DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52452#0145
I, 335- ORDEAL BY SACRED LIBATION. I I 7
within a week or a fortnight (after having under-
gone this ordeal), it shall be regarded as proof of
his guilt.
*331. If a great misfortune even should befall
him after the lapse of a fortnight, he must not be
harassed by any one, because the fixed period has
elapsed.
* 332. The drinking of consecrated water should
be avoided in the case of great criminals, irreligious
or ungrateful men, eunuchs, low rascals, unbelievers,
Vratyas, and slaves.
333. A righteous king, who administers the five
ordeals to persons charged with a crime in the way
which has been stated, acquires prosperity both in
a future state and in this life.
* 334. The ordeal by water is destined for the hot
season. The ordeal by poison (should be admin-
istered) in very cold weather. A Brahman should
be tested by the balance, fire is reserved for the
Kshatriya.
* 335. The ordeal by water should be administered
to the Vanya. Poison should be given to the Audra.
He must not give poison to the Brahman, nor should
a Kshatriya take the (hot) iron.
of a relation, or punishment inflicted by the king. Nor is every
sort of disease to be considered as proof of guilt. It is obvious
that the inclusion of a punishment inflicted by the king among the
proofs of guilt tends to place the defendant at the mercy of the
sovereign power.
332. All the various categories of persons that are mentioned
here as unfit for the performance of this ordeal are so because
they are already deprived of the assistance of the gods in every
case. A. Vratyas, those who have not been invested with the thread.
333. The term ‘persons charged with a crime’ may denote
both real offenders, whose offence has remained secret, and wrongly
accused persons. A.
within a week or a fortnight (after having under-
gone this ordeal), it shall be regarded as proof of
his guilt.
*331. If a great misfortune even should befall
him after the lapse of a fortnight, he must not be
harassed by any one, because the fixed period has
elapsed.
* 332. The drinking of consecrated water should
be avoided in the case of great criminals, irreligious
or ungrateful men, eunuchs, low rascals, unbelievers,
Vratyas, and slaves.
333. A righteous king, who administers the five
ordeals to persons charged with a crime in the way
which has been stated, acquires prosperity both in
a future state and in this life.
* 334. The ordeal by water is destined for the hot
season. The ordeal by poison (should be admin-
istered) in very cold weather. A Brahman should
be tested by the balance, fire is reserved for the
Kshatriya.
* 335. The ordeal by water should be administered
to the Vanya. Poison should be given to the Audra.
He must not give poison to the Brahman, nor should
a Kshatriya take the (hot) iron.
of a relation, or punishment inflicted by the king. Nor is every
sort of disease to be considered as proof of guilt. It is obvious
that the inclusion of a punishment inflicted by the king among the
proofs of guilt tends to place the defendant at the mercy of the
sovereign power.
332. All the various categories of persons that are mentioned
here as unfit for the performance of this ordeal are so because
they are already deprived of the assistance of the gods in every
case. A. Vratyas, those who have not been invested with the thread.
333. The term ‘persons charged with a crime’ may denote
both real offenders, whose offence has remained secret, and wrongly
accused persons. A.