Vyavaharamala: a text on Indian jurisprudence
by P. V. Rajee | 2008 | 63,341 words
This essay is an English study on the Vyavaharamala: a text on Indian jurisprudence from the 16th century. It covers aspects of such as individual legal procedures and societal welfare, thus reflecting the judiciary principles of ancient ancient Indian society....
6. Weights and measures
62 Weights and measures. Properties are of two types tangible and intangible. That which can move are called tangible, that which cannot be moved (immovable) are intangible. If they are bought and sold by fixing the price it is panyam. They are of six types. If goods are coutable, it is ganimam. If it is sold by weighing, it is tulimam. If it is by measurement, it is meyam. For e.g. coconut, arecanut ganimam. Gold, silver etc - tulimam and grains - meyam. The malpractices in trade was in usually done in wights and measures. Malpractices were also done, in accounts, minting and usage of fake coins. In transactions, 1080 pana was to be given as fine. Like this adulteration was a strong crime during those periods. Theft is two types (prakasasca aprakasasca) one who robes at the day time and one who robes at night. The first group belongs to Prakasataskara and second to Aprakasataskara. One who does malpractices in weights and measures, one who accepts bribery, one who demands extra wages, prostitutes,
63 those transferring cheated property, those who accept money by disguising as saints, are prakasathaskaras. Aprakasathasakaras are those who disguised as mad, drunkards, lazy and lustless. Those who rob money from strangers, pick-pocketers, those who steel coin etc are also included in Aprakasathaskara. At that time even though the nature of crimes were the same, the punishments were different according to determines in varna.