Significance of Imprisonment

Imprisonment is defined in various contexts according to Arthashastra, Jyotisha, and Dharmashastra. In Arthashastra, it symbolizes limited action without fort support, while Jyotisha details it as a condition tied to fate and specific planetary influences. It describes scenarios like confinement due to unfavorable astrological alignments. Dharmashastra views imprisonment as a punitive measure for crimes. Additionally, historical contexts in India illustrate the consequences of imprisonment, such as punishment for theft among carters. Overall, imprisonment encompasses both metaphoric and literal confinement across these traditions.

Synonyms: incarceration, Confinement, Detention, Captivity, Servitude, Incarceration, Jail, Immurement

In Dutch: Gevangenisstraf; In Finnish: Vankeus; In Spanish: Prisión

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Imprisonment'

Hinduism Books

Imprisonment in Hinduism symbolizes confinement, both literal and metaphorical, influenced by planetary positions and fate. It signifies detrimental outcomes, limitations in actions, and consequences for certain behaviors, as explored through various sahamas.

Significance in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):
Jyotisha Books

(1) The state of being confined in jail, and is a negative outcome when Jupiter is joined to Rahu, impacting freedom.[1] (2) This is one of the sahamas, a set of concepts that aid in the outcomes of all the houses, in the same manner that fate supports the endeavors of people.[2] (3) This is one of the sahamas, representing the state of being confined in a prison, as stated in the text.[3] (4) This sahama is produced by subtracting Saturn from Fortune by day, but the reverse is performed at night, as described in the text.[4]

(1) This refers to the state of being confined, which is indicated when the legs of the horse catch fire, or when the master is found to neigh during twilight hours.[5] (2) If Mars is in the 7th house during the marriage, the woman will suffer imprisonment, suggesting potential legal issues or confinement in her future.[6] (3) A detrimental fate indicated by pimples breaking out in the toes.[7]

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotisha or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

(1) The act of confining individuals, specifically thieves, in the royal fort or prison-house as a form of punishment.[8]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Arthashastra (politics and welfare):
Arthashastra Books

(1) The metaphorical state of being limited in action without the support of troop-equipped forts.[9]

Arthashastra literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

The concept of Imprisonment in local and regional sources

History Books

Imprisonment, in this context, refers to the punitive measures taken against the carters following the discovery of a cow at their encampment, highlighting the legal consequences of their actions as determined by regional authorities.

Significance in India history and geography:

(1) The punishment given to the carters after the cow was found at their encampment.[10]