Adhyaya 256

Verse 1

इत्य् आग्नेये महापुराणे दायविभागो नाम पञ्चपञ्चाशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः अथ षट्पञ्चाशदधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः सीमाविवादादिनिर्णयः अग्निर् उवाच सीम्नो विवादे क्षेत्रस्य सामन्ताः स्थविरा गणाः गोपाः सीमाकृषाणा ये सर्वे च वनगोचराः

Thus, in the Agni Mahāpurāṇa ends the two-hundred-and-fifty-fifth chapter, called “Division of Inheritance.” Now begins the two-hundred-and-fifty-sixth chapter, “Determination of Boundary Disputes and Related Matters.” Agni said: When there is a dispute concerning a boundary, the neighboring landholders of the field, the assemblies of elders, the cowherds, the cultivators who know the boundary-lines, and all who range in the forest (and thus know the terrain) are to be consulted as witnesses and knowers of the boundary.

Verse 2

नयेयुरेते सीमानं स्थलाङ्गारतुषद्रुमैः सेतुवल्मीकनिम्नास्थिचैत्याद्यैर् उपलक्षिताम्

These (officials/witnesses) should lead (the parties) to the boundary, which is indicated by local landmarks—such as heaps of charcoal, husk, trees, embankments, anthills, depressions, bone-remains, shrines (caitya), and the like.

Verse 3

सामन्ता वा समंग्रामाश् चत्वारो ऽष्टौ दशापि वा रक्तस्रग्वसनाः सीमान्नयेयुः क्षितिधारिणः

Either the neighboring feudatories, or the co-villagers—four, eight, or even ten—wearing red garlands and red garments, should lead and indicate the boundary line; these are the bearers of the land’s testimony.

Verse 4

अनृते तु पृथग्दण्ड्या राज्ञा मध्यमसाहसम् अभावे ज्ञातृचिह्नानां राजा सीम्नः प्रवत्तकः

But if there is falsehood, the king shall impose a separate punishment, treating it as the middle grade of sāhasa (a grave offence). When there are no identifying marks or testimony of relatives, the king himself shall establish the boundary line.

Verse 5

आरामायतनग्रामनिपानोद्यानवेश्मसु एष एव विधिर्ज्ञेयो वर्षाम्वुप्रवहेषु च

In pleasure-groves (ārāma), sacred precincts (āyatana), villages, watering places (nipāna), gardens, and dwellings, this very same procedure should be understood to apply—also in matters concerning the flow of rainwater.

Verse 6

मर्यादायाः प्रभेदेषु क्षेत्रस्य हरणे तथा मर्यादायाश् च दण्ड्याः स्युरधमोत्तममध्यमाः

In matters of disturbing or altering boundary-marks, and likewise in the seizure (encroachment) of a field, offenders are to be punished according to the grade of the offence—lower, middling, or highest.

Verse 7

न निषेध्यो ऽल्पबाधस्तु सेतुः कल्याणकारकः परभूमिं हरन् कूपः स्वल्पक्षेत्रो बहूदकः

An embankment or irrigation-work (setu) that causes only slight inconvenience should not be prohibited, since it brings public benefit. But a well that encroaches upon another’s land—though occupying little area and yielding much water—is not permissible.

Verse 8

स्वामिने यो ऽनिवेद्यैव क्षेत्रे सेतुं प्रकल्पयेत् उत्पन्ने स्वामिनो भोगस्तदभावे महीपतेः

Whoever, without first informing the owner, constructs a bund or irrigation-work (setu) in a field: when produce arises, the right of enjoyment belongs to the owner; if there is no owner, it belongs to the king.

Verse 9

फालाहतमपि क्षेत्रं यो न कुर्यान्न कारयेत् चत्वारो ऽथ दशापि वेति ख , ग , ञ च स प्रदाप्यो ऽकृष्टफलं क्षेत्रमन्येन कारयेत्

Even if a field has been touched by the plough (prepared for cultivation), one who neither cultivates it himself nor has it cultivated—(variant reading: “four” or “ten,” per manuscript groups kha, ga, ña)—should be made to pay the assessed yield for the uncultivated crop; and the field should be caused to be cultivated by another.

