Ancient societies faced constant threats from raids, bandits, and warfare. The verse frames male guardianship as a form of protection, not merely subjugation.
The aim of this verse is to keep the community orderly. The individuals mentioned are viewed as "secret thieves" (pracchannataskarāḥ) because their actions corrupt the population, even if they don't always directly steal property.
Complete spatial banishment from municipal limits to prevent economic ruin.
You're referring to a specific verse from the Manusmriti, an ancient Indian text on Hindu law and social norms. Here's the verse: manusmriti chapter 9 verse 225
“The purchaser, who buys a woman or child from a person not authorized to sell, shall be punished like a thief; but if he buys from one who has the authority, he shall be punished like a usurer.”
आचार्यश्च पिता चैव माता भ्राता च पूर्वजः । नार्तेनाप्यवमन्तव्या ब्राह्मणेन विशेषतः ॥ २२५ ॥
In the verses directly preceding 225 (Manusmriti 9.220-224), the text explicitly labels gambling ( dyūta ) and betting ( samāhvaya ) as open theft. Classical commentators like Medhātithi argue that unregulated gamblers run parallel economic systems that evade state taxes, foster local gang violence, and lead citizens to financial ruin. The code demands immediate removal before these syndicates corrupt the royal courts. 2. Kuśīlavān (The Dancers and Actors) The individuals mentioned are viewed as "secret thieves"
Manusmriti Chapter 9 Verse 225: Social Order and the Role of the King
: If she has a son, he becomes her lord; otherwise, her relative or brother assumes the role.
Ancient Indian statecraft, as also seen in Kautilya's Arthashastra , recognized that taverns, gambling dens, and heretical gatherings were breeding grounds for conspiracies, thieves, and foreign spies. By ordering the immediate banishment of gamblers, liquor sellers, and violent men, the text seeks to minimize crime and urban unrest. 2. The Orthodox Stance on Entertainment Here's the verse: “The purchaser, who buys a
Verse 225 is the attached to this power. It establishes two distinct categories of crime:
