30. Judicial Procedure

Āpastamba

विवादे विद्याअभिजनसंपन्ना वृद्धा मेधाविनो धर्मेष्व् अविनिपातिनः ॥5 संदेहे लिङ्गतो दैवेनैति विचित्य ॥6

5 Men who are learned, of good family, elderly, wise, and unwavering in their duties shall adjudicate lawsuits, 6 in doubtful cases investigating the matter by examining the evidence and using ordeals. [A 2.29.5–6]

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Gautama

तस्य च व्यवहारो वेदो धर्मशास्त्राण्य् अङ्गान्युपवेदाः पुराणम् । ॥19 देशजातिकुलधर्माश् चाम्नायैर् अविरुद्धाः प्रमाणम् । ॥20 कर्षकवणिक्पशुपालकुसीदिकारवः स्वे स्वे वर्गे । ॥21 तेभ्यो यथाधिकारम् अर्थान् प्रत्यवहृत्यधर्मव्यवस्था । ॥22 न्यायाधिगमे तर्को ऽभ्युपायः । ॥23 तेनाभ्यूह्य यथास्थानं गमयेत् । ॥24 विप्रतिपत्तौ त्रैविद्यवृद्धेभ्यः प्रत्यवहृत्यनिष्ठां गमयेत् । ॥25 तथा ह्य् अस्य निःश्रेयसं भवति । ॥26

19 His administration of justice shall be based on the Veda, the Legal Treatises, the Vedic Supplements, Subsidiary Vedas, and the Purana. 20 The Laws of regions, castes, and families are also authoritative if they are not in conflict with the sacred scriptures. 21 Farmers, merchants, herdsmen, moneylenders, and artisans exercise authority over their respective groups. 22 He should dispense the Law after he has ascertained the facts from authoritative persons of each group. 23 Reasoning is the means of reaching a correct judgment. 24 Having reached a conclusion in this manner, he should decide the case equitably. 25 If there is conflicting evidence, he should consult those who are deeply learned in the triple Veda and reach a decision, 26 for, it is said, acting in that way, he will attain prosperity. [G 11.19–26]

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Vasiṣṭha

अथ व्यवहाराः ॥1 राजा मन्त्री वा सदस्कार्याणि कुर्यात् ॥2 द्वयोस्विवदमानयोस्पक्षअन्तरम्न गच्छेत् ॥3 यथाआसनम् अपराधोहीअन्तेनअपराधः ॥4 समस्सर्वेषु भूतेषु यथाआसनम् अपराधोहीआद्यवर्णयोस्विद्याअन्ततः ॥5

1 Next, the legal procedure, 2 The king or his minister should run the court proceedings. 3 When there is a legal dispute between two parties, he should not take one side. 4 An offense is determined according to social position; with regard to people of the lowest caste, there can be no offense. 5 He should treat all creatures equally. An offense is determined according to social position in the case of the first two classes, and lastly according to knowledge. [Va 16.1–5]

Āpastamba

पुण्याहे प्रातर् अग्नाव् इद्धे ऽअपामन्ते राजवत्य् उभयतः समाख्याप्य सर्वअनुमते मुख्यः सत्यं प्रश्नं ब्रूयात् ॥7 अनृते राजा दण्डं प्रणयेत् ॥8 नरकश् चअत्रअधिकः सांपराये ॥9 सत्ये स्वर्गः सर्वभूतप्रशंसा च ॥10

7 In the morning of an auspicious day and in the presence of a blazing fire, water, and the king, both sides should be asked to present their case and, with everyone's approval, the chief witness should answer the questions truthfully. 8 Should he answer untruthfully, the king should punish him; 9 and in addition hell awaits him after death. 10 Should he answer truthfully, he will go to heaven and beings will sing his praises. [A 2.29.7–10]

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Gautama

विप्रतिपत्तौ साक्षिनिमित्ता सत्यव्यवस्था । ॥1 । ॥2 अपि शूद्राः । ॥3 ब्राह्मणः त्व् अब्राह्मणवचनाद् अनवरोध्यो ऽनिबद्धश्चेत् । ॥4 नासमवेतापृष्टाः प्रब्रूयुः । ॥5 अवचने ऽन्यथावचने च दोषिणः स्युः । ॥6 स्वर्गः सत्यवचने विपर्यये नरकः । ॥7 अनिबद्धैर् अपि वक्तव्यम् । ॥8 न पीडाकृते निबन्धः । ॥9 प्रमत्तोक्ते च । ॥10 साक्षिसभ्यराजकर्तृषु दोषो धर्मतन्त्रपीडायाम् । ॥11 शपथेनैके सत्यकर्म । ॥12 तद्देवराजब्राह्मणसंसदि स्याद् अब्राह्मणानाम् । ॥13 क्षुद्रपश्वनृते साक्षी दश हन्ति । ॥14 गोश्वपुरुषभूमिषु दशगुणोत्तरान् । ॥15 सर्वं वा भूमौ । ॥16 हरणे नरकः । ॥17 भूमिवद् अप्सु । ॥18 मैथुनसंयोगे च । ॥19 पशुवन् मधुसर्पिषोः । ॥20 गोवद् वस्त्रहिरण्यधान्यब्रह्मसु । ॥21 यानेषु अश्ववत् । ॥22 मिथ्यावचने याप्यो दण्ड्यश् च साक्षी । ॥23 नानृतवचने दोषो जीवनं चेत् तदधीनम् । ॥24 न तु पापीयसो जीवनम् । ॥25 राजा प्राड्विवाको ब्राह्मणो वा शास्त्रवित् । ॥26 प्राड्विवाकम् अध्याभवेत् । ॥27 संवत्सरं प्रतीक्षेताप्रतिभायाम् । ॥28 धेन्वनडुत्स्त्रीप्रजननसंयुंक्ते चशीघ्रम् । ॥29 आत्ययिके च । ॥30 सर्वधर्मेभ्यो गरीयः प्राड्विवाके सत्यवचनंसत्यवचनम् । ॥31

