The Mauryan Polity c7.s1.t7.8

c7.s1.t7.8

monastic code was deportation of these monks to non-monastic places (*anāvāsa*), with a further penalty of replacing their yellow by white robes.¹ This is only a counterpart of the penalty of banishment to the misbehaved according to the *Dharmaśāstras*. That such cases of departure from monastic life were common is seen from the *Arthaśāstra* where stringent regulations are prescribed for donning the robes of a *sannyāsin*.² It is said that those who left the order of the monks for the world were entertained by the state for various purposes and especially as special intelligent officials who were let loose on the country so as to ascertain the honesty or otherwise of its officers.³