Prasna I, Adhyâya 10, Kandikâ 18
PRASNA I, ADHYÂYA 10, KANDIKÂ 18.
1. Let the king protect (his) subjects, receiving as his pay a sixth part (of their incomes or spiritual merit). 1
2. Brahman, forsooth, placed its majesty in the Brâhmanas, together with (the duties and privileges of) studying, teaching, sacrificing for themselves, sacrificing for others, liberality, and accepting (gifts), for the protection of the Vedas; 2
3. In the Kshatriyas (it placed) strength, together with (the duties and privileges of) studying, sacrificing, liberality, (using) weapons, and protecting the treasure (and the life of) created beings, for the growth of (good) government; 3
4. In the Vaisyas (it placed the power of work), together with (the duties of) studying, sacrificing, liberality, cultivating (the soil), trading, and tending cattle, for the growth of (productive) labour. 4
5. On the Sûdras (it imposed the duty of) serving the three higher (castes). 5
6. For (the Veda states), 'they were created from the feet (of Brahman).' 6
7. Let (the king) choose a domestic priest (who shall be) foremost in all (transactions). 7
8. Let him act according to his instructions. 8
9. Let him not turn back in battle. 9
10. Let him not strike with barbed or poisoned (weapons). 10
11. Let him not fight with those who are in fear, intoxicated, insane or out of their minds, (nor with those) who have lost their armour, (nor with) women, infants, aged men, and Brâhmanas, 11
12. Excepting assassins (âtatâyin). 12
13. Now they quote also (the following verse): 'He who slays an assassin, able to teach (the Veda) and born in a (noble) family, does not (incur) by that (act the guilt of) the murderer of a learned Brâhmana; (in) that (case) fury recoils upon fury.'
14. The duty on goods imported by sea is, after deducting a choice article, ten Panas in the hundred. 14
15. Let him also lay just (duties) on other (marketable goods) according to their intrinsic value without oppressing (the traders). 15
16. Let the king guard the property of men belonging to a non-Brâhmanical caste, the owner of which has disappeared, during a year, and afterwards take it (for himself). 16
17. A Brâhmana, forsooth, shall not suffer corporal punishment for any offence. 17
18. In case (a Brâhmana) has slain a Brâhmana, has violated his Guru's bed, has stolen the gold (of a Brâhmana), or has drunk (the spirituous liquor called) Surâ, (the king) shall cause to be impressed with a heated iron the mark of a headless trunk, a female part, a jackal, (or) the sign of a tavern on the forehead (of the offender) and banish him from his realm. 18
19. If a Kshatriya or (a man of any) other (lower caste) has murdered a Brâhmana, death and the confiscation of all his property (shall be his punishment).
20. If those same (persons) slay men of equal or lower castes, (the king) shall fix suitable punishments in accordance with their ability. 20