Hindu Law and Custom (Recht und Sitte) c9.25

c9.25

absolution from sin through death at the hand of the enemy, or shall throw himself into fire. He who takes intoxicating drink will be pure if he drinks hot water till he is scalded to death. He who has defiled the conjugal bed of his teacher shall embrace the iron image of a woman glowing with heat till he dies of it or cut off his organ and the testicles and holding these limbs in his hands he should walk till he falls dead on the ground or he should sacrifice his life in defending a Brahman from the danger of life. Yet, for instance, the drinking of spirituous liquor may be expiated for through fasting, chastity and sleeping on the ground. The above-mentioned and similar other modes of suicide for the expiation of deadly sins are met with in most of the Smṛtis, yet later on the penances leading to death have been reckoned among the customs no longer in vogue in this age.