Adhyaya 1

Sutra 1

प्रदेष्टारस्त्रयस्त्रयोऽमात्याः कण्टकशोधनं कुर्युः ॥ कZ_०४.१.०१ ॥

Three pradeṣṭāras and three ministers/officials (amātyas) should carry out the ‘removal of thorns’—the enforcement and cleansing of disruptive elements.

Sutra 2

अर्थ्यप्रतीकाराः कारुशासितारः संनिक्षेप्तारः स्ववित्तकारवः श्रेणीप्रमाणा निक्षेपं गृह्णीयुः ॥ कZ_०४.१.०२ ॥

Those who provide restitution/compensation (arthyapratīkārāḥ), supervisors of artisans (kāruśāsitāraḥ), authorized custodians of deposits (saṃnikṣeptāraḥ), and solvent craftsmen acting on their own capital (svavittakāravaḥ)—with the guild as witness/standard (śreṇīpramāṇā)—may accept deposits (nikṣepa).

Sutra 3

विपत्तौ श्रेणी निक्षेपं भजेत ॥ कZ_०४.१.०३ ॥

In times of distress, the guild shall bear (share/undertake) responsibility for the deposit.

Sutra 4

निर्दिष्टदेशकालकार्यं च कर्म कुर्युः अनिर्दिष्टदेशकालं कार्यापदेशम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.०४ ॥

Work shall be performed only with specified place, time, and task; an order lacking specified place and time is merely a pretexted ‘claim of work’ (not enforceable as a proper assignment).

Sutra 5

कालातिपातने पादहीनं वेतनं तद्द्विगुणश्च दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.०५ ॥

For exceeding the time limit, wages shall be reduced by a quarter, and a fine twice that amount shall be imposed.

Sutra 6

अन्यत्र भ्रेषोपनिपाताभ्यां नष्टं विनष्टं वाभ्यावहेयुः ॥ कZ_०४.१.०६ ॥

Except in cases of collapse/accident (bhreṣa) or sudden calamity/attack (upanipāta), they shall be held to account for loss or destruction.

Sutra 7

कार्यस्यान्यथाकरणे वेतननाशस्तद्द्विगुणश्च दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.०७ ॥

If the work is done otherwise than prescribed (defectively or contrary to instruction), the wage is forfeited and a fine twice that (wage) is imposed.

Sutra 8

तन्तुवाया दशैकादशिकं सूत्रं वर्धयेयुः ॥ कZ_०४.१.०८ ॥

Weavers shall increase the thread count/measure by ten or eleven units (i.e., maintain the prescribed increment/standard in yarn output).

Sutra 9

वृद्धिच्छेदे छेदद्विगुणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.०९ ॥

For cutting off the prescribed increase (i.e., failing to deliver the stipulated extra quantity/allowance), the penalty is twice the amount of the shortfall.

Sutra 10

सूत्रमूल्यं वानवेतनं क्षौमकौशेयानामध्यर्धगुणं पत्त्रोर्णाकम्बलदुकूलानां द्विगुणम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.१० ॥

The weaving wage is based on the value of the yarn: for linen and silk it is one-and-a-half times the yarn value; for leaf-fibre cloth, woollen cloth/blankets, and fine cloth it is twice the yarn value.

Sutra 11

मानहीने हीनावहीनं वेतनं तद्द्विगुणश्च दण्डः तुलाहीने हीनचतुर्गुणो दण्डः सूत्रपरिवर्तने मूल्यद्विगुणः ॥ कZ_०४.१.११ ॥

If the prescribed measure/size is deficient, the wage is reduced in proportion to the deficiency and a fine of twice the deficiency is imposed. If the weight is deficient, the fine is four times the deficiency. If the yarn is substituted, the penalty is twice the value (of the yarn).

Sutra 12

तेन द्विपटवानं व्याख्यातम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.१२ ॥

By this same standard, the rules for double-cloth weaving are also explained/covered.

Sutra 13

ऊर्णातुलायाः पञ्चपलिको विहननच्छेदो रोमच्छेदश्च ॥ कZ_०४.१.१३ ॥

In the weighing of wool, an allowable deduction of five palas is recognized for loss due to beating/cleaning and for loss of fibres/hair.

Sutra 14

रजकाः काष्ठफलकश्लक्ष्णशिलासु वस्त्राणि नेनिज्युः ॥ कZ_०४.१.१४ ॥

Washermen shall wash garments on wooden boards or smooth stones (i.e., only on approved, non-damaging surfaces).

Sutra 15

अन्यत्र नेनिजतो वस्त्रोपघातं षट्पणं च दण्डं दद्युः ॥ कZ_०४.१.१५ ॥

If they wash elsewhere (i.e., not on the prescribed surfaces) and the cloth is damaged, they shall pay compensation for the damage and a fine of six paṇas.

