Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 53
प्रत्यक्षं कारयेद्दिव्यं राज्ञो वाधिकृतस्य वा । ब्राह्मणानां श्रुतवतां प्रकृतीनां तथैव च
pratyakṣaṃ kārayeddivyaṃ rājño vādhikṛtasya vā | brāhmaṇānāṃ śrutavatāṃ prakṛtīnāṃ tathaiva ca
The ordeal should be carried out openly—either before the king or before his appointed officer—and likewise in the presence of brāhmaṇas learned in śruti and of the people as witnesses.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative style)
Scene: A public hall or temple-court: king or officer seated; brāhmaṇas with scriptures; townspeople gathered; the ordeal area marked; all proceedings visible.
FAQs
Justice must be transparent and witnessed—dharma is strengthened when decisions are made in the open under sacred and social oversight.
No holy site is mentioned; this verse concerns governance and procedural dharma.
The ordeal is to be conducted publicly before the king or an authorized officer, with learned brāhmaṇas and the community as witnesses.