But, as was said apropos of the Brahmanic literature, one errs who fails to appreciate the fact that these works are intended not to give a summary of religious conduct, but to inculcate ceremonial rules.

Of the more importance, therefore, is the occasional pause which is made to insist, beyond peradventure, on the superiority of moral rules.

A very good instance of this is found in Gautama.

He has a list of venial sins.

Since lying is one of the most heinous offences to a Hindu lawgiver, and the penances are severe, all the treatises state formally that an untruth uttered in fun, or when one is in danger, or an oath of the sort implied by Plato: [Greek: _aphrodision orkon ou phasin einai_],--all these are venial, and so are lies told to benefit a (holy) cow, or to aid a priest; or told from religious motives of any sort without self-interest.