The Law Code of Bṛhaspati 1.1

1.1.1

dharmapradhānāḥ puruṣāḥ pūrvam āsann ahiṃsakāḥ /
lobhadveṣābhibhūtānāṃ vyavahāraḥ pravartitaḥ //

In former ages men were strictly virtuous and devoid of mischievous propensities. Now that avarice and malice have taken possession of them, judicial proceedings have been established.

1.1.2

prayacchec ced bhṛtiṃ svāmī bhṛtyānāṃ karma kurvatām /
na kurvanti ca bhṛtyāś cet tatra vādaḥ pravartate //

1.1.3

hiṃsāṃ vā kurute kaś cid deyaṃ vā na prayacchati /
dve hi sthāne vivādasya tayor bahutarā gatiḥ //

1.1.4

yato dravyaṃ vinikrīya ṛṇārthaṃ caiva gṛhyate /
tanmūlyam uttamarṇena vyavahāra iti smṛtaḥ //

1.1.5

guṇadharmān ato rājñaḥ kathayāmy anupūrvaśaḥ /
dhanikarṇikasaṃdigdhau pratibhūlekhyasākṣiṇaḥ //

1.1.6

vicārayati yaḥ samyak tasyotpattiṃ nibodhata /
somāgnyarkānilendrāṇāṃ vittāpattyor yamasya ca //

1.1.7

tejomātraṃ samuddhṛtya rājño mūrtir hi nirmitā /
tasya savāṇi bhūtāni carāṇi sthāvarāṇi ca //

1.1.8

bhayād bhogāya kalpante svadharmān na calanti ca /
nārājake kṛṣivaṇikkusīdaparipālanam //

1.1.9

tasmād varṇāśramāṇāṃ tu netāsau nirmitaḥ purā /
dvipado vyavahāraḥ syāt dhanahiṃsāsamudbhavaḥ //

1.1.10

dvisaptako'rthamūlas tu hiṃsāmūlaś caturvidhaḥ /
pāruṣye dve vadhaś caiva parastrīsaṃgrahas tathā //

1.1.11

kusīdanidhideyād yaṃ saṃbhūyotthānam eva ca /
bhṛtyadānam aśuśrūṣā bhūvādo 'svāmivikriyaḥ //

1.1.12

krayavikrayānuśayaḥ samayātikramas tathā /
strīpuṃsayogaḥ steyaṃ ca dāyabhāgo'kṣadevanam //

1.1.13

etāny arthasamutthāni padāni tu caturdaśa /
punar evaṃ prabhinnāni kriyābhedād anekadahā //

1.1.14

pāruṣye dve sāhasaṃ ca parastrīsaṃgrahas tathā /
hiṃsodbhavapadāny evaṃ catvāry āha bṛhaspatiḥ //

1.1.15

hīnamadhyottamatvena prabhinnāni pṛthak pṛthak /
viśeṣa eṣāṃ nirdiṣṭaś caturṇām apy anukramāt //

1.1.16

padāny aṣṭādaśaitāni dharmaśāstroditāni tu /
mūlaṃ sarvavivādānāṃ ye vidus te parīkṣakāḥ //

1.1.17

pūrvapakṣaḥ smṛtaḥ pādo dvitīyas tūttaras tathā /
kriyāpādas tathā vācyaś caturtho nirṇayas tathā //

1.1.18

dharmeṇa vyavahāreṇa cāritreṇa nṛpājñayā /
catuṣprakāro'bhihitaḥ saṃdigdhe 'rthe vinirṇayaḥ //

1.1.19

śāstraṃ kevalam āśritya kriyate yatra nirṇayaḥ /
vyavahāraḥ sa vijñeyo dharmas tenāpi vardhate //

1.1.20

deśasthityānumānena naigamānumatena ca /
kriyate nirṇayas tatra vyavahāras tu bādhyate //

1.1.21

vihāya caritācāraṃ yatra kuryāt punar nṛpaḥ /
nirṇayaṃ sā tu rājājñā caritaṃ bādhyate tayā //

1.1.22

dharmaśāstrānusāreṇa sāmātyaḥ sa purohitaḥ /
vyavahārān nṛpaḥ paśyet prajāsaṃrakṣaṇāya ca /
krodhalobhavihīnas tu satyavādī jitendriyaḥ //

1.1.23

saptaprakṛtikaṃ yat tu vijigīṣor areś ca yat /
caturdaśakam evedaṃ maṇḍalaṃ paricakṣate //

1.1.24

catvāraḥ pṛthivīpālāḥ pṛthaṅmitraiḥ sahāṣṭakam /
amātyādibhir ete ca jagaty akṣarasaṃhitāḥ //

1.1.25

prātar utthāya nṛpatiḥ śaucaṃ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ /
gurūn jyotirvido vaidyān devān viprān purohitān //

