Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c4.164

c4.164

‘If it is asked how it should be with respect to points of the law which have not been specially mentioned, the answer is, that which Brāhmans who are *Śisṭas* propound, shall doubtlessly have legal force. Those Brāhmans must be considered as *Śisṭas* who, in accordance with the sacred law, have studied the Veda together with its appendages, and are able to adduce proofs perceptible by the senses from the revealed texts. Whatever an assembly, consisting either of at least ten, or of at least three persons who follow their prescribed occupations, declares to be law, the legal force of that one must not dispute. Three persons who each know one of the three principal Vedas, a logician, a Mīmāmsaka, one who knows the *Nirukta*, one who recites the Institutes of the sacred law, and three men belonging to the first three orders, shall constitute a legal assembly, consisting of at least ten members. One who knows the *Ṛgveda*, one who knows the *Yajurveda*, and one who knows the *Sāmaveda*, shall be known to form an assembly consisting of at least three members and competent to decide doubtful points of law. Even that which one Brāhman versed in the Veda declares to be law must be considered to have supreme legal force, but not that which is proclaimed by myriads of ignorant men.’