The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c23.28

v1.c23.28

The general *lex talionis* is similarly confined to thieves or robbers (Manu, VIII, 334), though another restriction limits it to intercourse between low and high caste (if a man of low caste injure a man of high caste the limb corresponding to the one hurt shall be cut off, *ibid.* 279). In one particular, however, the rule of increased fines is reversed, for in any case where a common man would be fined one penny (*kārshāpaṇa*) the king is fined a thousand (Manu, VIII, 336), probably on the principle (Manu, VIII, 338) that he who knows more should suffer more¹.