1.1.26

yathārham etān saṃpūjya supuṣpābharaṇāmbaraiḥ /
abhinandya ca gurvādīn sumukhaḥ praviśet sabhām //

1.1.27

rājā kāryāṇi saṃpaśyet sadbhir eva tribhir vṛtaḥ /
sabhām eva praviśyāgryām āsīnaḥ sthita eva vā //

1.1.28

ātmadārārthalokānāṃ saṃcitānāṃ tu guptaye /
nṛpatiḥ kārayed durgaṃ prākāradvayasaṃyutam //

1.1.29

bhūpānām indhanarasair vetraśaṣpānnavāhanaiḥ /
yantrāyudhaiś ca vividhaiḥ snigdhaiḥ śūrair narair yutam //

1.1.30

vedavidyāvido viprān kṣatriyān agnihotriṇaḥ /
āhṛtya sthāpayet tatra teṣāṃ vṛttiṃ prakalpayet //

1.1.31

anācchedyāḥ karās tebhyaḥ pradeyā gṛhabhūmayaḥ /
muktā bhāvyāś ca nṛpater lekhayitvā svaśāsane //

1.1.32

nityaṃ naimittikaṃ kāmyaṃ śāntikaṃ pauṣṭikaṃ tathā /
paurāṇāṃ karma kuryus te saṃdigdhavinayaṃ tathā //

1.1.33

samā nimnonnatā vāpi yatra bhūmir yathāvidhā /
śālāṭṭaparikhādyāś ca kartavyāś ca tathāvidhāḥ //

1.1.34

samantāt tatra veśmāni kuryuḥ prakṛtayas tataḥ /
dvijavaiśyavaṇicchilpikārukā rakṣakās tathā //

1.1.35

shalāvasthānaniṣkāśabhramaśvabhracatuṣpathān /
samājavikrayasthānagovrajāṃś caiva kalpayet //

1.1.36

guṇavān iti yaḥ proktaḥ khyāpito janasaṃsadi /
kathaṃ tenaiva vaktreṇa nirguṇaḥ parikathyate //

1.1.37

tasmāt prabhutvaṃ vṛttiṃ ca nirdoṣasya na cālayet /
anavasthāprasaṅgaḥ syān naśyetopagrahas tathā //

1.1.38

samyaṅ niviṣṭadeśas tu kṛtadurgas tu śāstrataḥ /
kaṇṭakoddharaṇe nityam ātiṣṭhed balam uttamam //

1.1.39

tat prajāpālanaṃ proktaṃ trividhaṃ nyāyavedibhiḥ /
paracakrāc caurabhayād balino'nyāyavartinaḥ //

1.1.40

parānīkastenabhayam upāyaiḥ śamayen nṛpaḥ /
balavat paribhūtānāṃ pratyahaṃ nyāyadarśanaiḥ //

1.1.41

yad adhīte yad yajate yaj juhoti yad arcati /
tasya ṣaḍbhāgabhāg rājā samyag bhavati rakṣaṇāt //

1.1.42

rakṣan dharmeṇa bhūtāni rājā vadhyāṃś ca ghātayan /
yajate 'harahar yajñaiḥ sahasraśatadakṣiṇaiḥ //

1.1.43

daśāṣṭaṣaṣṭhaṃ nṛpater bhāgaṃ dadyāt kṛṣīvalam /
khilād varṣāvasantāc ca kṛṣyamāṇād yathākramam //

1.1.44

deśasthityā baliṃ dadyur bhūtaṃ ṣaṇmāsavārṣikam /
eṣa dharmaḥ samākhyātaḥ kīnāśānāṃ purātanaḥ //

1.1.45

audakaṃ pārvataṃ vārkṣyam airaṇaṃ dhānvanaṃ tathā /
durgamadhye gṛhaṃ kuryāj jalavṛkṣāvṛtaṃ pṛthak //

1.1.46

prāgdiśi prāṅmukhīṃ tasya lakṣaṇyāṃ kalpayet sabhām /
mālyadhūpāsanopetāṃ bījaratnasamanvitām //

1.1.47

pratimālekhyadevaiś ca yuktām agnyambunā tathā /
lakṣaṇyāṃ vāstuśāstroktalakṣaṇena tu lakṣitām //

1.1.48

bhadrāsanam adhiṣṭhāya saṃvītāṅgaḥ samāhitaḥ /
praṇamya lokapālebhyaḥ kāryadarśanam ārabhet //

1.1.49

vipro dharmadrumasyādiḥ skandhaśākhe mahīpatiḥ /
sacivāḥ patrapuṣpāṇi phalaṃ nyāyena pālanam //

1.1.50

yaśo vittaṃ phalaraso bhogopagrahapūjanam /
ajeyatvaṃ lokapaṅktiḥ svarge sthānaṃ ca śāśvatam //

1.1.51

vodotvaitān nyāyarasān samo bhūtvā vivādanam /
tyaktalobhādikaṃ rājā dharmaṃ kuryād vinirṇayam //

