Adhyaya 11

Sutra 1

कलहे घ्नतः पुरुषं चित्रो घातः ॥ कZ_०४.११.०१ ॥

When a man is killed in a quarrel, the killing is “variegated” (i.e., it admits differentiated categories/grades).

Sutra 2

सप्तरात्रस्यान्तर्मृते शुद्धवधः पक्षस्यान्तरुत्तमः मासस्यान्तः पञ्चशतः समुत्थानव्ययश्च ॥ कZ_०४.११.०२ ॥

If death occurs within seven nights (of the injury), it is treated as clear homicide (punishable by death). If death occurs within a fortnight, the highest amercement applies. If death occurs within a month, a fine of five hundred applies, and compensation for medical treatment and related expenses is also due.

Sutra 3

शस्त्रेण प्रहरत उत्तमो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.११.०३ ॥

For one who strikes with a weapon, the highest penalty applies.

Sutra 4

मदेन हस्तवधः मोहेन द्विशतः ॥ कZ_०४.११.०४ ॥

If the act is committed in drunkenness, (the penalty is) amputation of the hand; if committed in delusion/folly, a fine of two hundred applies.

Sutra 5

वधे वधः ॥ कZ_०४.११.०५ ॥

For killing, (the penalty is) killing (capital punishment).

Sutra 6

प्रहारेण गर्भं पातयत उत्तमो दण्डः भैषज्येन मध्यमः परिक्लेशेन पूर्वः साहसदण्डः ॥ कZ_०४.११.०६ ॥

For one who causes miscarriage by assault, the highest penalty applies; if it is treated by medicine, the middle penalty applies; if it results in suffering/distress, the first (lowest) sāhasa-penalty applies.

Sutra 7

प्रसभस्त्रीपुरुषघातकाभिसारकनिग्राहकावघोषकावस्कन्दकोपवेधकान्पथिवेश्मप्रतिरोधकान् राजहस्त्यश्वरथानां हिंसकान् स्तेनान्वा शूलानारोहयेयुः ॥ कZ_०४.११.०७ ॥

They shall impale on stakes: violent killers of women or men; abductors; those who seize/hold people unlawfully; public terror-raisers; marauders; arsonists; those who block roads or houses; those who injure the king’s elephants, horses, or chariots; and thieves (of that class).

Sutra 8

यश्चैनान्दहेदपनयेद्वा स तमेव दण्डं लभेत साहसमुत्तमं वा ॥ कZ_०४.११.०८ ॥

Whoever burns them (e.g., destroys evidence/corpses) or removes them (e.g., helps them escape or disposes of them) shall receive the same punishment, or the highest sāhasa-penalty.

Sutra 9

हिंस्रस्तेनानां भक्तवासोपकरणाग्निमन्त्रदानवैयावृत्यकर्मसूत्तमो दण्डः परिभाषणमविज्ञाते ॥ कZ_०४.११.०९ ॥

For those who provide violent thieves with food, lodging, equipment, fire, mantras, gifts, services, or any assistance, the highest penalty applies; if it is not known (that they were violent thieves), it is treated as interrogation/admonition.

Sutra 10

हिंस्रस्तेनानां पुत्रदारमसमन्त्रं विसृजेत्समन्त्रमाददीत ॥ कZ_०४.११.१० ॥

In the case of violent thieves, the king shall release their sons and wives if they are not complicit; if they are complicit, he shall take them into custody (and proceed against them).

Sutra 11

राज्यकामुकमन्तःपुरप्रधर्षकमटव्यमित्रोत्साहकं दुर्गराष्ट्रदण्डकोपकं वा शिरोहस्तप्रदीपिकं घातयेत् ॥ कZ_०४.११.११ ॥

He shall put to death: one who covets the kingdom (a would-be usurper), one who violates the inner apartments, one who incites forest-tribes/enemies, or one who provokes rebellion against forts, the countryside, or the royal authority—by execution (e.g., displaying the severed head/hand as a public warning).

Sutra 12

ब्राह्मणं तमः प्रवेशयेत् ॥ कZ_०४.११.१२ ॥

A Brāhmaṇa is to be consigned to “darkness” (i.e., executed/put to death by a non-bloody method).

Sutra 13

मातृपितृपुत्रभ्रात्राचार्यतपस्विघातकं वात्वग्शिरःप्रादीपिकं घातयेत् ॥ कZ_०४.११.१३ ॥

One who kills (his) mother, father, son, brother, teacher, or an ascetic—alternatively, one who makes a ‘lamp’ of skin and head—should be put to death.

Sutra 14

तेषामाक्रोशे जिह्वाच्छेदः अङ्गाभिरदने तदङ्गान्मोच्यः ॥ कZ_०४.११.१४ ॥

For abusing them, the tongue is to be cut off; for biting their limbs, the offender is to be deprived of the corresponding limb(s).

Sutra 15

यदृच्छाघाते पुंसः पशुयूथस्तेये च शुद्धवधः ॥ कZ_०४.११.१५ ॥

For the killing of a man ‘without cause’ (unprovoked) and for the theft of a herd of cattle, the punishment is straightforward execution.

Sutra 16

दशावरं च यूथं विद्यात् ॥ कZ_०४.११.१६ ॥

A ‘herd’ is to be understood as not less than ten (animals).

Sutra 17

उदकधारणं सेतुं भिन्दतस्तत्रैवाप्सु निमज्जनमनुदकमुत्तमः साहसदण्डः भग्नोत्सृष्टकं मध्यमः ॥ कZ_०४.११.१७ ॥

For one who breaks a water-retaining embankment/dam, drowning on the spot is prescribed; if it results in the loss of water, the highest sāhasa-penalty applies; if it is broken but water is not lost (or it is released/let off), the middle sāhasa-penalty applies.

Sutra 18

विषदायकं पुरुषं स्त्रियं च पुरुषघ्नीमपः प्रवेशयेदगर्भिणीं गर्भिणीं मासावरप्रजाताम् ॥ कZ_०४.११.१८ ॥

A poisoner—whether man, or woman who kills men—should be put into the waters (drowned); a woman is to be drowned if she is not pregnant; if pregnant, after the monthly term/after childbirth (as specified).

Sutra 19

पतिगुरुप्रजाघातिकामग्निविषदां संधिच्छेदिकां वा गोभिः पाटयेत् ॥ कZ_०४.११.१९ ॥

A woman who kills her husband, teacher, or a member of the populace; or who commits arson or poisoning; or who breaks a treaty/compact—should be torn apart by cattle.

Sutra 20

विवीतक्षेत्रखलवेश्मद्रव्यहस्तिवनादीपिकमग्निना दाहयेत् ॥ कZ_०४.११.२० ॥

One who sets fire to an enclosed field, threshing-floor, house, goods, an elephant-forest, or similar property is to be burnt with fire.

Sutra 21

राजाक्रोशकमन्त्रभेदकयोरनिष्टप्रवृत्तिकस्य ब्राह्मणमहानसावलेहिनश्च जिह्वामुत्पाटयेत् ॥ कZ_०४.११.२१ ॥

The tongue should be torn out of one who abuses the king or reveals state counsel; likewise of one engaged in hostile conduct; and (even) of a Brāhmaṇa who ‘licks the royal kitchen’ (i.e., abuses privileged access/acts parasitically within the palace establishment).