DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52359#0103
xil, 7.
ORDEALS.
59
11. ‘Thou, O fire, dwellest in the interior of all
creatures, like a witness. O fire, thou knowest
what mortals do not comprehend.
12. ‘This man being arraigned in a cause, de-
sires to be cleared from guilt. Therefore mayest
thou deliver him lawfully from this perplexity.’
XII.
1. Now follows the (rule regarding the ordeal by)
water.
2. (The defendant must enter) water which is
free from mud, aquatic plants, (crabs and other)
vicious animals, (porpoises or other) large rapacious
animals living in water, fish, leeches, and other
(animals or plants).
3. The water having been addressed with the
Mantras (mentioned hereafter), he must enter it,
seizing the knees of another man, who must be
free from friendship or hatred, and must dive into
the water up to his navel.
4. At the same time another man must discharge
an arrow from a bow, which must neither be too
strong nor too weak.
5. That arrow must be fetched quickly by
another man.
6. He who is not seen above the water in the
mean time is proclaimed innocent. But in the
contrary case he is (declared) guilty, even though
one limb of his only has become visible.
7. ‘ Thou, O water, dwellest in the interior of all
creatures, like a witness. O water, thou knowest
what mortals do not comprehend.
XIL 3-6. Y. II, 1 08, 109.
ORDEALS.
59
11. ‘Thou, O fire, dwellest in the interior of all
creatures, like a witness. O fire, thou knowest
what mortals do not comprehend.
12. ‘This man being arraigned in a cause, de-
sires to be cleared from guilt. Therefore mayest
thou deliver him lawfully from this perplexity.’
XII.
1. Now follows the (rule regarding the ordeal by)
water.
2. (The defendant must enter) water which is
free from mud, aquatic plants, (crabs and other)
vicious animals, (porpoises or other) large rapacious
animals living in water, fish, leeches, and other
(animals or plants).
3. The water having been addressed with the
Mantras (mentioned hereafter), he must enter it,
seizing the knees of another man, who must be
free from friendship or hatred, and must dive into
the water up to his navel.
4. At the same time another man must discharge
an arrow from a bow, which must neither be too
strong nor too weak.
5. That arrow must be fetched quickly by
another man.
6. He who is not seen above the water in the
mean time is proclaimed innocent. But in the
contrary case he is (declared) guilty, even though
one limb of his only has become visible.
7. ‘ Thou, O water, dwellest in the interior of all
creatures, like a witness. O water, thou knowest
what mortals do not comprehend.
XIL 3-6. Y. II, 1 08, 109.