Verse 10

मासानष्टौ तु महिषी सत्यघातस्य कारिणी दण्डनीया तदर्धन्तु गौस्तदर्धमजाविकं

For the offence of satyaghāta (a violation of truth), the penalty is: a she-buffalo is to be confiscated (or imposed as a fine) for eight months; a cow at half of that; and a goat or sheep at half of that again.

Verse 11

भक्षयित्वोपविष्टानां यथोक्ताद् द्विगुणो दमः सममेषां विवीतेपि स्वराष्ट्रं महिषीसमम्

For those who, after consuming the produce, sit down there as if in possession, the fine is twice the amount stated earlier. Even if the matter is disputed, within one’s own kingdom the settlement or valuation is to be made on an equal basis—on par with the value of a buffalo-cow.

Verse 12

यावत् सत्यं विनष्टन्तु तावत् क्षेत्री फलं लभेत् पालस्ताड्यो ऽथ गोस्वामी पूर्वोक्तं दण्डमर्हति

So long as the truth remains obscured (until the facts are established), the cultivator of the field should receive the produce. The field-guard is to be beaten, and the owner of the cattle incurs the previously stated penalty.

Verse 13

पथि ग्रामविवीतान्ते क्षेत्रे दोषो न विद्यते अकामतः कामचारे चौरवद्दण्डमर्हति

There is no offence when one passes along a path, at the edge of a village, or across a field. But one who, without necessity, wanders about at will in another’s property deserves punishment like a thief.

Verse 14

महोत्क्षोत्सृष्टपशवः सूतिकागन्तुका च गौः पालो येषान्तु मोच्या दैवराजपरिप्लुताः

Animals released during a great festival, a cow that has newly calved, and a stray or guest cow—together with their keeper—are to be released (from seizure or penalty). Likewise, those overwhelmed by a calamity sent by fate or by the king (a public disaster) are exempt.

Verse 15

यथार्पितान् पशून् गोपोः सायं प्रत्यर्पयेत्तथा प्रमादमृतनष्टांश् च प्रदाप्यः कृतवेतनः

A hired herdsman should, in the evening, return the cattle exactly as they were entrusted to him; and if any have died or been lost through his negligence, he must make compensation, even though he has received his wages.

Verse 16

पालदोषविनाशे तु पाले दण्डो विधीयते अर्धत्रयोदशपणः स्वामिनो द्रव्यमेव च

But when the loss or damage is due to the keeper’s negligence, a penalty is prescribed for the keeper: a fine of twelve and a half paṇas, and, in addition, the owner’s property itself must be restored.

Verse 17

ग्रामेच्छया गोप्रचारो भूमिराजवशेन वा द्विजस्तृणैधःपुष्पाणि सर्वतः स्ववदाहरेत्

Whether by the consent of the village community or under the king’s authority over the land, a twice-born man (dvija) may gather grass, fuel-wood, and flowers from everywhere, treating them as if they were his own.

Verse 18

धनुःशतं परीणाहो ग्रामक्षेत्रान्तरं भवेत् द्वे शते खर्वटस्य स्यान्नगरस्य चतुःशतम्

The intervening boundary between a village and its agricultural lands should have a circumference of one hundred dhanus. For a kharvaṭa (market-hamlet) it should be two hundred, and for a city it should be four hundred (dhanus).

Verse 19

स्वं लभेतान्यविक्रीतं क्रेतुर्दोषो ऽप्रकाशिते हीनाद्रहो हीनमूल्ये वेलाहीने च तस्करः

If the article is one’s own and has not been validly sold, one should recover it. When a defect is not disclosed, the fault lies with the buyer. If the price paid is less than the proper value, the transaction is invalid; and when the prescribed time-limit is not observed, the claimant is treated as a thief.

Verse 20

नष्टापहृतमासाद्य हर्तारं ग्राहयेन्नरम् देशकालातिपत्तौ वा गृहीत्वा स्वयमर्पयेत्

Having come upon lost or stolen property, a man should have the thief apprehended; or, if the proper place and time for legal procedure have passed, he should seize it and himself hand it over to the rightful owner or the authorities.

