Administrative System of the Marathas c25.s4.27

c25.s4.27

It is also noteworthy how some of the most popular ordeals in the Maratha days conformed in every minute detail to the rules of the old sages. We read of one instance in which the ordeal consisted of a simple oath taken by touching Shahu's feet. This ordeal had the sanction of Shukra who says—"He has to touch the feet of superiors, * * or swear by the gods, 'let me be cursed with the burden of sins, let all my merits be extinguished.'"⁵⁶ The two most popular ordeals in the Maratha period were those by fire and heated metal, *agni-divya* and *rava*.