Kautilya's Arthashastra 3.8: Chapter 8 (Section 61): Concerning Immovable Property

3.8.1

sāmantapratyayā vāstuvivādāḥ //

DISPUTES concerning Vástu are dependent for settlement on the evidences to be furnished by people living in the neighbourhood.

3.8.2

gṛhaṃ kṣetram ārāmaḥ setubandhas taṭākam ādhāro vā vāstuḥ //

Houses, fields, gardens, building of any kind (setubandhah), lakes and tanks are each called Vástu.

3.8.3

karṇakīlāyasasambandho 'nugṛhaṃ setuḥ //

The fastening of the roof of a house to the transverse beam by means of iron bolts is called setu (karna-kílaya- sabandho’ nugriham setuh). In conformity to the stability of the setu, houses shall be constructed. Not encroaching upon what belongs to others, new houses may be constructed.

3.8.4

yathāsetubhogaṃ veśma kārayet //

3.8.5

abhūtaṃ vā parakuḍyād apakramya dvāv aratnī tripadīṃ vā deśabandhaṃ kārayet //

Foundation (pade bandhah) shall be 2 aratnis by 3 padas. Except in the case of temporary structures for the confinement of women for ten days, all permanent houses shall be provided with a dunghill (avaskara), water course (bhrama), and a well (udapánum). Violation of this rule shall be punished with the first amercement.

3.8.6

avaskaraṃ bhramam udapānaṃ vā na gṛhocitād anyatra, anyatra sūtikākūpād ānirdaśāhād iti //

3.8.7

tasyātikrame pūrvaḥ sāhasadaṇḍaḥ //

3.8.8

tenendhanāvaghātanakṛtaṃ kalyāṇakṛtyeṣv ācāmodakamārgāś ca vyākhyātāḥ //

The same rule shall hold good regarding the necessity of constructing closets, pits and water courses on festive occasions.

3.8.9

tripadīpratikrāntam adhyardham aratniṃ vā gāḍhaprasṛtam udakamārgaṃ prasravaṇaprapātaṃ vā kārayet //

From each house a water course of sufficient slope and 3 padas or 11 aratnis long shall be so constructed that water shall either flow from it in a continuous line or fall from it (into the drain).

3.8.10

tasyātikrame catuṣpañcāśatpaṇo daṇḍaḥ //

Violation of this rule shall be punished with a fine of 54 panas.

3.8.11

ekapadīpratikrāntam aratniṃ vā cakricatuṣpadasthānam agniṣṭham udanjarasthānaṃ rocanīṃ kuṭṭanīṃ vā kārayet //

Beginning with a pada or an aratni, an apartment measuring 3 padas by 4 padas shall be made for locating the fire for worship (agnishtham), or a waterbutt, (udanjaram), or a corn-mill (rochaním), or a mortar (kuttinín).

3.8.12

tasyātikrame caturviṃśatipaṇo daṇḍaḥ //

Violation of this rule shall be punished with a fine of 24 panas.

3.8.13

sarvavāstukayoḥ prākṣiptakayor vā śālayoḥ kiṣkur antarikā tripadī vā //

Between any two houses or between the extended portions of any two houses, the intervening space shall be 4 padas, or 3 padas. The roofs of adjoining houses may either be 4 angulas apart, or one of them may cover the other. The front door (anidváram) shall measure a kishku; there shall be no impediment inside the house for opening one or the other of the folds of the door. The upper story shall be provided with a small but high window. [If a (neighbouring) house is obstructed by it, the window should be closed.] The owners of houses may construct their houses in any other way they collectively like, but they shall avoid whatever is injurious. With a view to ward off the evil consequences of rain, the top of the roof (vánalatyaschordhvam) shall be covered over with a broad mat, not blowable by the wind. Neither shall the roof be such as will easily bend or break. Violation of this rule shall be punished with the first amercement. The same punishment shall be meted out for causing annoyance by constructing doors or windows facing those of others houses except when these houses are separated by the king's road or the high road.

3.8.14

tayoś caturaṅgulaṃ nīprāntaram<nīvrāntaram?> samārūḍhakaṃ vā //

3.8.15

kiṣkumātram āṇidvāram antarikāyāṃ khaṇḍaphullārtham asampātaṃ kārayet //

3.8.16

prakāśārtham alpam ūrdhvaṃ vātāyanaṃ kārayet //

3.8.17

tadavasite veśmanic chādayet //

3.8.18

sambhūya vā gṛhasvāmino yatheṣṭaṃ kārayeyuḥ, aniṣṭaṃ vārayeyuḥ //

3.8.19

vānalaṭyāś cordhvam āvāryabhāgaṃ kaṭapracchannam avamarśabhittiṃ vā kārayed varṣābādhabhayāt //

3.8.20

tasyātikrame pūrvaḥ sāhasadaṇḍaḥ, pratilomadvāravātāyanabādhāyāṃ ca, anyatra rājamārgarathyābhyaḥ //

3.8.21

khātasopānapraṇālīniśreṇyavaskarabhāgair bahirbādhāyāṃ bhoganigrahe ca //

If a pit, steps, water-course, ladder, dung-hill, or, any other parts of a house offer or cause annoyance to outsiders, or in any way obstruct the enjoyment of others (bhoganigrahe cha), or cause water to collect and thereby injure the wall of a neighbouring house, the owner shall be punished with a fine of 12 panas. If the annoyance is due to feces and urine, the fine shall be double the above. The water-course or gutter shall offer free passage for water; otherwise the fine shall be 12 panas.

3.8.22

parakuḍyam udakenopaghnato dvādaśapaṇo daṇḍaḥ, mūtrapurīṣopaghāte dviguṇaḥ //

3.8.23

praṇālīmokṣo varṣati, anyathā dvādaśapaṇo daṇḍaḥ //

3.8.24

pratiṣiddhasya ca vasataḥ, nirasyataś cāvakrayiṇam anyatra pāruṣyasteyasāhasasaṃgrahaṇamithyābhogebhyaḥ //

The same fine (12 panas) shall be meted out not only to a tenant who, though asked to evacuate, resides in the house, but also to the owner who forces out a renter who has paid his rent (from his house), unless the renter is involved in such acts as defamation, theft, robbery, abduction, or enjoyment with a false title. He who voluntarily evacuates a house shall pay the balance of the annual rent.

3.8.25

svayaṃabhiprasthito varṣāvakrayaśeṣaṃ dadyāt //

3.8.26

sāmānye veśmani sāhāyyam aprayacchataḥ, sāmānyam uparundhato bhogaṃ ca gṛhe dvādaśapaṇo daṇḍaḥ //

If any one of a party does not take part in the construction of a building which is intended for the common use of all the members of that party or if any one obstructs another member of a party in making use of any part of such a building, he shall be fined 12 panas. Similarly if any one mars another's enjoyment of such a building, he shall be fined double the above.

3.8.27

vināśayatas taddviguṇaḥ //

3.8.28

koṣṭhakāṅgaṇavarcānām agnikuṭṭanaśālayoḥ /
vivṛtānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ sāmānyo bhoga iṣyate //E

With the exception of private rooms and parlours, (angana) all other open parts of houses as well as apartments where fire is ever kindled for worship or a mortar is situated shall be thrown open for common use.