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304
LAWS OF MANU.
VIII, 283.
283. If he lays hold of the hair (of a superior), let the (king) unhesitatingly cut off his hands, likewise (if he takes him) by the feet, the beard, the neck, or the scrotum.
284. He who breaks the skin (of an equal) or fetches blood (from him) shall be fined one hundred (panas), he who cuts a muscle six nishkas, he who breaks a bone shall be banished.
285. According to the usefulness of the several (kinds of) trees a fine must be inflicted for injuring them; that is the settled rule.
286. If a blow is struck against men or animals in order to (give them) pain, (the judge) shall inflict a fine in proportion to the amount of pain (caused).
287. If a limb is injured, a wound (is caused), or blood (flows, the assailant) shall be made to pay (to the sufferer) the expenses of the cure, or the whole (both the usual amercement and the expenses of the cure as a) fine (to the king).
284. Vi. V, 66-70; Yâgñ. II, 218. (Of an equal),' (Medh., Kull., Nand.) According to Rågh., the rule refers to Súdras assaulting Sudras. According to Nâr., the last offender's property shall be confiscated.
285. Vi. V, 55-59; Yågñ. II, 227–228. The expression 'trees'. includes all plants (Medh., Kull.). According to Gov., the fine for injuring trees which give shade only is to be very small; in the case of flower-bearing trees, middling; in the case of fruit-trees, high (see Vi.loc.cit.). Medh. remarks that the position of the trees, e.g.whether they are boundary-marks, or stand on a cross-road, in a hermitage, &c., has to be taken into account (see Yågñ. loc. cit.).
286–287. Vi. V, 75-76; Yâgñ. II, 219, 222.
287. Instead of vrana, 'a wound' (Kull., Nár.), Medh., Gov., Ragh., Nand., and K. read prâna. Medh. explains the latter reading by if the vital strength is injured,' and Gov. and Ragh. by 'if the breathing power is injured by gagging.' 'Or the whole (as a) fine,' i.e. if the person injured refuses the compensation. Når. says, and shall pay the whole fine, mentioned above.'
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