“The Rishis said, ’What sinful and hard-hearted man has stolen away the lotus-stalks gathered by our hungry selves from desire of eating?’

“Bhishma continued, ’Those foremost of regenerate persons, suspecting one another, O crusher of foes, said, ’We shall each have to swear to our innocence!  All those ascetics then, famishing with hunger and worn out with exertion, agreeing to the proposal, took these oaths.’

“Atri said, ’Let him who has stolen the lotus-stalk touch kine with his foot, make water facing the sun, and study the Vedas on excluded days!’”

“Vasishtha said, ’Let him who has stolen the lotus-stalks abstain from studying the Vedas, or leash hounds, or be a wandering mendicant unrestrained by the ordinances laid down for that mode of life, or be a slayer of persons that seek his protection, or live upon the proceeds of the sale of his daughter, or solicit wealth from those that are low and vile!’”

“Kasyapa, said, ’Let him who has stolen the lotus-stalks utter all kinds of words in all places, give false evidence in a court of law, eat the flesh of animals not slain in sacrifices, make gifts to undeserving persons or to deserving persons at unseasonable times, and have sexual congress with women during daytime!’”

“Bharadwaja said, ’Let him who has stolen the lotus-stalks be cruel and unrighteous in his conduct towards women and kinsmen and kine.  Let him humiliate Brahmanas, in disputations, by displaying his superior knowledge and skill.  Let him study the Riks and the Yajuses, disregarding his preceptor!  Let him pour libations upon fires made with dry grass or straw!"[424]

“Jamadagni said, ’Let him who has stolen the lotus-stalks be guilty of throwing filth and dirt on water.  Let him be inspired with animosity towards kine.  Let him be guilty of having sexual congress with women at times other than their season.  Let him incur the aversion of all persons.  Let him derive his maintenance from the earnings of his wife!  Let him have no friends and let him have many foes!  Let him be another’s guest for receiving in return those acts of hospitality which he has done to that other![425]’”

“Gotama said, ’Let him who has stolen the lotus-stalks be guilty of throwing away the Vedas after having studied them!  Let him cast off the three sacred fires!  Let him be a seller of the Soma (plant or juice)!  Let him live with that Brahmana who resides in a village which has only one well from which water is drawn by all classes and who has married a Sudra woman!’”

“Viswamitra said, ’Let him who has stolen the lotus-stalks be fated to see his preceptors and seniors and his servants maintained by others during his own life-time.  Let him not have a good end.  Let him be the father of many children!  Let him be always impure and a wretch among Brahmanas!  Let him be proud of his possessions!  Let him be a tiller of the soil and let him be filled with malice!  Let him wander in the season of rains.  Let him be a paid servant!  Let him be the priest of the king!  Let him assist at the sacrifices of such impure persons as do not deserve to be assisted at their sacrifices!’”