The Divine Ordeals of Bhattaditya

Verse 1 (skanda.1.79.1)

॥अर्जुन उवाच॥ दिव्यप्राकारमिच्छामि श्रोतुं चाहं मुनीश्वर॥ कथं कार्याणि कानीह स्फुटं यैः पुण्यपापकम्॥

||arjuna uvāca|| divyaprākāramicchāmi śrotuṁ cāhaṁ munīśvara|| kathaṁ kāryāṇi kānīha sphuṭaṁ yaiḥ puṇyapāpakam||

Arjuna said: "O lord of sages, I wish to hear of the kinds of divine ordeal. What procedures are performed here by which merit and sin are clearly determined?"

Verse 2 (skanda.1.79.2)

॥नारद उवाच॥ शपषाः पोशघटकौ विषाग्न तप्तमाषकौ॥ फलं च तंदुलं चैव दिव्यान्यष्टौ विदुर्बुधाः॥

||nārada uvāca|| śapaṣāḥ pośaghaṭakau viṣāgna taptamāṣakau|| phalaṁ ca taṁdulaṁ caiva divyānyaṣṭau vidurbudhāḥ||

Narada said: "The oath, the sealed water-vessel, poison, fire, the heated gold piece, the ploughshare, and rice — the wise know these as the eight kinds of divine ordeal."

Verse 3 (skanda.1.79.3)

असाक्षिकेषु चार्थेषु मिथो विवदमानयोः॥ राजद्रोहाभिशापेषु साहसेषु तथैव च॥

asākṣikeṣu cārtheṣu mitho vivadamānayoḥ|| rājadrohābhiśāpeṣu sāhaseṣu tathaiva ca||

In matters where two disputing parties have no witnesses, and likewise in cases of treason against the king, false accusation, and violent crime,

Verse 4 (skanda.1.79.4)

अविदस्तत्त्वतः सत्यं शपथेनाभिलंघयेत्॥ महर्षिभिश्च देवैश्च सत्यार्थाः शपथाः कृताः॥

avidastattvataḥ satyaṁ śapathenābhilaṁghayet|| maharṣibhiśca devaiśca satyārthāḥ śapathāḥ kṛtāḥ||

— one who does not truly know the facts should be brought to a decision through the oath. Even the great sages and the gods themselves have resorted to oaths to establish the truth.

Verse 5 (skanda.1.79.5)

जवनो नृपतिः क्षीणो मिथ्याशपथमाचरेत्॥ वसिष्ठाग्रे वर्षमध्ये सान्वयः किल भारत॥

javano nṛpatiḥ kṣīṇo mithyāśapathamācaret|| vasiṣṭhāgre varṣamadhye sānvayaḥ kila bhārata||

A king who, through haste and weakness, upholds a false oath shall, O Bharata, perish along with his lineage within a single year.

Verse 6 (skanda.1.79.6)

अंधः शत्रुगृहं गच्छेद्यो मिथ्याशपथांश्चरेत्॥ रौरवस्य स्वयं द्वारमुद्धाटयति दुर्मतिः॥

aṁdhaḥ śatrugṛhaṁ gacchedyo mithyāśapathāṁścaret|| rauravasya svayaṁ dvāramuddhāṭayati durmatiḥ||

Whoever swears a false oath is, as it were, walking blindly into the house of his own enemy — that foolish man throws open, with his own hands, the very gates of the hell called Raurava.

Verse 7 (skanda.1.79.7)

मन्यंते वै पापकृतो न कश्चितपश्यतीति नः॥ तांश्च देवाः प्रपश्यंति स्वस्यैवांतरपौरुषाः॥

manyaṁte vai pāpakṛto na kaścitapaśyatīti naḥ|| tāṁśca devāḥ prapaśyaṁti svasyaivāṁtarapauruṣāḥ||

Those who do wrong believe, "No one sees us," yet the gods indeed see them, and their own inner conscience watches them as well.

Verse 8 (skanda.1.79.8)

आदित्यचंद्रावनिलोऽनलश्च द्यौर्भूमिरापो हृदयं यमश्च॥ अहश्च रात्रिश्च उभे च संध्ये धर्मो हि जानाति नरस्य वृत्तम्॥

ādityacaṁdrāvanilo'nalaśca dyaurbhūmirāpo hṛdayaṁ yamaśca|| ahaśca rātriśca ubhe ca saṁdhye dharmo hi jānāti narasya vṛttam||

The sun, the moon, the wind, the fire, the sky, the earth, the waters, the heart, Yama, the day, the night, and both twilights — and Dharma himself — all of these know a man's every deed.

Verse 9 (skanda.1.79.9)

एवं तस्मादभिज्ञाय सत्यर्थशपथांश्चरेत्॥ वृथा हि शपथान्कुर्वन्प्रेत्य चेह विनश्यति॥

evaṁ tasmādabhijñāya satyarthaśapathāṁścaret|| vṛthā hi śapathānkurvanpretya ceha vinaśyati||

Knowing this, one should therefore take an oath only in genuine truth. One who swears oaths lightly and falsely is destroyed both in this world and the next.

Verse 10 (skanda.1.79.10)

इदं सत्यं वदामीति ब्रुवन्साक्षी भवान्यतः॥ शुभाशुभफलं देहि शुचिः पादौ रवेः स्वृशेत्॥

idaṁ satyaṁ vadāmīti bruvansākṣī bhavānyataḥ|| śubhāśubhaphalaṁ dehi śuciḥ pādau raveḥ svṛśet||

Declaring, "This I speak in truth," and saying, "O Goddess, be my witness; grant me the fruit, good or ill, that is due," one should, in purity, touch the feet of the Sun.

