ॥62 अनियुक्तायाम् उत्पन्नसुत्पादयितुस्पुत्रस्भवतिइतिआहुर् ॥63 स्यात्चेत्नियोगिनोः ॥64 रिक्थलोभात्नअस्ति नियोगः ॥65 प्रायश्चित्तम्वाअपिउपदिश्य नियुञ्ज्यातितिएके ॥66

55 The wife of a deceased man should sleep on the floor for six months, observing her vow and eating food without salt or seasonings. 56 After the completion of the six months, she should bathe and make a funeral offering to her husband. Then the father or the brother should assemble the elders who taught or performed rites for the deceased person and his relatives and get them to appoint her for levirate. 57 One should not appoint a widow who is deranged, barren, or sick, 58 as also one who is very old—59 the age limit is sixteen years from puberty. 60 Nor should she be appointed if the man with whom she should cohabit is sickly. 61 At the time sacred to Prajapati, the man should approach her like a husband, without laughing together and without maltreating her verbally or physically. 62 She should be given precedence in food, clothing, bathing, and lotions. 63 A son born to a widow who has not been appointed, they say, belongs to his biological father, 64 whereas if she has been appointed, the son belongs to both the males involved in the appointment. 65 An appointment is invalid if it is made through greed for the estate of the deceased, 66 although, according to some, one may appoint her after imposing a penance. [Va 17.55–66]