CHAPTER X. 
1. (The lawful occupations common) to (all) twice-born men are studying the
(Veda), offering sacrifices (for their own sake), and giving (alms). 1
2. Teaching, performing sacrifices for others, and receiving alms (are) the
additional (occupations) of a Brâhmana. 2
3. But the former (three) are obligatory (on him). 3
4. Instruction in the Veda (may be given) without the above-mentioned (vows
and ceremonies) in case a teacher, blood relations, friends or Gurus (receive
it), and in case (the Veda) is exchanged for money or learning. 4
5. Agriculture and trade (are) also (lawful for a Brâhmana) provided
he does not do the work himself, 5
6. Likewise lending money at interest.
7. To protect all created beings is the additional (occupation) of a king, 7
8. And to inflict lawful punishments.
9. He shall support (those) Srotriyas, (who are) Brâhmanas, 9
10. And people unable to work, (even if they are) not Brâhmanas,
11. And those who are free from taxes, 11
12. And (needy) temporary students. 12
13. And (to take) measures for ensuring victory (is another duty of a king), 13
14. Especially when danger (from foes threatens the kingdom);
15. And (to learn) the management of chariots and the use of the bow (is a
further duty of the king),
16. As well as to stand firm in battle and not to turn back. 16
17. No sin (is committed) by injuring or slaying (foes) in battle, 17
18. Excepting those who have lost their horses, charioteers, or arms, those
who join their hands (in supplication), those who flee with flying hair, those
who sit down with averted faces, those who have climbed (in flight) on eminences
or trees, messengers, and those who declare themselves to be cows or Brâhmanas.
19. If another Kshatriya is supported by (the king), he shall follow the same
occupations as his (master).
20. The victor shall receive the booty gained in battle. 20
21. But chariots and animals used for riding (belong) to the king,
22. And a preferential share, except when the booty has been gained in single
combat. 22
23. But the king shall equitably divide (all) other (spoils).
24. Cultivators (must) pay to the king a tax 24
(amounting to) one-tenth, one-eighth, or one-sixth (of the produce).
25. Some declare, that (there is a tax) also on cattle and gold, (viz.)
one-fiftieth (of the stock). 25
26. In the case of merchandise one-twentieth (must be paid by the seller) as
duty, 26
27. (And) of roots, fruits, flowers, medicinal herbs, honey, meat, grass, and
firewood one-sixtieth. 27
28. For it is the duty (of the king) to protect the (tax-payers). 28
29. But to (the collection of) these (taxes) he shall always pay particular
attention. 29
30. He shall live on the surplus. 30
31. Each artisan shall monthly do one (day's) work (for the king). 31
32. Hereby (the taxes payable by) those who 32
support themselves by personal labour have been explained,
33. And (those payable by) owners of ships and carts.
34. He for him must feed these (persons while they work).
35. The merchants shall (each) give (every month one) article of merchandise
for less than the market value.
36. Those who find lost (property) the owner of which is not (known), shall
announce it to the king. 36
37. The king shall cause it to be proclaimed (by the public crier), and (if
the owner does not appear) hold it in his custody for a year.
38. Afterwards one-fourth (of the value goes) to the finder (and) the
remainder to the king.
39. A (man becomes) owner by inheritance, purchase, partition, seizure, or
finding. 39
40. Acceptance is for a Brâhmana an additional (mode of acquisition);
41. Conquest for a Kshatriya;
42. Gain (by labour) for a Vaisya or Sûdra.
43. Treasure-trove is the property of the king, 43
44. Excepting (such as is found) by a Brâhmana who lives according to
(the law). 44
45. Some declare, that a finder of a non-Brâhmanical caste even, who
announces (his find to the king), shall obtain one-sixth (of the value).
46. Having recovered property stolen by thieves, he shall return it to the
owner; 46
47. Or (if the stolen property is not recovered) he shall pay (its value) out
of his treasury. 47
48. The property of infants must be protected until they attain their
majority or complete their studentship. 48
49. The additional (occupations) of a Vaisya are, agriculture, trade,
tending cattle, and lending money at interest. 49
50. The Sûdra (belongs to) the fourth caste, which has one birth
(only). 50
51. For him also (are prescribed) truthfulness, meekness, and purity. 51
52. Some (declare), that instead of sipping water, he shall wash his hands
and feet.
53. (He shall also offer) the funeral oblations, 53
54. Maintain those depending upon him,
55. Live with his wife (only), 55
56. And serve the higher (castes). 56
57. From them he shall seek to obtain his livelihood. 57
58. (He shall use their) cast-off shoes, umbrellas, garments, and mats (for
sitting on), 58
59. (And) eat the remnants of their food;
60. And (he may) live by (practising) mechanical arts; 60
61. And the Ârya under whose protection he places himself, must support him
even if he (becomes) unable to work.