Verse 11 (skanda.1.79.11)

अथ शास्त्रस्य विप्रोऽपि शस्त्रस्यापि च क्षत्रियः॥ मां संस्पृशंस्तथा वैश्यः शुद्रः स्वगुरुमेव च॥

atha śāstrasya vipro'pi śastrasyāpi ca kṣatriyaḥ|| māṁ saṁspṛśaṁstathā vaiśyaḥ śudraḥ svagurumeva ca||

Then a brahmin, touching a scripture, a kshatriya touching a weapon, a vaishya touching me, the Sun, and a shudra touching his own guru —

Verse 12 (skanda.1.79.12)

मातरं पितरं पूज्यं स्पृशेत्साधारणं त्विदम्॥ कोशस्य रूपं पूर्वं ते व्याख्यातं पांडुनंदन॥

mātaraṁ pitaraṁ pūjyaṁ spṛśetsādhāraṇaṁ tvidam|| kośasya rūpaṁ pūrvaṁ te vyākhyātaṁ pāṁḍunaṁdana||

— or, alternatively, may touch their mother, father, or another revered elder; this is the general rule. O son of Pandu, the form of the kosha (sealed-vessel) ordeal has now been explained to you first.

Verse 13 (skanda.1.79.13)

विप्रवर्ज्यं तथा केशं वर्णिनां दापयेन्नृपः॥ यो यो यद्देवताभक्तः पाययेत्तस्य तं नरम्॥

vipravarjyaṁ tathā keśaṁ varṇināṁ dāpayennṛpaḥ|| yo yo yaddevatābhaktaḥ pāyayettasya taṁ naram||

The king should administer this ordeal to those of other varnas besides the brahmins. Whatever deity a man is devoted to, he should be made to drink the water sanctified in that deity's name.

Verse 14 (skanda.1.79.14)

समभक्तं च देवानामादित्यस्यैव पाययेत्॥ सर्वेषां चोग्रदेवानां स्नापयेदायुधास्त्रकम्॥

samabhaktaṁ ca devānāmādityasyaiva pāyayet|| sarveṣāṁ cogradevānāṁ snāpayedāyudhāstrakam||

One who is not especially devoted to any particular deity should be made to drink water sanctified in the name of the Sun. For all the fierce deities, their weapons and instruments should be bathed,

Verse 15 (skanda.1.79.15)

स्नानोदकं वा संकल्पं गृहीत्वा पाययेन्नवम्॥ त्रिसप्तरात्रमध्ये च फलं कोशस्य निर्दिशेत्॥

snānodakaṁ vā saṁkalpaṁ gṛhītvā pāyayennavam|| trisaptarātramadhye ca phalaṁ kośasya nirdiśet||

— and that bathing-water, taken up with fresh resolve, should be given to drink. Within twenty-one nights, the outcome of the sealed-vessel ordeal becomes manifest.

Verse 16 (skanda.1.79.16)

अतः परं महादिव्यविधानं श्रृणु यद्भवेत्॥ संशयच्छेदि सर्वेषां धार्ष्ट्यत्तद्दिव्यमेव च॥

ataḥ paraṁ mahādivyavidhānaṁ śrṛṇu yadbhavet|| saṁśayacchedi sarveṣāṁ dhārṣṭyattaddivyameva ca||

Hear now the procedure of the great ordeal that follows this. It is the ordeal appointed for cases of violent crime, one that resolves every doubt.

Verse 17 (skanda.1.79.17)

सशिरस्कंप्रदातव्यमिति ब्रह्मा पुराब्रवीत्॥ महोग्राणां च दातव्यमशिरस्कमपि स्फुटम्॥

saśiraskaṁpradātavyamiti brahmā purābravīt|| mahogrāṇāṁ ca dātavyamaśiraskamapi sphuṭam||

Brahma declared in ancient times that this should generally be administered with the full accompanying rite. But in cases of the gravest crimes, it may also plainly be given in an abbreviated form.

Verse 18 (skanda.1.79.18)

साधूनां वर्णिनां राजा न शिरस्कं प्रदापयेत्॥ न प्रवातेधटं देयं नोष्णकाले हुताशनम्॥

sādhūnāṁ varṇināṁ rājā na śiraskaṁ pradāpayet|| na pravātedhaṭaṁ deyaṁ noṣṇakāle hutāśanam||

The king should not subject virtuous and well-conducted persons to the more severe ordeal. The water ordeal should not be given in a strong wind, nor the fire ordeal during extreme heat.

Verse 19 (skanda.1.79.19)

वर्णिनां च तथा कालं तंदुलं मुखरोगिणाम्॥

varṇināṁ ca tathā kālaṁ taṁdulaṁ mukharogiṇām||

Likewise, the ordeal should be given to each varna only at its proper time, and the rice ordeal should not be given to those suffering from ailments of the mouth.

Verse 20 (skanda.1.79.20)

कुष्ठपित्तार्दितानां च ब्राह्मणानां च नो विषम्॥ तप्तमाषकमर्हंति सर्वे धर्म्यं निरत्ययम्॥

kuṣṭhapittārditānāṁ ca brāhmaṇānāṁ ca no viṣam|| taptamāṣakamarhaṁti sarve dharmyaṁ niratyayam||

Poison should not be given to those afflicted with leprosy or bilious disease, nor to brahmins. But the heated gold-piece ordeal is proper and free from fault for everyone.

