Chapter 3.4 turns marital mobility and house-access into enforceable public-order rules: graded fines deter illicit movement and abetment while protected exceptions preserve necessary, lawful travel. It frames niṣpatana as a governance and litigation-prevention problem, not merely a moral lapse. It implements calibrated danda: minor for unauthorized leaving, higher for disobedience, higher for entering another’s house, and severe for enabling access to another man’s wife. It targets root externalities—sexual intrigue, household conflict, strīdhana concealment, and neighborhood disturbance—recognizes necessity-based mobility (death rites, illness, misfortune, pregnancy), penalizes obstruction of such movement, and strengthens royal legitimacy by replacing private retaliation with predictable court enforcement.
Sutra 1
पतिकुलान्निष्पतितायाः स्त्रियाः षट्पणो दण्डः अन्यत्र विप्रकारात् ॥ कZ_०३.४.०१ ॥
If a woman goes out from her husband’s household, the fine is 6 paṇas—except in cases of distress/exceptional cause.
Sutra 2
प्रतिषिद्धायां द्वादशपणः ॥ कZ_०३.४.०२ ॥
If she is under a specific prohibition/restriction, the fine is 12 paṇas.
Sutra 3
प्रतिवेशगृहातिगतायाः षट्पणः ॥ कZ_०३.४.०३ ॥
For a woman who enters a neighbor’s house, the fine is 6 paṇas.
Sutra 4
प्रातिवेशिकभिक्षुकवैदेहकानामवकाशभिक्षापण्यदाने द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०३.४.०४ ॥
For giving lodging/space, alms, or goods-for-sale to (certain) neighbors, mendicants, or Vaidehakas, the fine is 12 paṇas.
Sutra 5
प्रतिषिद्धानां पूर्वः साहसदण्डः ॥ कZ_०३.४.०५ ॥
In prohibited cases, the ‘first’ sāhasa (assault/violence-class) fine applies.
Sutra 6
परगृहातिगतायाश्चतुर्विंशतिपणः ॥ कZ_०३.४.०६ ॥
For a woman who enters another person’s house, the fine is 24 paṇas.
Sutra 7
परभार्यावकाशदाने शत्यो दण्डः अन्यत्रापद्भ्यः ॥ कZ_०३.४.०७ ॥
For providing access/opportunity to another man’s wife, the penalty is one hundred (paṇas); except in situations of emergency (āpads).
Sutra 8
वारणाज्ञानयोर्निर्दोषः ॥ कZ_०३.४.०८ ॥
There is no culpability in cases of prevention (acting to stop it) or ignorance (lack of knowledge/intent).
Sutra 9
पतिविप्रकारात्पतिज्ञातिसुखावस्थग्रामिकान्वाधिभिक्षुकीज्ञातिकुलानामन्यतममपुरुषं गन्तुमदोषः इति आचार्याः ॥ कZ_०३.४.०९ ॥
The teachers say: when separated from her husband due to his absence/estrangement, it is not an offense for a wife to go (for shelter/assistance) to one among—her husband’s kinsmen, a well-situated (reputable) village headman, a female ascetic/nun (bhikṣukī), or her natal kin-group—provided it is a ‘non-man’ escort/arrangement (i.e., not involving an unrelated male).
Sutra 10
सपुरुषं वा ज्ञातिकुलम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.१० ॥
Or, to her kin-household accompanied by a proper male protector (a ‘man of standing’).
Sutra 11
कुतो हि साध्वीजनस्यच्छलम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.११ ॥
For how could there be deception in the case of a virtuous woman?
Sutra 12
सुखमेतदवबोद्धुमिति कौटिल्यः ॥ कZ_०३.४.१२ ॥
Kauṭilya says: this is easy to ascertain (i.e., whether it is genuine or a pretext).
Sutra 13
प्रेतव्याधिव्यसनगर्भनिमित्तमप्रतिषिद्धमेव ज्ञातिकुलगमनम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.१३ ॥
Going to one’s kin household is not prohibited when occasioned by death rites, illness, calamity/distress, or pregnancy.
Sutra 14
तन्निमित्तं वारयतो द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०३.४.१४ ॥
For one who prevents her on such grounds, the fine is twelve paṇas.
Sutra 15
तत्रापि गूहमाना स्त्रीधनं जीयेत ज्ञातयो वा छादयन्तः शुल्कशेषम् । इति निष्पतनम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.१५ ॥
Even in such cases, if she goes into hiding/absconds, she forfeits her strīdhana; or, if her relatives conceal her, they shall pay the remaining levy/assessment. Thus is the rule regarding absconding.
Sutra 16
पतिकुलान्निष्पत्य ग्रामान्तरगमने द्वादशपणो दण्डः स्थाप्याभरणलोपश्च ॥ कZ_०३.४.१६ ॥
If, having left the husband’s household, she goes to another village, the fine is twelve paṇas, and there is also forfeiture of the ornaments kept in deposit (with the husband’s household/guardians).