1 If there is conflicting evidence, the truth shall be ascertained by means of witnesses. 2 They should be numerous, of blameless reputation with respect to their duties, worthy of the king's trust, and neither friendly nor hostile towards either party. 3 They may even be Śūdras. 4 Unless a Brahmin is listed in the plaint, however, he should not be forced to testify at the behest of a non-Brahmin, 5 Witnesses should not speak until they are convened and questioned; 6 but if they then refuse to speak, they commit an offense. 7 If they speak the truth, they will go to heaven; if they do the contrary, hell awaits them. 8 Even those not listed in the plaint may be obliged to give evidence. 9 No objection can be raised against a witness in cases involving violence 10 or for things he may have said inadvertently. 11 If the execution of the Law is thwarted, the guilt falls on the witnesses, the assessors, the king, and the transgressor. 12 According to some, the witnesses are to be placed under oath to speak the truth; 13 if they are not Brahmins, the oath should be administered in the presence of divine images, the king, and Brahmins. 14 If a witness gives false testimony with regard to small farm animals, he slays ten; 15 with regard to cattle, ten times as many; with regard to horses, ten times as many as for cattle; with regard to human beings, ten times as many as for horses. 16 If he gives false testimony with regard to land, he slays all; 17 and if he steals land, he goes to hell. 18 The penalty for false testimony with regard to land applies also to water 19 and sexual intercourse; 20 the penalty in the case of farm animals applies also to honey and ghee; 21 the penalty in the case of cattle applies also to clothes, gold, grain, and the Veda; 22 and the penalty in the case of horses applies also to carriages. 23 When a witness gives false testimony, he should be reprimanded and punished. 24 It is not an offense to give false testimony if a man's life depends on it, 25 but not if it is the life of an evil man. 26 The king shall be the judge, or else a learned Brahmin. 27 Witnesses should appear before the judge. 28 If they are unable to appear, the judge may wait for one year. 29 But in cases affecting cows, draught oxen, women, and begetting children, he should summon them immediately, 30 as also when the matter is urgent. 31 Of all the Laws, speaking the truth before the judge is the most important. [G 13.1–31]

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Baudhāyana

लोकसंग्रहणअर्थं यथा दृष्टं श्रुतं वा साक्षीसाक्ष्यं ब्रूयात् ॥7 पादोअधर्मस्य कर्तारं पादो गच्छति साक्षिणम् ॥8 पादः सभासदः सर्वान् पादो राजानम् ऋच्छति ॥8 राजा भवत्य् अनेनाश् च मुच्यन्ते च सभासदः ॥8 एनो गच्छति कर्तारं यत्र निन्द्यो ह निन्द्यते ॥8 साक्षिणं चएवम् उद्दिष्टं यत्नात् पृच्छेद् विचक्षणः ॥9 यां रात्रिम् अजनिष्ठाः त्वं यां च रात्रिं मरिष्यसि ॥10 एतयोर् अन्तरा यत् ते सुकृतं सुकृतं भवेत् बौध्११०१९१०ए तत् सर्वं राजगामि स्याद् अनृतं ब्रुवतः तव ॥10 त्रीन् एव च पित्क़्न् हन्ति त्रीन् एव च पितामहान् ॥11 सप्त जातान् अजातांश् च साक्षी साक्ष्यं मृषा वदन् ॥11 हिरण्यअर्थे अनृते हन्ति त्रीन् एव च पितामहान् ॥12 पञ्च पश्वनृते हन्ति दश हन्ति गवअनृते ॥12 शतम् अश्वअनृते हन्ति सहस्रं पुरुषअनृते ॥12 सर्वं भूम्यनृते हन्ति साक्षी साक्ष्यं मृषा वदन् ॥12 चत्वारो वर्णाः पुत्रिणः साक्षिणः स्युर् अन्यत्रश्रोत्रियराजन्यप्रव्रजितमानुष्यहीनेभ्यः ॥13 स्मृतौ प्रधानतः प्रतिपत्तिः ॥14 अतोअन्यथा कर्तपत्यम् ॥15 द्वादशरात्रं तप्तं पयः पिबेत् कूश्माण्डैर् वाजुहुयाद् इति कूश्माण्डैर् वा जुहुयाद् इति ॥16

7 To gain the respect of the world, a witness should give testimony consistent with what he saw or heard. 8 One-quarter of a crime falls on the offender, one-quarter on the witness, one-quarter on all the officials of court, and one-quarter on the king. When a man who should be condemned is, in fact, condemned, then the king is released from guilt and the court officials are set free; upon the offender falls the guilt. 9 Sharp-witted, he should interrogate a designated witness in the following manner: 10 "Whatever good you may have done from the day you were born until the day you die, all that will go to the king, if you tell a lie. 11 He slays for sure three fathers and three grandfathers, as also seven generations of his descendants born or yet to be born-when a witness gives false testimony. 12 He slays three grandfathers with false testimony concerning gold; five with false testimony concerning farm animals; ten with false testimony concerning cows; a hundred with false testimony concerning horses; a thousand with false testimony concerning men; and all with false testimony concerning land-when a witness gives false testimony." 13 People of all four classes who have sons can be witnesses, except vedic scholars, the royalty, wandering ascetics, and those who lack humanity. 14 If a witness abides by his recollection, he will receive praise from those in authority; 15 whereas if he acts to the contrary, he will fall into hell. 16 Such a man should live on hot milk for twelve days or offer ghee in the sacred fire while reciting the Kūsmāṇda verses. [B 1.19.7–16]