Verse 21 (skanda.1.79.21)

न व्याधिमरके देशे शपथान्कोशमेव च॥ दिव्यान्यासुरकैर्मंत्रैः स्तंभयंतीह केचन॥

na vyādhimarake deśe śapathānkośameva ca|| divyānyāsurakairmaṁtraiḥ staṁbhayaṁtīha kecana||

In a region afflicted by disease or plague, the oath and the sealed-vessel ordeal should not be given. Some people here obstruct the effect of these ordeals through demonic incantations.

Verse 22 (skanda.1.79.22)

प्रतिघातविदस्तेषां योजयेद्धर्मवत्सलान्॥ दिव्यानां स्तभकाञ्ज्ञात्वा पापान्नित्यं महीपतिः॥

pratighātavidasteṣāṁ yojayeddharmavatsalān|| divyānāṁ stabhakāñjñātvā pāpānnityaṁ mahīpatiḥ||

Righteous men skilled in counteracting such tricks should be appointed against them. Recognizing such sinful obstructers of the ordeals, the king should always —

Verse 23 (skanda.1.79.23)

विवासयेत्स्वकाद्राष्ट्रात्ते हि लोकस्य कंटकाः॥ तेषामन्वेषणे यत्नं राजा नित्यं समाचरेत्॥

vivāsayetsvakādrāṣṭrātte hi lokasya kaṁṭakāḥ|| teṣāmanveṣaṇe yatnaṁ rājā nityaṁ samācaret||

— banish them from his own realm, for they are thorns in the side of society. The king should always exert himself diligently in seeking them out.

Verse 24 (skanda.1.79.24)

ते हि पापसमाचारास्तस्करेभ्योऽपि तस्कराः॥ प्राग्दृष्टदोषान्स्वल्पेषु दिव्येषु विनियोजयेत्॥

te hi pāpasamācārāstaskarebhyo'pi taskarāḥ|| prāgdṛṣṭadoṣānsvalpeṣu divyeṣu viniyojayet||

Such wrongdoers are thieves greater even than thieves themselves. Those whose past faults have already come to light should be subjected to the ordeal only in minor matters.

Verse 25 (skanda.1.79.25)

महत्स्वपि न चार्थेषु धर्मज्ञान्धर्मवत्सलान्॥ न मिथ्यावचनं येषां जन्मप्रभृति विद्यते॥

mahatsvapi na cārtheṣu dharmajñāndharmavatsalān|| na mithyāvacanaṁ yeṣāṁ janmaprabhṛti vidyate||

But those who know dharma and are devoted to it, and who have never, from birth, spoken falsely, should not be subjected to the ordeal even in the gravest of matters.

Verse 26 (skanda.1.79.26)

श्रद्दध्यात्पार्थिवस्तेषां वचना देव भारत॥ ज्ञात्वा धर्मिष्ठतां राजा पुरुषस्य विचक्षणः॥

śraddadhyātpārthivasteṣāṁ vacanā deva bhārata|| jñātvā dharmiṣṭhatāṁ rājā puruṣasya vicakṣaṇaḥ||

O Bharata, the king should place his trust in the word of such people. Recognizing the righteousness of an upright man, a discerning king —

Verse 27 (skanda.1.79.27)

क्रोधाल्लोभात्कारयंश्च स्वयमेव प्रदुष्यति॥ तस्मात्पापिषु दिव्यं स्यात्तत्रादौ प्रोच्यते धटे॥

krodhāllobhātkārayaṁśca svayameva praduṣyati|| tasmātpāpiṣu divyaṁ syāttatrādau procyate dhaṭe||

— who, out of anger or greed, compels such a one to undergo the ordeal, becomes tainted himself by that very act. Therefore the ordeal should be applied only to those suspected of wrongdoing. Now, first of all, the vessel (kosha) ordeal is described.

Verse 28 (skanda.1.79.28)

सुसमायां पृथिव्यां च दिग्भागे पूर्वदक्षिणे॥ यज्ञियस्य तु वृक्षस्य स्थाप्यं स्यान्मुंडकद्वयम्॥

susamāyāṁ pṛthivyāṁ ca digbhāge pūrvadakṣiṇe|| yajñiyasya tu vṛkṣasya sthāpyaṁ syānmuṁḍakadvayam||

On level ground, in the southeastern direction, two posts, cut from a tree fit for sacrifice, should be set up.

Verse 29 (skanda.1.79.29)

स्तंभकस्य प्रमाणं च सप्तहस्तं प्रकीर्तितम्॥ द्वौ हस्तौ निखनेत्काष्ठं दृश्यं स्याद्धस्तपंचकम्॥

staṁbhakasya pramāṇaṁ ca saptahastaṁ prakīrtitam|| dvau hastau nikhanetkāṣṭhaṁ dṛśyaṁ syāddhastapaṁcakam||

The measure of each post is declared to be seven cubits. Two cubits should be buried in the ground, so that five cubits remain visible.

Verse 30 (skanda.1.79.30)

अंतरं तु तयोः कार्यं तथा हस्तचतुष्टयम्॥ मुंडकोपरि काष्ठं च दृढं कुर्याद्विचक्षणः॥

aṁtaraṁ tu tayoḥ kāryaṁ tathā hastacatuṣṭayam|| muṁḍakopari kāṣṭhaṁ ca dṛḍhaṁ kuryādvicakṣaṇaḥ||

The distance between the two posts should be four cubits. A discerning person should firmly fix a crossbeam atop the posts.

