Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c11.163
Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c11.163
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c11.163
Kauṭilya’s law of prohibition of some kinds of food and drink does not apply in the same way to the members of all the varṇas. Thus a person who causes a brāhmaṇa to partake of prohibited food or drink shall be punished with the highest amercement; the same offence against a kṣatriya will be punished with the middle amercement, against a vaiśya with the first amercement and against a śūdra with a fine of 54 paṇas.⁴ In the case of embezzlement or misappropriation the most severe punishment is laid down for domestic servant. If an officer or a clerk is guilty of this offence, he shall be fined, but in such a case a servant shall be given capital punishment.⁵