What is the punishment for breaking into homes, robbery, and theft according to the Laws of Manu?

The punishment for breaking into homes, robbery, and theft according to the Laws of Manu is the cutting off of hands. This reflects the severe punitive measures prescribed in these ancient texts, which aimed to deter serious crimes through harsh punishments. The idea behind such extreme penalties was to maintain social order and reflect the seriousness of the offenses committed.

The Laws of Manu, which date back to ancient India, set out a legal and moral framework that sought to uphold dharma, or social duty, and often used physical punishments as a means of enforcing societal norms. While there are other forms of punishment mentioned in different legal codes, the specific consequence of amputation in response to theft signifies a strict approach towards maintaining the sanctity of property and personal security in that particular historical and cultural context.