Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c13.s1.26

v1.c13.s1.26

They are unanimous in their opinion that punishment should be in proportion to the crime committed. Gautama says: "The award of 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".³ Viṣṇu ordains that the king should consult the Brahmans when awarding punishment. "Let the king dictate due punishments for other offences also, after having ascertained the class and the age (of the criminal) and the amount (of the damage done or sum claimed), and after having consulted the Brāhmaṇas (his advisers)".⁴