The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c21.64

v1.c21.64

A learned priest and women are not taxed, nor are children before puberty, temporary students, or ascetics, or slaves who wash feet, or blind, dumb, deaf, and diseased persons. The king goes personally into battle and is exhorted not to turn his back and not to use poisoned weapons or to attack those who supplicate for mercy or are helpless (Āpastamba, II, 5, 10, 11), such as those who have ceased to fight or declare themselves cows (by eating grass, a sign of submission) (Baudh., I, 10, 18, 11; Gaut., X, 18).