WHY LAWLESSNESS IS LAWFUL? 65
The Vaishya to tend cattle, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), to trade, to lend money and to cultivate the land.
One occupation only the lord prescribed to the Shudra, to serve meekly even these (other) three castes.
A student, an apprentice, a hired servant, and fourthly, an official: these must be regarded as labourers. Slaves are those who are born in the house and the rest.
The Sages have distinguished five sorts of attendants according to law. Among these are four sorts of labourers (mentioned above). The slaves (are the fifth category, of which there are) fifteen species.
One born at (his master’s) house; one purchased; one received (by gift); one obtained by inheritance; one maintained during a general famine; one pledged by his rightful owner.
One released from a heavy debt; one made captive in a fight; one won through a wager; one who has come forward declaring ‘I am thine’ an apostate from asceticism; one enslaved for a stipulated period.
One who has become a slave in order to get a maintenance; one enslaved on account of his connection with a female slave; and oneself sold. These are fifteen classes of slaves as declared in law.
Among these the four named first cannot be released from bondage, except by the favour of their owners. Their bondage is hereditary.
The Sages have declared that the state of dependence is common to all these; but that their respective position and an income depends on their particular caste & occupation.
EQUALITY BEFORE LAW
When two persons abuse each other, their punishment shall be equal if they are equals in caste; if one is inferior to the other, his punishment shall be double; for a superior, half (of the ordinary punishment) is ordained.
When persons equal in caste and qualities abuse one another, the punishment ordained for them in the system of law is thirteen Panas and a half.
For a Brahman abusing a Kshatriya, the fine shall be half a hundred (Fifty Panas); for abusing a Vaishya, half of fifty (twentyfive Panas); for abusing a Shudra, twelve & a half.
(7) Manu 1.90; (8) Ibid., 1.91: (9) Narad V. 3; (10) Ibid., V.2; (11) Ibid., V.26: (12) Ibid., V.27; (13) Ibid., V.28; (14) Ibid., V. 29; (15) Ibid. V. 4.
(1) Brihaspati XX.5; (2) Ibid., XX.6; (3) Ibid., XX.7.