Voyage to the East IndiesPaulinus, a S. Bartholomaeo
History
Voyage to the East Indies
Paulinus, a S. Bartholomaeo
India -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
Religious Matters.--All affairs which relate to religion are
determined by the Brahmans alone, in the presence of their
_Sarvavèda_, or high-priest. The king, who, as is well known,
does not belong to the sacerdotal cast, acts here the part of
a _Kshetria_, and never gives his vote till the Brahmans have
sufficiently examined the case before them, and delivered their
opinions. The assembly or society who deliberate and determine
upon it, is called _Yòga_. Each member of it has a voice. Their
decision is considered to be infallible; and those who oppose it
are expelled from the society. These _Yògas_ take cognizance of all
disputes which arise in regard to betrothing, marriage, settlements
to daughters, and other things of the like kind, as well as of all
offences committed against religion or the cast. Hatred, enmity,
abortions, giving blows without shedding blood, quarrels between
parents and children, in a word, all affairs which have even the
remotest connexion with religion, are brought before this tribunal.
Every man has the right of defending himself, of making a reply, and
of employing an advocate without being obliged to pay lawyers’ fees
or to consume paper; for every thing is done _vivâ voce_. The members
of the _Yòga_ sit upon mats; but the parties must stand.
Civil and Criminal Affairs.--These are determined only by the king
and his servants. The punishment of the gallows is appointed for the
following criminals:
1st, The _Svàmidròhi_, that is, those who excite insurrections, or
meditate the death of the king.
2d, The _Bramahanda_, those who kill a Brahman.
3d, The _Madruhanda_, those who commit matricide.
4th, The _Pidruhanda_, those who murder their father, uncle, or any
other relation.
5th, The _Mànuszahanda_, all murderers in general.
6th, The _Gòhanda_, those who kill a cow.
7th, The _Kshetra Stèna_, those who commit sacrilege.
8th, All those belonging to an inferior class, who pilfer any thing
from the house of a person of rank.
9th, Those who steal the _Bhandàra_, that is, the royal treasure.
10. Those who hold illicit intercourse with one of the king’s
concubines, or only with an unmarried female belonging to the king’s
_Andarggraha_.
11. Those who debase the current coin.
12. Those who commit adultery with the wife of a Brahman, or the wife
of their preceptor.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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