Verse 31 (skanda.1.79.31)

चतुर्हस्तं तुलाकाष्ठमव्रणं कारयेत्स्थिरम्॥ खदिरार्जुनवृक्षाणां शिंशपाशालजं त्वथ॥

caturhastaṁ tulākāṣṭhamavraṇaṁ kārayetsthiram|| khadirārjunavṛkṣāṇāṁ śiṁśapāśālajaṁ tvatha||

The beam of the balance should be four cubits long, free of any crack, and sturdy. It should be made from the wood of the khadira, arjuna, shisham, or sal tree.

Verse 32 (skanda.1.79.32)

तुलाकाष्ठे तु कर्तव्यं तथा वै शिक्यकद्वयम्॥ प्राङ्मुखो निश्चलः कार्यः शुचौ देशे धटस्तथा॥

tulākāṣṭhe tu kartavyaṁ tathā vai śikyakadvayam|| prāṅmukho niścalaḥ kāryaḥ śucau deśe dhaṭastathā||

Two hanging pans should be tied to the balance-beam. Facing east, remaining perfectly still, in a pure place, the vessel ordeal too should be performed in this same manner.

Verse 33 (skanda.1.79.33)

पाषाणस्यापि जायेत् स्तंभेषु च धटस्तथा॥ वणिक्सुवर्णकारो वा कुशलः कांस्यकारकः॥

pāṣāṇasyāpi jāyet staṁbheṣu ca dhaṭastathā|| vaṇiksuvarṇakāro vā kuśalaḥ kāṁsyakārakaḥ||

The posts may also be made of stone. A skilled craftsman — a merchant, a goldsmith, or a coppersmith — should prepare the balance.

Verse 34 (skanda.1.79.34)

तुलाधारधरः कार्यो रिपौ मित्रे च यः समः॥ श्रावयेत्प्राड्विवाकोऽपि तुलाधारं विचक्षणः॥

tulādhāradharaḥ kāryo ripau mitre ca yaḥ samaḥ|| śrāvayetprāḍvivāko'pi tulādhāraṁ vicakṣaṇaḥ||

The one who operates the balance should be someone equally impartial toward friend and foe alike. The judge, too, should attentively hear the rules governing the balance.

Verse 35 (skanda.1.79.35)

ब्रह्मघ्ने ये स्मृता लोका ये च स्त्रीबालघातके॥ तुलाधारस्य ते लोकास्तुलां धारयतो मृषा॥

brahmaghne ye smṛtā lokā ye ca strībālaghātake|| tulādhārasya te lokāstulāṁ dhārayato mṛṣā||

Whatever hell awaits the slayer of a brahmin, or the killer of a woman or child, that same hell awaits the operator of the balance who conducts it dishonestly.

Verse 36 (skanda.1.79.36)

एकस्मिंस्तोलयेच्छिक्ये ज्ञातं सूपोषितं नरम्॥ द्वितीये मृत्तिकां शुभ्रां गौरां तु तुलयेद्बुधः॥

ekasmiṁstolayecchikye jñātaṁ sūpoṣitaṁ naram|| dvitīye mṛttikāṁ śubhrāṁ gaurāṁ tu tulayedbudhaḥ||

On one pan, the known man, having duly fasted, should be weighed; on the other, a wise man should weigh pure, pale-colored clay.

Verse 37 (skanda.1.79.37)

इष्टिकाभस्मपाषाणकपालास्थीनि वर्जयेत्॥ तोलयित्वा ततः पूर्वं तस्मात्तमवतारयेत्॥

iṣṭikābhasmapāṣāṇakapālāsthīni varjayet|| tolayitvā tataḥ pūrvaṁ tasmāttamavatārayet||

Bricks, ashes, stones, skulls, and bones should not be used. Having first weighed him thus, he should then be taken down from the scale.

Verse 38 (skanda.1.79.38)

मूर्ध्नि पत्रं ततो न्यस्य न्यस्तपत्रं निवेशयेत्॥ पत्रे मंत्रस्त्वयं लेख्यो यः पुरोक्तः श्वयंभुवा॥

mūrdhni patraṁ tato nyasya nyastapatraṁ niveśayet|| patre maṁtrastvayaṁ lekhyo yaḥ puroktaḥ śvayaṁbhuvā||

Then a leaf should be placed upon his head, and set in place there. Upon that leaf should be written the mantra formerly declared by Brahma, the Self-Existent.

Verse 39 (skanda.1.79.39)

ब्रह्मणस्त्वं सुता देवी तुलानाम्नेति कथ्यते॥ तुकारो गौरवे नित्यं लकारो लघुनि स्मृतः॥

brahmaṇastvaṁ sutā devī tulānāmneti kathyate|| tukāro gaurave nityaṁ lakāro laghuni smṛtaḥ||

"O Goddess, you are the daughter of Brahma, known by the name Tula, the Balance. In this name, the syllable 'tu' ever signifies weight, and the syllable 'la' is held to signify lightness."

Verse 40 (skanda.1.79.40)

गुरुलाघवसंयोगात्तुला तेन निगद्यसे॥ संशयान्मोचयस्वैनमभिशस्तं नरं शुभे॥

gurulāghavasaṁyogāttulā tena nigadyase|| saṁśayānmocayasvainamabhiśastaṁ naraṁ śubhe||

"By this very union of heaviness and lightness are you called Tula. O auspicious one, free this accused man from all doubt."

Verse 41 (skanda.1.79.41)

भूय आरोपयेत्तं तु नरं तस्मिन्सपत्रकम्॥ तुलितो यदि वर्धेत शुद्धो भवति धर्मतः॥

bhūya āropayettaṁ tu naraṁ tasminsapatrakam|| tulito yadi vardheta śuddho bhavati dharmataḥ||

The man, with the leaf still upon his head, should then be placed on the scale once more. If, upon being weighed, he becomes heavier, he is proven pure according to dharma.

