1866.] On Ordeals. 41 



the place of shooting to where the middle arrow (lies). Another man 

 of the same qualities, having received the middle arrow, should quickly 

 go back to the place, whence the (first) man came. But if the 

 arrow-bearer, arriving, sees him not, and (he is) in the water, then he 

 shall declare him to be cleared, otherwise he shall be guilty, though 

 he may show only one limb, or if he has gone to another place from 

 that where he entered before. ' One limb' means the ear. 



And Katyayana (says) : 



" Of whom he does only see the (top of the) head, and neither the 

 ears, nor the nose, at his entering in the water, him also he should 

 declare to be innocent." 



Pitamaha (says) : 



" The (place where) the arrow falls is to be used (as the starting 

 point for the second runner), and not a (place to which the arrow may 

 have glided)." 



Narada (says) : 



■'■ Those two runners who are the swiftest among fifty, should be 

 appointed there (at the ordeal) in order to bring the arrow." 



Now (follows) the manner of proceeding. 



The place of (the ordeal by) water (is described as follows). 



A river, the ocean, a lake, a natural water-course, a pool or a tank 

 and the like (places) containing quiet water, should be used. One 

 should avoid a small or unclean (place), and one that is full of grass, 

 reed, waves, mire, alligators, leeches, fish and the like, one which is 

 quick-flowing and the like. There, in water which reaches up to the 

 navel, a pillar for (fulfilling) the law should be made from a tree whose 

 wood can be used at the sacrifice. Near this, on the western bank an 

 arch, reaching up to the ear of the accused, should be made. 



A bamboo bow of one hundred and six fingers length, and three 

 arrows made of bamboo, without iron tops, should be placed near this. 

 A target is to be placed on cleared ground, one hundred and fifty 

 ells from the arch. Then after having worshipped the bow and the 

 arrows with white sandal-wood and garlands, having brought Varuna 

 (by invocation) to the water and worshipped him, and having com- 

 pleted the above described (ceremony), which begins with conveying 

 of Dharma to the bank of the water and ends with the burnt-offering, 



