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Judgment
Ayling, J.—This Second Appeal arises out of a suit by Government to obtain possession as an escheat of the property of one Shanmuga
Yogeswaraswami. The facts found are that the latter was a Sudra ascetic, not entitled to enter the order of Yati or Sanyasi: that the suit property
was his secular property, not endowed in favour of any institution: that he died leaving no relations: and that 4th defendant was his chief "" Sishya
or disciple. The sole question for our decision is whether the claims of the 4th defendant to inherit as ""Sishya"" are sufficient to stop the escheat to
Government. Both the lower courts decided in favour of Government. Defendants 1 and 3 who have acquired the rights of 4th defendant by
purchase, appeal.
Both the lower court''s have decided the question as if it were concluded by the ruling in Dharmapuram Pandara Sannadhi v. Virapandyam Pillai
but as a matter of fact that has no application to the present case. Appellants here reply on the passage in Yajnavalkya ch. 2, 137 and Mitakshara,
Section 7 which recognise in ordinary cases of succession the claims of a pupil or fellow student to succeed in default of kindred. The text in
Yajnavalkya runs thus: - ""The lawfully wedded wife and the daughters also, both parents, brothers likewise, and their sons, gentiles, cognates, a
pupil, and a fellow student, on failure of the first among them, the next in order is the heir to the estate of one who departed for heaven, leaving no
male issue. This rule extends to all classes."" The learned Judges in Dharmapuram Pandara Sannadhi v. Virapandyam Pillai I.L.R.(1898) Mad. 302
on the other hand were considering the applicability of a totally different section of the Mitakshara, Section 8 which is based on Yajnavalkya II,
138, and lays down a special rule of succession to a hermit or ascetic whereby the claims of kindred are dismissed in favour of those of "" a
preceptor, virtuous pupil and spiritual brother or associate in holiness."" This is an exception to the ordinary rule: and it was held in the above
quoted judgment that it did not govern the case of a Sudra ascetic. The dispute there was between the spritual and natural heirs.
What has to be determined here is whether the rule in Yajnavalkya II, 137 which is stated to apply to all classes should be given effect to as
against the escheat claim of Government: or whether, as urged by the learned Government Pleader, the rule is obsolete and should be disregarded.
I need hardly say that where the meaning and applicability of ancient texts is concerned, I come to a conclusion with great diffidence: but in the
present instance there seems to be no doubt as to the meaning of the texts themselves while as to their applicability I am not unfortified by authority
and the conclusion to which I feel forced is not so unreasonable, even to western ideas, as it might seem at first sight.
I have already quoted the text of Yajnavalkya, which, is not only perfectly specific but purports to be of universal application. Section 7 of the
Mitakshara is equally clear, quoting Apastamba. "" If there be no male issue the nearest sapindas inherit: or in default of kindred the preceptor, or
failing him the disciple, If there be no pupil, the fellow student is the successor."" And the last paragraph of the section limits the Kings'' right of
escheat as regards property of kshatnyas or other inferior castes (i.e., non-brahmins) to cases of ""failure of all heirs down to the fellow student"".
The same section makes it clear (paragraph 2) that in dealing with the case of preceptors, pupils and fellow students, we have only to consider
purely religious instruction, a consideration which would largely limit the application and prevent the undesirable extension of the rule. Vide also
Manu IX, 187 which in dealing with the same point speaks of "" the spiritual teacher of the pupil."" Having regard to the importance of religious
teaching in Hindu ideas, and to the fact that this kind of heirship, only operates on failure of natural heirs, and to defeat the claims of the State, this
seems to me to present the rule, in a much less unreasonable and fantastic light, than one might be at first inclined to view it in.
In this connection it may be useful to refer to a passage from a judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council reported in
Ramachandra Martand Waikar v. Vinayak Venkatesh Kothekar ILR (1914) Cal. 384. Their Lordships were there dealing with an attempt to
secure recognition as heirs of sapinda relations beyond the 5th degree. They say (p. 421): ""It was urged that it is hardily likley Vijnaneswara would
give a right of inheritance to a spiritual preceptor or guru before kinsmen, however remetely connected. This argument appears to ignore the
peculiar and intimate relationship which their Lordships understand exists in the Hindu system between the pupil and the guru who was to initiate
him into the mysteries of the Vedic laws and rites, and under whose roof he has to pass many years of his life. It is easy to suppose that in such
circumstances the mystical relationship between a spiritual preceptor and a pupil should be regarded as creating a far closer tie than ""remote
relationship of blood.
The spirit of these remarks seems to me to militate strongly against any tendency to brush aside appellant''s claim as based on an obsolete and
unreasonable rule.
In another case Gridhar hall Roy v. The Bengal Government their Lordships also comment at p. 463 on the extreme jealousy with which the
Hindu Law regarded the right of the King to take on a failure of heirs. They quote the provisions of the Mitakshara to which I have referred; and
they do so without any suggestion that the rules should not be given effect to.
