Question

What are the five ordeals, treated as divine means of proof of the guilt or innocence of the accused in the traditional Indian governance system?

• A. Balance, Fire, Water, Poison, and Kosa
• B. Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Space
• C. Mudra, House, Forest, Fire, and Kosa
• D. Death penalty, house arrest, public humiliation, imprisonment and ostracism

Hint:

Remember that an 'ordeal' is a method of proof or trial, not a punishment. The options listed in (D) are all forms of punishment that would be administered *after* guilt was determined. This helps distinguish the correct answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In ancient and medieval legal systems, including the traditional Indian system described in texts like the Dharmasastras, an ordeal was a physical test that a person had to undergo. The outcome of the test was believed to be determined by a divine authority, thus revealing the person's guilt or innocence.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Ancient Indian texts, such as the Naradasmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti, describe several types of ordeals (divya). The five major ordeals were:

Balance (Tula): The accused was weighed, then after prayers and rituals, weighed again. If they were lighter the second time, they were innocent.
Fire (Agni): The accused had to carry a red-hot iron ball in their hands, which were protected only by some leaves. If their hands were unburned after a certain time, they were innocent.
Water (Jala): The accused had to remain submerged in water. If they survived without coming up for a specific duration, they were deemed innocent.
Poison (Visha): The accused had to ingest poison. If they survived without showing ill effects, they were innocent.
Kosa: The accused had to drink water that had been used to wash an idol. If they suffered some misfortune or illness within a specified period (e.g., 14 days), they were considered guilty.
The options in (D) are types of punishments, not ordeals for determining guilt.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The five major ordeals in the traditional Indian system were Balance, Fire, Water, Poison, and Kosa.