Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c6.23

c6.23

The superintendent had also to take note of those animals that were missing (नष्ट) and also of those that were lost for good (विनष्ट). Those that were stolen, had got mixed up in the herds of others, or had disappeared in other ways, were called नष्ट. Animals were regarded as विनष्ट when they met with either natural or violent death. Thus, it was recorded whether they died of poison, disease, old age, from being buried in mire or drowned in water; whether killed by tree or stone falling upon them, struck by lightning (ईशान), or fallen a prey to tiger, snake, crocodile or forest fire.²