Verse 42 (skanda.1.79.42)

हीयमानो न शुद्धः स्यादिति धर्मविदो विदुः॥ शिक्यच्छेदे तुलाभंगे पुनरारोपयेन्नरम्॥

hīyamāno na śuddhaḥ syāditi dharmavido viduḥ|| śikyacchede tulābhaṁge punarāropayennaram||

If he becomes lighter, he is not deemed pure — so do the knowers of dharma declare. Should the pan break or the balance itself fail, the man should be weighed once again.

Verse 43 (skanda.1.79.43)

एवं निःसंशयं ज्ञानं यच्चान्यायं न लोपयेत्॥ एतत्सर्वं रवौ वारे कार्यं संपूज्य भास्करम्॥

evaṁ niḥsaṁśayaṁ jñānaṁ yaccānyāyaṁ na lopayet|| etatsarvaṁ ravau vāre kāryaṁ saṁpūjya bhāskaram||

In this way, certain knowledge is obtained, through which justice is never subverted. All of this should be performed on a Sunday, after duly worshipping Bhaskara.

Verse 44 (skanda.1.79.44)

अथातः संप्रवक्ष्यामि विषदिव्यं श्रृणुष्व मे॥

athātaḥ saṁpravakṣyāmi viṣadivyaṁ śrṛṇuṣva me||

Now, following this, I shall describe the poison ordeal; hear it from me.

Verse 45 (skanda.1.79.45)

द्विप्रकारं च तत्प्रोक्तं घटसर्पविषं तथा॥ शृंगिणो वत्सनाभस्य हिमशैलभवस्य वा॥

dviprakāraṁ ca tatproktaṁ ghaṭasarpaviṣaṁ tathā|| śṛṁgiṇo vatsanābhasya himaśailabhavasya vā||

It is said to be of two kinds — the venom of a serpent kept in a jar, or the poison called shringi-vatsanabha, or that which grows in the Himalayas.

Verse 46 (skanda.1.79.46)

यवाः सप्त प्रदातव्या अथवा षड्घृतप्लुताः॥ मूर्ध्नि विन्यस्तपत्रस्य पत्रे चैवं निवेशयेत्॥

yavāḥ sapta pradātavyā athavā ṣaḍghṛtaplutāḥ|| mūrdhni vinyastapatrasya patre caivaṁ niveśayet||

Seven grains of barley should be given, or six soaked in ghee. Upon the leaf placed on his head, this mantra should then be set:

Verse 47 (skanda.1.79.47)

त्वं विष ब्रह्मणः पुत्र सत्यधर्मे व्यवस्थितः॥ त्रायस्वैनं नरं पापात्सत्येनास्य भवामृतम्॥

tvaṁ viṣa brahmaṇaḥ putra satyadharme vyavasthitaḥ|| trāyasvainaṁ naraṁ pāpātsatyenāsya bhavāmṛtam||

"O Poison, you are the son of Brahma, established in truth and dharma. Save this man from sin; and, by the power of his truth, become nectar unto him."

Verse 48 (skanda.1.79.48)

येन वेगैर्विना जीर्णं छर्दिमूर्च्छाविवर्जितम्॥ तं तु शुद्धं विजानीयादिति धर्मविदो विदुः॥

yena vegairvinā jīrṇaṁ chardimūrcchāvivarjitam|| taṁ tu śuddhaṁ vijānīyāditi dharmavido viduḥ||

One in whom the poison is digested without violent effect, without vomiting or fainting, is to be known as pure — so do the knowers of dharma declare.

Verse 49 (skanda.1.79.49)

क्षुधितं क्षुधितः सर्पं घटस्थं प्रोच्य पूर्ववत्॥ संस्पृशेत्तालिकाः सप्त न दशेच्छुध्यतीति सः॥

kṣudhitaṁ kṣudhitaḥ sarpaṁ ghaṭasthaṁ procya pūrvavat|| saṁspṛśettālikāḥ sapta na daśecchudhyatīti saḥ||

A hungry man should, after the mantra has been recited as before, touch a hungry serpent kept in a jar, clapping seven times. If the serpent does not bite, he is deemed pure.

Verse 50 (skanda.1.79.50)

अग्निदिव्यं यथा प्राह विरंचिस्तच्छृणुष्व मे॥ सप्तमंडलकान्कुर्याद्देवस्याग्रे रवेस्तथा॥

agnidivyaṁ yathā prāha viraṁcistacchṛṇuṣva me|| saptamaṁḍalakānkuryāddevasyāgre ravestathā||

Hear from me now what Brahma has declared concerning the fire ordeal. Seven circles should be drawn before the deity, and likewise before the Sun.

Verse 51 (skanda.1.79.51)

मंडलान्मंडलं कार्यं पूर्वेणेति विनिश्चयः॥ षोडशांतुलकं कार्यं मंडलात्तावदं तरम्॥

maṁḍalānmaṁḍalaṁ kāryaṁ pūrveṇeti viniścayaḥ|| ṣoḍaśāṁtulakaṁ kāryaṁ maṁḍalāttāvadaṁ taram||

Each circle should be drawn to the east of the last — this is the fixed rule. The distance between each circle should be sixteen fingers' breadth.

