History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c93.296

v7.c93.296

The Vasiṣṭha-dharmasūtra and Viṣṇudharmottara²⁰¹⁶ provide that cow's urine, excreta, milk, curds, clarified butter, water in which *kuśas* have been dipped and a fast for a day and night will purify even a *śvapāka*. A Śvapāka was the lowest amongst untouchables and followed the same avocations as a cāṇḍāla and was governed by the same rules (vide Manu X. 51-56). This verse is not to be taken literally, as nothing could make a cāṇḍāla touchable. Therefore, this is a mere arthavāda meant to praise the purifying effects of pañcagavya and a fast.