# Apastamba Prasna 2, Patala 10, Khanda 26

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> APASTAMBA PRASNA II, PATALA 10, KHANDA 26.
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> 1. A (king) who, without detriment to his servants, gives land and money to Brahmanas according to their deserts gains endless worlds.
> 2. They say (that) a king, who is slain in attempting to recover the property of Brahmanas, (performs) a sacrifice where his body takes the place of the sacrificial post, and at which an unlimited fee is given.
> 3. Hereby have been declared (the rewards of) other heroes, who fall fighting for a (worthy) cause.
> 4. He shall appoint men of the first three castes, who are pure and truthful, over villages and towns for the protection of the people.
> 5. Their servants shall possess the same qualities.
> 6. They must protect a town from thieves in every direction to the distance of one yogana.
> 7. (They must protect the country to the distance of) one krosa from each village.
> 8. They must be made to repay what is stolen within these (boundaries).
> [26. 1. Manu VII, 83, 84, 88; Yagn. I, 314.
> 2. According to Haradatta the king's body represents the post (yupa), his soul the sacrificial animal, the recovered property the reward for the priests or fee.
> 3. Manu VII, 89; Yagn. I, 323, 324.
> 4. Manu VII, 115-124; Yagn. I, 321.
> 6. Yagn. II, 271-272. A yogana is a distance of 4 krosa, kos.
> 7. A krosa, kos, or gau, literally 'the lowing of, a cow,' is variously reckoned at 11/2-4 miles.
> 8. Yagn. I, 272. This law is, with certain modifications, still in force. See Bombay Regulations, XII, 27 par.]
> 9. The (king) shall make them collect the lawful taxes (sulka).
> 10. A learned Brahmana is free from taxes,
> 11. And the women of all castes,
> 12. And male children before the marks (of puberty appear),
> 13. And those who live (with a teacher) in order to study,
> 14. And those who perform austerities, being intent on fulfilling the sacred law,
> 15. And a Sudra who lives by washing the feet,
> 16. Also blind, dumb, deaf, and diseased persons (as long as their infirmities last),
> 17. And those to whom the acquisition of property is forbidden (as Sannyasins).
> 18. A young man who, decked with ornaments, enters unintentionally (a place where) a married woman or a (marriageable) damsel (sits), must be reprimanded.
> [9. According to Haradatta, who quotes Gautama in his commentary, the sulka is the1/20th part of a merchant's gains. On account of the Sutras immediately following, it is, however, more probable that the term is here used as a synonym of 'kara,' and includes all taxes. 'Lawful' taxes are, of course, those sanctioned by custom and approved of by the Smritis.
> 10. Manu VII, 133.
> 11. Haradatta thinks that the rule applies to women of the Anuloma, the pure castes, only.
> 14. 'Why does be say "intent on fulfilling the holy law?" Those shall not be free from taxes who perform austerities in order to make their magic charms efficacious.'--Haradatta.
> 18. The ornaments would indicate that he was bent on mischief. Compare above, I, 11, 32, 6.]
> 19. But he does it intentionally with a bad purpose, he must be fined.
> 20. If he has actually committed adultery, his organ shall be cut off together with the testicles.
> 21. But (if he has had intercourse) with a (marriageable) girl, his property shall be confiscated and he shall be banished.
> 22. Afterwards the king must support (such women and damsels),
> 23. And protect them from defilement.
> 24. If they agree to undergo the (prescribed) penance, he shall make them over to their (lawful) guardians.
> [19. 'The punishment must be proportionate to his property and the greatness of his offence. The term "with a bad purpose" is added, because he who has been sent by his teacher (to such a place) should not be punished.'--Haradatta. Manu VIII, 354; Yagn. II, 284.
> 24. 'I.e. a married woman to her husband or father-in-law an unmarried damsel to her father or to her brothter.'--Haradatta.]
>
> — *Apastamba Prasna 2, Patala 10, Khanda 26*