Verse 52 (skanda.1.79.52)

आर्द्रवाससमाहूय तथा चैवाप्युपोपितम्॥ कारयेत्सर्वदिव्यानि देवब्राह्मणसंनिधौ॥

ārdravāsasamāhūya tathā caivāpyupopitam|| kārayetsarvadivyāni devabrāhmaṇasaṁnidhau||

Having summoned the man, clad in wet garments and having fasted, all the ordeals should be performed in the presence of the deity and the brahmins.

Verse 53 (skanda.1.79.53)

प्रत्यक्षं कारयेद्दिव्यं राज्ञो वाधिकृतस्य वा॥ ब्राह्मणानां श्रुतवतां प्रकृतीनां तथैव च॥

pratyakṣaṁ kārayeddivyaṁ rājño vādhikṛtasya vā|| brāhmaṇānāṁ śrutavatāṁ prakṛtīnāṁ tathaiva ca||

The ordeal should be performed openly, in the presence of the king or his appointed official, before learned brahmins and before the people.

Verse 54 (skanda.1.79.54)

पश्चिमे दिनकाले हि प्राङ्मुखः प्राञ्जलिः शुचिः॥ चतुरस्रे मंडलेऽन्ये कृत्वा चैव समौ करौ॥

paścime dinakāle hi prāṅmukhaḥ prāñjaliḥ śuciḥ|| caturasre maṁḍale'nye kṛtvā caiva samau karau||

In the latter part of the day, facing east, hands folded, pure in body, within a square-marked circle — with both hands held level and evenly —

Verse 55 (skanda.1.79.55)

लक्षयेयुः कृतादीनि हस्तयोस्तस्य हारिणः॥ सप्ताश्वत्थस्य पत्राणि भध्नीयुः करयोस्ततः॥

lakṣayeyuḥ kṛtādīni hastayostasya hāriṇaḥ|| saptāśvatthasya patrāṇi bhadhnīyuḥ karayostataḥ||

— the witnesses should mark his two hands with symbols indicating the categories of the case. Then seven leaves of the ashvattha (peepal) tree should be tied to his two hands.

Verse 56 (skanda.1.79.56)

नवेन कृतसूत्रेण कार्पासेन दृढं यथा॥ ततस्तु सुसमं कृत्वा अष्टांगुलमथायसम्॥

navena kṛtasūtreṇa kārpāsena dṛḍhaṁ yathā|| tatastu susamaṁ kṛtvā aṣṭāṁgulamathāyasam||

They should be bound securely with a newly spun thread of cotton. Then an iron disc, eight fingers' breadth, should be made perfectly even,

Verse 57 (skanda.1.79.57)

पिंडं हुताशसंतप्तं पंचाशत्पलिकं दृढम्॥ आदौ पूजां रवेः कृत्वा हुताशस्याथ कारयेत्॥

piṁḍaṁ hutāśasaṁtaptaṁ paṁcāśatpalikaṁ dṛḍham|| ādau pūjāṁ raveḥ kṛtvā hutāśasyātha kārayet||

— that iron disc, heated in the fire, should weigh fifty palas and be sturdy. First, worship should be offered to the Sun, and then to the sacred fire.

Verse 58 (skanda.1.79.58)

रक्तचंदनधूपाभ्यां रक्तपुष्पैस्तथैव च॥ अभिशस्तस्य पत्रं च बध्नीयाच्चैव मूर्धनि॥

raktacaṁdanadhūpābhyāṁ raktapuṣpaistathaiva ca|| abhiśastasya patraṁ ca badhnīyāccaiva mūrdhani||

Worship should be offered with red sandalwood, incense, and red flowers. A leaf should also be tied upon the head of the accused,

Verse 59 (skanda.1.79.59)

मंत्रेणानेन संयुक्तं ब्राह्मणाभिहितेन च॥ त्वमग्ने वेदाश्चत्वारस्त्वं च यज्ञेषु हूयसे॥

maṁtreṇānena saṁyuktaṁ brāhmaṇābhihitena ca|| tvamagne vedāścatvārastvaṁ ca yajñeṣu hūyase||

— accompanied by this mantra, recited by the brahmins: "O Agni, you are the four Vedas themselves, and it is you who are offered oblations in every sacrifice."

Verse 60 (skanda.1.79.60)

पापं पुनासि वै यस्मात्तस्मात्पावक उच्यसे॥ त्वं मुखं सर्वदेवानां त्वं मुखं ब्रह्मवादिनाम्॥

pāpaṁ punāsi vai yasmāttasmātpāvaka ucyase|| tvaṁ mukhaṁ sarvadevānāṁ tvaṁ mukhaṁ brahmavādinām||

"Since you purify sin, you are called Pavaka, the Purifier. You are the mouth of all the gods, and the mouth of those who declare the truth of Brahman."

Verse 61 (skanda.1.79.61)

जठरस्थोऽसि भूतानां ततो वेत्सि शुभाशुभम्॥ पापेषु दर्शयात्मानमर्चिष्मान्भव पावक॥

jaṭharastho'si bhūtānāṁ tato vetsi śubhāśubham|| pāpeṣu darśayātmānamarciṣmānbhava pāvaka||

"You dwell within the belly of every being, and therefore you know what is good and what is ill. O Purifier, if he is guilty, reveal yourself in your blazing form."

Verse 62 (skanda.1.79.62)

अथवा शुद्धभावेषु शीतो भवमहाबल॥ ततोऽभिशस्तः शनकैर्मंडलानि परिक्रमेत्॥

athavā śuddhabhāveṣu śīto bhavamahābala|| tato'bhiśastaḥ śanakairmaṁḍalāni parikramet||

"But if he is pure of heart, then, O mighty one, become cool to him instead." After this, the accused should slowly circumambulate those seven circles.