Verse 21

विक्रेतुर्दर्शनाच्छुद्धिः स्वामी द्रव्यं नृपो दमम् क्रेता मूल्यं समाप्नोति तस्माद्यस्तत्र विक्रयी

By the seller’s mere appearance before the authority, suspicion is cleared and purification is obtained; the owner receives the property, the king receives the fine, and the buyer recovers the price. Therefore, the one who sold the goods there is held responsible.

Verse 22

आगमेनोपभोगेन नष्टं भाव्यमतो ऽन्यथा पञ्चबन्धो दमस्तस्य राज्ञे तेनाप्यभाविते

If something is lost through unlawful acquisition or through misappropriative enjoyment, it must be restored; otherwise, the offender is subject to fivefold confinement and a monetary fine—penalties to be enforced by the king even when the matter has not been otherwise rectified.

Verse 23

हृतं प्रनष्टं यो द्रव्यं परहस्तादवाप्नुयात् अनिवेद्य नृपे दण्ड्यः स तु षन्नयतिं पणान्

Whoever recovers property that was stolen or lost from another person’s possession and does not report it to the king shall be punished; his fine is ninety-six paṇas.

Verse 24

शौल्किकैः स्थानपालैर् वा नष्टापहृतमाहृतं अर्वाक् संवत्सरात् स्वामी लभते परतो नृपः

If lost property—or property that had been stolen—is brought in by customs officers or local guards, then within one year the owner recovers it; after that, the king takes it.

Verse 25

पणानेकशफे दद्याच्चतुरः पञ्च मानुषे महिषोष्ट्रगवां द्वौ द्वौ पादं पादमजाविके

With one paṇa as the base valuation: for a single-hoofed animal one should pay four; for a human, five. For buffaloes, camels, and cows, the rate is two each; for goats and sheep, one-quarter each.

Verse 26

स्वकुटुम्बाविरोधेन देयं दारसुतादृते नान्वये सति सर्वस्वं देयं यच्चान्यसंश्रुतम्

A gift should be given without causing harm or discord within one’s own household, and not by depriving one’s wife and children. If there is no heir in one’s lineage, one may give away one’s entire property—especially that wealth which has not been promised or set aside for anyone else.

Verse 27

प्रतिग्रहः प्रकाशः स्यात् स्थावरस्य विशेषतः देयं प्रतिश्रुतञ्चैव दत्वा नापहरेत् पुनः

The acceptance of a gift should be done openly, especially in the case of immovable property. And what has been promised as a gift must indeed be given; once given, it should not be taken back again.

Verse 28

दशैकपञ्चसप्ताहमासत्र्यहार्धमासिकं वीजायोवाह्यरत्नस्त्रीदोह्यपुंसां प्रतीक्षणम्

Waiting (to ascertain the result) is prescribed in stages: after ten days, after eleven days, after five or seven days, after a month, after three days, after half a month, and at the monthly period—these are the observation-times for women and for men, in relation to the seed and its conveyance (conception/fertility).

Verse 29

अग्नौ सुवर्णमक्षीणं द्विपलं रजते शते अष्टौ त्रपुणि सीसे च ताम्रे पञ्चदशायसि

For an offering into the sacred fire: undiminished gold—two palas; silver—one hundred (palas); tin and lead—eight (palas) each; copper—in a due measure; and iron—fifteen (palas).

Verse 30

शते दशपलावृद्धिरौर्णे कार्पासिके तथा मध्ये पञ्चपला ज्ञेया सूक्ष्मे तु त्रिपला मता

For woolen and cotton materials, an increase of ten palas is to be understood per hundred. For items of medium fineness, it should be known as five palas; and for fine items, it is considered three palas.

Verse 31

कार्मिके रोमबद्धे च त्रिंशद्भागः क्षयो मतः न क्षयो न च वृद्धिस्तु कौशेये वल्कलेषु च

For kārmika cloth and for woollen (hair-bound) fabric, a loss of one-thirtieth is deemed acceptable. But for silk and for bark-garments, there should be neither loss nor increase in the assessed measure or weight.

