Chapter 14

Persons Not Subject to Legal Restraint

He who restrains one not subject to restraint by obstructing their movement, speech, or breathing is punishable, but not the one who transgresses the restraint. // K_106 //

All those who have climbed a tree or a mountain, or are on an elephant, horse, chariot, or boat, and those in perilous situations, are not to be restrained by those seeking to enforce a claim. // K_107 //

The sick, those in distress, those performing a sacrifice, and those who have not crossed a river are not to be restrained, nor are the intoxicated, the insane, or the foolish. // K_108 //

Not a farmer at the time of sowing, nor a soldier in time of war. Nor one who has set out after making a promise, nor one who has an appointed time, in the interim. // K_109 //

A farmer engaged with his crops, or at the time of the arrival of water, should not be involved in a dispute from the start of his work until the harvest is gathered. One who restrains a person not subject to restraint is to be punished by the king; this is the rule. // K_110 //

The accused and the restrained should remain by the king's order. The wise hold that no other case should be brought against him by another person. // K_111 //

Depending on the country, time, and other factors, requiring one, two, or more days, the king should make the litigant pay the subsistence for the messenger when the task is accomplished. // K_112 //

Subsistence is traditionally determined with regard to country, time, age, ability, and so on, for the summoner in all cases; thus say the knowers of truth. // K_113 //