Hindu Law and Custom (Recht und Sitte) c10.117

c10.117

From the two main forms of divine judgments, by water and by fire, mentioned in M. 8, 114 f., gradually an intermediate series of 5 ordeals was developed and at last we get 9 different ordeals, of which it is perhaps possible to say that this part of them is later than that ². The nine ordeals are: ³ (1) The balance (dhaṭa, tulā). The person performing the ordeal is twice weighed on a scale; if at the second time he appears to be lighter than before, he is considered to be innocent; if he is heavier he is guilty. It is disputed how it is to be construed if the weight remains the same or the balance is broken in two. (2) The fire (agni). A glowing iron ball has to be carried to a certain distance; the accused however, in order to protect his hand from being burnt, may at first cover his hand with a layer of leaves. He will be considered not guilty if his hand is not burnt. If he lets the ball fall too early, or if it is doubtful whether he has been burnt or not, the trial is to be repeated. (3) Water (*salila*). The man who is going to be tried immerses himself into a lake or a river and he must keep himself under water until an arrow, which was shot away at the same time is brought back by a fleet runner. (4) The poison (*viṣa*). A certain quantity of poison has to be taken and for sometime it is watched whether the poison begins to act or not. (5) The sacred libation (*kośa*). An image of a deity is bathed in water and the accused is given that water to drink; then if within a short period—three weeks at the most—any misfortune befalls him or his nearest relation, it will be taken as a proof of his guilt. (6) Grains of rice (*taṇḍula*). Consecrated grains of unhusked rice shall be chewed and then spitted out on a leaf; if now blood is seen with them the guilt is proved therewith. (7) The hot gold-piece (*taptamāṣa*). A coin has to be fished out of a vessel full of a boiling fluid such as butter or oil; if in doing this his hand is not injured the accused is acquitted. (8) The plough-share (*phāla*). The accused has to lick a red hot plough-share without however having his tongue scorched thereby. (9) The ordeal by lot (*dharmādharma*). Figures or pictures of justice (*dharma*) and injustice (*adharma*) are put in a vessel as lots; now it depends on the accused’s hitting on the right lot.