Chapter 11

Vishnu Smriti 11

Now, the ordeal of fire (agni). // Vi_11.1 //

One shall make seven circles, sixteen finger-breadths in diameter, with the same distance between them. // Vi_11.2 //

Then, for the man facing east with his two arms outstretched, one shall place seven leaves of the sacred fig tree on his hands. // Vi_11.3 //

And one shall bind them, together with his two hands, with a thread. // Vi_11.4 //

Then one shall place there a fire-colored iron ball, weighing fifty palas, perfectly round. // Vi_11.5 //

Taking it, he shall walk, neither too fast nor too slow, placing his feet in the circles. // Vi_11.6 //

Then, having passed the seventh circle, he shall drop the iron ball on the ground. // Vi_11.7 //

He who is burned anywhere on his hands, one should declare him impure. But the man who is not burned at all, he shall be pure. || Vi_11.8 ||

He who drops it out of fear, or who is burned but it is not apparent, One shall make him carry the iron ball again, for not having cleared the ordeal. || Vi_11.9 ||

One should first examine his hands by having him rub rice grains. Having consecrated the iron ball with a mantra, one should then place it on his hands. || Vi_11.10 ||

O Fire, you move within all beings as a witness. You alone, O Fire, know what mortals do not know. || Vi_11.11 ||

This man, accused in a lawsuit, desires to prove his purity. Therefore, you must righteously save this man from this doubt. || Vi_11.12 ||