Although these exceed expression, and a volume could not contain them, they may be classed in seven degrees.
The first degree comprises five kinds which cannot be expiated.
(1). Killing a Bráhman. (2). Incest with the mother. (3). Drinking spirituous liquors by a Bráhman, Kshátriya or Vaiśya; accounted no sin, however, in a ´Súdra. Some authorities name three kinds of spirits, viz., distilled from rice or other grain: from mahwá (Bassia Latifolia), and the like: from molasses and similar things. All three are forbidden to the Bráhman; the first-named only to the Kshátriya and the Vaiśya. (4). Stealing ten máshas of gold. (5). Associating for one year with anyone guilty of these four.
The second degree. Untruth in regard to genealogy, carrying a slander to the king, and false accusation of a Guru, are equivalent to slaying a Bráhman.
Carnal connection with sisters by the same mother,* with immature girls, with women of the lowest class, and the wives of curriers, painters, rope-dancers, fishermen and fowlers, and the wife of one's friend or son, is equivalent to the second great sin (of the first degree).
Forgetting the Vedas, or showing them contempt, false testimony (without a bad motive), killing a relation (without malice), and eating prohibited things, are equivalent to the third sin of the first degree.
Betrayal of trust in regard to a deposit, and stealing a human creature, a horse, jewels, silver and land, are equivalent to stealing gold.
Third degree. Killing a cow, adultery with other than the above-named women, theft of other things besides (gold), killing a woman,* a Kshatriya, a Vaiśyá or a ´Súdra (without malice), bewitching, oppression of others, exacting illegal imposts, procuring for immoral purposes, prostitution and making a livelihood thereby, deserting a teacher or father or mother, usury as has been noticed, trading in a Bráhman or Kshatriya unless through necessity, in which case they may not deal in oil, salt, sweetmeats, cooked food, sesame-seed, stone, living animals, red cloths, hempen, linen or woollen cloths, fruits, medicines, arms, poison, flesh perfumes, milk, honey, buttermilk, spirituous liquors, indigo, lac, grass water and leather goods: non-payment of the three debts,* that is to the gods, which is sacrifice; to spiritual teachers, which is reading the Vedas; and to ancestors for the procreation of their kind: omitting investiture of the sacred thread at the proper time, deserting one's kindred, selling a son, a wife, a garden, a well, or a holy pool, digging up green produce from the ground having no need of it,* performing the páka sacrifice with a selfish view merely, application to the books of a false religion, doing service for hire as a Bráhman,* marrying before an elder brother: all these are considered equivalent to killing a cow.
Fourth degree. Dissimulation, sodomy, molesting a Bráhman,* smelling any spirituous liquor, and anything extremely fœtid or unfit to be smelt.*
Fifth degree. Killing an elephant, a horse, a camel, a deer, a goat, a sheep, a buffalo, a nílgao, a fish, an ass, a dog, a cat,* a pig and the like; receiving property from forbidden persons as a Chanḍála or pariah, and the like; trading in the things aforesaid without necessity, falsehood, and serving a ´Súdra.
Sixth degree. Killing small insects like ants; eating from the hand or vessel of a wine-seller.
Seventh degree. Stealing fruit, flowers, and firewood; want of mental firmness on important occasions.*
For each of these degrees of sin certain penances have been appointed, the performance of which releases from further penalty: for instance, they say that whoever kills a Bráhman will transmigrate into the form of a deer, a dog, a camel, or boar. When he takes human form he will be subject to diseases and end his life in great afflictions. The expiation is to cut off pieces of his own flesh and skin and throw them into the fire, or for twelve years forsake his family and taking a human skull in his hand, go a begging and from street to street and door to door proclaim his wickedness; this is, provided it was accidental,* otherwise this penance lasts twenty-four years.