Verse 32

देशं कालञ्च भोगञ्च ज्ञात्वा नष्टे बलाबलम् द्रव्याणां कुशला ब्रूयुर्यत्तद्दाप्यमसंशयम्

Having ascertained the place, the time, and the manner of use, and thus determining the relative strength and weakness of the parties in cases of lost property, experts in goods should declare—without doubt—what compensation is to be paid.

Verse 33

बलाद्दासीकृतश् चौरैर् विक्रीतश्चापि मुच्यते स्वामिप्राणप्रदो भक्तत्यागात्तन्निष्क्रयादपि

One who has been forcibly reduced to slavery by thieves, and even one who has been sold as a slave, is to be released. Likewise, a slave is set free if he saves his master’s life, or if the master renounces his claim out of devotion, and also by paying the stipulated redemption price.

Verse 34

प्रव्रज्यावसितो राज्ञो दास आमरणान्तिकः वर्णानामानुलोम्येन दास्यं न प्रतिलोमतः

One who has been restrained from renunciation (pravrajyā), or who has failed in it, becomes the king’s servant, bound to servitude until death. Among the social classes (varṇa), servitude is prescribed only in the direct order (anuloma), not in the reverse order (pratiloma).

Verse 35

कृतशिल्पोपि निवसेत् कृतकालं गुरोर्गृहे अन्तेवासी गुरुप्राप्तभोजनस्त्रत्फलप्तदः

Even after mastering his discipline or skills, he should reside for the prescribed period in the teacher’s house. As a resident pupil (antevāsī), he should eat only the food obtained from the guru, thereby becoming a recipient and bestower of the fruits of the vowed student-discipline.

Verse 36

राजा कृत्वा पुरे स्थानं ब्राह्मणान्न्यस्य तत्र तु त्रैविद्यं वृत्तिमद्ब्रूयात् स्वधर्मः पाल्यतामिति

Having established a proper place in the city and settled Brahmanas there, the king should address the learned—those grounded in the three Vedas and possessed of a rightful livelihood—saying: “Let your own sacred duty (svadharma) be duly maintained.”

Verse 37

निजधर्माविरोधेन यस्तु सामयिको भवेत् सो ऽपि यत्नेन संरक्ष्यो धर्मो राजकृतश् च यः

Any convention or agreed regulation (sāmayika) that arises without contradicting one’s own dharma should also be carefully protected—likewise, that dharma which is instituted by the king.

Verse 38

गणद्रव्यं हरेद्यस्तु संविदं लङ्घयेच्च यः सर्वस्वहरणं कृत्वा तं राष्ट्राद्विप्रवासयेत्

Whoever steals property belonging to a corporate body (guild/community), and whoever violates an agreement (contract)—after confiscating all his possessions, the king should banish him from the realm.

Verse 39

कर्तव्यं वचनं सर्वैः समूहहितवादिभिः यस्तत्र विपरीतः स्यात्स दाप्यः प्रथमं दमम्

All persons who speak for the welfare of the community should have their counsel followed. Whoever, in that matter, acts contrary to it should first be made to pay a fine.

Verse 40

समूहकार्यप्रहितो यल्लभेत्तत्तदर्पयेत् एकादशगुणं दाप्यो यद्यसौ नार्पयेत् स्वयम्

A person deputed for a collective task should hand over whatever he obtains from it. If he does not hand it over himself, he shall be made to pay elevenfold.

Verse 41

वेदज्ञाः शुचयो ऽलुब्धा भवेयुः कार्यचिन्तकाः कर्तव्यं वचनं तेषां समूहहितवादिनां

They should be learned in the Vedas, pure in conduct, and free from greed—men who deliberate on affairs. The counsel of those who speak for the welfare of the collective is to be followed as a duty.

Verse 42

श्रेणिनैगमपाखण्डिगणानामप्ययं विधिः भेदञ्चैषां नृपो रक्षेत् पूर्ववृत्तिञ्च पालयेत्

This same rule applies also to guilds, merchant communities, and sectarian fraternities; and the king should safeguard their distinct divisions and also uphold their established traditional practices.

