1366.] On Ordeals. 43 



The same declares the quantity of the poison. 



" In the rainy season the measure is recorded to be four barley 

 grains, in the hot season five, in the cold season seven, in autumn 

 even less than that." 



Less (means) three barley grains. 



The cold season indicates also the dewy season, because these two 

 (words Hemanta and Qieira) are always used as a compound. 



But the spring is fit (for this ordeal) because it is common to all 

 ordeals. 



Vijnanecvara declares that the measure (of the poison) is also then 

 seven barley-grains. 



The poison should be given (mixed) with thirty times as much 

 ghee. Because Katyayana says, " but the poison should be given to 

 men in the forenoon in a cool place, mixed with thirty times as 

 much ghee, well pounded." 



Yajnavalkya (II. 110) has declared the address to the poison : " 

 poison, thou art Brahman's son, firm in the duty of (making known 

 the) truth, save me, according to truth, from this accusation ; become 

 ambrosia to me." 



Narada (says) : 



" Sitting down in the shade, he must be Avatched the rest of the day, 

 without taking food. Manu says, that if he overcome the force of the 

 poison, he is innocent." 



In case of excess of the measure of the poison the same ordains 

 another interval of time : 



If he remains healthy for 500 Palas (about 500 seconds), then he 

 is innocent and may take medicine. 



And the symptoms of (the working of) the poison (have been de- 

 scribed) in the Vishatantra. 



" The first attack of the poison causes the erection of the hair (on 

 the body), (then follow) sweat and dryness of the mouth, after that 

 arise (frequent) changes of colour, and trembling of the body. Then 

 the fifth attack causes the immobility of the eyes, loss of speech 

 and hiccoughing. The sixth, hard breathing and loss of conscious- 

 ness, and the seventh, the death of the person. There (at this ordeal) 

 he (the accused) should take the poison, after it has been placed 

 before Mahadeva, by the judge, who has fasted." 