1.1.52

rājā vṛttivivādānāṃ svayam eva pradarśanam /
śāstradṛṣṭena mārgeṇa sa vidvadbhiḥ prasevyate //

1.1.53

tasmān nyāyena rājā tu samyag yatnena pālayet /
tasmād arthaṃ ca rājyaṃ ca [yaśaś ca] vipulaṃ labhet //

1.1.54

satyaṃ devāḥ samāsena manuṣyās tv anṛtaṃ viduḥ /
ihaiva tasya devatvaṃ yasya satye sthitā matiḥ //

1.1.55

paśvājyyartvigādīnāṃ saṃyogāj jāyate 'dhvaraḥ /
yathā saṃbadhyate tena vyavahāras tathocyate //

1.1.56

prāḍvivākasadasyānām upajīvya matāni tu /
tadyuktiyogād yo 'rtheṣu nirṇaye na sa daṇḍabhāk //

1.1.57

pratiṣṭhitāpratiṣṭhā ca mudritā śāsitā tathā /
caturvidhā sabhā proktā sabhyāś caiva tathāvidhāḥ //

A judicial assembly is declared to be of four sorts: stationary, not stationary, furnished with (the king's) signet-ring, and directed (by the king). The judges are of as many sorts.

1.1.58

pratiṣṭhitā pure grāme calā nāmāpratiṣṭhitā /
mudritā adhyakṣasaṃyuktā rājayuktā ca śāsitā //

A stationary (court meets) in a town or village; one not stationary is called movable; one furnished with (the king's) signet-ring is superintended by the chief judge; one directed (by the king) is held in the king's presence.

1.1.59

nyāyān paśyet kṛtamatiḥ sā sabhādhvarasaṃmitā /
lokavedāṅgadharmajñāḥ sapta pañca trayo 'pi vā /
yatropaviṣṭā viprāgryāḥ sā yajñasadṛśī sabhā //

That judicial assembly is equal (in sanctity) to a sacrificial meeting in which there sit seven or five or three Brahmans, who are acquainted with the world, with (the contents of) the Veda, and with law.

1.1.60

kuryād alagnakau rakṣed arthiprathyarthinau sadā /
etad daśāṅgaṃ karaṇaṃ yasyām adhyāsta pārthivaḥ //

That judicial assembly is equal (in sanctity) to a sacrificial meeting in which there sit seven or five or three Brahmans, who are acquainted with the world, with (the contents of) the Veda, and with law.

1.1.61

dvisasyāṣṭamaṃ bhāgaṃ muktvā kālaṃ susaṃviśet /
sa kālo vyavahārāṇāṃ śāstradṛṣṭaḥ paraḥ smṛtaḥ //

That judicial assembly is equal (in sanctity) to a sacrificial meeting in which there sit seven or five or three Brahmans, who are acquainted with the world, with (the contents of) the Veda, and with law.

1.1.62

sādhukarmakriyāyuktāḥ satyadharmaparāyaṇāḥ /
akrodhalobhāḥ śāstrajñāḥ sabhyāḥ kāryā mahībhujā //

Men qualified by the performance of devotional acts, strictly veracious and virtuous, void of wrath and covetousness, and familiar with (legal) lore, should be appointed by the ruler as judges (or assessors of the court).

1.1.63

sapta pañca trayo vā sabhāsado bhavanti //

Men qualified by the performance of devotional acts, strictly veracious and virtuous, void of wrath and covetousness, and familiar with (legal) lore, should be appointed by the ruler as judges (or assessors of the court).

1.1.64

deśācārānabhijñā ye nāstikāḥ śāstravarjitāḥ /
unmattakruddhalubdhārtā na praṣṭavyā vinirṇaye //

Men qualified by the performance of devotional acts, strictly veracious and virtuous, void of wrath and covetousness, and familiar with (legal) lore, should be appointed by the ruler as judges (or assessors of the court).

1.1.65

rājā kāryāṇi saṃpaśyet prāḍvivāko 'tha vā dvijaḥ /
nyāyāṅgāny agrataḥ kṛtvā sabhyaśāstramate sthitaḥ //

Let the king or a member of a twice-born caste officiating as chief judge try causes, acting on principles of equity, and abiding by the opinion of the judges, and by the doctrine of the sacred law.

