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316
LAWS OF MANU.
VIII, 356.
356. He who addresses the wife of another man at a Tirtha, outside the village, in a forest, or at the confluence of rivers, shall suffer (the punishment for) adulterous acts (samgrahana).
357. Offering presents (to a woman), romping (with her), touching her ornaments and dress, sitting with her on a bed, all (these acts) are considered adulterous acts (samgrahana). · 358. If one touches a woman in a place (which ought) not (to be touched) or allows (oneself to be touched in such a spot), all (such acts done) with mutual consent are declared (to be) adulterous (samgrahana).
359. A man who is not a Brâhmana ought to suffer death for adultery (samgrahana); for the wives of all the four castes even must always be carefully guarded.
360. Mendicants, bards, men who have performed the initiatory ceremony of a Vedic sacrifice, and artisans are not prohibited from speaking to married women.
356. 'A Tîrtha,'i.e. a place on the river-bank where the women fetch water' (Medh., Nár., Râgh.). The punishment is the highest amercement (Kull.). Nand. places this verse after 357.
358. Nand. says, “If one touches a woman in a lonely place.' Gov. also mentions this explanation.
359. According to Gov., Kull., Râgh. this rule refers to adultery committed by a Sudra with a Brahmani (Ragh.) or to the violation of a Brahmani by a Sûdra (Gov., Kull.). Medh., too, thinks that a Sadra alone is to suffer capital punishment for adultery with an Aryan woman. Nand., finally, says that Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sadras are meant, who offend with a female of a higher caste. Possibly the correct explanation of prânântam dandam, death,' may, however, be 'a punishment, even death.' This rendering at least removes all the difficulties created by the parallel passages and the following verses.
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