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Vasiṣṭha

अथ साक्षिणः ॥27 श्रोत्रियस्रूपवान्शीलवान् पुण्यवान् सत्यवान् साक्षिणः ॥28 सर्वेषु सर्वेएव वा ॥29 स्त्रीणाम्साक्षिणस्स्त्रियस्कुर्यात्द्विजानाम्सदृशास्द्विजास्शूद्राणाम्सन्तस्शूद्रास्चअन्त्यानाम् अन्त्ययोनयः ॥30 अथअपिउदाहरन्ति ॥31 प्रतिभाव्यम्वृथादानम् आक्षिकम्सौरिकम्च यत् ॥31 दण्डशुल्कअवशिष्टम्च न पुत्रस्दातुस्महति ॥31 ब्रूहि साक्षिन् यथातत्त्वम्लम्बन्ते पितरः तव ॥32 तव वाक्यम् उदीक्षाणासुत्पतन्ति पतन्ति च ॥32 नग्नस्मुण्डस्कपाली च भिक्षाअर्थी क्षुत्पिपासितः ॥33 अन्धस्शत्रुकुले गच्छेत्यस्साक्ष्यम् अनृतम्वदेत् ॥33 पञ्च कन्याअनृते हन्ति दश हन्ति गवअनृते ॥34 शतम् अश्वअनृते हन्ति सहस्रम्पुरुषअनृते ॥34 व्यवहारे मृते दारे प्रायश्चित्तम्कुलस्त्रियाः ॥35 तेषाम्पूर्वपरिच्छेदात्छिद्यन्तेअत्रअपवादिभिः ॥35 उद्वाहकाले रतिसंप्रयोगे प्राणअत्यये सर्वधनअपहारे ॥36 विप्रस्य चअर्थे हिअनृतम्वदेयुस्पञ्चअनृतानिआहुर् अपातकानि ॥36 स्वजनस्वअर्थे यदि वाअर्थहेतोस्पक्षआश्रयेणएव वदन्ति कार्यम् ॥37 ते शब्दवंशस्य कुलस्य पूर्वान् स्वर्गस्थितान्तान् अपि पातयन्ति ॥37 अपि पातयन्तिइति ॥37

27 Next, witnesses. 28 A vedic scholar, a handsome man, a person of good character, someone who does good works, and one who speaks the truth-these may act as witnesses. 29 Or else, anyone at all may act as a witness for anyone. 30 For women, women act as witnesses; for twice-born men, twice-born men of equal standing; for Sūdras, Sūdras; and for the lowest caste people, men of the lowest birth. 31 Now, they also quote: "A son is not obliged to repay the following [debts of his father]: what he owed as a surety or promised idly, debts he incurred gambling or drinking, and unpaid portions of fines or taxes. 32 Speak the truth, O witness! Your ancestors hang in suspense awaiting your statement, in accordance with which they will soar up or come crashing down. 33 When a man bears false witness, he will end up naked, shaven-headed, and blind; racked with hunger and thirst; and going to his enemy's house with a begging bowl to obtain almsfood. 34 When he gives false testimony concerning virgins, he slays five; concerning cattle, he slays ten; concerning horses, he slays a hundred; and concerning a man, he slays a thousand. 35 [verse corrupt and untranslatable] 36 A man may tell a lie at a marriage; during a sexual encounter; when his life is at stake; when there is a risk of losing all his property; and for the sake of a Brahmin. These five types of lies, they say, do not entail loss of caste. 37 If during a trial someone gives evidence that is partial to one side either to help a relative or for money, he will cause the ancestors of both his spiritual lineage and his natural family, even those who are in heaven, to fall." [Va 16.27–37]

लिखितम्साक्षिणस्भुक्तिस्प्रमाणम्त्रिविधम्स्मृतम् ॥10 धनस्वीकरणम्पूर्वम्धनी धनम् अवाप्नुयात् इति ॥10

10 Written evidence, witnesses, and possession are, according to traditional texts, the three types of evidence for claiming title to a property. In this way an owner may reclaim a property that had previously belonged to him. [Va 16.10]

Āpastamba

क्षेत्रं परिगृह्यौत्थानाभावात् फलाभावे यः समृद्धः स भावि तद् अपहार्यः ॥1 अवशिनः कीनाशस्य कर्मन्यासे दण्डताडनम् तथा पशुपस्य ॥2–3 अवरोधनं चअस्य पशूनाम् ॥4 हित्वा व्रजम् आदिनः कर्शयेत् पशून् नअतिपातयेत् ॥5 अवरुध्य पशून् मारणे नाशने वा स्वामिभ्यो ऽअवसृजेत् ॥6 प्रमादाद् अरण्ये पशून् उत्सृष्तान् दृष्ट्वा ग्रामम् आनीय स्वामिभ्यो ऽअवसृजेत् ॥7 पुनः प्रमादे सकृद् अवरुध्य तत ऊर्ध्वं न सूर्क्षेत् ॥8–9

