History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.831

v4.c63.t2.831

9. Taking (or stealing) of corn even from one whose actions are lowly (i. e. even from a śūdra), when a brāhmaṇa has been without food for six times (i. e. three days). Gaut. 18. 28-29, Manu XI. 16 and Yāj. III. 43 provide that when a brāhmaṇa cannot earn his maintenance in a season of distress even in any one of the ways indicated in Yāj. III. 42 and has been hungry for three days he may steal or take away one day's food even from a low person such as a śūdra. It should be noted that this Kalivarjya text pointedly repeats the very words of Manu XI. 16 'bhaktāni ṣaḍ-anaśnatā ... hartavyaṁ hīnakarmaṇaḥ). In ancient times theft of such a minor nature was permitted when the brāhmaṇa was famished. But later times took a stricter view of the matter.