1.1.66

balena caturaṅgena yato rañjayate prajāḥ /
dīpyamānaḥ svavapuṣā tena rājābhidhīyate //

1.1.67

ekas tv anekadhā prokto vyavahāro manīṣibhiḥ /
tasya nirṇayakṛd rājā brāhmaṇaś ca bahuśrutaḥ //

1.1.68

vyavahārāśritaṃ praśnaṃ pṛcchati prāḍ iti śrutiḥ /
vivadet tatra yas tasmin prāḍvivākas tu sa smṛtaḥ //

1.1.69

vivāde pṛcchati praśnaṃ pratipraśnaṃ tathaiva ca /
priyapūrvaṃ prāg vadati prāḍvivākas tataḥ smṛtaḥ //

1.1.70

saprāḍvivākaḥ sāmātyaḥ sabrāhmaṇapurohitaḥ /
sasabhyaḥ prekṣako rājā svarge tiṣṭhati dharmataḥ //

1.1.71

sarvaśāstrārthavettāram alubdhaṃ nyāyabhāṣiṇam /
vipraṃ prājñaṃ kramāyātam amātyaṃ sthāpayed dvijam //

1.1.72

dvijān vihāya yaḥ paśyet kāryāṇi vṛṣalaiḥ saha /
tasya prakṣarate rāṣṭraṃ balaṃ kośaṃ ca naśyati //

1.1.73

ye cāraṇyacarās teṣām araṇye karaṇaṃ bhavet /
senāyāṃ sainikānāṃ tu sārtheṣu baṇijāṃ tathā //

For persons roaming the forest, a court should be held in the forest; for warriors, in the camp; and for merchants, in the caravan.

1.1.74

kīnāśāḥ kārukā mallāḥ kusīdaśreṇivartakāḥ /
liṅginas taskarāś caiva svena dharmeṇa nirṇayaḥ //

Cultivators, artizans (such as carpenters or others), artists, money-lenders, companies (of tradesmen), dancers, persons wearing the token of a religious order (such as Pâsupatas), and robbers should adjust their disputes according to the rules of their own profession.

1.1.75

kulāni śreṇayaś caiva gaṇās tv adhikṛto nṛpaḥ /
pratiṣṭhā vyavahārāṇāṃ gurvebhyas tūttarottaram //

Cultivators, artizans (such as carpenters or others), artists, money-lenders, companies (of tradesmen), dancers, persons wearing the token of a religious order (such as Pâsupatas), and robbers should adjust their disputes according to the rules of their own profession.

1.1.76

tapasvināṃ tu kāryāṇi traividyair eva kārayet /
māyāyogavidāṃ caiva na svayaṃ kopakāraṇāt //

(The king) should cause the disputes of ascetics and of persons versed in sorcery and witchcraft to be settled by persons familiar with the three Vedas only, and not (decide them) himself, for fear of rousing their resentment.

1.1.77

adaṇḍyān daṇḍayan rājā daṇḍyāṃś caivāpy adaṇḍayan /
ayaśo mahad āpnoti narakaṃ caiva gacchati //

1.1.78

api bhrātā suto 'rghyo vā śvaśuro māturo 'pi vā /
nādaṇḍyo nāma rājño 'sti dharmād vicalitaḥ svakāt //

1.1.79

yatra vipro na vidvān syāt kṣatriyaṃ tatra yojayet /
vaiśyaṃ vā dharmaśāstrajñaṃ śūdraṃ yatnena varjayet //

1.1.80

dharmakarmavihīnas tu brāhmair liṅgair vivarjitaḥ /
bravīti brāhmaṇo 'smīti tam āhur brāhmaṇabruvam //

1.1.81

śabdābhidhānatattvajñau gaṇanākuśalau śucī /
nānālipijñau kartavyau rājñā gaṇakalekhakau //

1.1.82

akāraṇe rakṣaṇe ca sākṣyarthipravādinām /
sabhyādhīnaḥ satyavādī kartavyas tu sa pūruṣaḥ //

1.1.83

etad daśāṅgakaraṇaṃ yasyām adhyāsya pārthivaḥ /
nyhāyaṃ paśyet kṛtamatiḥ sā sabhādhvarasaṃmitā //

1.1.84

eṣāṃ mūrdhā nṛpo 'ṅgānāṃ mukhaṃ cādhikṛtaḥ smṛtaḥ /
bāhū sabhyāḥ smṛtir hastau jaṅghe gaṇakalekhakau //

1.1.85

hemāgnyambudṛśau hṛc ca pādau svapuruṣas tathā //

1.1.86

hiraṇyam agnim udakaṃ dharmaśāstrāṇi caiva hi /
tanmadhye sthāpayed rājā puṇyāni ca hitāni ca //

1.1.87

ādityacandradevādi dikpālān tatra kalpayet /
hemāgnyambusvapuruṣāḥ sādhanāṅgāni vai daśa //

1.1.88

daśānām api caiteṣāṃ karma proktaṃ pṛthak pṛthak /
vaktādhyakṣo nṛpaḥ śāstā sabhyaḥ kāryaparīkṣakaḥ //

1.1.89

smṛtir vinirṇayaṃ brūte jayadānaṃ damaṃ tathā /
śapathārthe hiraṇyāgnī ambu tṛṣitajantuṣu //

1.1.90

gaṇako gaṇayed arthaṃ likhen nyāyaṃ ca lekhakaḥ /
partyarthisabhyānayanaṃ sākṣiṇam ca svapūruṣaḥ //

1.1.91

vāgdaṇḍaś caiva dhigdaṇḍo viprādhīnau tu tāūbhau /
arthadaṇḍavadhāv uktau rājāyatāv ubhāv api //

1.1.92

rājñā ye viditāḥ samyak kulaśreṇigaṇādayaḥ /
sāhasanyāyavarjyāni kuryuḥ kāryāṇi te nṛṇām //

Relatives, companies (of artizans), assemblies (of co-habitants) and other persons duly authorized by the king, should decide lawsuits among men, excepting causes concerning violent crimes (sâhasa).