Verse 63 (skanda.1.79.63)

परिक्रम्य शनैर्जह्याल्लोहपिंडं ततः क्षितौ॥ विपत्रहस्तं तं पश्चात्कारयेद्व्रीहिमर्दनम्॥

parikramya śanairjahyāllohapiṁḍaṁ tataḥ kṣitau|| vipatrahastaṁ taṁ paścātkārayedvrīhimardanam||

Having circumambulated slowly, he should then set the iron disc down upon the ground. After this, with the leaves removed from his hands, he should be made to husk grains of rice.

Verse 64 (skanda.1.79.64)

निर्विकारौ करौ दृष्ट्वा शुद्धो भवति धर्मतः॥ भयाद्वा पातयेद्यस्तु तदधो वा विभाव्यते॥

nirvikārau karau dṛṣṭvā śuddho bhavati dharmataḥ|| bhayādvā pātayedyastu tadadho vā vibhāvyate||

If his hands show no injury whatever, he is proven pure according to dharma. But whoever, out of fear, drops the disc is deemed guilty.

Verse 65 (skanda.1.79.65)

पुनस्त्वाहारयेल्लोहं विधिरेष प्रकीर्तितः॥ अथातः संप्रऐवक्ष्यामि तप्तमाषविधिं श्रृणु॥

punastvāhārayellohaṁ vidhireṣa prakīrtitaḥ|| athātaḥ saṁpraaivakṣyāmi taptamāṣavidhiṁ śrṛṇu||

The iron should then be made to be held once more — such is the procedure declared. Now, following this, I shall describe the procedure of the heated gold-piece ordeal; hear it.

Verse 66 (skanda.1.79.66)

कारयेदायसं पात्रं ताम्रं वा षोडशांगुलम्॥ चतुरंगुलखातं तु मृन्मयं वापि कारयेत्॥

kārayedāyasaṁ pātraṁ tāmraṁ vā ṣoḍaśāṁgulam|| caturaṁgulakhātaṁ tu mṛnmayaṁ vāpi kārayet||

A vessel of iron or copper, sixteen fingers' breadth, should be prepared, or a pit of clay, four fingers deep, may be made instead.

Verse 67 (skanda.1.79.67)

पूरयेद्घृततैलाभ्यां पलैर्विशतिभिस्ततः॥ सुतप्ते निक्षिपेत्तत्र सुवर्णस्य तु माषकम्॥

pūrayedghṛtatailābhyāṁ palairviśatibhistataḥ|| sutapte nikṣipettatra suvarṇasya tu māṣakam||

It should then be filled with twenty palas of ghee and oil. Once thoroughly heated, a masha's weight of gold should be dropped into it.

Verse 68 (skanda.1.79.68)

वह्न्युक्तं विन्यसेन्मंत्रमभिशस्तस्य मूर्धनि॥ अंगुष्ठांगुलियोगेन तप्तमाषं समुद्धरेत्॥

vahnyuktaṁ vinyasenmaṁtramabhiśastasya mūrdhani|| aṁguṣṭhāṁguliyogena taptamāṣaṁ samuddharet||

The fire mantra described earlier should be placed upon the head of the accused. He should then retrieve the heated gold-piece using only his thumb and forefinger.

Verse 69 (skanda.1.79.69)

शुद्धं ज्ञेयमसंदिग्धं विस्फोटादिविवर्जितम्॥ फालशुद्धिं प्रवक्ष्यामि तां श्रृणु त्वं धनंजय॥

śuddhaṁ jñeyamasaṁdigdhaṁ visphoṭādivivarjitam|| phālaśuddhiṁ pravakṣyāmi tāṁ śrṛṇu tvaṁ dhanaṁjaya||

If there is no blister or the like, he is to be known, without any doubt, as pure. I shall now describe the procedure of the ploughshare ordeal; hear it, Dhananjaya.

Verse 70 (skanda.1.79.70)

आयसं द्वादशपलं घटितं फालमुच्यते॥ अष्टांगुलमदीर्घं च चतुरंगुलविस्तृतम्॥

āyasaṁ dvādaśapalaṁ ghaṭitaṁ phālamucyate|| aṣṭāṁgulamadīrghaṁ ca caturaṁgulavistṛtam||

A ploughshare weighing twelve palas of iron, eight fingers long and four fingers wide, is what is meant by "phala."

Verse 71 (skanda.1.79.71)

वह्न्युक्तं विन्यसेन्मंत्रमभिशस्तस्य मूर्धनि॥ त्रिःपरावर्तयेज्जिह्वा लिहन्नस्मात्षडंगुलम्॥

vahnyuktaṁ vinyasenmaṁtramabhiśastasya mūrdhani|| triḥparāvartayejjihvā lihannasmātṣaḍaṁgulam||

The fire mantra described earlier should be placed upon the accused's head. The heated ploughshare should be turned three times, and he should lick it with his tongue across a span of six fingers.

Verse 72 (skanda.1.79.72)

गवां क्षीरं प्रदातव्यं जिह्वाशोधनमुत्तमम्॥ जिह्वापरीक्षणं कुर्याद्दग्धा चेन्न तु विमोच्यते॥

gavāṁ kṣīraṁ pradātavyaṁ jihvāśodhanamuttamam|| jihvāparīkṣaṇaṁ kuryāddagdhā cenna tu vimocyate||

Cow's milk should then be given, being excellent for cleansing the tongue. His tongue should then be examined. If it is burned, he is not declared innocent.

