Hindu Law and Custom (Recht und Sitte) c8.223

c8.223

Of public or royal documents¹ the following kinds Various kinds of royal documents. are mentioned: *Śāsana* (documents of gift), documents about lands etc. presented to a functionary or an officer and other people as sign of royal favour (*prasādalikhita*), the document of a verdict which is given to the victorious party after the decision of a suit (*jayapattra* or *pascāt-kāra*), the edicts which are meant for vassals, governors and other subordinates (*ājñāpattra*) and courteous summons or proclamations which are issued for the priest, the spiritual initiator and other venerable persons (*prajñāpanapattra*). Moreover private documents "attested by the king" (*rājasākṣita*) are mentioned; they are to be drawn up at the royal court by a royal scribe and to be signed by the judge (Vi. 7, 3). Documents of pious gifts (*śāsana*) have been described by far most exhaustively in the law-books. Copper-plates (*tāmrapaṭṭa*) or cotton cloth (*paṭa*) are to be used as writing materials. The royal seal (*mudrā*) must not be omitted; it should represent an animal, e. g. a boar or the mythical bird Garuḍa.