Zend Avesta Part 03

SR No.: 007673
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: L H Mills
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1887
Total Pages: 2618
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 49 MB

Page 1294

1, 257
ORDEALS.
IOI
* 253. (Those ordeals) have been ordained here by Nárada for the purpose of proving the innocence of criminals who are defendants in a lawsuit, (and) in order that right may be discerned from wrong.
* 254. During the rains let the (ordeal by) fire be administered. In the autumn season the balance is declared to be the proper kind of ordeal). The (ordeal by) water should be applied in summer, and the (ordeal by) poison in the cold weather.
* 255. The distressed shall not be caused to undergo the (ordeal by) water, nor shall poison be given to the bilious, nor shall the ordeal by fire be administered to persons afflicted with white leprosy, or with blindness, or with bad nails.
* 256. An ordeal should never be administered to persons engaged in performing a vow, to those afflicted with a heavy calamity, to the diseased, to ascetics, or to women, if the dictates of justice are listened to.
257. Where no one declares himself ready to
253. The five ordeals have been proclaimed by the great sage Nárada, for the justification of those impeached on account of their suspicious conduct, by showing where the wrong lies and where not. A.
254. The five ordeals should be administered, each of them, at those very seasons, and not at any other season. A. Vishnu IX, 25, 28, 30.
255, 256. Vishnu IX, 23, 25, 27, 29.
255. In the case of the persons here mentioned, the ordeals referred to should be avoided, on grounds of disease and of incapacity to undergo them. A.
256. Persons engaged in performing a vow,' those who have performed the ceremony initiatory to a Soma sacrifice. A.
257. An ordeal should not take place, unless there should be a special reason for it, such as an accusation. Therefore an ordeal must not be administered, unless there be a plaintiff who declares himself ready to take the punishment on himself in case of defeat.
Digitized by Google