Verse 73 (skanda.1.79.73)

तं विशुद्धं विजानीयाद्विशुद्धा चेत्तु जायते॥ तंदुलस्याथ वक्ष्यामि विधिधर्मं सनातनम्॥

taṁ viśuddhaṁ vijānīyādviśuddhā cettu jāyate|| taṁdulasyātha vakṣyāmi vidhidharmaṁ sanātanam||

If the tongue is found unburned, he should be known to be pure. I shall now describe the ancient, eternal procedure of the rice ordeal.

Verse 74 (skanda.1.79.74)

चौर्ये तु तंदुला देया न चान्यत्र कथंचन॥ तंदुलानुदके सिक्त्वा रात्रौ तत्रैव स्थापयेत्॥

caurye tu taṁdulā deyā na cānyatra kathaṁcana|| taṁdulānudake siktvā rātrau tatraiva sthāpayet||

The rice ordeal should be given only in cases of theft, never in any other matter. The rice should be soaked in water and left there overnight.

Verse 75 (skanda.1.79.75)

प्रभाते कारिणे देया भक्षणाय न संशयः॥ त्रिःकॉत्वः प्राङ्मुखश्चैव पत्रे निष्ठीवयेत्ततः॥

prabhāte kāriṇe deyā bhakṣaṇāya na saṁśayaḥ|| triḥkaॉtvaḥ prāṅmukhaścaiva patre niṣṭhīvayettataḥ||

In the morning, the accused should undoubtedly be given the rice to eat. Three times, facing east, he should then spit upon a leaf.

Verse 76 (skanda.1.79.76)

पिप्पलस्याथ भूर्जस्य न त्वन्यस्य कथंचन॥ तांस्तु वै कारयेच्छुद्धांस्तंदुलाञ्छालिसंभवान्॥

pippalasyātha bhūrjasya na tvanyasya kathaṁcana|| tāṁstu vai kārayecchuddhāṁstaṁdulāñchālisaṁbhavān||

That leaf should be of the peepal or the birch tree, and of no other. The rice used should be pure grains derived from shali paddy.

Verse 77 (skanda.1.79.77)

मृन्मये भाजने कृत्वा सवितुः पुरतः स्थितः॥ तन्दुलान्मंत्रयेच्छुद्धान्मन्त्रेणानेन धर्मतः॥

mṛnmaye bhājane kṛtvā savituḥ purataḥ sthitaḥ|| tandulānmaṁtrayecchuddhānmantreṇānena dharmataḥ||

Having placed them in an earthen vessel and standing before the Sun, one should duly consecrate those pure grains with this mantra:

Verse 78 (skanda.1.79.78)

दीयसे धर्मतत्त्वज्ञैर्मानुषाणां विशोधनम्॥ स्तुतस्तन्दुल सत्येन धर्मतस्त्रातुमर्हसि॥

dīyase dharmatattvajñairmānuṣāṇāṁ viśodhanam|| stutastandula satyena dharmatastrātumarhasi||

"O Rice, you are given by those who know the essence of dharma, for the purification of men. Praised thus in truth, you are worthy to protect this man according to dharma."

Verse 79 (skanda.1.79.79)

निष्ठीवने कृते तेषां सवितुः पुरतः स्थिते॥ शोणितं दृश्यते यस्य तमशुद्धं विनिर्दिशेत्॥

niṣṭhīvane kṛte teṣāṁ savituḥ purataḥ sthite|| śoṇitaṁ dṛśyate yasya tamaśuddhaṁ vinirdiśet||

When those grains are spat out while standing before the Sun, whoever's spittle shows a trace of blood should be declared impure.

Verse 80 (skanda.1.79.80)

एवमष्टविधं दिव्यं पापसंशयच्छेदनम्॥ भट्टादित्यस्य पुरतो जायते कुरुनंदन॥

evamaṣṭavidhaṁ divyaṁ pāpasaṁśayacchedanam|| bhaṭṭādityasya purato jāyate kurunaṁdana||

O scion of Kuru, thus does this eightfold ordeal, which resolves every doubt of sin, take place before Bhattaditya.

Verse 81 (skanda.1.79.81)

जलदिव्यं तथा प्राहुर्द्विप्रकारं पुराविदः॥ जलहस्तं स्मृतं चैकं मज्जनं चापरं विदुः॥

jaladivyaṁ tathā prāhurdviprakāraṁ purāvidaḥ|| jalahastaṁ smṛtaṁ caikaṁ majjanaṁ cāparaṁ viduḥ||

The ancient sages have declared the water ordeal, too, to be of two kinds — one known as jala-hasta (dipping the hand in water), and the other known as majjana (immersion).

Verse 82 (skanda.1.79.82)

बाणक्षेपस्तथादानं यावद्वीर्यवता कृतम्॥ तावत्तं मज्जयेज्जीवेत्तथा तच्छुद्धिमादिशेत्॥

bāṇakṣepastathādānaṁ yāvadvīryavatā kṛtam|| tāvattaṁ majjayejjīvettathā tacchuddhimādiśet||

For as long as it takes a strong man to shoot an arrow and retrieve it, so long should the man be kept submerged. If he survives, this is taken as proof of his purity.

Verse 83 (skanda.1.79.83)

एवंविधमिदं स्थानं भट्टादित्यस्य भारत॥ ममैव कृपया भानोर्जातमेतन्महीतले॥

evaṁvidhamidaṁ sthānaṁ bhaṭṭādityasya bhārata|| mamaiva kṛpayā bhānorjātametanmahītale||

O Bharata, such indeed is this place of Bhattaditya. It came to be established here upon this earth through my own effort, and by the great grace of Bhanu.