1.1.93

kulaśreṇigaṇādhyakṣāḥ proktā nirṇayakārakāḥ /
vicārya śreṇibhiḥ kāryaṃ kulair yan na vicāritam //

When a cause has not been (duly) investigated by (meetings of) kindred, it should be decided after due deliberation by companies (of artizans); when it has not been (duly) examined by companies (of artizans, it should be decided) by assemblies (of co-habitants); and when it has not been (sufficiently) made out by such assemblies, (it should be tried) by appointed (judges).

1.1.94

gaṇaiś ca śreṇy avijñātaṃ gaṇājñātaṃ niyuktakaiḥ /
kulādibhyo 'dhikāḥ sabhyās tebhyo 'dhyakṣaḥ smṛto 'dhikaḥ //

When a cause has not been (duly) investigated by (meetings of) kindred, it should be decided after due deliberation by companies (of artizans); when it has not been (duly) examined by companies (of artizans, it should be decided) by assemblies (of co-habitants); and when it has not been (sufficiently) made out by such assemblies, (it should be tried) by appointed (judges).

Judges are superior in authority to (meetings of) kindred and the rest; the chief judge is placed above them; and the king is superior to all, because he passes just sentences.

1.1.95

sarveṣām adhiko rājā dharmaṃ yatnena niścitam /
uttamādhamamadhyānāṃ vivādānāṃ vicāraṇāt //

Judges are superior in authority to (meetings of) kindred and the rest; the chief judge is placed above them; and the king is superior to all, because he passes just sentences.

1.1.96

uparyupari buddhīnāṃ carantīśvarabuddhayaḥ /
ajñānatimiropetān saṃdehapaṭalānvitān //

The insight of princes surpasses by far the understandings (of other persons), in the decision of the highest, lowest, and middling controversies.

1.1.97

nirāmayān yaḥ kurute śāstrāñjanaśalākayā /
iha kīrtiṃ rājapūjāṃ labhate svargatiṃ ca saḥ //

1.1.98

lobhadveṣādikaṃ tyaktvā yaḥ kuryāt kāryanirṇayam /
śāstroditena vidhinā tasya yajñaphalaṃ bhavet //

1.1.99

adharmataḥ pravṛttaṃ tu nopekṣeran sabhāsadaḥ /
upekṣamāṇās te bhūpā narakaṃ yānty adhomukhāḥ //

1.1.100

nyāyamārgād apetaṃ tu jñātvā cittaṃ mahīpateḥ /
vaktavyaṃ tv apriyaṃ tatra na sabhyaḥ kilbiṣī tataḥ //

1.1.101

sabhyena tāvad vaktavyaṃ dharmārthasahitaṃ vacaḥ /
śṛṇoti yadi no rājā syāt tu sabhyas tato 'naghaḥ //

1.1.102

anirṇīteṣu yady evaṃ saṃbhāṣeta raho 'rthinā /
prāḍvivāko 'pi daṇḍyaḥ syāt sabhyāś caiva viśeṣataḥ //

1.1.103

snetāc cājñānato vāpi mohād vā lobhato 'pi vā /
yatra sabhyo 'nyathāvādī daṇḍyo 'sabhyaḥ smṛto hi saḥ //

1.1.104

lekhyaṃ yatra na vidyeta na sākṣī na ca bhuktayaḥ /
pramāṇāni na santy ekaṃ pramāṇaṃ tatra pārthivaḥ //

1.1.105

niścetuṃ ye na śakyāḥ syur vādāḥ saṃdigdharūpiṇaḥ /
teṣāṃ nṛpaḥ pramāṇ aṃ syāt sa sarvasya prabhur yataḥ //

1.1.106

vyavahārān svayaṃ paśyet sabhyaiḥ parivṛto 'nvaham //

1.1.107

anyāyavādinaḥ sabhyās tathaivotkocajīvinaḥ /
viśvaste vañcakāś caiva nirvāsyāḥ sarva eva te //

1.1.108

niyukto vāniyukto vā śāstrajño vaktum arhati /
yat tena sadasi proktaṃ sa dharmo nātra saṃśayaḥ //

1.1.109

pūrvāmukhas tūpaviśed rājā sabhyā udaṅmukhāḥ /
gaṇakaḥ paścimā yas tu lekhako dakṣiṇāmukhaḥ //

