Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 757

717
APPENDIX VI
Trial
by Ordeal.
— Its
Different Forms.
When
the evidence against a man accused of either
a civil or criminal offence is not sufficiently strong to
convict him, the Hindus often have recourse to trial by
ordeal, this method of settling doubtful cases being a
regular part of their judicial system.
The principal ordeals
are those by scales and weights, by fire, by water, and by
poison *. The following are the rules to be observed. The
months of Cheitra, Vaisaka, and Margasira (April, May,
and December) are the most favourable for ordeals, though
that of the scales can take place at any time when there is
not too much wind. The ordeal by fire should be practised
during the rainy season, that by water in the hot weather
and in autumn, that by poison in winter and in foggy
weather. If careful attention is not paid to these points
grave errors are liable to occur. An ordeal which took
place at an unfavourable moment would be of no assistance
in ascertaining the truth.
The accused who is to be tried
by ordeal prepares himself by fasting and ablutions. He
then goes to a Brahmin purohita, explains the circumstances
After
of the case, and receives his advice and instruction.
this he offers a sacrifice to all the Brahmins present, asks
for their asirvadam (blessing), and then speaks as follows
Say that this day shall be a fortunate one for me, a day
of virtue, a day on which it will be recognized that I am
innocent of the crime of which I am accused, a day on
:
—
'
I shall receive many blessings.'
this the Brahmins reply three times
May this day be a fortunate one for thee, a
which
To
'
:
virtue, a
day on which thy innocence
on which thou shalt receive many
will
day
of
be proved, a day
blessings.'
1
There are ten forms of trial by ordeal
Tula,
the balance
Jala, water
Visha, poison ; Kosa, drinking water
fire
Tandula, ejecting chewed rice
in which an idol has been washed
grains
Tapta rnasha, taking a masha weight of gold out of heated
Dharma dharvm, drawing
oil
Phala, holding a hot ploughshare
concealed images of Virtue and Vice out of a vessel filled with earth
Tulasi,
holding the leaves of holy basil.' This holy basil is sacred to
Vishnu.— Ed.
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