Chapter 17

Vishnu Smriti 17

If a father divides the property among his sons, he has free choice in regard to his self-acquired property. // Vi_17.1 //

In regard to the paternal grandfather's property, the father and son have equal ownership. // Vi_17.2 //

Sons who were divided by their father shall give a share to a son born after the division. // Vi_17.3 //

The property of a man without a son goes to his wife. // Vi_17.4 //

In her absence, it goes to his daughter. // Vi_17.5 //

In her absence, it goes to his father. // Vi_17.6 //

In his absence, it goes to his mother. // Vi_17.7 //

In her absence, it goes to his brother. // Vi_17.8 //

In his absence, it goes to his brother's son. // Vi_17.9 //

In his absence, it goes to a near kinsman (bandhu). // Vi_17.10 //

In his absence, it goes to a distant kinsman (sakulya). // Vi_17.11 //

In his absence, it goes to a fellow student. // Vi_17.12 //

In his absence, it goes to the king, except for the property of a Brāhmaṇa. // Vi_17.13 //

The property of a Brāhmaṇa goes to Brāhmaṇas. // Vi_17.14 //

The property of a forest-dweller, the preceptor shall take. // Vi_17.15 //

Or a pupil. // Vi_17.16 //

But of reunited coparceners, a reunited coparcener shall take the share, and of a uterine brother, a uterine brother; He shall give and take the share of one who is born and one who has died. || Vi_17.17 ||

What is given by a father, mother, son, or brother; what is received at the nuptial fire; a gift on supersession; what is given by kinsmen; the bride-price; and a subsequent gift—this is strīdhana (a woman's exclusive property). // Vi_17.18 //

In the four forms of marriage beginning with the Brāhma, if a woman dies without issue, her property goes to her husband. // Vi_17.19 //

In the remaining forms, the father shall take it. // Vi_17.20 //

But in all forms, if she has borne children, whatever property she has goes to her daughter. // Vi_17.21 //

The ornaments which are worn by women while their husband is alive, The heirs shall not divide them; dividing them, they fall from caste. || Vi_17.22 ||

For those who have different fathers, the division of shares is according to the father. Whatever is the paternal inheritance of each, that he shall take, and not another. || Vi_17.23 ||