1 If someone takes a piece of land on lease and it produces no harvest because he puts no effort into it, then, if he has the means, he should be made to pay the landowner what would have been his due. 2 An indentured farmhand who quits working should be flogged; 3 so also a herdsman, 4 and his flock should be impounded. 5 If cattle escape from the corral and begin to eat the crops, one may emaciate them but not abuse them. 6 If someone takes charge of cattle and lets them die or become lost, he should pay restitution to the owners. If someone sees cattle that have been carelessly allowed to wander into the wilderness, he should bring them to the village and return them to their owners. 8 If such negligence happens again, he should return them after first impounding them, 9 and thereafter he should ignore them. [A 2.28.1–9]

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Gautama

पशुपीडिते स्वामिदोषः । ॥19 पालसंयुक्ते तु तस्मिन् । ॥20 पथि क्षेत्रे ऽनावृते पालक्षेत्रिकयोः । ॥21 पञ्च माषा गवि । ॥22 षड् उष्ट्रखरे । ॥23 अश्वमहिष्योर् दश । ॥24 अजाविषु द्वौ द्वौ । ॥25 सर्वविनाशे शदः । ॥26 शिष्टाकरणे प्रतिषिद्धसेवायां च नित्यंचैलपिण्डाद् ऊर्ध्वं स्वहरणम् । ॥27 । ॥28

19 The owner is at fault when his animals cause damage; 20 but if a herdsman was looking after them at the time, then it is the herdsman's fault. 21 If the damage is done to an unfenced field by the side of a road, then the fault lies with both the herdsman and the owner of the field. 22 For damage done by a cow, the fine is five Masas; 23 by a camel or a donkey, six; 24 by a horse or a buffalo, ten; 25 by sheep or goats, two for each. 26 If the whole field is destroyed, the fine is the value of the crop. 27 If a man consistently neglects what is prescribed and does what is forbidden, his property. beyond what is necessary to clothe and feed himself, shall be confiscated. 28 One may gather grass for a cow, wood for the fire, and flowers from vines and trees as if they were his own, and, if they are not fenced in, also fruits. [G 12.19–28]

Āpastamba

शास्त्रैर् अधिगतानाम् इन्द्रियदौर्बल्याद् विप्रतिपन्नानां शास्ता निर्वेषम् उपदिशेद् यथाकर्म यथाउक्तम् ॥12 तस्य चेत्शास्त्रम् अतिप्रवर्तेरन् रजानं गमयेत् ॥13 राजा पुरोहितं धर्मअर्थकुशलम् ॥14 स ब्राह्मणान् नियुञ्ज्यात् ॥15 बलविशेषेण वधदास्यवर्जं नियमैर् उपशोषयेत् ॥16 इतरेषां वर्णानाम् आ प्राणविप्रयोगात् समवेक्ष्य तेषां कर्माणि राजा दण्डम् प्रणयेत् ॥1 न च संदेहे दण्डं कुर्यात् ॥2 सुविचितं विचित्यआ दैवप्रश्नेभ्यो राजा दण्डाय प्रतिपद्येत ॥3 एवंवृत्तो राजाउभौ लोकाव् अभिजयति ॥4

12 When those who have been instructed in the precepts go astray because of the weakness of their senses, the preceptor should impose an expiation proportionate to the gravity of the infraction and in accordance with the rules. 13 If a guilty person refuses to follow his orders, he should send him to the king, 14 and the king should send him to his personal priest well versed in Law and Government. 15 The latter should compel those who are Brahmins 16 by some forcible means, except corporal punishment and slavery, and reduce them into subjection with penitential acts. 1 With respect to persons belonging to other classes; the king, after he has carefully examined their actions, may impose on them even the capital punishment. 2 If there is a doubt, however, he should not impose a punishment. 3 Only after conducting a careful inquiry, including even the use of ordeals and interrogations, should a king proceed with punishment. 4 A king who behaves in this manner wins both worlds. [A 2.10.12–16; 2.11.1–4]

जिह्वाआच्छेदनं शूद्रस्यआर्यं धार्मिकम् आक्रोशतः ॥14 वाचि पथि शय्यायाम् आसन इति समीभवतो दण्डताडनम् ॥15 पुरुषवधे स्तेये भूमिआदान इति स्वान्य् आदाय वध्यः ॥16 चक्षुनिरोधः त्व् एतेषु ब्राह्मणस्य ॥17 नियमअतिक्रमणम् अन्यं वा रहसि बन्धयेत् ॥18 आ समापत्तेः असमापत्तौ नाश्यः ॥19–20 आचार्य ऋत्विक् स्नातको राजाइति त्राणं स्युर् अन्यत्र वध्यात् ॥21

14 If a Śudra hurls abusive words at a virtuous Arya, his tongue shall be cut out. 15 If, while he is speaking, walking on the road, lying in bed, or occupying a seat, a Sūdra pretends to be equal to Āryas, he should be flogged. 16 If a Sūdra kills a man, steals, or appropriates land, he should be executed and his property confiscated. 17 If a Brahmin is guilty of these crimes, however, he should be blindfolded. 18 Alternatively, those who transgress their specific duties should be kept in secret confinement 19 until they relent. 20 If they do not relent, they should be banished. 21 A teacher, an officiating priest, a bath-graduate, and the king may save a man from punishment, except in the case of a capital crime. [A 2.27.14–21]

