If one, while following a particular mode of life, kills a Brahmana, will not the sin of Brahmanicide assail him? If, on the other hand, one gives away a cow, while not even following any particular mode of life, will that pious gift yields on merit?
आश्रमे यो द्विजं हन्याद् गां वा दद्यादनाश्रमे। किं तु तत्पातकं न स्यात् तद्वा दत्तं वृथा भवेत्॥