The institutes of Vishnu (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1880)

6o

VISH2VU.

XII, 8.

8. ‘ This man being arraigned in a cause, desires
to be cleared from guilt. Therefore mayest thou
deliver him lawfully from this perplexity.’
XIII.
1. Now follows the (rule regarding the ordeal by)
poison.
2. All (other) sorts of poison must be avoided
(in administering this ordeal),
3. Except poison from the Nrmga tree, which
grows on the Himalayas.
4. (Of that) the judge must give seven grains,
mixed with clarified butter, to the defendant (while
reciting the prayer hereafter mentioned).
5. If the poison is digested easily, without violent
symptoms, he shall recognise him as innocent, and
dismiss him at the end of the day.
6. ‘ On account of thy venomous and dangerous
nature thou art destruction to all living creatures ;
thou, O poison, knowest what mortals do not
comprehend.
7. ‘ This man being arraigned in a cause, desires
to be cleared from guilt. Therefore mayest thou
deliver him lawfully from this perplexity.’
XIV.
1. Now follows the (rule regarding the ordeal
by) sacred libation.
2. Having invoked terrible deities (such as
Durga, the Adityas or others, the defendant) must
drink three handfuls of water in which (images of)
those deities have been bathed,
XIII. 3, 5-7. Y. II, no, in.
XIV. 2, 4, 5. Y. II, 112, 113.