Sutra 16

मुद्गराङ्कादन्यद्वासः परिदधानास्त्रिपणं दण्डं दद्युः ॥ कZ_०४.१.१६ ॥

Those who wear/return a garment other than the one marked (with the washerman’s stamp/identifying mark) shall pay a fine of three paṇas.

Sutra 17

परवस्त्रविक्रयावक्रयाधानेषु च द्वादशपणो दण्डः परिवर्तने मूल्यद्विगुणो वस्त्रदानं च ॥ कZ_०४.१.१७ ॥

For selling, buying, or pledging another person’s cloth, the fine is twelve paṇas. For substitution, the penalty is twice the value, and the (original) cloth must be restored/handed over.

Sutra 18

मुकुलावदातं शिलापट्टशुद्धं धौतसूत्रवर्णं प्रमृष्टश्वेतं चैकरात्रोत्तरं दद्युः ॥ कZ_०४.१.१८ ॥

They shall return it by the next day: bright as a bud, clean as a stone-slab, with the yarn-colour properly washed, and a well-rubbed whiteness.

Sutra 19

पञ्चरात्रिकं तनुरागं षड्रात्रिकं नीलं पुष्पलाक्षामञ्जिष्ठारक्तं गुरुपरिकर्म यत्नोपचार्यं जात्यं वासः सप्तरात्रिकम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.१९ ॥

A light dyeing is to be completed in five nights; indigo dyeing in six nights. Dyeing with flower-dye, lac, and madder-red—being a heavy process requiring careful treatment—and fine-class cloth is to be completed in seven nights.

Sutra 20

ततः परं वेतनहानिं प्राप्नुयुः ॥ कZ_०४.१.२० ॥

Beyond that (prescribed limit), they shall incur loss of wages.

Sutra 21

श्रद्धेया रागविवादेषु वेतनं कुशलाः कल्पयेयुः ॥ कZ_०४.१.२१ ॥

In disputes concerning dye/colour-work, trustworthy experts shall determine the wage.

Sutra 22

परार्ध्यानां पणो वेतनं मध्यमानामर्धपणः प्रत्यवराणां पादः स्थूलकानां माषकद्विमाषकं द्विगुणं रक्तकानाम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.२२ ॥

For superior-grade (cloth), the wage is one paṇa; for medium grade, half a paṇa; for inferior grade, a quarter (paṇa). For coarse cloth, (the wage is) one māṣaka or two māṣakas; for red-dyed items, double (the respective rate).

Sutra 23

प्रथमनेजने चतुर्भागः क्षयः द्वितीये पञ्चभागः ॥ कZ_०४.१.२३ ॥

At the first washing/cleansing, the allowable loss is one-fourth; at the second, one-fifth.

Sutra 24

तेनोत्तरं व्याख्यातम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.२४ ॥

By that, what follows is also explained (i.e., the same principles apply to the subsequent cases).

Sutra 25

रजकैस्तुन्नवाया व्याख्याताः ॥ कZ_०४.१.२५ ॥

Thus, (the rules) are explained as applicable to washermen, tailors, and weavers.

Sutra 26

सुवर्णकाराणामशुचिहस्ताद् रूप्यं सुवर्णमनाख्याय सरूपं क्रीणतां द्वादशपणो दण्डः विरूपं चतुर्विंशतिपणः चोरहस्तादष्टचत्वारिंशत्पणः ॥ कZ_०४.१.२६ ॥

For goldsmiths: if they purchase silver or gold from a suspicious/tainted source (“unclean hand”) without declaring it—when the metal is of standard appearance—the fine is twelve paṇas; if it is of abnormal appearance, twenty-four paṇas; if obtained from a thief’s hand, forty-eight paṇas.

Sutra 27

प्रच्छन्नविरूपमूल्यहीनक्रयेषु स्तेयदण्डः कृतभाण्डोपधौ च ॥ कZ_०४.१.२७ ॥

In purchases involving a concealed irregularity/defect, or purchases at an undervalued price, the penalty shall be that for theft; likewise in cases of planted/false deposits of manufactured goods.

Sutra 28

सुवर्णान्माषकमपहरतो द्विशतो दण्डः रूप्यधरणान्माषकमपहरतो द्वादशपणः ॥ कZ_०४.१.२८ ॥

For one who steals a māṣaka (weight/coin unit) from gold, the fine is two hundred (paṇas); for one who steals a māṣaka from silver/dharaṇa, the fine is twelve paṇas.

Sutra 29

तेनोत्तरं व्याख्यातम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.२९ ॥

By this, what follows is also explained (i.e., the same rule applies mutatis mutandis to the subsequent cases).

