20 On Ordeals. [No. 1, 



Pitamaha (says further) : 



" The ordeal by fire must take place in the morning, and in the morn- 

 ing the scales (must be employed). The (ordeal by) water ought to be 

 given in the middle of the day to those who wish (to leam) the real state 

 of truth. But the clearing by means of consecrated water is ordered 

 (to take place) during the first half of the day. But in the last quarter 

 of the night should the poison be given, being cold. 



These ordeals should take place on a Sunday, thus say the Qishtas, 

 (i. e. those Brahmans who have studied the Vedas and Vedangas and 

 thereby have become authorities in law). 



Now (follow the rules on) the place (where the ordeal ought to 

 take place). 



Pitamaha (says) : 



" The scales must always be made to turn towards the east, immove- 

 able, in a pure place, near to the flag, in the hall (of justice), or in the 

 gateway of the king's (palace), or on a crossing." 



Narada (says) : 



" (Let it be placed) in the hall or at the door of the king's palace, 

 in a temple or on a crossing." 



Katyayana (says) : 



" Let him order those men who are accused of a Mahapataka, 

 to undergo the ordeal near the flag, those who (are accused to) 

 have committed high treason, at the door of the king's (palace) ; those 

 who are born in pratilomya should undergo the ordeal on a crossing, 

 and wise men know that in other cases (the ordeal should take place) in 

 the midst of the hall (of justice)." 



Narada (says further) : 



" If ordeals are not given at the proper time and place, or undergone 

 by people who claim to be exempted from them, they always cause in 

 lawsuits a false result ; of that there is no doubt." 



Now (follow) the rules which are common to all ordeals : 



Pitamaha (says) : 



Then let the judge, who is conversant with the religious law, invoke 

 the gods according to the following rule ; turning towards the east and 

 joining his hands, let him speak : " Come, come, divine Dharma, ap- 

 proach this ordeal, together with the Lokapalas (eight protectors of the 

 world) and the crowds of Vasus, Adityas and Maruts." But if he 



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