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Dr. M.A. MAHENDALE
MEDHATITHI ON MANU IX, 256
The Manusmrti IX, 256 runs as
द्विविधांस्तस्करान् विद्यात्परद्रव्यापहारकान् । प्रकाशांश्चाप्रकाशांश्च चारचक्षुर्महीपतिः ।।
This stanza mentions two kinds of thieves' who deprive others of their property. They are referred to as prakāśa and aprakāśa (or pracchanna) in the Manusmrti (IX, 257). As becomes clear from the following verse, by prakasataskara! (or prakāśavañcaka)? are meant traders (panyopajivinah) etc., and by aprakaśataskaraz (or pracchannavañcaka)* are meant thieves, forest-dwellers, etc. (stenagavikadayah).
While explaining the verse cited above Medbátitbi makes a remark which does not become clear at first sight. He says:
प्रकाशतस्कराणां नातितस्करव्यवहारो यथा लोकेऽन्येषामटवीरात्रिचराणामाप्तस्तैः सामान्योपादानं तद्वन्निग्रहार्थ क्रियते ।
The expression atitaskaravyavaharah is not quite clear. It seems to mean 'dealings or acts (vyavahara) which are beyond i.e., which are different from those of a thief'. The best course to understand the whole sentence would be to start from the end. (i.e.37956127: explained by Medbā. tithi as अटवीरात्रिचरैः). (प्रकाशानां तस्करा इति) सामान्योपादानं तद्वन्निग्रहार्थ क्रियते.
1. I.e. the daylight 'thieves'. 2. As they are called in Madu IX, 257. 3. I.e, the night 'thieves'. 4. As they are called in Manu IX, 257. 5. The printed editions have *TTEFIT4 or TF1RTEFTTH for which sce
below.
MadhuVidyā/541
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