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Arthashastra

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व्यावहारिकं कर्म चतुष्कं षड् दण्डाः, सप्त कशाः, द्वाव् उपरि निबन्धौ, उदक नालिका च ॥

There are in vogue four kinds of torture (karma):-- Six punishments (shatdandáh), seven kinds of whipping (kasa), two kinds of suspension from above (upari nibandhau), and water-tube (udakanáliká cha).

english translation

परं पाप कर्मणां नव वेत्र लताः, द्वादश कशाः, द्वाव् ऊरु वेष्टौ, विंशतिर् नक्त माल लताः, द्वात्रिंशत् तलाः, द्वौ वृश्चिक बन्धौ, उल्लंबने च द्वे, सूची हस्तस्य, यवागू पीतस्य एक पर्व दहनम् अङ्गुल्याः, स्नेह पीतस्य प्रतापनम् एकम् अहः, शिशिर रात्रौ बल्बज अग्र शय्या च ॥

As to persons who have committed grave offences, the form of torture will be nine kinds of blows with a cane:--12 beats on each of the thighs; 28 beats with a stick of the tree (naktamála); 32 beats on each palm of the hands and on each sole of the feet; two on the knuckles, the hands being joined so as to appear like a scorpion; two kinds of suspensions, face downwards (ullambane chale); burning one of the joints of a finger after the accused has been made to drink rice gruel; heating his body for a day after be has been made to drink oil; causing him to lie on coarse green grass for a night in winter.

english translation

इत्य् अष्टादशकं कर्म ॥

These are the 18 kinds of torture.

english translation

तस्य उपकरणं प्रमाणं प्रहरणं प्रधरणम् अवधारणं च खर पट्टाद् आगमयेत् ॥

The instruments of the accused such as ropes, clubs, arrows, spades, knives, etc., shall be paraded on the back of an ass.

english translation

दिवस अन्तरम् एक एकं च कर्म कारयेत् ॥

Each day a fresh kind of the torture may be employed.

english translation