Sutra 30

वर्णोत्कर्षमपसारणं योगं वा साधयतः पञ्चशतो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.३० ॥

For one who attempts to effect an (illicit) alteration of social status (varṇa-elevation), social removal/ostracism, or a (fraudulent) combination/league (yoga), the fine is five hundred.

Sutra 31

तयोरपचरणे रागस्यापहारं विद्यात् ॥ कZ_०४.१.३१ ॥

In the transgression by either of those two parties, one should prescribe confiscation of the ‘rāga’ (i.e., the illicit gain/colored profit/valuable material obtained through the offense).

Sutra 32

माषको वेतनं रूप्यधरणस्य सुवर्णस्याष्टभागः ॥ कZ_०४.१.३२ ॥

The wage is one māṣa; for handling silver (rūpya) and gold (suvarṇa), the wage is one-eighth (of the standard unit/value).

Sutra 33

शिक्षाविशेषेण द्विगुणो वेतनवृद्धिः ॥ कZ_०४.१.३३ ॥

With specialized training, the wage increment is double.

Sutra 34

तेनोत्तरं व्याख्यातम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.३४ ॥

By this, what follows is also explained (the same standard applies to the subsequent items).

Sutra 35

ताम्रवृत्तकंसवैकृन्तकारकूटकानां पञ्चकं शतं वेतनम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.३५ ॥

For workers dealing with copper rounds/plates (tāmra-vṛtta), kaṃsa (bronze/brass), cutters/engravers (vaikṛntaka), and makers of debased or counterfeit items (kūṭaka), the wage is five per hundred (a standardized rate of 5/100).

Sutra 36

ताम्रपिण्डो दशभागक्षयः ॥ कZ_०४.१.३६ ॥

For a copper ingot/lump, the allowable loss (wastage) is one-tenth.

Sutra 37

पलहीने हीनद्विगुणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.३७ ॥

For a deficit of one pala (short-weight by a pala), the fine is double the amount of the deficiency (twice the shortfall).

Sutra 38

तेनोत्तरं व्याख्यातम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.३८ ॥

By this, what follows is also explained (the same principle applies to the subsequent cases).

Sutra 39

सीसत्रपुपिण्डो विंशतिभागक्षयः ॥ कZ_०४.१.३९ ॥

A lump (ingot) of lead (sīsa) and tin (trapu) is to be discounted by one-twentieth (5%) [when valued/exchanged], allowing for loss/deficiency.

Sutra 40

काकणी चास्य पलवेतनम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.४० ॥

And its wage for palā-measure work is one kākaṇī.

Sutra 41

कालायसपिण्डः पञ्चभागक्षयः ॥ कZ_०४.१.४१ ॥

A lump (ingot) of iron (kālāyasa) is to be discounted by one-fifth (20%) [as allowable loss/deficiency].

Sutra 42

काकणीद्वयं चास्य पलवेतनम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.४२ ॥

And its wage for palā-measure work is two kākaṇīs.

Sutra 43

तेनोत्तरं व्याख्यातम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.४३ ॥

By this, what follows is explained (i.e., the same rule applies analogically to subsequent cases).

Sutra 44

रूपदर्शकस्य स्थितां पणयात्रामकोप्यां कोपयतः कोप्यामकोपयतो द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.४४ ॥

For an assayer/coin-examiner (rūpadarśaka), if he makes a fixed official exchange/valuation schedule (paṇayātrā) ‘variable’ when it should be stable, or makes it ‘stable’ when it should be variable, the fine is twelve paṇas.

Sutra 45

व्याजीपरिशुद्धौ पणयात्रा ॥ कZ_०४.१.४५ ॥

The official valuation/exchange schedule (paṇayātrā) is to be applied with verification of purity against adulteration by mixture (vyājī).

Sutra 46

पणान्माषकमुपजीवतो द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.४६ ॥

For one who makes a livelihood by taking a māṣaka out of a paṇa (i.e., by shaving/shorting the denomination), the fine is twelve paṇas.

Sutra 47

तेनोत्तरं व्याख्यातम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.४७ ॥

By this, what follows is explained (the same principle extends to subsequent analogous cases).

Sutra 48

कूटरूपं कारयतः प्रतिगृह्णतो निर्यापयतो वा सहस्रं दण्डः कोशे प्रक्षिपतो वधः ॥ कZ_०४.१.४८ ॥

For one who causes counterfeit coin/metal-form (kūṭarūpa) to be made, or who accepts it, or who puts it into circulation, the fine is one thousand [paṇas]. But for one who deposits it into the royal treasury (kośa), the penalty is death.

Sutra 49

चरकपांसुधावकाः सारत्रिभागं द्वौ राजा रत्नं च ॥ कZ_०४.१.४९ ॥

For itinerant finders and washers of dust/earth (who discover valuables), two shares out of three of the extracted “essence” may be allotted; the king takes the remaining share, and the precious object (ratna) is treated as the king’s (regalian property).

