Arthashastra

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वाक् पारुष्यम् उपवादः कुत्सनम् अभिभर्त्सनम् इति ॥

CALUMNY, contemptuous talk, or intimidation constitutes defamation.

english translation

vAk pAruSyam upavAdaH kutsanam abhibhartsanam iti ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

शरीर प्रकृति श्रुत वृत्ति जन पदानां शरीर उपवादे काण खञ्ज आदिभिः सत्ये त्रि पणो दण्डः, मिथ्या उपवादे षट् पणो दण्डः ॥

Among abusive expressions relating to the body, habits, learning, occupation, or nationalities, that of calling a deformed man by his right name such as „the blind‟, „the lame‟, etc. shall be punished with a fine of 3 panas; and by false name 6 panas.

english translation

zarIra prakRti zruta vRtti jana padAnAM zarIra upavAde kANa khaJja AdibhiH satye tri paNo daNDaH, mithyA upavAde SaT paNo daNDaH ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

"शोभन अक्षिमन्तः" इति काण खञ्ज आदीनां स्तुति निन्दायां द्वादश पणो दण्डः ॥

If the blind, the lame, etc., are insulted with such ironical expressions as „a man of beautiful eyes‟, „a man of beautiful teeth‟, etc. the fine shall be 12 panas.

english translation

"zobhana akSimantaH" iti kANa khaJja AdInAM stuti nindAyAM dvAdaza paNo daNDaH ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

कुष्ठ उन्माद क्लैब्य आदिभिः कुत्सायां च सत्य मिथ्या स्तुति निन्दासु द्वादश पण उत्तरा दण्डास् तुल्येषु ॥

Likewise when a person is taunted for leprosy, lunacy, impotency and the like. Abusive expressions in general, no matter whether true, false, or reverse with reference to the abused, shall be punished with fines ranging above 12 panas, in the case of persons of equal rank.

english translation

kuSTha unmAda klaibya AdibhiH kutsAyAM ca satya mithyA stuti nindAsu dvAdaza paNa uttarA daNDAs tulyeSu ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript

विशिष्टेषु द्वि गुणाः, हीनेष्व् अर्ध दण्डाः, पर स्त्रीषु द्वि गुणाः, प्रमाद मद मोह आदिभिर् अर्ध दण्डाः ॥

If persons abused happen to be of superior rank, the amount of the fines shall be doubled; if of lower rank, it shall be halved. For calumniating the wives of others, the amount of the fines shall be doubled. If abuse is due to carelessness, intoxication, or loss of sense, etc., the fines shall be halved.

english translation

viziSTeSu dvi guNAH, hIneSv ardha daNDAH, para strISu dvi guNAH, pramAda mada moha Adibhir ardha daNDAH ॥

hk transliteration by Sanscript