Sutra 17
गम्येन वा पुंसा सह प्रस्थाने चतुर्विंशतिपणः सर्वधर्मलोपश्च अन्यत्र भर्मदानतीर्थगमनाभ्याम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.१७ ॥
If a woman departs together with a man who is a prohibited/unsuitable partner (gamyena), the penalty is 24 paṇas and loss of all legal claims/privileges (civil disqualification), except when the departure is for giving maintenance/support (bharmadāna) or for going on pilgrimage.
Sutra 18
पुंसः पूर्वः साहसदण्डः तुल्यश्रेयसोः पापीयसो मध्यमः ॥ कZ_०३.४.१८ ॥
For a man, the primary penalty is the sāhasa fine (for violent/forcible wrongdoing). When the parties are of equal status, the middling (madhyama) grade applies; when the man is of inferior standing (pāpīyas), the middling grade likewise applies (as the operative standard here).
Sutra 19
बन्धुरदण्ड्यः ॥ कZ_०३.४.१९ ॥
A kinsman (bandhu) is not punishable.
Sutra 20
प्रतिषेधेऽर्धदण्डाः ॥ कZ_०३.४.२० ॥
For acts done in defiance of a prohibition order, the penalties are at half the standard rate.
Sutra 21
पथि व्यन्तरे गूढदेशाभिगमने मैथुनार्थेन शङ्कितप्रतिषिद्धायां वा पथ्यनुसरणे संग्रहणं विद्यात् ॥ कZ_०३.४.२१ ॥
It should be treated as saṃgrahaṇa (illicit taking/abduction) when a woman is escorted along a route: (i) on the road but through by-ways, (ii) towards a concealed/remote place, or (iii) for sexual purpose—especially when she is under suspicion or under prohibition.
Sutra 22
तालावचरचारणमत्स्यबन्धकलुब्धकगोपालकशौण्डिकानामन्येषां च प्रसृष्टस्त्रीकाणां पथ्यनुसरणमदोषः ॥ कZ_०३.४.२२ ॥
Escorting/following a route is not an offense in the case of itinerant groups and occupations—such as performers/itinerants, bards/roamers, fishermen, hunters, cowherds, and tavern-keepers—and likewise for other women who are socially ‘unrestricted’ (prasṛṣṭa-strī), i.e., not under exclusive guardianship.
Sutra 23
प्रतिषिद्धे वा नयतः पुंसः स्त्रियो वा गच्छन्त्यास्त एवार्धदण्डाः । इति पथ्यनुसरणम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.२३ ॥
If a man escorts a woman along a prohibited route, or if women go along such a prohibited route, those same persons incur half-penalties. This concludes the rule on pathyānusaraṇa (escorting/route-following).
Sutra 24
ह्रस्वप्रवासिनां शूद्रवैश्यक्षत्रियब्राह्मणानां भार्याः संवत्सरोत्तरं कालमाकाङ्क्षेरनप्रजाताः संवत्सराधिकं प्रजाताः ॥ कZ_०३.४.२४ ॥
For husbands absent on short journeys, the wives of Śūdra, Vaiśya, Kṣatriya, and Brāhmaṇa should wait for one year (and thereafter). If childless, they wait one year; if they have borne children, they wait for more than a year.
Sutra 25
प्रतिविहिता द्विगुणं कालम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.२५ ॥
When the husband has made due provision/communication (prativihita), the waiting period is doubled.
Sutra 26
अप्रतिविहिताः सुखावस्था बिभृयुः परं चत्वारि वर्षाण्यष्टौ वा ज्ञातयः ॥ कZ_०३.४.२६ ॥
When no provision/notice has been made (aprativihita), the wife should be maintained in reasonable comfort (sukhāvasthā). Her kinsmen (jñātayaḥ) should support her—at most for four years, or for eight years (in extended cases).
Sutra 27
ततो यथादत्तमादाय प्रमुञ्चेयुः ॥ कZ_०३.४.२७ ॥
Thereafter, having taken back what was given according to rule, the adjudicators shall release her from the bond.
Sutra 28
ब्राह्मणमधीयानं दशवर्षाण्यप्रजाता द्वादश प्रजाता राजपुरुषमायुःक्षयादाकाङ्क्षेत ॥ कZ_०३.४.२८ ॥
If the husband is a Brahmin engaged in study, a wife without children should wait ten years; with children, twelve years. If the husband is a royal servant, she should wait until the end of his service term (i.e., until his appointed tenure is exhausted).
Sutra 29
सवर्णतश्च प्रजाता नापवादं लभेत ॥ कZ_०३.४.२९ ॥
And if she bears a child by a man of the same varṇa, she should not incur legal blame or public reproach.
