Sutra 2

Devanagari script

सप्तरात्रस्यान्तर्मृते शुद्धवधः पक्षस्यान्तरुत्तमः मासस्यान्तः पञ्चशतः समुत्थानव्ययश्च ॥ कZ_०४.११.०२ ॥

Transliteration

saptarātrasyāntarmṛte śuddhavadhaḥ pakṣasyāntaruttamaḥ māsasyāntaḥ pañcaśataḥ samutthānavyayaś ca

Translation

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.

Word by Word

सप्तरात्रस्यof a period of seven nights (i.e., within seven days)

अन्तःwithin

मृतेupon (someone) having died / in the event of death

शुद्धवधःa ‘clear/clean’ execution (capital punishment in a clearly established case)

पक्षस्यof a fortnight

अन्तःwithin

उत्तमःthe higher/better (option/limit)

मासस्यof a month

अन्तःwithin

पञ्चशतःfive hundred

समुत्थानव्ययःexpenditure connected with origination/undertaking (operational/enterprise-related expense)

चand

Entities Mentioned

victim

offender

state/judiciary

FAQs

What administrative principle is used here to classify liability for death after an assault?

A time-based causation test: the closer the death is to the injury, the stronger the presumption of direct responsibility and the harsher the penalty.

What policy goal is served by adding samutthāna-vyaya?

It enforces restitution in addition to punishment, shifting the economic burden of harm from victims to offenders.