In the ancient kingdom, the wise king governed his realm with unwavering justice, guided by the sacred laws. He established clear boundaries for every village, setting them at the measure of a hundred bows all around. If anyone failed to protect these boundaries, the king imposed a fine of one hundred coins, or a gold piece for negligence. For cities, the boundaries were doubled or tripled, but in such cases, the camel-keeper was not permitted to inspect the produce. When grain was damaged in an unprotected field, the king recognized that no punishment was due. Yet, if someone seized a house, orchard, or field by threat, the king levied a fine of five hundred coins, or two hundred if done unknowingly. Those who broke boundaries faced the first degree of fine. Social order was strictly maintained. If a Kshatriya abused a Brahmin, he was fined one hundred coins; a Vaishya who did so paid two hundred, and a Shudra faced corporal punishment. Conversely, a Brahmin who abused a Kshatriya was fined fifty coins; if he abused a Vaishya, half of fifty, and for a Shudra, twelve coins. If a Vaishya abused a Kshatriya, he incurred the first degree of fine, but a Shudra who did so had his tongue cut off. The king did not tolerate those who overstepped their station. A Shudra instructing Brahmins in dharma was punished, and anyone giving false testimony about what was heard or seen paid double the highest fine. Slandering the virtuous with evil words deserved the highest fine, though if done carelessly or out of affection, half the fine was imposed. Respect for elders and teachers was paramount. Whoever abused his mother, father, elder brother, father-in-law, or teacher, or usurped his teacher’s path, was fined one hundred coins. If anyone, regardless of caste, committed an offense with any limb, the king ordered that limb to be cut off without hesitation. Arrogance was not tolerated: spitting on the ground out of pride meant losing both lips; urinating in public meant losing the penis; uttering obscene words meant losing the anus. If an inferior person sat on a superior seat, his buttocks were cut, and whatever limb caused harm was severed. The king protected sacred animals and nature. Those who killed cows, elephants, horses, or camels had half their feet and hands cut off; destroying a fruitless tree resulted in a fine of gold. Theft or damage to property on roads, boundaries, or water reservoirs required payment of double the value, whether knowingly or unknowingly. The king claimed any produce or profit obtained, and imposed the prescribed penalty. Taking a rope or pot from a well, or cutting the rope of a public water source, led to a month’s punishment; endangering life brought death. Stealing more than ten pots of grain warranted death, while lesser thefts incurred a penalty eleven times the value. Stealing gold, silver, or women was punished by death. Retribution was swift and precise. However and with whichever limb a thief acted, the king confiscated that very thing. A Brahmin who took a small amount of vegetables or grain was not blamed, but if he stole for cattle or gods with wicked intent, he was killed if ready to do evil. Stealing a house or field, approaching another’s wife, setting fire, administering poison, or raising a weapon all led to death. The king protected his subjects from those who attacked with intent to steal cows and similar crimes, ordering their execution. No one was allowed to speak to or enter the house of another’s wife when forbidden. A woman who transgressed against her husband was cast out to be devoured by dogs; if corrupted by a man of her own caste, she was made to live on alms. If corrupted by a superior, her head was shaved. If a Brahmin was corrupted by a Vaishya, or a Kshatriya by an outcaste, punishment was meted accordingly: the Kshatriya first, then the Vaishya, for intercourse with a Shudra. If a prostitute, after taking her fee, went elsewhere out of greed, she was required to return double the fee and pay a double fine. Within families, if a wife, son, slave, student, or brother committed an offense, the king permitted punishment by rope or thin stick; but if struck on the back or head, the striker incurred the guilt of a thief. The king watched over his officials. Those appointed for protection who excessively oppressed the people had their property confiscated and were banished. Officials neglecting their duties, being pitiless and cruel-minded, were compelled to perform their tasks. Ministers or judges acting otherwise than prescribed lost all their property and were banished. Certain actions carried lasting marks. Approaching a teacher’s wife brought fear; drinking liquor meant bearing the emblem of liquor; theft brought the mark of a beast; killing a Brahmin meant bearing the head of a man. Sinful Shudras and others were executed, but sinful Brahmins were banished. The wealth of great sinners was consigned to Varuṇa. In villages, those who provided food to thieves or acted as their storekeepers or treasurers were executed. The king purged his realm of corrupt officials and border chiefs, especially those who, after making a pact, committed theft at night. Their hands were cut off and they were impaled on a sharp stake. Those who broke into temples or shrines were executed. Cleanliness and honesty were upheld. Whoever discarded filth on the royal road without necessity was fined a kārṣāpaṇa, and the filth had to be cleaned up. Breaking images or their pedestals incurred a fine of five hundred coins; fraudulent dealings with weights, measures, or value were similarly punished. Merchants were restrained if they took goods without proper price, receiving the due or middle fine. The king imposed the highest fine for adulterating goods or selling under a false name. Forgers received the middle fine, counterfeiters the highest, and those who caused disputes were fined double that amount. Thus, the wise king, guided by dharma, ensured justice, order, and righteousness throughout his realm, protecting his people and upholding the sacred law.