प्राप्तनिमित्ते दण्डअकर्मणि राजानम् एनः स्पृशति ॥13

13 If the king fails to inflict punishment when it is called for, the sin recoils upon him. [A 2.28.13]

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Gautama

ब्रह्म क्षत्त्रेण संपृक्तं देवपितृमनुष्यान्धारयतीति विज्ञायते । ॥27 दण्डो दमनाद् इत्य् आहुः तेनादान्तान् दमयेत् । ॥28 । ॥29 जन्म प्रतिपद्यन्ते । ॥29 विष्वञ्चो विपरीता नश्यन्ति । ॥30 तान् आचार्योपदेशो दण्डश् च पालयते । ॥31 तस्माद् राजाचार्याव् अनिन्द्याव् अनिन्द्यौ । ॥32

27 "Brahmins united with Kṣatriyas," it is stated, "uphold the gods, ancestors, and human beings." 28 The word "punishment" (danda), they say, is derived from "restraint" (damana); therefore, he should restrain those who are unrestrained. 29 People belonging to the different classes and orders of life who are steadfastly devoted to the Laws proper to them enjoy the fruits of their deeds after death; and then, with the residue of those fruits, take birth again in a prosperous region, a high caste, and a distinguished family, with a handsome body, long life, deep vedic learning, and d virtuous conduct, and with great wealth, happiness, and intelligence. 30 Those who act to the contrary disperse in every direction and perish. 31 The teacher's advice and the king's punishment protect them; 32 therefore, one should never belittle the king or the teacher. [G 11.27–32]

अप्रवृत्तौ प्रायश्चित्ती सः । ॥48

48 If a king fails to punish, he should perform a penance. 51 Punishment should be meted out after taking into account the type of a man he is, his strength, the gravity of the crime, and how often he has committed it. 52 Alternatively, the man may be pardoned according to the verdict of an assembly of men learned in the Vedas. [G 12.48, 51–2]

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Baudhāyana

अवध्यो वै ब्राह्मणः सर्वअपराधेषु ॥17 ब्राह्मणस्यब्रह्महत्यागुरुतल्पगमनसुवर्णस्तेयसुरापानेषु कुसिन्धभगसृगालसुराध्वजांः तप्तेनअयसा ललाटेअङ्कयित्वा विषयान् निर्धमनम् ॥18 क्षत्रियादीनां ब्राह्मणवधे वधः सर्वस्वहरणम् च ॥19 तेषाम् एव तुल्यअपकृष्टवधे यथाबलम् अनुरूपान्दण्डान् प्रकल्पयेत् ॥20 क्षत्रियवधे गोसहस्रम् ऋषभअधिकं राज्ञ

उत्सृजेद्वैरनिर्यातनअर्थम् ॥1 शतं वैश्ये दश शूद्र ऋषभश् चअत्रअधिकः ॥2 शूद्रवधेन स्त्रीवधो गोवधश् चव्याख्यातोअन्यत्रआत्रेय्या वधाद् धेन्वनडुहोश् च ॥3 वधे धेन्वनडुहोर् अन्ते चान्द्रायणं चरेत् ॥4 आत्रेय्या वधः क्षत्रियवधेन व्याख्यातः ॥5 हंसभासबर्हिणचक्रवाकप्रचलाककाकौलूकमण्डूकडिड्डिकडेरिकाश्वबभ्रुनकुलआदीनांवधे शूद्रवत् ॥6

17 A Brahmin, clearly, is not subject to capital punishment for any crime. 18 When a Brahmin kills a Brahmin, has sex with the wife of an elder, steals gold, or drinks liquor, the king should brand the man's forehead with the mark of a headless corpse, a vagina, a jackal, or a tavern banner, respectively, using heated iron and banish him from his kingdom. 19 When a man belonging to the Kṣatriya or lower class kill Brahmin, he should be executed and all his property confiscated. 20 When such people kill a man of equal or lower class the king should impose a suitable punishment in accordance with their ability. 1 If someone kills a Kṣatriya, to erase the enmity he should hand over to the king a thousand cows and in addition a bull; 2 a hundred if he kills a Vaiśya, and ten if he kills a Sūdra-here too, in addition a bull. 3 The provision for killing a Sūdra applies also to the killing of a woman or a cow, except when it is a Brahmin woman soon after her menstrual period, or it is a milch cow or a draft ox. 4 If someone kills a milch cow or a draft ox, after paying the penalty he should perform a lunar penance. 5 The provision for killing a Kṣatriya applies to the killing of a Brahmin woman soon after her menstrual period. 6 Hamsa goose, Bhāsa vulture, peacock, Cakravāka goose, chameleon, crow, owl, frog, Diddika rat, Derikā rat, dog, Babhru mongoose, common mongoose, and the like-the punishment for killing any of these is the same as for killing a Śūdra. [B 1.18.17–20; 1.19.1–6]

