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IX, 237.
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234. Whatever matter his ministers or the judge may settle improperly, that the king himself shall (re-)settle and fine (them) one thousand (panas).
235. The slayer of a Brahmana, (a twice-born man) who drinks (the spirituous liquor called) Surâ, he who steals (the gold of a Brahmana), and he who violates a Guru's bed, must each and all be considered as men who committed mortal sins (mahâ pâtaka).
236. On those four even, if they do not perform a penance, let him inflict corporal punishment and fines in accordance with the law.
MISCELLANEOUS PUNISHMENTS.
237. For violating a Guru's bed, (the mark of) a female part shall be (impressed on the forehead with a hot iron); for drinking (the spirituous liquor called) Surâ, the sign of a tavern; for stealing (the gold of a Brahmana), a dog's foot; for murdering a Brahmana, a headless corpse.
plaint declared to be just or unjust by the assessors,' and the latter 'a cause or plaint confirmed by witnesses.'
234. Yâgn. II, 305. Medh. and Kull. think that this rule refers to cases where the cause of the unjust decision is not a bribe, because the punishment of corrupt judges has been prescribed above, verse 231. But Nâr. and Râgh. think that it applies to cases of bribery also, and that the fine shall vary according to the nature of the case, 1000 panas being the lowest punishment.
235-242. Baudh. I, 18, 18; Vi. V, 3-7.
235. Instead of '(a twice-born man) who drinks the spirituous liquor, &c.' (Kull., Nâr.), Medh. and Râgh. say, 'a Brahmana who, &c.;' but see below, XI, 94.
236. Medh. remarks that 'others' refer this rule, on account of the word api, 'even, likewise,' to the fifth Mahâpatakin also, i. e. to him who associates with one of the other four (see below, XI, 55); and Râgh., as well as Nand., approves of this explanation.
237. The sign of a tavern,' i. e. 'a wine-cup.' It follows from the rule given in verse 240, that the forehead is the place where they shall be branded.
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