16 On Ordeals. [No. 1, 



dant) slionld undergo an ordeal, even if the plaintiff be not ready to 

 undergo the punishment of defeat." 



Narada (says) : 



Those who are suspected by kings, those who are accused by Dasyus, 

 and those who wish to clear themselves, shall undergo an ordeal, without 

 (any additional) punishment (in case of defeat). 



The ordeal which decides a case after (the lapse of some) time, is 

 the oath. 



Narada has declared the different kinds of this (the latter) : 



" (Let (him swear) by truth, (or) let him touch (whilst swearing) 

 a vehicle, arms, a cow, grains, or gold, or the feet of the gods, or of his 

 father or mother ; or (let him swear) by his pious gifts, and his good 

 works ; or let him touch the head of his child, of his wife or of a friend ; 

 or he may also — in case of any accusation, — drink consecrated water." 



The oaths are declared by Manu (to be resorted to) even on very 

 trifling occasions. 



Though consecrated water decides a case only after the lapse of 

 some time, it has been enumerated in the first (division), because it 

 is used in great accusations (also). 



Yajnavalkya (says) (II. 96) : 



" According to (their) pleasure either of the two may undergo (the 

 ordeal), and the other may take (upon himself) the punishment (in 

 case of defeat)." 



This alternative (lies) only at the pleasure of the plaintiff. If 

 he does not wish (to undergo the ordeal), (it falls) on the defendant. 

 Let nobody oblige the plaintiff to undergo the punishment. 



" The ordeal should be imposed upon the accused by those who know 

 (the rules respecting) the ordeal." 



These are the words of Katyayana in the Divyatattva. 



Here (follow) the rules regarding the different kinds of ordeals 

 appropriate to (different) individuals. 



Yajnavalkya says (II. 98) : 



" The scales (are appropriate) for women, children, old, blind, or lame 

 persons and Brahmans ; fire or water, the seven grains of Yava or 

 poison, for a Cudra." 



(The scales are for every body) without reference to sex or caste 

 or age. 