Sutra 30
कुटुम्बर्द्धिलोपे वा सुखावस्थैर्विमुक्ता यथेष्टं विन्देत जीवितार्थमापद्गता वा ॥ कZ_०३.४.३० ॥
Or, if the family’s prosperity is lost, or if she is released by those in comfortable circumstances, she may seek maintenance as she chooses; likewise, if she has fallen into distress, she may do so for the sake of livelihood.
Sutra 31
धर्मविवाहात्कुमारी परिग्रहीतारमनाख्याय प्रोषितमश्रूयमाणं सप्त तीर्थान्याकाङ्क्षेत संवत्सरं श्रूयमाणम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.३१ ॥
A maiden married by a dharma-marriage, if the husband has gone away without notice: when he is unheard of, she should wait seven tīrthas; when news of him is being heard, she should wait one year.
Sutra 32
आख्याय प्रोषितमश्रूयमाणं पञ्च तीर्थान्याकाङ्क्षेत दश श्रूयमाणम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.३२ ॥
If he departed after informing her, then when he is unheard of she should wait five tīrthas; when news of him is being heard, ten tīrthas.
Sutra 33
एकदेशदत्तशुल्कं त्रीणि तीर्थान्यश्रूयमाणं श्रूयमाणं सप्त तीर्थान्याकाङ्क्षेत ॥ कZ_०३.४.३३ ॥
When the marriage consideration (śulka) has been paid only in part: if he is unheard of, she should wait three tīrthas; if he is being heard of, she should wait seven tīrthas.
Sutra 34
दत्तशुल्कं पञ्च तीर्थान्यश्रूयमाणम् दश श्रूयमाणम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.३४ ॥
When the śulka has been paid: if he is unheard of, she should wait five tīrthas; if he is being heard of, ten tīrthas.
Sutra 35
ततः परं धर्मस्थैर्विसृष्टा यथेष्टं विन्देत ॥ कZ_०३.४.३५ ॥
After that (waiting period), once released by the judges (dharmasthas), she may act as she chooses (including contracting a new union).
Sutra 36
तीर्थोपरोधो हि धर्मवध इति कौटिल्यः । इति ह्रस्वप्रवासः ॥ कZ_०३.४.३६ ॥
‘For obstructing the (prescribed) tīrtha-limits is indeed the destruction of justice (dharma),’ says Kauṭilya. Here ends (the topic of) short absence.
Sutra 37
दीर्घप्रवासिनः प्रव्रजितस्य प्रेतस्य वा भार्या सप्त तीर्थान्याकाङ्क्षेत संवत्सरं प्रजाता ॥ कZ_०३.४.३७ ॥
The wife of a man who is on long travel, has renounced worldly life, or is dead shall wait for seven prescribed periods/occasions; if she is pregnant, she shall wait for one year (before further marital disposition is allowed).
Sutra 38
ततः पतिसोदर्यं गच्छेत् ॥ कZ_०३.४.३८ ॥
Thereafter, she may go to (be joined with) the husband’s full brother.
Sutra 39
बहुषु प्रत्यासन्नं धार्मिकं भर्मसमर्थं कनिष्ठमभार्यं वा ॥ कZ_०३.४.३९ ॥
Where there are several (eligible relatives), preference goes to one who is nearest, law-abiding, capable of maintaining the household, the younger (as appropriate), and/or one without a wife.
Sutra 40
तदभावेऽप्यसोदर्यं सपिण्डं कुल्यं वासन्नम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.४० ॥
If he is unavailable, then (she may go to) a non-full brother; or a sapiṇḍa (blood-relative within the recognized degree); or a kulya (clan relative)—whichever is near/available.
Sutra 41
एतेषामेष एव क्रमः ॥ कZ_०३.४.४१ ॥
This alone is the order among them.
Sutra 42
जारस्त्रीदातृवेत्तारः सम्प्राप्ताः संग्रहात्ययम् ॥ कZ_०३.४.४२च्द् ॥
The paramour, the woman, the giver (who arranged/handed her over), and the witness/knower are liable; the recognized ‘saṃgraha’ (lawful arrangement/maintenance-relationship) is thereby terminated/forfeited.
Reduced household conflict and sexual intrigue, fewer retaliatory violences, clearer property accountability (including strīdhana), and a predictable civic order that supports stable production and revenue.
Fines escalate by conduct: 6 paṇas for leaving the husband’s household (except due to husband’s misconduct), 12 paṇas for disobedience when prohibited, 6 paṇas for going to a neighbor’s house, 24 paṇas for entering another’s house, and 100 paṇas for facilitating access to another man’s wife (except in emergencies). Defenses/exceptions include ignorance or valid restraint, and permitted natal-kin visits for death/illness/calamity/pregnancy; obstruction of such necessity attracts a 12-paṇa fine.