No doubt the claim is a novel one so far as the courts are concerned. Mr. Mayne in his book on Hindu Law in Paragraph 589 says ""I know of
no instance in which a claim has ever been set up by a preceptor or pupil to the property of a man dying without heirs"" and no case has been
quoted to us. But it by no means follows that the rule has not been observed in practice: and I hesitate to treat a clear direction of the texts as
absolute and negligible, when it involves no inequity or conflict so far as I know, with even modern Hindu ideas, and when it has been referred to
by the highest tribunal in the terms I have quoted.
The learned Government Pleader has drawn our attention to a recent case of this Court in which the ancient Hindu Rule disqualifying a person
born blind from inheriting was held to be obsolete. I do not find anything in the reasoning of the learned Judges, which bears on the question before
us. The learned Vakil for appellants also referred to a case of the Privy Council in Gunjeshwar Kunwar v. Durga Prashad Singh ILR (1917) Cal.
17 as throwing doubt on the correctness of the decision in that case.
On the best consideration I can give to the matter, I am inclined to think that the old rule appearing in the text should not be treated as
obsolete. Its applicability will naturally be closely scrutinised by the courts and strict proof required of the spiritual relationship alleged. But where,
as in the present case, that is clearly established, I Can see no reason for refusing to give effect to it.
I would allow the appeal and dismiss the suit with costs throughout.
Odgers, J.
This appeal concerns the property of a certain Sudra ascetic, Shanmuga Yogeswara Swami by name, who died without heirs or relations in the
ordinary sense of those words. The property of the deceased is claimed by the appellant who was a ''disciple'' of the deceased and by the
Government as escheat. The lower courts have held that the Government is entitled, hence this Second Appeal. The case reported in
Dharmapuram Pandara Sannadhi v. Virapandiyam Pillai ILR (1898) Mad. 302 is relied on by both the lower courts. This lays down that a Sudra
is unable to enter the order of ''Yathi'' or sanyasi and that the ordinary law of inheritance regulates the devolution of his property. There the
property was decreed to the secular heir, the brother of the deceased as against the members of the mutt into which the deceased had been
admitted. There is no such contest in this case. I am not called upon to decide between a devolution to an ordinary heir e. g., a brother or a son
and one to a religious institution. The question is whether a disciple of a Sudra ascetic can be interposed between the deceased and the
Government who admittedly take by escheat only in the last resort. It is admitted that there is no decision that the disciple of a Sudra ascetic is an
heir and the case is therefore largely one of first impression. The case in Giyana Sambanda Pandara Sannadhi v. Kandasami Thambiran ILR
(1887) Mad. 375 is authority for holding that religious training is not confined to Brahmins and the first authority relied on by the appellant for
establishing his right is the first paragraph of Yajnavalkya II 137-139 quoted at page 171 of J.C. Ghose''s Book on Hindu Law. It runs as follows:
The lawfully wedded wife and the daughters also, both parents, brothers likewise, and their sons; gentiles, cognates, a pupil, and a fellow student,
on failure of the first among them, the next in order is the heir to the estate of one who departed for heaven, leaving no male issue. This rule extends
to all classes.
[Note especially the last sentence]
The heirs to the property of a hermit, of an ascetic, and of a student in theology are in order (that is in the inverse order) the preceptor, a virtuous
pupil, and a spiritual brother and one belonging to the same hermitage.
The second paragraph admittedly cannot apply as a Sudra cannot be an ascetic. Dharmapuram Pandara Sanvadhi v. Virapandyarn Pillai I.L.R.
(1898) M. 302. Cf. also Colebrooke''s Digest of Hindu Law Vol. 2 page 522 for the former of these texts and page 577 for the second. Similar
quotations are given from Yajnavalkya.
In Setlur''s Law of Inheritance, from the Mitakshara, page 36, it is stated that the rule of Yajnavalkya must be understood as extending to all
castes; at page 48, it is stated: "" If there be no Bandhus of the deceased, the preceptor, or on failure of him the pupil inherits under the text of
Apastamba (II 6-14-2-3). cf also Sacred Books of the East, Vol. II, page 133. In the Laws of Manu Chap. IX. Section 187 (Sacred Books of
the East Vol. 25 page 366) it is stated: "" Always to that (relative within three degrees) who is nearest to the (deceased) sapinda, the estate shall
belong, afterwards a sakulya shall be (the heir, then), the spiritual teacher or the pupil.
Sir Thomas Strange in his Book on Hindu Law, Chap. VII puts it thus: "" In default of natural kin, the series of heirs, in all the classes, that of the
Brahmin excepted, terminates with the preceptor of the deceased, his pupil, his priest hired to perform sacrfices, or his fellow student, each in his
order; and, finally, failing all these, the lawful heirs of the Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra, are learned and virtuous Brahmins - a a description,
however special, yet too comprehensive to be consistent with the right of escheat, for want of heirs, in the King; and, therefore, it has been
narrowed, in construction, to such as reside in the same town or village.