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Vasiṣṭha

स्तेनसनुप्रवेशात्न दुष्यते ॥38 शस्त्रधारी सहोढस्व्रणसंपन्नस्व्यपदिष्टः तुएकेषाम् ॥39 दण्ड्यौत्सर्गे राजाएकरात्रम् उपवसेत् ॥40 त्रिरात्रम्पुरोहितः ॥41 कृच्छ्रम् अदण्ड्यदण्डने पुरोहितः ॥42 त्रिरात्रम्राजा ॥43 अथअपिउदाहरन्ति ॥44 अन्नअदे भ्रूणहा मार्ष्टिस्पत्यौ भार्याअपचारिणी ॥44 गुरौ शिष्यस्च याज्यस्च स्तेनस्राजनि किल्बिषम् ॥44 राजभिस्धृतदण्डाः तु कृत्वा पापानि मानवाः ॥45 निर्मलास्स्वर्गम् आयान्ति सन्तस्सुकृतिनस्यथा ॥45 एनस्राजानम् ऋच्छति उत्सृजन्तम्सकिल्बिषम् ॥46 तम्चेत्वा घातयेत्राजा हन्ति धर्मेण दुष्कृतम् इति ॥46 राज्ञाम् आत्ययिके कार्ये सद्यस्शौचम्विधीयते ॥47 तथा नआत्ययिके नित्यम्कालसेवअत्र कारणम् इति ॥47

38 A man is not considered guilty of theft simply by accompanying a thief, 39 but only if he is caught armed, carrying stolen property, or wounded; and, according to some, if he has misrepresented himself. 40 If a guilty man is allowed to go free, the king should fast for one day 41 and his personal priest for three days. 42 If an innocent man is punished, his personal priest should perform an arduous penance 43 and the king should fast for three days. 44 Now, they also quote: "The murderer of a learned Brahmin rubs his sin off on the man who eats his food, an adulterous wife on her husband, a pupil and a patron of a sacrifice on the teacher, and a thief on the king. 45 Those people who have committed sins and have been punished for them by kings, however, go to heaven unsullied, just like virtuous men who have done good deeds. 46 When he sets free a culpable man, the sin falls on the king. If he has him executed, however, he is not stained by carrying out the Law of execution." 47 "The rule is that kings always become pure immediately after they carry out capital as well as non-capital punishments; the reason for this is simply time." [Va 19.38–47]

Āpastamba

अङ्गानां तु प्रधानैर् अव्यपदेश इति न्यायवित्समयः ॥13 अबुद्धिपूर्वम् अलंकृतो युवा परदारम् अनुप्रविशन् कुमारीं वा वाचा बाध्यः ॥18 बुद्धिपूर्वं तु दुष्टभावो दण्ड्यः ॥19 संनिपाते वृत्ते शिश्नच्छेदनं सवृषणस्य ॥20 कुमार्यां तु स्वान्य् आदाय नाश्यः ॥21 अथ भृत्ये राज्ञा ॥22 रक्ष्ये चअत ऊर्ध्वं मैथुनात् ॥23 निर्वेषअभ्युपाये तु स्वामिभ्यो ऽअवसृजेत् ॥24 चरिते यथापुरं धर्माधि संबन्धः ॥1

18 If a young man all primped up barges accidentally into the presence of another man's wife or a young woman, he should be verbally reprimanded; 19 but if he does so deliberately and with a malicious intent, he should be punished. 20 If intercourse took place, his penis should be cut off along with the testicles. 21 If it was with a young woman, he should be banished and his property confiscated. 22 Thereafter, the king should support those women 23 and from then onwards guard them from sexual congress, 24 If they agree to perform the expiation, however, he should hand them over to their respective guardians. 1 Once the expiation has been performed, the guardians should treat them as before, for their relationship is based on the Law. ... 8 An Arya who has sex with a Śūdra woman should be banished, 9 while a Śūdra who has sex with an Arya woman should be executed, 10 and that wife of his should be emaciated, 11 If a man has sex once with a married woman of his own class, they say, the punishment is one-quarter of what is prescribed for one fallen from his caste. 12 Each time he repeats it, likewise, one-quarter is added, 13 and the fourth time he gets the full punishment. [A 2.26.18–24; 2.27.1, 8–13]

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Baudhāyana

भर्तृहिते यतमानाः स्वर्गं लोकं जयेरन् ॥47 व्यतिक्रमे कृच्छ्रः ॥48 शूद्रे चान्द्रायणं चरेत् ॥49 वैश्यआदिषु प्रतिलोमं कृच्छ्रअतिकृच्छ्रआदींश् चरेत् ॥50 पुंसां ब्राह्मणआदीनां संवत्सरं ब्रह्मचर्यम् ॥51 शूद्रं कटअग्निना दहेत् ॥52 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति ॥53 अब्राह्मणस्य शारीरो दण्डः संग्रहणे भवेत् ॥1 सर्वेषाम् एव वर्णानां दारा रक्ष्यतमा धनात् ॥2 न तु चारणदारेषु न रङ्गअवतरे वधः ॥3 संसर्जयन्ति ता ह्य् एतान् निगुप्तांश् चआलयन्त्य् अपि ॥3

47 If women strive to do what is beneficial to their husbands, they will win the heavenly world. 48 When she is unfaithful, she should perform an arduous penance. 49 If it is with a Śūdra man, she should perform a lunar penance. 50 If it is with a Vaiśya and so forth in the reverse order of classes, she should perform the penance beyond the very arduous penance, and so forth. 51 Brahmin and other male offenders should observe chastity for one year, 52 whereas a guilty Śūdra man should be burnt with a straw-fire. 53 Now, they also quote: 1 "Everybody except a Brahmin is subject to corporal punishment for adultery. 2 People of all four classes should guard their wives more closely than their wealth. 3 There is no corporal punishment, however, when the adultery involves actresses or the wives of minstrels, for such women lure these men and stir even people with great self-control." [B 2–3.47–53; 2.4.1–3]