Sutra 50

रत्नापहार उत्तमो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.५० ॥

For the theft or appropriation of a jewel (ratna), the highest grade of penalty is prescribed.

Sutra 51

खनिरत्ननिधिनिवेदनेषु षष्ठमंशं निवेत्ता लभेत द्वादशमंशं भृतकः ॥ कZ_०४.१.५१ ॥

In reporting mines, jewels, or hidden treasure, the informer shall receive a sixth share; a hired worker involved shall receive a twelfth share.

Sutra 52

शतसहस्रादूर्ध्वं राजगामी निधिः ॥ कZ_०४.१.५२ ॥

A treasure exceeding one hundred thousand (in value) shall accrue to the king (i.e., becomes state property).

Sutra 53

ऊने षष्ठमंशं दद्यात् ॥ कZ_०४.१.५३ ॥

If it is below that (threshold), one should give a sixth share (as the applicable reward).

Sutra 54

पौर्वपौरुषिकं निधिं जानपदः शुचिः स्वकरणेन समग्रं लभेत ॥ कZ_०४.१.५४ ॥

A local resident of good repute, who by his own means (with his own implements/effort) recovers an ancestral or personally earned deposit/hoard, may obtain it in full.

Sutra 55

स्वकरणाभावे पञ्चशतो दण्डः प्रच्छन्नादाने सहस्रम् ॥ कZ_०४.१.५५ ॥

If he lacks his own means/implements (i.e., cannot substantiate recovery by his own agency), the fine is five hundred; if he takes it secretly, the fine is one thousand.

Sutra 56

भिषजः प्राणाबाधिकमनाख्यायोपक्रममाणस्य विपत्तौ पूर्वः साहसदण्डः कर्मापराधेन विपत्तौ मध्यमः ॥ कZ_०४.१.५६ ॥

For a physician who undertakes treatment without disclosing that it endangers life: if harm results, the first (lowest) sāhasa-penalty applies; if harm results due to professional misconduct/error in procedure, the middle sāhasa-penalty applies.

Sutra 57

मर्मवधवैगुण्यकरणे दण्डपारुष्यं विद्यात् ॥ कZ_०४.१.५७ ॥

In cases of killing by striking a vital spot, or causing permanent impairment/disfigurement, it should be treated under the penalties for bodily violence (daṇḍa-pāruṣya).

Sutra 58

कुशीलवा वर्षारात्रमेकस्था वसेयुः ॥ कZ_०४.१.५८ ॥

Entertainers/actors (kuśīlava) shall reside in one fixed place during the rainy season nights (i.e., be locally stationed/registered for that period).

Sutra 59

कामदानमतिमात्रमेकस्यातिवादं च वर्जयेयुः ॥ कZ_०४.१.५९ ॥

They should avoid (i) excessive solicitation for pleasures and gifts from any single person, and (ii) abusive/excessive speech.

Sutra 60

तस्यातिक्रमे द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.१.६० ॥

For violating that (rule), the penalty is a fine of twelve paṇas.

Sutra 61

कामं देशजातिगोत्रचरणमैथुनावहासेन नर्मयेयुः ॥ कZ_०४.१.६१ ॥

At most, they may engage in light joking only by humorous references to region, community, lineage, conduct, or sexual matters—(but not beyond that into abuse/harassment).

Sutra 62

कुशीलवैश्चारणा भिक्षुकाश्च व्याख्याताः ॥ कZ_०४.१.६२ ॥

The kuśīlavas (performers), cāraṇas (bards), and bhikṣukas (mendicants) have been defined/treated (here).

Sutra 63

तेषामयःशूलेन यावतः पणानभिवदेयुस्तावन्तः शिफाप्रहारा दण्डाः ॥ कZ_०४.१.६३ ॥

If they demand money by intimidation with an iron spike/spear, the punishment is as many blows on the buttocks as the number of paṇas demanded.

Sutra 64

शेषाणां कर्मणां निष्पत्तिवेतनं शिल्पिनां कल्पयेत् ॥ कZ_०४.१.६४ ॥

For remaining kinds of work, he should fix artisans’ wages according to completion/output.

Sutra 65

एवं चोरानचोराख्यान्वणिक्कारुकुशीलवान् ॥ कZ_०४.१.६५अब् ॥

In this manner, the state should restrain “thieves who are called non-thieves”—such as merchants, artisans, and performers—when they prey upon the public.

Sutra 66

भिक्षुकान् कुहकांश्चान्यान्वारयेद्देशपीडनात् ॥ कZ_०४.१.६६च्द् ॥

He should prevent mendicants, impostors, and others from oppressing or harassing the countryside.