62. And a man of higher caste (who is his master and has fallen into distress
must be maintained) by him.
63. His hoard shall serve this purpose.
64. If permission has been given to him, he may use the exclamation namah (adoration) as his Mantra.
65. Some (declare), that he himself may offer the Pâkayagñas. 65
66. And all men must serve those who belong to higher castes.
67. If Âryans and non-Âryans interchange their occupations and conduct (the
one taking that of the other, there is) equality (between them). 67
CHAPTER XI. 
1. The king is master of all, with the exception of Brâhmanas. 1
2. (He shall be) holy in acts and speech, 2
3. Fully instructed in the threefold (sacred science) and in logic, 3
4. Pure, of subdued senses, surrounded by companions 4
possessing excellent qualities and by the means (for upholding his rule).
5. He shall be impartial towards his subjects; 5
6. And he shall do (what is) good for them. 6
7. All, excepting Brâhmanas, shall worship him who is seated on a
higher seat, (while they them-selves sit on a) lower (one). 7
8. The (Brâhmanas), also, shall honour him. 8
9. He shall protect the castes and orders in accordance with justice; 9
10. And those who leave (the path of) duty, he shall lead back (to it). 10
11. For it is declared (in the Veda) that he obtains a share of the spiritual
merit (gained by his subjects). 11
12. And he shall select as his domestic priest (purohita) a Brâhmana
who is learned (in the Vedas), of noble family, eloquent, handsome, of (a
suitable) age, and of a virtuous disposition, who lives righteously and who is
austere. 12
13. With his assistance he shall fulfil his religious duties. 13
14. For it is declared (in the Veda): 'Kshatriyas, who are assisted by
Brâhmanas,
prosper and do not fall into distress.' 14
15. He shall, also, take heed of that which astrologers and interpreters of
omens tell (him).
16. For some (declare), that the acquisition of wealth and security depend
also upon that.
17. He shall perform in the fire of the hall the rites ensuring prosperity
which are connected with expiations (sânti), festivals, a prosperous
march, long life, and auspiciousness; as well as those that are intended to
cause enmity, to subdue (enemies), to destroy (them) by incantations, and to
cause their misfortune. 17
18. Officiating priests (shall perform) the other (sacrifices) according to
the precepts (of the Veda). 18
19. His administration of justice (shall be regulated by) the Veda, the
Institutes of the Sacred Law, the Aṅgas, and the Purâna. 19
20. The laws of countries, castes, and families, which are not opposed to the
(sacred) records, (have) also authority. 20
21. Cultivators, traders, herdsmen, money-lenders, and artisans (have
authority to lay down rules) for their respective classes.
22. Having learned the (state of) affairs from those who (in each class) have
authority (to speak he shall give) the legal decision. 22
23. Reasoning is a means for arriving at the truth. 23
24. Coming to a conclusion through that, he shall decide properly.
25. If (the evidence) is conflicting, he shall learn (the truth) from (Brâhmanas)
who are well versed in 25 the threefold sacred lore, and give his decision (accordingly).
26. For, (if he acts) thus, blessings will attend him (in this world and the
next). 26
27. It has been declared in the Veda: 'Brâhmanas, united with
Kshatriyas, uphold gods, manes, and men.
28. They declare, that (the word) danda (rule or punishment) is
derived from (the verb) damayati (he restrains); therefore he shall restrain
those who do not restrain themselves.
29. (Men of) the (several) castes and orders who always live according to
their duty enjoy after death the rewards of their works, and by virtue of a
remnant of their (merit) they are born again in excellent countries, castes, and
families, (endowed) with beauty, long life, learning in the Vedas, (virtuous)
conduct, wealth, happiness, and wisdom. 29
30. Those who act in a contrary manner perish, being born again in various
(evil conditions). 30
31. The advice of the spiritual teacher and the punishment (inflicted by the
king) guard them. 31
32. Therefore a king and a spiritual teacher must not be reviled. 32
CHAPTER XII. 
1. A Sûdra who intentionally reviles twice-born men by criminal
abuse, or criminally assaults them with blows, shall be deprived of the limb
with which he offends. 1
2. If he has criminal intercourse with an Âryan woman, his organ shall be
cut off, and all his property be confiscated. 2
3. If (the woman had) a protector, he shall be executed after (having
undergone the punishments prescribed above). 3
4. Now if he listens intentionally to (a recitation of) the Veda, his ears
shall be filled with (molten) tin or lac.