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Vasiṣṭha

शूद्रस्चेत्ब्राह्मणीम् अभिगच्छेत्वीरणैस्वेष्टयित्वा शूद्रम् अग्नौ प्रास्येत्ब्राह्मण्यास्शिरसि वपनम्कारयित्वा सर्पिषा समभ्यज्य नग्नाम्कृष्णखरम् आरोप्य महापथम् अनुसंव्राजयेत् पूता भवतिइति विज्ञायते ॥1 वैश्यस्चेत्ब्राह्मणीम् अभिगच्छेत्लोहितदर्भैस्वेष्टयित्वा वैश्यम् अग्नौ प्रास्येत्ब्राह्मण्यास्शिरसि वपनम्कारयित्वा सर्पिषा समभ्यज्य नग्नाम्गौरखरम् आरोप्य महापथम् अनुसंव्राजयेत् पूता भवतिइति विज्ञायते ॥2 राजन्यस्चेत्ब्राह्मणीम् अभिगच्छेत्शरपत्रैस्वेष्टयित्वा राजन्यम् अग्नौ प्रास्येत्ब्राह्मण्यास्शिरसि वपनम्कारयित्वा सर्पिषा समभ्यज्य नग्नाम्श्वेतखरम् आरोप्य महापथम् अनुसंव्राजयेत् पूता भवतिइति विज्ञायते ॥3 एवम्वैश्यस्राजन्यायाम् ॥4 शूद्रस्च राजन्यावैश्ययोः ॥5

1 If a Śūdra has sex with a Brahmin woman, he should be wrapped in Virana grass and thrown into a fire. The Brahmin woman's head should be shaved and her body smeared with ghee, and she should be paraded on a highway naked and seated on a black donkey. "In this way," it is stated, "she becomes pure." 2 If a Vaiśya has sex with a Brahmin woman, he should be wrapped in tufts of Lohita straw and thrown into a fire. The Brahmin woman's head should be shaved and her body smeared with ghee, and she should be paraded on a highway naked and seated on a yellow donkey. "In this way," it is stated, "she becomes pure." 3 If a Kṣatriya has sex with a Brahmin woman, he should be wrapped in Sara grass and thrown into a fire. The Brahmin woman's head should be shaved and her body smeared with ghee, and she should be paraded on a highway naked and seated on a white donkey. "In this way," it is stated, "she becomes pure." 4 The same punishment applies to a Vaiśya who has sex with a Kṣatriya woman 5 and to a Śūdra who has sex with a Kṣatriya or a Vaiśya woman. [Va 21.1–5]

Gautama

। ॥1 आर्यस्त्र्यभिगमने लिङ्गोद्धारः स्वहरणं च । ॥2 गोप्ता चेद् वधो ऽधिकः । ॥3 अथ हास्य वेदम् उपशृण्वतः त्रपुजतुभ्यांश्रोत्रप्रतिपूरणम् । ॥4 उदाहरणे जिह्वाच्छेदो । ॥5 धारणेशरीरभेदः । ॥6 आसनशयनवाक्पथिषु समप्रेप्सुर् दण्ड्यः । ॥7 शतं क्षत्रियो ब्राह्मणाक्रोशे । ॥8 दण्डपारुष्ये द्विगुणम् । ॥9 अध्यर्धं वैश्यः । ॥10 ब्राह्मणः तु क्षत्रिये पञ्चाशत् । ॥11 तदर्धं वैश्ये । ॥12 न शूद्रे किंचित् । ॥13 ब्राह्मणराजन्यवत् क्षत्रियवैश्यौ । ॥14

1 If a Śūdra uses abusive language or physical violence against twice-born people, the part of his body used for the crime should be chopped off. 2 If he has sex with an Arya woman, his penis should be cut off and his property confiscated; 3 if the woman had a guardian, then, in addition to the above, he shall be executed. 4 And if he listens in on a vedic recitation, his ears shall be filled with molten tin or lac; 5 if he repeats it, his tongue shall be cut off; 6 if he commits it to memory, his body shall be split asunder. 7 If, while he is occupying a seat, lying on a bed, speaking, or walking on the road, he seeks to be their equal, he should be beaten. 8 If a Kṣatriya hurls abusive words at a Brahmin, he shall be fined a hundred; 9 if there is physical violence, the fine is doubled. 10 A Vaiśya guilty of the same crime shall be fined one and a half times as much as a Kṣatriya. 11 A Brahmin guilty of the same crime against a Kṣatriya, on the other hand, shall be fined fifty, 12 half that amount if it is against a Vaiśya, 13 and none at all if it is against a Śūdra. 14 If a Kṣatriya is guilty of the same crime against a Vaiśya, or a Vaiśya against a Kṣatriya, the fine shall be the same as that levied on a Brahmin vis-à-vis a Kṣatriya, and on a Kṣatriya vis-à-vis a Brahmin, respectively. [G 12.1–14]

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Vasiṣṭha

दण्डः तु देशकालधर्मवयस्विद्यास्थानविशेषैस्हिंसाक्रोशयोस्कल्प्यः ॥9 आगमात्दृष्टअन्तात्च ॥10

9 The punishment for battery and the use of abusive language should be imposed in keeping with the place and time of the offense; the virtue, age, knowledge, and social position of the parties; 10 and in accordance with precept and precedent. [Va 19.9–10]

