STEYA Theft. In the law of chastisement of ancient Bhārata, appropriation of the property of others unjustly, was counted as theft (steya). The punishment awarded for theft in ancient Bhārata, is mentioned in
[Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 173] , as follows. “All thefts are violation of justice. The thief of gold, will have to be beaten to death with a pestle. Then only his sin will be remitted. Or, he must live for twelve years, lying on the earth, wearing matted hair and eating only leaves, roots and fruits, once a day. The thief of pearl, coral, copper, silver, iron, bronze and stone, will have to eat millet rice (Kaṇānna) for twelve days. Those who steal food products, vehicle, bed, chair, flowers, fruits, roots etc. will be made to eat Pañcagavya (Milk, curd, butter, urine and dung of cow). He who steals grass, firewood, tree, dried rice, saccharum, cloth, hide, meat etc. will have to be made to fast for three days.