Chapter 6

Vishnu Smriti 6

Now, a creditor shall take from a debtor the sum as it was lent. // Vi_6.1 //

Two, three, four, and five percent per month, in order of the varṇas. // Vi_6.2 //

Or, all varṇas shall pay the interest they have agreed upon. // Vi_6.3 //

Even if not stipulated, after the lapse of a year, interest shall be paid as prescribed. // Vi_6.4 //

If a pledge is used for enjoyment, there shall be no interest. // Vi_6.5 //

A pledge that is lost, except through an act of god or the king, the creditor shall replace. // Vi_6.6 //

Even if the interest has reached its limit. // Vi_6.7 //

An immovable pledge shall not be used without a special agreement. // Vi_6.8 //

Immovable property that was given solely to secure the repayment of the money taken, he shall return upon repayment of the money taken. // Vi_6.9 //

If the creditor does not accept the lent sum when it is offered, it shall not increase from that point on. // Vi_6.10 //

The highest interest on gold is double the principal. // Vi_6.11 //

On grain, triple. // Vi_6.12 //

On cloth, quadruple. // Vi_6.13 //

On liquids, eightfold. // Vi_6.14 //

On female slaves and cattle, the offspring. // Vi_6.15 //

On fermented liquor, cotton, thread, leather, weapons, bricks, and charcoal, it is unlimited. // Vi_6.16 //

On things not mentioned, it is double. // Vi_6.17 //

If a creditor recovers the lent sum by any means whatsoever, he shall not be censured by the king. // Vi_6.18 //

If the debtor, while being pressed for payment, goes to the king, he shall be fined an equal amount. // Vi_6.19 //

If the creditor goes to the king, the debtor, having been made to pay, shall give to the king a fine equal to a tenth part of the sum. // Vi_6.20 //

And the creditor, having received his money, a twentieth part. // Vi_6.21 //

One who denies the whole debt, but is proven to owe a part, shall pay the whole. // Vi_6.22 //

And there are three kinds of proof for this: a written document, witnesses, and an ordeal. // Vi_6.23 //

A debt contracted with witnesses shall be repaid with witnesses. // Vi_6.24 //

When a debt recorded in a document has been paid, he shall tear up the document. // Vi_6.25 //

In case of partial payment, or if the document is not at hand, the creditor shall give his own written receipt. // Vi_6.26 //

If the borrower dies, goes abroad to become a religious mendicant, or has been away for twenty years, the debt shall be paid by his sons or grandsons. // Vi_6.27 //

Not beyond that, by those unwilling. // Vi_6.28 //

Whether a man has sons or not, his heir shall pay the debt. // Vi_6.29 //

If he is without property, the one who takes his wife. // Vi_6.30 //

A wife need not pay a debt incurred by her husband or son. // Vi_6.31 //

Neither a husband nor a son need pay a debt incurred by a wife. // Vi_6.32 //

A father need not pay a debt incurred by his son. // Vi_6.33 //

A debt incurred by undivided members, he who is present shall pay. // Vi_6.34 //

And a paternal debt for undivided brothers. // Vi_6.35 //

But if they are divided, they shall pay a share according to their inheritance. // Vi_6.36 //

The husband shall pay the debts of a herdsman's wife, a distiller's wife, an actor's wife, a washerman's wife, a hunter's wife, and his own wife. // Vi_6.37 //

What has been promised by word shall not be withheld from anyone. // Vi_6.38 //

And what has been incurred for the sake of the family. // Vi_6.39 //

He who, having taken a loan, promises, "I will pay it all tomorrow," And then out of greed does not pay, shall incur interest from that time. || Vi_6.40 ||

Suretyship is ordained for appearance, for confidence, and for payment. If the first two fail, they must pay; for the last, even his sons must pay. || Vi_6.41 ||

If there are several sureties, they shall pay the sum as agreed. If the amount is not specified among them, the choice of whom to pursue is at the creditor's will. || Vi_6.42 ||

Whatever sum a surety, pressed by the creditor, has to pay, The debtor is obliged to pay double that amount to the surety. || Vi_6.43 ||