Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c6.s1.22

c6.s1.22

Besides these general precautions that had to be adopted by the superintendent of pastures, the duty of taking special protective measures was thrown on the herdsmen themselves. They had to attach bells or other sounding instruments to the necks of timid animals. These served the double purpose of scaring away snakes and other undesirables and of helping the herdsmen to easily find out, by following the direction of the sound, the animals that went astray.² When the cattle required watering and bathing, their safety was secured by leading them only to those streams and ponds which were marked out as being free from mire (चकर्दम) and crocodiles (अपाय), and the approaches to which were gradually sloped instead of being abrupt and steep (समबूडतीर्थ).³