Zend Avesta Part 01

SR No.: 007671
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Darmesteter
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1895
Total Pages: 2695
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 49 MB

Page 1524

52
VISHNU.
VIII, 37.
are weighed against each other, it is found that) truth ranks even higher than a thousand horsesacrifices.
37. “Those who, though acquainted with the facts, and appointed to give evidence, stand mute, are equally criminal with, and deserve the same punishment as, false witnesses.' (After having addressed them) thus, let the king examine the witnesses in the order of their castes.
38. That plaintiff whose statement the witnesses declare to be true, shall win his suit; but he whose statement they declare to be wrong, shall certainly lose it.
39. If there is contradictory evidence, let the king decide by the plurality of witnesses; if equality in number, by superiority in virtue; if parity in virtue, by the evidence of the best among the twice-born.
40. Whenever a perjured witness has given false evidence in a suit, (the king) must reverse the judgment; and whatever has been done, must be considered as undone.
IX.
1. Now follows (the rule regarding) the performance of ordeals.
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39. Nand. takes the term dvigottama, the best among the twice-born,' as an equivalent for "Brâhmanas.' Kullaka (on M. VIII, 73) refers it to twice-born men, who are particularly active in the discharge of their religious duties.'
IX. 2. Y. II, 96, 99. - 11. M.VIII, 114, 115; Y.II, 95.-20-22. Y. II, 95, 96, 99. — 23. Y. II, 98. - 33. Y. II, 97. The whole section on ordeals (IX-XIV) agrees very closely with the corresponding section of the Institutes of Nârada (5, 107-9, 8).
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