Verse 11.126 [Expiation for the killing of a Kṣatriya, or a Vaiśya or a Śūdra]

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

तुरीयो ब्रह्महत्यायाः क्षत्रियस्य वधे स्मृतः ।
वैश्येऽष्टमांशो वृत्तस्थे शूद्रे ज्ञेयस्तु षोडशः ॥ १२६ ॥

turīyo brahmahatyāyāḥ kṣatriyasya vadhe smṛtaḥ |
vaiśye'ṣṭamāṃśo vṛttasthe śūdre jñeyastu ṣoḍaśaḥ || 126 ||

One fourth of the expiation for the killing of a Brāhmaṇa has been prescribed for the killing of a Kṣatriya, one eighth for that of a Vaiśya, and one sixteenth for that of a Śūdra,—each of these being one who is devoted to his duty.—(126)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

It has been said above that for the killing of a Kṣatriya or a Vaiśya, engaged in a sacrificial performance, the expiation shall be equal to that for killing a Brāhmaṇa. The present verse applies to cases other than these.

The ‘fourth’ and ‘eighth’ parts (of the expiation for killing a Brāhmaṇa) have been prescribed in connection with such persons as are fulfilling all their duties,—the term ‘duty’ standing for all duties.

According to this rule, for the killing of a Kṣatriya, the expiation shall last for three years, for that of a Vaiśya, for a year and a half, and for that of a Śūdra, for nine months.

The expiation that has been laid down above (under 67) in connection with ‘the killing of a woman, a Vaiśya or a Kṣatriya,’ pertains to the case of those persons being such as have neglected their duties, and are addicted to unrighteous acts.

‘Duty’ implies character. When the Vaiśya is one who has the character of, and behaves like, a Vaiśya. The ‘duty’ of the Śūdra consists in service of twice-born men and the like,—and not the performance of the ‘great sacrifices.’

The full expiation prescribed is to be performed in the case of the death of persons firmly devoted to the performance of their duties.—(126)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Mitākṣarā (3.266-267), as referring to such Vaiśyas and Śūdras as are possessed of only a few good qualities;—it explains the term ‘vṛtta’ as qualities of the heart and so forth, such as ‘reverence for superiors, purity, cleanliness, truthfulness, control of organs and goodwill towards all’;—and in the Prāyaścittaviveka (p. 215).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

(verses 11.126-130)

Gautama (22.14-16).—‘For intentionally killing a Kṣatriy a, the normal vow of continence must be kept for six years, and one should give away one thousand cows with a bull. For killing a Vaiśya, the same penance, for three years; and one should give away one hundred cows with a hull. For killing a Śūdra, the same penance, for one year; and one should give away ten cows with a bull.’

Baudhāyana (1.19.1-2).—‘For slaying a Kṣatriya, the offender shall give to the King one thousand cows and also a bull in expiation of his sin; for slaying a Vaiśya, one hundred cows; for slaying a Śūdra, a fee; and a bull should be added in all cases.’

Baudhāyana (2.1-8-10).—‘For killing a Kṣatriya he shall keep the normal vow of continence for nine years;—for killing a Vaiśya, for three years;—for killing a Śūdra, for one year.’

Vaśiṣṭha (20.31-33).—‘Having slain a Kṣatriya, he shall perform a penance during eight years; for killing a Vaiśya, during six years: for killing a Śūdra, during three years.’

Viṣṇu (50.12-15).—‘He who has unintentionally killed a Kṣatriya, shall perform the Mahāvrata for nine years;—he who has unintentionally killed a Vaiśya, for six years;—he who has unintentionally killed a Śūdra, for three years,’

Yājñavalkya (3.267-268).—‘For killing a Kṣatriya one should give away a thousand cows with a bull; or he may perform, for three year, the penance prescribed for Brāhmaṇa-killing; one who kills a Vaiśya shall perform the same penance for one year, or give away one hundred cows; one who has killed a Śūdra shall perform the same penance for six months, or give away ten cows.’

Āpastamba (1.24.1-4).—‘One who has killed a Kṣatriya shall give away a thousand cows for the expiation of his sin; he shall give a hundred for killing a Vaiśya; and ten for killing a Śūdra; and in every case a bull should be added for the sake of expiation.’