[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India)](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930) › v7.c93.296 # History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c93.296 History of Dharmaśāstra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c93.296 - **Language:** English ### [v7.c93.296](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.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. - [Previous: v7.c93.295](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v7.c93.295) - [Next: v7.c93.297](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v7.c93.297) - [Up: v7.c93](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v7.c93) ## Cites (3) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.10.51) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Vasiṣṭhadharmasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.dharma.vasistha) — Vasiṣṭha, Sanskrit - [Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.upa.vaisnava.visnudharmottara) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v7.c93.296](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.kane-1930.v7.c93.296) · Pramāṇa