In ancient times, the order and harmony of society were carefully maintained through wise laws and customs. If cattle grazed upon the land by the village’s consent or by the king’s decree, the twice-born—those initiated in sacred rites—were permitted to gather grass, firewood, and flowers wherever they wished, as if these were their own possessions. The boundaries between settlements were precisely determined: a hundred bows’ length separated village from field, two bows for a hamlet, and four hundred for a city, ensuring clear distinction and fairness in land use. Ownership was respected. If a person’s property had not been sold to another, he could reclaim it. However, if a buyer failed to disclose the acquisition, he was at fault; and one who bought at a reduced price, at an improper time, or without proper boundaries was deemed a thief. When lost or stolen property was discovered, the thief was to be brought before the authorities. If the circumstances of time and place were exceeded, the finder should take possession and return it himself. The seller was purified by presenting the goods, the rightful owner reclaimed his property, the king received the fine, and the buyer obtained the price. Thus, all who engaged in selling were bound by these rules. If something was lost through use or by natural causes, it was to be accounted for accordingly. Otherwise, even without proof, the king imposed a fivefold bond as a fine. Whoever found stolen or lost property in another’s possession but failed to report it to the king faced a fine of ninety-six paṇas. Should guards or watchmen recover lost or stolen property, the owner had a year to reclaim it; after that, the king took possession. Specific recompense was set: for a one-hoofed animal, four paṇas; for a human, five; for buffalo, camel, or cow, two each; for sheep and goats, a quarter each. Except for wife and children, property could be given away without opposition from one’s family. If there were heirs, neither the entire estate nor promised portions to another could be given away. Acceptance, especially for immovable property, had to be made openly; what was promised should be given, and once given, not taken back. Waiting periods were established for various things: ten, one, five, seven days, a month, three days, half a month—for seeds, draft animals, gems, women, and men—ensuring proper process and patience. Losses and increases in goods were carefully measured: for gold, two palas per hundred; for silver, one hundred; for tin and lead, eight; for copper and iron, fifteen each. Woolen and cotton goods saw a ten palas increase per hundred; medium quality, five; fine, three. Leather or hair-bound goods suffered a thirtieth part loss; silk and bark cloth neither lost nor increased. Experts, knowing place, time, use, and the nature of the loss, were to declare without doubt what compensation was due for goods. If someone had been enslaved by thieves or sold by force, he was to be released; the owner could regain him through devotion, renunciation of food, or by paying the price. A slave who took up ascetic life remained so until death by the king’s order. Slavery was not to be imposed contrary to caste, nor in reverse order. Even after completing his studies, a student was to reside in the teacher’s house for the appointed time, receiving food and giving the appropriate reward. The king, establishing a place in the city, should appoint a learned Brahmin, versed in the three Vedas and provided with livelihood, instructing him to uphold his own dharma. Those who abided by their own dharma and the king’s established dharma, without violation, were to be diligently protected. If anyone misappropriated communal property or broke agreements, the king would confiscate all his possessions and banish him from the realm. Those who spoke for the good of the assembly had to follow its decisions; those acting contrary were fined first. Anything obtained by one appointed for the assembly’s work must be presented; failure to do so required payment of eleven times the amount. Affairs were to be deliberated by those learned in the Vedas, pure, and free from greed; their words were to be followed. These rules extended to guilds, merchants, heretics, and other groups; the king was to protect their distinctions and uphold their established customs. If a worker abandoned his work after receiving wages, he was to pay double; if not yet paid, an equal amount. The employer was to safeguard the tools. A tenth part of profit from trade, cattle, or grain was to be paid. If wages were not fixed, the king would decide the due amount. Anyone who left the place or time assigned, or did the work differently, owed extra payment to the master; if more was done, more should be given. For whatever work was performed, the worker was entitled to wages for that much. If neither side fulfilled the agreement, the matter was to be settled as heard. If goods were lost not by royal or divine act, the carrier had to pay; if he caused delay in departure, he owed double wages. At the journey’s end, a seventh part was due; if abandoned on the road, a fourth; if halfway, half the wages were to be paid, even by one who abandoned. In gambling, the supervisor took five out of a hundred from the winner’s gain; from a cheat, gambler, or other, ten out of a hundred. One who was properly protected gave the king his due share as agreed; the winner announced his gain, and the truthful, patient one spoke honestly. When the king’s share was received in a known gambling circle, the winner paid it at the place with the supervisor; otherwise, payment was not required. Witnesses to transactions were also witnesses in disputes; those who cheated with false dice, deception, or false oaths were expelled and marked by the king. Gambling was to be conducted openly to prevent theft and deceit; this rule also applied to animal gambling and contests. Agni then spoke: If someone insulted those with defective limbs or senses, whether truthfully or falsely, through hymns, he would be fined twelve and a half paṇas. If someone swore, “I will approach your sister or mother,” the king imposed a fine of twenty-five coins. For lower castes, the fine was half; for higher castes, double; for the highest, twice as much—the penalty was set according to caste and rank. Thus, the laws and customs woven into society ensured fairness, respect, and harmony, guiding all in their duties and dealings.