Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c7.67

c7.67

From these sublime heights, however, Manu falls to the ridiculous when he says that if the true evidence would cause the death of a Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya or Śūdra, "a falsehood may be spoken; for such (falsehood) is preferable to the truth." As a rule, however, Manu insists on veracity in the law-courts, proscribes heavy fines for perjury and counsels the reversal of a judgment based on false evidence. Besides the evidence of witnesses, the observation of the voice, colour, motions, aspect, eyes and gestures of the parties should aid the judge in discovering the internal dispositions of man. Manu recognises two ordeals though he does not dilate on them at length. If one could dive under water or carry fire, one was held to be innocent. Once when Vatsa was accused by his younger brother, the fire, "the spy of the world," did not burn even a hair of his, for he was truthful.¹