Arthashastra

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उदर दास वर्जम् आर्य प्राणम् अप्राप्त व्यवहारं शूद्रं विक्रय आधानं नयतः स्व जनस्य द्वादश पणो दण्डः, वैश्यं द्वि गुणः, क्षत्रियं त्रि गुणः, ब्राह्मणं चतुर् गुणः ॥

THE selling or mortgaging by kinsmen of the life of a Súdra who is not a born slave, and has not attained majority, but is an Arya in birth shall be punished with a fine of 12 panas; of a Vaisya, 24 panas; of a Kshatriya, 36 panas; and of a Bráhman, 48 panas.

english translation

udara dAsa varjam Arya prANam aprApta vyavahAraM zUdraM vikraya AdhAnaM nayataH sva janasya dvAdaza paNo daNDaH, vaizyaM dvi guNaH, kSatriyaM tri guNaH, brAhmaNaM catur guNaH ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

पर जनस्य पूर्व मध्यम उत्तम वधा दण्डाः, क्रेतृ श्रोतृऋणां च ॥

If persons other than kinsmen do the same, they shall be liable to the three amercements and capital punishment respectively: purchasers and abettors shall likewise be punished.

english translation

para janasya pUrva madhyama uttama vadhA daNDAH, kretR zrotRRNAM ca ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

म्लेच्छानाम् अदोषः प्रजां विक्रेतुम् आधातुं वा ॥

It is no crime for Mlechchhas to sell or mortgage the life of their own offspring.

english translation

mlecchAnAm adoSaH prajAM vikretum AdhAtuM vA ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

न त्व् एव आर्यस्य दास भावः ॥

But never shall an Arya be subjected to slavery.

english translation

na tv eva Aryasya dAsa bhAvaH ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

अथवा आर्यम् आधाय कुल बन्धन आर्याणाम् आपदि, निष्क्रयं च अधिगम्य बालं साहाय्य दातारं वा पूर्वं निष्क्रीणीरन् ॥

But if in order to tide over family troubles, to find money for fines or court decrees, or to recover the (confiscated) household implements, the life of an Arya is mortgaged, they (his kinsmen) shall as soon as possible redeem him (from bondage); and more so if he is a youth or an adult capable of giving help.

english translation

athavA Aryam AdhAya kula bandhana AryANAm Apadi, niSkrayaM ca adhigamya bAlaM sAhAyya dAtAraM vA pUrvaM niSkrINIran ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript