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IX, 228.
GAMBLING AND BETTING.
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opportunity for it), likewise Sadras who assume the distinctive marks of twice-born (men).
225. Gamblers, dancers and singers, cruel men, men belonging to an heretical sect, those following forbidden occupations, and sellers of spirituous liquor, let him instantly banish from his town.
226. If such (persons who are) secret thieves, dwell in the realm of a king, they constantly harass his good subjects by their forbidden practices.
227. In a former Kalpa this (vice of) gambling has been seen to cause great enmity; a wise man, therefore, should not practise it even for amusement.
228. On every man who addicts himself to that (vice) either secretly or openly, the king may inflict punishment according to his discretion.
i.e. the sacrificial thread and the like' (Kull., Nâr.). "Shall punish corporally,' i. e. shall cause them to be flogged, &c.' (Nâr.), or shall cause their hands and feet to be cut off and so forth according to the gravity of the offence' (Kull., Râgh.).
225. Instead of krûrân, 'cruel men,' i.e. 'those who hate men learned in the Veda' (Kull.), Nár. and Râgh. read kerân, which the former explains by 'men of exceedingly crooked behaviour,' and the latter in accordance with Kull.'s explanation of krûrân. Nand. reads kailân, given to sports' (kelîsilân), and K. korân, 'thieves.' Saundikan, distillers or sellers of spirituous liquor' (Kull., Når.), may also mean 'drunkards,' as Nand. explains it.
226. Instead of 'who are secret thieves' (Kull.), Nár. says, and secret thieves.' Bådhante, 'harass' (Kull.), means according to Nár., Râgh., and Nand.corrupt.
227. Nâr. explains purâkalpe, 'in a former Kalpa,' by 'in the ancient stories,' and Râgh. and Nand. point to the adventures of king Nala and Yudhishthira, which, no doubt, are alluded to in the text.
228. Râgh. and Nand. point out that not only corporal punishment (according to verse 224), but also a fine may be inflicted; see also the next verse.
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