Verse 43

गृहीतवेतनः कर्म त्यजन् द्विगुणमावहेत् अगृहीते समं दाप्यो भृत्यै रक्ष्य उपस्करः

If, after taking wages, a servant abandons the assigned work, he shall incur a penalty of twice the wage. If the wages have not been taken, he shall be paid an equal amount as due, and the servant’s implements are to be safeguarded.

Verse 44

दाप्यस्तु दशमं भागं बाणिज्यपशुसस्यतः अनिश्चित्य भृतिं यस्तु कारयेत्स महीक्षिता

The king shall levy a tenth part from trade, livestock, and agricultural produce. But the ruler who compels service without first fixing the wages is an unjust king.

Verse 45

देशं कालञ्च यो ऽतीयात् कर्म कुर्याच्च यो ऽन्यथा तत्र तु स्वामिनश्छन्दो ऽधिकं देयं कृते ऽधिके

If someone disregards the proper place and time, or performs an act contrary to what is prescribed, then in such a case the master’s preference is to be given greater weight; and when the work is done beyond what was assigned, an additional recompense should be granted.

Verse 46

यो यावत् कुरुते कर्म तावत्तस्य तु वेतनम् उभयोरप्यसाध्यञ्चेत् साध्ये कुर्याद्यथाश्रुतम्

Whatever amount of work a person performs, that alone is his wage. If, for both parties, full performance is not feasible, one should carry out what is feasible, in accordance with what was agreed (as heard/contracted).

Verse 47

अराजदैविकन्नष्टं भाण्डं दाप्यस्तु वाहकः प्रस्थानविघ्नकृच्चैव प्रदाप्यो द्विगुणां भृतिम्

If the goods are lost due to causes other than the king (state action) or fate (acts of God), the carrier shall be made to pay for the goods; and one who obstructs a departure or journey shall also be compelled to pay double the agreed wage.

Verse 48

प्रक्रान्ते सप्तमं भागं चतुर्थं पथि संत्यजन् भृतिमर्धपथे सर्वां प्रदाप्यस्त्याजकोअपि च

Once the journey has begun, a seventh part should be relinquished; and while on the road, a fourth part. Likewise, even one who withdraws should ensure that the entire wage is paid at mid-journey.

Verse 49

ग्लहे शतिकवृद्धेस्तु सभिकः पञ्चकं गतं गृह्णीयाद्धूर्तकितवादितराद्दशकं शतं

In a wager where the stake increases by hundreds, the presiding officer of the gaming-hall should take a fee of five (units). But from a cheat, a gambler, and others who act unlawfully, he should exact a fine of one hundred and ten.

Verse 50

स सम्यक्पालितो दद्याद्राज्ञे भागं यथाकृतं जितमुद्ग्राहयेज्जेत्रे दद्यात्सत्यं वचः क्षमी

When properly protected (by the king), he should pay to the king the due share according to what is prescribed. The dues owed by the conquered should be collected by the victor; he should speak truthfully and be forbearing.

Verse 51

प्राप्ते नृपतिना भागे प्रसिद्धे धूर्तमण्डले जितं सशभिके स्थाने दापयेदन्यथा न तु

When the king’s due share has been received, and the gaming-assembly is a recognized public circle, the amount won shall be made payable in the very place of play, in the presence of the sabhika (court/assembly officer); not otherwise.

Verse 52

द्रष्टारो व्यवहाराणां साक्षिणश् च त एव हि राज्ञा सचिह्ना निर्वास्याः कूटाक्षोपधिदेविनः

Those who act as observers of legal transactions are in fact the very witnesses; such persons—marked and identified—should be banished by the king when they are fraudulent witnesses, bribed informants, or deceivers acting through false pretenses.

Verse 53

द्यूतमेकमुखं कार्यं तस्करज्ञानकारणात् एष एव विधिर्ज्ञेयः प्राणिद्यूते समाह्वये

Gambling should be conducted under a single, centralized supervision, because it can lead to knowledge and detection of thieves. This very same rule should be understood to apply as well in contests involving living beings, when they are formally convened.