The minor law books: The minor law books (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1889)

1,2ffL

ORDEALS.

IOI

*253. (Those ordeals) have been ordained here
by Narada for the purpose of proving the innocence
of criminals who are defendants in a lawsuit, (and) in
order that right may be discerned from wrong.
* 254. During the rains let the (ordeal by) fire be
administered. In the autumn season the balance is
declared to be (the proper kind of ordeal). The
(ordeal by) water should be applied in summer, and
the (ordeal by) poison in the cold weather.
*255. The distressed shall not be caused to
undergo the (ordeal by) water, nor shall poison be
given to the bilious, nor shall the ordeal by fire be
administered to persons afflicted with white leprosy,
or with blindness, or with bad nails.
* 256. An ordeal should never be administered to
persons engaged in performing a vow, to those
afflicted with a heavy calamity, to the diseased, to
ascetics, or to women, if the dictates of justice are
listened to.
257. Where no one declares himself ready to
253. The five ordeals have been proclaimed by the great sage
Narada, for the justification of those impeached on account of their
suspicious conduct, by showing where the wrong lies and where
not. A.
254. The five ordeals should be administered, each of them, at
those very seasons, and not at any other season. A. Vislvzu IX,
25, 28, 30.
255. 256. Vishmi IX, 23, 25, 27, 29.
255. In the case of the persons here mentioned, the ordeals
referred to should be avoided, on grounds of disease and of incapacity
to undergo them. A.
256. ‘Persons engaged in performing a vow,’those who have
performed the ceremony initiatory to a Soma sacrifice. A.
257. An ordeal should not take place, unless there should be a
special reason for it, such as an accusation. Therefore an ordeal
must not be administered, unless there be a plaintiff who declares
himself ready to take the punishment on himself in case of defeat.