is then to be taken out [of the scales.]

101. "O scales! made by the gods, of old, the abode of truth:
therefore do ye, propitious ones, declare the truth and liberate me
from suspicion!

102. If I be an evil-doer, then bear me down, oh mother! If I be pure,
carry me upwards!" Thus shall he [who is to go through the ordeal]
invoke the scales.

103. The hands [of the accused] shall be inspected when rice has been
rubbed in them; after which, seven leaves of the Indian fig tree are
to be placed therein [_scil._ in his hands] and fastened round
successively with a thread.

104. "Thou, O fire, dwellest in all created things! O purifier, in
testimony of innocence and guilt, do thou, in my hand, make known the
truth!"

105. When he [who suffers the ordeal] has thus spoken, let a smooth
red hot iron ball, of fifty _palas_ weight, be placed upon both his
hands.

106. Carrying this, let him slowly walk across seven circles, of
sixteen fingers breadth diameter each, with an interval of the same
measure between each.

107. If, having thrown down the fireball, and being [again] rubbed
with rice, he [the accused] is unburnt, his purification is
accomplished. Should the ball during [the trial] fall down, or should
there be any doubt, he is to take [it] again.

108. "By the power of truth, O Varuna,[173] save me!" Thus invoking
the water, and grasping the thighs of a man standing in water up to
his navel, let him [who goes through this ordeal] submerge himself.

109. An arrow at the same instant shot [from the bow] a swift
footed-man shall [run and] fetch: should he, upon his return, see that
the body [of the accused] is still submerged, the latter is to be
exculpated.

110. "Thou, O poison, Brahma's[174] son, art ordained for truth and
right; free me from the accusation, and be to me, by the power of
truth, a draught of immortality!"

111. Thus speaking, he shall eat of poison produced by the Sringa
tree, of the Himalaya. Whoever is able to digest this without evil
effect, shall be declared innocent.

112. Let the judge, adoring terrible deities, and taking of the water
in which [their images] have been bathed, adjure it, and cause [the
accused] to drink off three times the contents of his palms.

113. He to whom, within fourteen days from this [ordeal], no great
calamity happens, either from the monarch or by act of God, shall
without doubt be [held] guiltless.

114. A father when making partition [of his prope