A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c26.s2.59

v1.c26.s2.59

A rule found in the Saṃgraha, but absent from the Hṛdaya, says that one should not take a bath in a tank, etc., belonging to someone else, without having removed five piṇḍas (of soil from the bottom) 203 (A.s.Sū.3.70cd). This prescription is seen as a Buddhist element by some scholars, 204 whereas others claim that it is not unknown to Hindus. 205 The presentation of five or four piṇḍas before going to bathe in a tank belonging to someone else is prescribed in the Yājñavalkyasmṛti, while the Manusmṛti simply prohibits bathing in such a place (parakīyanipāna). 206 The Viṣṇusmṛti forbids bathing in another man’s pool, but, in cases of distress, it is permitted after having offered up five (or seven, or four) lumps of clay and (three jars with) water. 207