The _panchayat_, however, was not the original judge.

It was at first the god before whom the parties pleaded their cause, and the god who gave judgment by the method of trial by ordeal.

This was probably the general character of primitive justice, and in some of the lower castes the ordeal is still resorted to for decisions.

The tribe or subcaste attended as jurors or assessors, and carried out the proceedings, perhaps after having united themselves to the god for the purpose by a sacrificial meal.

The _panchayat_, having succeeded the god as the judge, is held to give its decisions by divine inspiration, according to the sayings: 'God is on high and the _panch_ on earth,' and 'The voice of the _panchayat_ is the voice of God.' [236] The headship of the _panchayat_ and the subcaste commonly descends in one family, or did so till recently, and the utmost deference is shown to the person holding it, even though he may be only a boy for the above reason.