History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c72.524

v5.c72.524

A verse q. by Aparārka p. 273 provides⁷³⁴ that even the water at a *prapā* (a shed where water is distributed gratis to thirsty travellers) in a forest or from a jar placed near a well (for drawing water by any body) or the water in (a stone or wooden) trough (meant for all and sundry) and water from a leather bag even though these may not belong to a śūdra are unfit for drinking, but one may drink even such water as much as he desires when in distress. This shows that even in ancient times water was carried in leather bags or drums where there was scarcity of water and was allowed to be used even by twice-born people.