1.1.110

yathā yamaḥ priyadveṣyau prāpte kāle niyacchati /
tathā rājñā niyantavyāḥ prajās tad dhi yamavratam //

1.1.111

dharmaśāstrārthaśāstrābhyām avirodhena pārthivaḥ /
samīkṣamāṇo nipuṇaṃ vyavahāragatiṃ nayet //

1.1.112

nyāyaśāstram atikramya sabhyair atra tu niścitam /
tatra dharmo hato hanti sarvān eva na saṃśayaḥ //

1.1.113

dhāryaṃ manvādikaṃ śāstraṃ nārthaśāstraṃ kathaṃcana /
dvayor virodhe kartavyaṃ dharmaśāstroditaṃ vacaḥ //

1.1.114

kevalaṃ śāstram āśritya na kartavyo vinirṇayaḥ /
yuktihīne vicāre tu dharmahāniḥ prajāyate //

No sentence should be passed merely according to the letter of the law. If a decision is arrived at without considering the circumstances of the case, violation of justice will be the result.

1.1.115

pūrvāhṇe tām adhiṣṭhāya vṛddhāmātyānujīvibhiḥ /
paśyet purāṇadharmārthaśāstrāṇi śṛṇuyāt tathā //

No sentence should be passed merely according to the letter of the law. If a decision is arrived at without considering the circumstances of the case, violation of justice will be the result.

1.1.116

cauro 'cauraḥ sādhv asādhu jāyate vyavahārataḥ /
yuktiṃ vinā vicāreṇa māṇḍavyaś coratāṃ gataḥ //

The issue of a lawsuit may convert a thief into an honest man, and an honourable man into an offender. Mândavya acquired the reputation of a thief in consequence of a decision passed without considering the circumstances of the case.

1.1.117

asatyāḥ satyasadṛśāḥ satyāś cāsatyasaṃnibhāḥ /
dṛśyante bhrāntijanakās tasmād yuktyā vicārayet //

Dishonest men may seem honest, and honest men dishonest, so that wrong notions may be easily created; therefore sentences should be passed after due consideration of the circumstances only.

1.1.118

yajñe saṃpūjyate viṣṇur vyavahāre mahīpatiḥ /
jayī tu yajamāno 'tra jitaḥ paśur udāhṛtaḥ //

1.1.119

pūrvapakṣottarāv ādyaṃ pratijñā ca haviḥ smṛtaḥ /
trayī śāstrāṇi sabhyās tu ṛtvijo dakṣiṇā damaḥ //

1.1.120

tathā caivopadṛṣṭārau jñeyau gaṇakalekhakau /
eṣo 'dhvarasamaḥ prokto vyavahāraḥ samāhṛtaḥ //

1.1.121

smṛtyācāravyapetena mārgenādharṣitaḥ paraiḥ /
āvedayati ced rājñe vyavahārapadaṃ hi tat //

1.1.122

patitādikṛtaś caiva yaś ca na prakṛtiṃ gataḥ /
asvatantrakṛtaś caiva pūrvapakṣo na sidhyati //

1.1.123

mattonmattārtavyasanibālavṛddhaprayojitaḥ /
asaṃbandhakṛtaś caiva vyavahāro na sidhyati //

1.1.124

guruśiṣyau pitāputrau dampatī svāmibhṛtyakau /
eteṣāṃ samavetānāṃ vyavahāro na sidhyati //

1.1.125

evaṃ parīkṣitaṃ sabhyaiḥ pūrvpakṣaṃ tu lekhayet /
aprasiddhaṃ puradviṣṭaṃ vivādaṃ na vicārayet //

1.1.126

pratilomaprasūtānāṃ tathā durganivāsinām /
deśajātikulādīnāṃ ye dharmās tatpravartitāḥ //

The time-honoured institutions of each country, caste, and family should be preserved intact; otherwise the people would rise in rebellion; the subjects would become disaffected towards their rulers; and the army and treasure would be destroyed.

1.1.127

tathaiva te pālanīyāḥ prajā prakṣubhyate 'nyathā /
janāparaktir bhavati balaṃ kośaś ca naśyati //

The time-honoured institutions of each country, caste, and family should be preserved intact; otherwise the people would rise in rebellion; the subjects would become disaffected towards their rulers; and the army and treasure would be destroyed.

1.1.128

uduhyate dākṣiṇātyair mātulasya sutā dvijaiḥ /
madhyadeśe karmakarāḥ śilpinaś ca gavāśinaḥ //

The maternal uncle's daughter is taken in marriage among the twice-born inhabitants of the South. In the central country (Madhyadesa), they become labourers or artizans, and eat cows.

