Chapter 12

The Summons

The king should not summon those engaged in religious duties, those celebrating a festival, the sick, the foolish, the insane, the afflicted, or women. // K_096 //

Nor a young woman of a deficient party, one born in a noble family, a woman in childbirth, or a maiden of the highest of all castes; their kinsmen or lords are to be summoned. // K_097 //

Women dependent on their families, unrestrained women, courtesans, and those who are outcasts or have fallen from their caste—their summons is permitted. // K_098 //

One who argues a case while armed, without an upper garment, with disheveled hair, or while sharing a seat shall incur a fine. // K_099 //

He who, though able, disrespects a royal summons, the king shall impose a punishment upon him according to the prescribed procedure. // K_100 //

For a minor offense, the fine should be fifty paṇas; for a middling one, no less than two hundred; and in major cases, the fine should always be no less than five hundred. // K_101 //

Whatever fine is carefully fixed for an offense, that amount in paṇas, or its equivalent value, should be collected for the king. // K_102 //