Āpastamba

यथा कथा च परपरिग्रहम् अभिमन्यते स्तेनो ह भवतिइति कौत्सहारीतौ तथा कण्वपुष्करसादी ॥1 सन्त्य् अपवादाः परिग्रहेष्व् इति वार्ष्यायणिः ॥2 शम्योषा युग्यघासो न स्वामिनः प्रतिषेधयन्ति ॥3 अतिव्यपहारो व्यृद्धो भवति ॥4 सर्वत्रअनुमतिपूर्वम् इति हारीतः ॥5

1 "A man who, under any circumstance, covets what belongs to another man is undoubtedly a thief"-that is the view of Kautsa and Hārīta, as also of Kaṇva and Puṣkarasādi. 2 "There are exceptions in the case of certain belongings," says Vārṣyāyaṇi -3 such as legume pods or fodder for a draught ox. Owners normally do not forbid someone from taking these. 4 To take too much of these, however, is a crime. 5 "One must always obtain permission first," says Harīta. [A 1.28.1–5]

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Gautama

अष्टापाद्यं स्तेयकिल्बिषं शूद्रस्य । ॥15 द्विगुणोत्तराणीतरेषां प्रतिवर्णम् । ॥16 विदुषो ऽतिक्रमे दण्डभूयस्त्वम् । ॥17 फलहरितधान्यशाकादाने पञ्चकृष्णलम् अल्पम् । ॥18

5 When a Śūdra steals, he must be made to repay the loss eightfold, 16 and the fine is progressively doubled for thieves belonging to each of the prior classes. 17 If the felon is a learned man, he should be punished more severely. 18 For stealing small amounts of fruits, vegetables, or grain, the fine is five Krsnalas. 43 A thief, his hair dishevelled and carrying a pestle, should go to the king proclaiming his deed. 44 He is cleansed by being killed or released, 45 but by not killing him the king assumes the sin. 49 A man who knowingly becomes an associate of a thief shall be treated like a thief, 50 as also a man who illicitly (adharma) receives goods from him. [G 12.15–8, 43–5,49–50]

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Baudhāyana

स्तेनः प्रकीर्य केशान् सैध्रकम् मुसलम् आदाय स्कन्धेनराजानं गच्छेद् अनेन मां जहिइति तेनएनं हन्यात् ॥16 अथअप्य् उदाहरन्ति ॥17 स्कन्धेनआदाय मुसलं स्तेनो राजानम् अन्वियात् ॥17 अनेन शाधि मां राजन् क्षत्रधर्मम् अनुस्मरन् ॥17 शासने वा विसर्गे वा स्तेनो मुच्येत किल्बिषात् ॥17 अशासनात् तु तद् राजा स्तेनाद् आप्नोति किल्बिषम् इति ॥17

16 Making his hair dishevelled and carrying a pestle of Sidhraka wood, a thief should go to the king and say "Bludgeon me with this". The king should bludgeon him with it. 17 Now, they also quote: "A thief should go to the king carrying a pestle on his shoulder: 'Punish me with this, O King, calling to mind the duty of a Kṣatriya'. Whether he is punished or released, the thief is absolved of his sin. By not punishing him, the king assumes the sin of the thief." [B 2.1.16–17]

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Vasiṣṭha

ब्राह्मणसुवर्णहरणे प्रकीर्य केशान् राजानम् अभिधावेत् स्तेनसस्मि भो शास्तु माम्भवान् इति तस्मै राजाऔदुम्बरम्शस्त्रम्दद्यात् तेनआत्मानम्प्रमापयेत्मरणात् पूतस्भवतिइति विज्ञायते ॥41 निष्कालकस्वा घृतअक्तस्गोमयअग्निना पादप्रभृतिआत्मानम् अभिदाहयेत्मरणात् पूतस्भवतिइति विज्ञायते ॥42

41 When someone has stolen gold from a Brahmin, the thief should dishevel his hair and run to the king, saying, "I am a thief, sir! Do punish me, lord." The king should hand him a weapon made of Udumbara wood. With that the thief should kill himself. It is stated: "He will be purified after death." 42 Alternatively, he may shave his hair, smear his body with ghee, and get himself burnt from feet upward in a fire of cowdung. It is stated: "He will be purified after death." [Va 20.41–2]

Gautama

द्रव्यादानं विवाहसिद्ध्यर्थं धर्मतन्त्रसंयोगेच शूद्रात् । ॥24 अन्यत्रापि शूद्राद् बहुपशोर् हीनकर्मणः । ॥25 शतगोर् अनाहिताग्नेः । ॥26 सहस्रगोश् चासोमपात् । ॥27

सप्तमीं चाभुक्त्वाअनिचयाय । ॥28 अप्य् अहीनकर्मभ्यः । ॥29 आचक्षीत राज्ञा पृष्टः । ॥30 तेन हि भर्तव्यः श्रुतशीलसंपन्नश् चेत् । ॥31 धर्मतन्त्रपीडायाम् तस्याकरणे दोषो । ॥32

24 To perform a marriage or in connection with the course of the Law, a person may take money from a Sūdra, 25 or even from a non-Sūdra who has plenty of livestock but neglects his rituals, 26 who owns a hundred cows but has not set up the sacred fires, 27 or who owns a thousand cows but has not offered a Soma sacrifice. 28 A man may do so also when he has had nothing to eat until the seventh mealtime, but not to hoard, 29 taking even from people who do not neglect their rituals. 30 If the king interrogates him, he should confess, 31 for if he is learned and virtuous, the king is required to support him. 32 If the king does not act when the course of the Law is in jeopardy, he is at fault. [G 18.24–32]