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that which belongs to others.
The crime of 'theft is considered by Kauțilya in total six adhyāyas (78th, 79th, 85th, 86th, 87th, 88th). At the end of the 78th adhyāya, a noteworthy comment is passed. A long list of specific occupations is given and a caution is given that a king should keep an eye on the concerned person. He says, 'actually we can't count them as thieves but they are as good as thieves. A vigilence is necessary on the merchants, businessmen, artizens, ascetics, flatterers, snake-charmers and magicians.'
The title of the 79th adhyāya is, 'To protect the subjects from merchants and traders.' When we go through the minute details, we immediately realise the connection between the transgressions of the 3rd anuvrata and the Arthaśāstra.
(i) The first transgression is stenāhsta i.e. buying a stolen good. Adhyāya 86 takes care of this and a severe fine or deathpenalty is recommended.
(ii) Taskaraprayoga is encouraging a thief. The crime is noted in the 88th adhyāya and a punishment is prescribed for providing shelter, food, clothing for a thief or even giving advice to him.
(iii) The third transgression is viruddha-rājyātikrama which means cheating the state of its dues and all type of conspiracies against the government. All the seditious activities are mentioned elaborately in the 88th adhyāya and the horrific punishments like burning and snatching away one's tiunge are prescribed.
(iv) “Cheating in weights and measures’-is the 4th transgression of the 3rd aņuvrata of a householder. Kautilya uses the same wording in the 79th adhyāya for which a strict punishment is given.
(v) Adulteration and producing duplicate things are mentioned