1.1.129

matsyādāś ca narāḥ pūrve vyabhicāraratāḥ striyaḥ /
uttare madyapā nāryaḥ spṛśyā nṝṇāṃ rajasvalāḥ //

The inhabitants of the East are fish-eaters, and their women engage in promiscuous intercourse. In the North the women take intoxicating drinks, and in their courses have intercourse with men.

1.1.130

sahajātāḥ pragṛhṇanti bhrātṛbhāryām abhartṛkām /
anena karmaṇā naite prāyaścittadamārhakāḥ //

The people of Khasa marry the widow of a brother who has died. These men are not subject to the performance of a penance or to punishment on account of any such offence.

1.1.131

vihitākaraṇān nityaṃ pratiṣiddhaniṣevaṇāt /
bhaktācchādaṃ pradāyaiṣāṃ śeṣaṃ gṛhṇīta pārthivaḥ //

1.1.132

[pratilomaprasūtānāṃ tathā durganivāsinām] /
śāstravad yatnato rakṣyā saṃdigdhau sādhanaṃ tu sā //

1.1.133

tāṃ dṛṣṭvā nirṇayaṃ kuryāt prāṅ niviṣṭavyavasthayā /
sabhā śulkocitadame māsaṣāṇmāsike kare //

1.1.134

maryādā lekhitā kāryā naigamādhiṣṭhitā sadā /
arthinaś ca vacaḥ kāryaṃ vacaḥ pratyarthinas tathā /
parīkṣya padam ādadyād anyathā narakaṃ vrajet //

1.1.135

ekasya bahubhiḥ sardhaṃ strībhiḥ prekṣakarais tathā /
anādeyo bhaved vādo dharmavidbhir udāhṛtaḥ //

1.1.136

satrodvāhodyato rogī śokārtonmattabālakāḥ /
matto vṛddho 'nuyuktaś ca nṛpakāryodyato vratī //

(The plaintiff) is not permitted to put under restraint a person engaged in study; nor one about to marry; nor one sick; nor one afflicted by sorrow; nor one insane; nor an infant; nor one intoxicated; nor a very old man; nor one charged with a crime; nor one engaged in the king's service; nor one performing a vow;

1.1.137

āsanne sainikaḥ saṃkhye karṣako vāpasaṃgrahe /
viṣamasthāś ca nāsedhyāḥ strīsanāthās tathaiva ca //

Nor a soldier at the time of battle; nor a husbandman at the time of harvest; nor one in a perilous situation; nor a (respectable) woman; nor one not his own master.

1.1.138

aprāptavyavahāraś ca dūto dānonmukho vratī /
viṣamasthāś ca nāsedhyāḥ strīsanāthās tathaiva ca //

Nor a soldier at the time of battle; nor a husbandman at the time of harvest; nor one in a perilous situation; nor a (respectable) woman; nor one not his own master.

1.1.139

vaṇigvikrītapaṇyas tu sasye jāte kṛṣīvalaḥ /
satrodyatāś caiva tathā dāpanīyāḥ kṛtakriyāḥ //

1.1.140

matir notsahate yatra vivādaṃ kartum icchate /
dātavyas tasya kālaḥ syād arthipratyarthinor api //

1.1.141

yasyābhiyogaṃ kurute tathyenāśaṅkayāpi vā /
tam evānāyayed rājā sudrayā puruṣeṇa vā //

1.1.142

apragalbhajaḍonmātavṛddhastrībālarogiṇām /
pūrvottaraṃ vaded bandhur niyukto 'nyo 'tha vā naraḥ //

1.1.143

ṛtvigvāde niyuktaś ca samau saṃparikīrtinau /
yajñe svāmyāpnuyāt puṇyaṃ hāniṃ vāde 'tha vā jayam //

An officiating priest and one entrusted with the trial of causes are declared to be equal. In a sacrifice, the sacrificer acquires religious merit; in a lawsuit, (the parties obtain) defeat or victory.

1.1.144

āhūto yas tu nāgacched darpād bandhubalānvitaḥ /
abhiyogānurūpeṇa tasya daṇḍaṃ prakalpayet //

1.1.145

kāle kāryārthinaṃ pṛcchet praṇataṃ purataḥ sthitam /
kiṃ kāryaṃ kā ca te pīḍā mā bhaiṣīr brūhi mānava //

1.1.146

evaṃ pṛṣṭaḥ sa yad brūyāt tat sabhyaiḥ brāhmaṇaiḥ saha /
vimṛśya kāryaṃ nyāyyaṃ ced āhvānārtham ataḥ param //

1.1.147

mudrāṃ dadyād yathā patraṃ puruṣaṃ vā samādiśet /
āhūtas tv avamanyeta yaḥ śakto rājaśāsanam /
abhiyogānurūpeṇa tasya daṇḍaṃ prakalpayet //

1.1.148

akalpabālasthaviraviṣamasthakriyākulān /
hīne karmaṇi pañcāśan madhyameṣu śatāvaraḥ /
gurukāryeṣu daṇḍyaḥ syātn nityaṃ pañcaśatāvaraḥ //

