History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v3.c46.123.4

v3.c46.123.4

2 makes the very significant²²⁰⁵ remark "it is therefore that in coming to a decision on a subtle point of dharma, it is desirable to have a pariṣad working and a specially distinguished person is wanted (to give the lead) as stated in the rule 'a *pariṣad* should consist of not less than ten persons or of three or of one (specially distinguished)'." These several authorities establish that for over 1500 years before the great Śaṁkarācārya the *pariṣad* of learned brāhmaṇas was the acknowledged authority for settling doubtful points of dharma and administering penances on lapses from proper conduct, and that Śaṁkarācārya himself acknowledged this privilege of the *pariṣad*.