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VASISHTHA.
XX, 37.
37. (For killing a female of the Brahmana caste) who is not an Åtreyt, (the penance prescribed) for the murder of a Kshatriya (must be performed),
38. (For killing) a female of the Kshatriya caste, (the penance prescribed) for the murder of a Vaisya,
39. (For killing) a female of the Vaisya caste, (the penance prescribed) for the murder of a Sadra.
40. (For killing) a female of the Sudra caste (let him perform) during one year (the penance prescribed for the murder of a Brâhmana).
41. If a man has stolen gold belonging to a Brâhmana, he shall run, with flying hair, to the king, (exclaiming) Ho, I am a thief; sir, punish me!' The king shall give him a weapon made of Udumbara wood; with that he shall kill himself. It is declared in the Veda that he becomes pure after death.
42. Or (such a thief) may shave off all his hair, anoint his body with clarified butter, and cause himself to be burnt from the feet upwards, in a fire of dry cowdung. It is declared in the Veda that he becomes pure after death.
43. Now they quote also (the following verses): Hear, (how) the bodies of those who having committed various crimes died a long time ago, and were (afterwards) born again, are (marked);'
37-40. Gautama XXII, 17.
41. Vishnu LII, 1-2. Krishnapandita remarks that Sulapâni explains audumbaram, 'made of Udumbara wood,' by 'made of copper,' and that the weapon intended is a club. The last remark is probably true, as the parallel passages of the other Smritis state that the thief is to take a club to the king, with which he is to be struck.
42. Âpastamba I, 9, 25, 6.
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