manusmriti

LAWS OF MANU
208. But if (specific) fees are ordained for the several parts of a rite, shall he
(who performs the part) receive them, or shall they all share them?
209. The Adhvaryu priest shall take the chariot, and the Brahman at the kindling
of the fires (Agnyadhana) a horse, the Hotri priest shall also take a horse, and the
Udgatri the cart, (used) when (the Soma) is purchased.
210. The (four) chief priests among all (the sixteen), who are entitled to one half,
shall receive a moiety (of the fee), the next (four) one half of that, the set entitled to a
third share, one third, and those entitled to a fourth a quarter.
211. By the application of these principles the allotment of shares must be made
among those men who here (below) perform their work conjointly.
212. Should money be given (or promised) for a pious purpose by one man to
another who asks for it, the gift shall be void, if the (money is) afterwards not (used) in
the manner (stated).
213. But if the (recipient) through pride or greed tries to enforce (the fulfilment of
the promise), he shall be compelled by the king to pay one suvarna as an expiation
for his theft.
214. Thus the lawful subtraction of a gift has been fully explained; I will next
propound (the law for) the non-payment of wages.
215. A hired (servant or workman) who, without being ill, out of pride fails to
perform his work according to the agreement, shall be fined eight krishnalas and no
wages shall be paid to him.
216. But (if he is really) ill, (and) after recovery performs (his work) according to
the original agreement, he shall receive his wages even after (the lapse of) a very
long time.
217. But if he, whether sick or well, does not (perform or) cause to be performed
(by others) his work according to his agreement, the wages for that work shall not be
given to him, even (if it be only) slightly incomplete.
218. Thus the law for the non-payment of wages has been completely stated; I
will next explain the law concerning men who break an agreement.
219. If a man belonging to a corporation inhabiting a village or a district, after
swearing to an agreement, breaks it through avarice, (the king) shall banish him from
his realm,
220. And having imprisoned such a breaker of an agreement, he shall compel
him to pay six nishkas, (each of) four suvarnas, and one satamana of silver.
221. A righteous king shall apply this law of fines in villages and castes (gati) to
those who break an agreement.
222. If anybody in this (world), after buying or selling anything, repent (of his
bargain), he may return or take (back) that chattel within ten days.
223. But after (the lapse of) ten days he may neither give nor cause it to be given
(back); both he who takes it (back) and he who gives it (back, except by consent)
shall be fined by the king six hundred (panas).
Laws Regarding Marriage
224. But the king himself shall impose a fine of ninety-six panas on him who
gives a blemished damsel (to a suitor) without informing (him of the blemish).
225. But that man who, out of malice, says of a maiden, ‘She is not a maiden,’
shall be fined one hundred (panas), if he cannot prove her blemish.
226. The nuptial texts are applied solely to virgins, (and) nowhere among men to
females who have lost their virginity, for such (females) are excluded from religious
ceremonies.
227. The nuptial texts are a certain proof (that a maiden has been made a lawful)
wife; but the learned should know that they (and the marriage ceremony are complete
with the seventh step (of the bride around the sacred fire).
228. If anybody in this (world) repent of any completed transaction, (the king)
shall keep him on the road of rectitude in accordance with the rules given above.
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