History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.772

v4.c63.772

Yāj. II. 197, Nār. IX. 9, Kāt. 659, Viṣṇu Dh. S.⁸³⁴ V. 155–156 provide that if through the fault of a carrier (and not through act of God or the king) goods entrusted to him for carrying are lost or become deteriorated, he should be made to pay for the loss. Vṛddha-Manu specifies that if the goods are lost through the negligence of the servant he has to pay only the price, but if through spite then he should be made to pay double the price. If a hired servant (such as a palanquin-bearer or an armed guard) causes obstruction [(by refusing to work) at the time of starting for an auspicious matter (such as a marriage), he should be made to pay double the amount of the wages agreed upon and another servant may be engaged (Yāj. II. 197, Nār. IX. 8, Kāt. 658, Vṛddha-Manu in V R. p. 163). Yāj. II. 198, Nār. IX. 7 provide that if a servant abandons his work (as a bearer or guard) after a start is made (when not seized by illness) he should be made to pay 1/7, ¼ or the whole of the wages according to the distance traversed and a master abandoning a servant in similar circumstances should be made to pay similarly.