Hindu Administrative Institutions c10.s3.78

c10.s3.78

¹ While the editions of Shama Śāstri and Jolly contain ātmakāśitaṃ, the Śrīmūlam (Trivandrum) edition has āmakaśitaṃ (vol. ii, p. 154.) This is interpreted as meaning ‘dyspeptic persons’. Granting the term ātmakāśitaṃ (which in the context seems unlikely), if a confession of guilt were made, it is reasonable to mete out punishment of a less severe character. This is perhaps what made the sage Māṇḍavya accept guilt though innocent, in order to free himself from the punishment of torture. For there were visible pieces of evidence by his side which would prove the guilt. But still the king was unjust enough to order his impalement. Truth triumphed in the end. His innocence saved the sage and the king was punished for his unjust action. For details of the legend see chap. cxvi-vii, Ādi Parvan of the Mahābhārata.