DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52452#0143
I. 325-
ORDEAL BY POISON.
115
twilight, nor at noon. It must be avoided, likewise,
in the autumn, summer, spring, and rainy seasons.
*321. Spoiled poison, shaken poison, scented
and mixed poison, as well as Kalaku/a and Alabu
poison, should be carefully avoided.
*322. Poison from the Yrznga plant, which grows
in the Himalayas, of an excellent quality, having (the
required) colour, flavour, and taste, and preserving
its natural condition, should be given to members of
the Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra castes.
* 323. Let him give to the defendant one-eighth
less than the twentieth part of a sixth part of a Paia
of the poison, mixed with clarified butter.
* 324. Six Yavas should be given in the rainy
season ; five Yavas in the hot season ; seven or eight
in the winter season; in the autumn season this
ordeal must not take place.
* 325. ‘ Thou, O poison, art the son of Brahman.
321. Spoiled, shaken, scented, and mixed poison should be
avoided, because it has been changed from its natural state (into
something different). Kalaku/a and Alabu poison should be
avoided, because it is too strong. A. Kalaku/a is a certain deadly
poison contained in a bulbous root or tuber. According to a well-
known myth, the Kalaku/a poison was produced at the churning of
the ocean, when it threatened to destroy the whole world, and was
therefore swallowed by Aiva. Alabu is the bottle-gourd.
323. There are 960 Yavas to a Paia. The fraction, therefore, is
as follows:—960 • L . A- ’ k— 7 Yavas. In par. 324, the author
says that seven or eight Yavas of poison should be given in winter,
i. e. in that season when this ordeal is ordinarily administered.
Vishrau lays down generally that seven Yavas of poison should be
given.
324. This rule shows that the prohibition which has been
levelled in par. 320 against the performance of this ordeal in the
rainy and summer seasons, must not be interpreted too strictly.
325. This is the prayer which should be addressed' to the
poison. A.
I 2
ORDEAL BY POISON.
115
twilight, nor at noon. It must be avoided, likewise,
in the autumn, summer, spring, and rainy seasons.
*321. Spoiled poison, shaken poison, scented
and mixed poison, as well as Kalaku/a and Alabu
poison, should be carefully avoided.
*322. Poison from the Yrznga plant, which grows
in the Himalayas, of an excellent quality, having (the
required) colour, flavour, and taste, and preserving
its natural condition, should be given to members of
the Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra castes.
* 323. Let him give to the defendant one-eighth
less than the twentieth part of a sixth part of a Paia
of the poison, mixed with clarified butter.
* 324. Six Yavas should be given in the rainy
season ; five Yavas in the hot season ; seven or eight
in the winter season; in the autumn season this
ordeal must not take place.
* 325. ‘ Thou, O poison, art the son of Brahman.
321. Spoiled, shaken, scented, and mixed poison should be
avoided, because it has been changed from its natural state (into
something different). Kalaku/a and Alabu poison should be
avoided, because it is too strong. A. Kalaku/a is a certain deadly
poison contained in a bulbous root or tuber. According to a well-
known myth, the Kalaku/a poison was produced at the churning of
the ocean, when it threatened to destroy the whole world, and was
therefore swallowed by Aiva. Alabu is the bottle-gourd.
323. There are 960 Yavas to a Paia. The fraction, therefore, is
as follows:—960 • L . A- ’ k— 7 Yavas. In par. 324, the author
says that seven or eight Yavas of poison should be given in winter,
i. e. in that season when this ordeal is ordinarily administered.
Vishrau lays down generally that seven Yavas of poison should be
given.
324. This rule shows that the prohibition which has been
levelled in par. 320 against the performance of this ordeal in the
rainy and summer seasons, must not be interpreted too strictly.
325. This is the prayer which should be addressed' to the
poison. A.
I 2