1.1.149

parānīkahate deśe durbhikṣe vyādhipīḍite /
kurvīta punarāhvānaṃ daṇḍaṃ na parikalpayet //

1.1.150

kāryātipātivyasaninṛpakāryotsavākulān //

1.1.151

djarmodyatān abhyudaye parādhīnaśaṭhākṛtīn /
mattonmattapramattāṃś ca bhṛtyān nāhvāyayen nṛpaḥ //

1.1.152

na ca bhrātā na ca pitā na putro na niyogakṛt /
parārthavādī daṇḍyaḥ syād vyavahāreṣu vibruvan //

1.1.153

na hīnapakṣāṃ yuvatiṃ kule jātāṃ prasūtikām /
sarvavarṇottamāṃ kanyāṃ tāḥ jñātiprabhuktāḥ smṛtāḥ //

1.1.154

kālaṃ deśañ ca [?] vijñāya kāryāṇāṃ ca balāvalam /
akalpādīn api śanair yānair āhvāpayen nṛpaḥ //

1.1.155

tadadhīnakuṭumbivyaḥ svairiṇyo gaṇikāś ca yāḥ /
niṣkulā yāś ca patitās tāsām āhvānam iṣyate //

1.1.156

ubhayoḥ pratibhūr grāhyaḥ samarthaḥ kāryanirṇaye //

1.1.157

jñātvābhiyogaṃ ye 'pi syur vane pravrajitādayaḥ /
tān apy āhvāpayet rājā gurukāryeṣv akopayan //

1.1.158

vaktavye 'rthe na tiṣṭhantam utkrāmantaṃ ca tadvacaḥ /
āsedhayed vivādārthī yāvad āhvānadarśanam //

1.1.159

sthānāsedhaḥ kālkṛtaḥ pravāsāt karmaṇas tathā /
caturvidhaḥ syād āsedhaḥ āsiddhas taṃ na laṅghayet //

1.1.160

kṣetrārāmagṛhādīni dhanadhānyādikaṃ tathā /
anyāyavādināṃ tv etāny āsedhavyāni vādinām //

1.1.161

āseddhā tu svam āsedhaṃ svayam evotsṛjed yadi /
na tasyātikramād doṣo na ca daṇḍaṃ prakalpayet //

1.1.162

rājñe nivedanād ūrdhvaṃ āseddhā notsṛjed svayam /
utsṛjec ced damo dāpya āsiddhaś ca na laṅghayet //

1.1.163

nadīsaṃtārakāntāradurdeśopaplavādiṣu /
āsiddhas tu parāsedham utkrāman nāparādhnuyāt //

1.1.164

niveṣṭukāmo rogārto yiyakṣur vyasane sthitaḥ /
abhiyuktas tathānyena rājakāryodyatas tathā //

1.1.165

gavām pracāre gopālāḥ sasyārambhe kṛṣīvalāḥ /
śilpinaś cāpi tatkāle āyudhīyāś ca vigrahe //

1.1.166

vṛkṣaṃ parvatam ārūḍhā hastyaśvarathanausthitāḥ /
viṣamasthāś ca te sarve nāsedhyāḥ kāryasādhakaiḥ //

1.1.167

yas tv indriyanirodhenāpy āhārocchvasanādibhiḥ /
āsedhayed anāsedhaiḥ sa daṇḍyo na tv atikramī //

1.1.168

āsedhayogya āsedham utkrāman daṇḍam arhati /
āsedhayaṃs tu nāsedhyaṃ rājñā śāsya iti sthitiḥ //

1.1.169

āgatānāṃ vivadatām asakṛdvādināṃ nṛpaḥ /
vādān paśyen nātmakṛtān na cādhyakṣaniveditān //

1.1.170

pīḍitaḥ svayam āyātaḥ śastreṇārthī yadā bhavet /
prāḍvivākas tu taṃ pṛcchet puruṣo vā śanaiḥ śanaiḥ //

1.1.171

yo 'dattavyavahāratvād aniyuktaḥ pravartate /
vacanṃ tasya na grāhyaṃ likhitapreṣitād ṛte //

1.1.172

ahaṃ pūrvikayā yātāv arthipratyarthinau yadā /
vādo varṇānupūrvyeṇa grāhyaḥ pīḍām avekṣya vā //

1.1.173

unmattamattanirdhūtā mahāpātakadūṣitāḥ /
jaḍātivṛddhabālaś ca vijñeyās tu niruttarāḥ //

1.1.174

pakṣaḥ proktas tv anādeyo vādī cānuttaras tathā /
yādṛgvādī yaś ca pakṣo grāhyas tat kathayāmy aham //

1.1.175

pīḍātiśayam āśritya yad bravīti vivakṣitam /
svārthasiddhiparo vādī pūrvapakṣaḥ sa ucyate //