It was laid down by the Privy Council in The Collector of Masulipatam v. Cavaly Venkata Narainappa 8 M.I.A. 500 that the Mitakshara is the
highest authority on Inheritance for this Province. Their Lordships say at page 525: "" But when it is made out clearly that by the law applicable to
the last owner, there is a total failure of heirs, then the claim to the land ceases (we apprehend) to be subject to any such personal law."" They
proceed at page 526: In the present case, if the Hindu Law had expressly provided that, upon the death of a Brahmin, without heirs, ordinarily so-
called, his property should pass to some definite person or class of persons-; if for instance, it admitted, in the case of a Brahminical succession,
collaterals more remote than it would admit in the case of succession to a Sudra, there would be ground for excluding the title of the Crown,
because there would, by Hindu Law be some person in the nature of an heir capable of succeeding; but there the Sudder Dewany Adawlut rests
its decision on what it terms ''the primary declaration of Manu that the property of a Brahmin shall never be taken by the King,'' It is therefore
established in my opinion, that there is on the authority of the texts quoted above, a rule of Hindu Law that the property of a person such as the
deceased should pass to a definite person or class of persons by the personal law of the deceased. The case in Gridhari Lull Roy v. Bengal
Government (1868) 12 M.I.A. 448 is also authority for saying that the Mitakshara recognises the interposition of three classes of heirs, viz.,
preceptor, pupil, and fellow student between the relatives of the deceased and the King.
In Ratnachandra Mar land Waikar v. Vinayek Venkatesh Kothekar I.L.R.(1914) Cal. 384 a case before the Privy Council, their Lordships
say (P. 406)"" It is to be remarked, as has been observed in previous cases before this Board, that the Hindu Law contains its own principles of
exposition, and that questions arising under it cannot be determined on abstract reasoning or analogies borrowed from other systems of law and
must depend for their decision on the rules and doctrines enunciated by its own law givers and recognised expounders."" Again after noticing the
argument that it is hardly likely that Vijnaneswara Would give a right of inheritance to a spiritual preceptor or guru before kinsmen however
remotely connected, their Lordships remark "" This argument appears to ignore the peculiar and intimate relationship which their Lordships
understand exists in the Hindu system between the pupil and the guru who has to initiate him into the mysteries of the vedic laws and the rites and
under whose roof he has to pass many years of his life. If is easy to suppose that in such circumstances the mystical relationship between a spiritual
precepter and a pupil should, be regarded as creating afar closer tie than remote relationship of blood "" (page 421). The answer to this argument is
that the rule of law and text on which it is based is obsolete and that in the absence of proof of a special custom it is impossible or impracticable to
apply it. The texts are also said to be too indefinite and vague. Reliance is placed on the text of Vrihas-pati 25 (cf Ghose, page 175) ""Should a
Kshatriya, Vaisya, or Sudra die without leaving male issue, or wife, or brother, their property shall be taken (as escheat) by the King, for he is the
lord of all."" The objection to this view is that Vrihaspathi has admittedly nothing like the same authority as the Mitakshara, which as pointed out
above, has been laid down by the highest judicial tribunal as being the authority for the Hindu Law of Inheritance in this part of India. There is also
the objection that Vrihaspati does not enumerate all heirs, bandhus etc. I do not think it is impossible to apply the text at least to a disciple. I admit
greater difficulty in the case of a ""fellow student"" in modern days. It is not disputed that the appellant was a Sishya or student of the deceased and
tkis was so found by the learned Subordinate Judge. With regard to the question of the rule of inheritance being obsolete, reference was made to
Surayya v. Subbamma ILR (1919) Mad. 4. In that case it was held that the rule which prevents a person ""born blind"" from claiming a share in his
ancestral property was obsolete having regard to present day circumstances and modern methods to enable the blind to at any rate, partially
overcome their defect.
However in Gunjeshwar Kunwar v. Durga Prasad Singh (1917) ILR 45 Cal. 17 (P.C.) it was held that blindness, to exclude from inheritance
must be congenital, adopting the statement of law in Rajkumar Sarva-dhikari''s Hindu Law of Inheritance page 956. Apparently the attention of the
learned Judges of this Court was not called to this authority when they decided Surayya v. Subbamma I.L.R.(1919) Mad. 4 In any case, the Privy
Council has upheld the rule of Hindu Law as far as congenital blindness is> concerned. Further, the Full Bench case of Rajani v. Nitai (1920) 32
Cal. L.J. 333 is authority for saying that a rule (in that case also''a rule of inheritance) cannot be said to be obsolete merely because there is no
occasion for its'' application. The application of a rule like that under discussion must of necessity be extremely rare, but I have already stated that
in my opinion its application when necessity arises is neither impossible nor impracticable. It seems to me that where we have, as I think we have
here, a clear rule of inheritance deducible from the ancient Hindu authorities which is generally recognised and supported by the highest judicial
authority in recent times (Cf Ramachandra Martanda Waikar v. Vinayek Venkatesh Kothekar ILR (1914) Cal. 384 ) it cannot be Jaid that the rule
is obsolete because there happens to be no sudicial decision exactly in point. For all these reasons I would allow the appeal and dismiss the suit
throughout with costs.