Sutra 7

Devanagari script

परशुल्कावरुद्धायां हस्तवधः चतुःशतो वा दण्डः शुल्कदानं च ॥ कZ_०४.१२.०७ ॥

Transliteration

paraśulkāvaruddhāyāṃ hastavadhaḥ catuḥśato vā daṇḍaḥ śulka-dānaṃ ca

Translation

In the case of a woman “blocked/held” by another’s bride-price (śulka)—i.e., already contracted to another through śulka—the penalty is cutting off the hand, or else a fine of four hundred (paṇas), and payment of the śulka as well.

Word by Word

परशुल्कanother’s/customs duty belonging to someone else; чужarge not one’s own

आवरुद्धायाम्when (it) has been obstructed/withheld (i.e., in the case of obstruction of the duty)

हस्तवधःcutting off of the hand (mutilation penalty)

चand

चतुःशतःfour hundred (as a fine amount)

वाor

दण्डःpenalty; fine

शुल्कदानम्payment of the duty

चand

Entities Mentioned

woman under prior contract

prior claimant (groom/family)

offender

FAQs

What is the state protecting here—morality or contract?

Primarily contract/order: the woman is treated as already reserved by a prior legally recognized arrangement (śulka), and interference is punished and monetarily reversed.

Why add ‘śulka payment’ alongside punishment?

To restore the injured party’s contractual/economic position in addition to deterring the offender.