Hindu Administrative Institutions c10.s6.51

c10.s6.51

It would thus appear that discrimination was used in rendering justice. The primitive Vedic custom of inflicting heavy fines and accepting compensation price for murder had no more force. With the coming of an empire, complicated cases of law became more common. As a consequence organized punishments came into vogue. Nārada enjoins upon Yudhiṣṭhira that no distinction should be made between the rich and the poor in adjudicating cases.¹ Impartial and just punishments alone must be meted out. But a question may be asked how a poor man could pay a heavy fine if it were imposed on him. That discrimination was further made is evident from the Mahābhārata. It lays down that the rich are to be heavily fined, the poor put in chains and the wicked to be subjected to blows. This is the easiest method of correcting wrong-doers.²