Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c19.57

c19.57

² The odd number 3) of the Sabhā (jury) who are required to sit with the Judge under Manu, VIII, 10, points to the rule of majority. It is clearly enjoined in the Artha-Sāstra, with regard to the decision of land-disputes by a jury of neighbours. 'Land disputes are to be decided by village-elders of the neighbourhood. If there be a 'division of opinion among them, the decision to prevail is of the honest majority': क्षेत्रविवादं सामन्तग्रामवृद्धाः कुर्युः। तेषां द्वैधीभावे यतः बहवः शुचयोऽनुमता वा ततो नियच्छेयुः॥ Compare also the jury of 7, 5 or 3 in the *Sukra-nīti*, IV, 26.