5. If he recites (Vedic texts), his tongue shall be cut out.
6. If he remembers them, his body shall be split in twain.
7. If he assumes a position equal (to that of twice-born men) in sitting, in
lying down, in conversation or on the road, he shall undergo (corporal)
punishment. 7
8. A Kshatriya (shall be fined) one hundred (Kârshâpanas) if he
abuses a Brâhmana, 8
9. In case of an assault, twice as much.
10. A Vaisya (who abuses a Brâhmana, shall pay) one and a half
(times as much as a Kshatriya). 10
11. But a Brâhmana (who abuses) a Kshatriya (shall pay) fifty (Kârshâpanas), 11
12. One half of that (amount if he abuses) a Vaisya, 12
13. (And if he abuses) a Sûdra, nothing. 13
14. A Kshatriya and a Vaisya (who abuse one another shall pay the same
fines) as a Brâhmana and a Kshatriya. 14
15. (The value of) property which a Sûdra unrighteously acquires by
theft, must be repaid eightfold. 15
16. For each of the other castes (the fines must be) doubled. 16
17. If a learned man offends, the punishment shall be very much increased. 17
18. If fruits, green corn, and vegetables are appropriated in small amounts,
(the fine is) five Krishnalas (of copper). 18
19. If damage is done by cattle, the responsibility falls on the owner.
20. But if (the cattle) were attended by a herdsman, (it falls) on the
latter. 20
21. (If the damage was done) in an unenclosed field near the road, (the
responsibility falls) on the herdsman and on the owner of the field.
22. Five Mâshas (are the fine to be paid) for (damage done by) a cow, 22
23. Six for a camel or a donkey,
24. Ten for a horse or a buffalo,
25. Two for each goat or sheep.
26. If all is destroyed, (the value of) the whole crop (must be paid and a
fine in addition).
27. If (a man) always neglects the prescribed (duties) and does that which is
forbidden, his property beyond (the amount required for) raiment and food shall
be taken from him (until he amends). 27
28. He may take, as his own, grass for a cow, and fuel for his fire, as well
as the flowers of creepers and trees and their fruit, if they be unenclosed. 28
29. The legal interest for money lent (is at the rate of) five Mâshas a
month for twenty (Kârshâpanas). 29
30. Some (declare, that this rate should not be paid) longer than a year. 30
31. If (the loan) remains outstanding for a long time, the principal may be
doubled (after which interest ceases). 31
32. A loan secured by a pledge that is used (by the creditor) bears no
interest; 32
33. Nor money tendered, nor (a debt due by a debtor) who is forcibly
prevented (from paying). 33
34. (Special forms of interest are) compound interest, periodical interest, 34
35. Stipulated interest, corporal interest, daily interest, and the use of a
pledge. 35
36. The interest on products of animals, on wool, on the produce of a field,
and on beasts of burden (shall) not (increase) more than the fivefold (value of
the object lent). 36
37. The property of (a person who is) neither an idiot nor a minor, having
been used by strangers before his eyes for ten years, (belongs) to him who uses
it, 37
38. (But) not (if it is used) by Srotriyas, ascetics, or royal
officials. 38
39. Animals, land, and females are not lost (to the owner) by (another's)
possession. 39
40. The heirs shall pay the debts (of a deceased person). 40
41. Money due by a surety, a commercial debt, a fee (due to the parents of
the bride), debts contracted for spirituous liquor or in gambling, and a fine
shall not involve the sons (of the debtor). 41
42. An (open) deposit, a sealed deposit, an object lent for use, an object
bought (but not paid), and a pledge, being lost without the fault of the holder,
(shall not involve) any blameless person. 42
43. A man who has stolen (gold) shall approach the king, with flying hair,
holding a club in his hand, and proclaim his deed. 43
44. Whether he be slain or be pardoned, he is purified (of his guilt).
45. If the king does not strike, the guilt falls on him. 45
46. Corporal punishment (must) not (be resorted to in the case) of a
Brâhmana. 46
47. Preventing (a repetition of) the deed, publicly proclaiming his crime,
banishment, and branding (are the punishments to which a Brâhmana, may
be subjected). 47
48. That (king) who does not do his duty (by inflicting punishment) becomes
liable to perform a penance. 48
49. (A man who) knowingly (becomes) the servant (of a thief shall be treated)
like a thief, 49
50. Likewise he who (knowingly) receives (goods) from (a thief or) an
unrighteous man.
51. The award of the punishment (must be regulated) by a consideration (of
the status) of the criminal, of his (bodily) strength, of (the nature of) the
crime, and whether the offence has been repeated. 51
52. Or a pardon (may be given) in accordance with the opinion of an
assemblage of persons learned in the Vedas.
|