18GG.] On Ordeals. 17 



B&la (is a person) who is younger than 16 years, of whatever caste 

 he may be. (A person who is) older than 80 years (is called) vriddha 

 (old). 



Here (in this passage it is meant) that the scales only are intended 

 for a Brahman (when the ordeal takes place) at the time generally 

 (appointed for the scales), of which (more) will be spoken (below). 

 But (when the ordeal takes place) at the time (which is fit for the 

 employment) of fire and the like, those (ordeals) are employed even 

 (for a Brahman)." 



Therefore Pitamaha (says) : 



" All castes can, according to the rule, be cleared by (taking) conse- 

 crated water. All the (ordeals) (can be employed in case) of every 

 one, except poison (in the case) of a Brahman." 



In the Kalikapurana (we read) : 



A hot gold masha coin should always be given to a man of the 

 lowest caste. 



Narada (says) : 



" Let (the judge) always examine eunuchs, men bereft of strength, 

 those whose mind is violently agitated, and these three, children, 

 old and sick people, by means of the scales. But neither poison 

 nor water, is prescribed for women ; by means of the scales, consecrated 

 water, etc. let him enquire into the hidden truth about them. Those 

 who are in (bodily or mental) pain, shall not clear themselves by the 

 water (ordeal), nor those who suffer of a disease caused by gall or 

 poison. The (ordeal by) fire is not ordained for the leprous, the blind, 

 those who suffer of a disease of the nails, and the like. Children and 

 women should not be immerged (into water) by those who know the In- 

 stitutes of law, nor (should this be done) to sick, old or weak men. He 

 should (likewise) not immerge into water those who have no force, and 

 those who have been enfeebled by sickness. When they are immerged, 

 they always die ; for little life (is left) in them. He shall not im- 

 merge them even if they have come (to court) on account (of an 

 accusation) of an offence perpetrated with violence. Nor shall he make 

 them take (into their hands) hot iron, nor shall he make them clear 

 themselves by (taking) poison. 



Vishnu (says) : 



" (Let him not impose any of the abovementioned ordeals) upon those, 

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