1866.] On Ordeals. 35 



Pitamaha (says) : 



" Having made a ball of iron, without corners, (perfectly) smooth, 

 equal to eight fingers (in circumference) and to fifty palas (in weight), 

 he should heat it in the fire." 



In the Kalika Purana (we read) : 



" The king should give to the accused an iron (ball), weighing fifty 

 palas, twelve fingers in circumference, consisting (as it were) of fire only, 

 (heated by) blowing (with bellows)." 



But Qankka and Likhita declare that the ball must weigh sixteen 

 palas, (in the passage) beginning thus : 



" But having taken, into his joined hands, a fire-coloured ball sixteen 

 palas in weight, enveloped in seven Acvattha-leaves." And this (ball 

 weighing sixteen palas) is for a weak man. 



The ball should be heated three times, because Naracla says : " this 

 (ball) being heated for the third time." 



There (at this ordeal) after the ball has been heated for the first 

 time), it is thrown into water ; when it has been heated (for the second 

 time), it is (again) thrown into water ; and whilst it is again being- 

 heated the Pradvivaka should perform (the ceremonies), beginning 

 with the bringing near of the gods, and ending with the placing of 

 the scroll on the forehead (of the accused). 



Then (at this stage of the proceedings) Pitamaha mentions a pecu- 

 liarity in the worship of the fire : 



" Then the king should order the fire to be worshipped with red 

 sandy ointment and perfumes, and also with red flowers." 



Harita (says) : 



{: He (the accused) should then place himself, facing the east, with 

 outstretched fingers, in wet garments, clean, having tied to his forehead 

 the scroll." 



The words " the accused" must be understood. 



Pitamaha (says) : 



" He shall place himself in the first circle, facing the east, with his 

 joined hands (stretched towards the) east, being pure." 



Narada (says) : 



" In all wounds or contusions (which he may happen to have) in 

 his hand, let him make (marks in the shape of) swan's feet ; and he 

 should look at them again (after the ordeal) (and he should make) 



