Essay name: Devala-smriti (critical study)
Author:
Mukund Lalji Wadekar
Affiliation: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda / Department of Sanskrit Pali and Prakrit
This essay represents an English study of the Devala-smriti鈥攁n ancient text attributed to sage Devala classified as belonging to the Dharma-Shastra branch of Indian literature which encompasses jurisprudence and religious law. This study deals with the reconstructed text of the Devala-smriti based on surviving references, emphasizing Devala鈥檚 unique viewpoints on social, religious, and philosophical aspects, particularly the Sankhya and Yoga philosophies.
Chapter 1 - Introductory Remarks regarding the Devala Smriti
5 (of 11)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Lo 5 numerous sages, like Manu, Yajnavalkya, Katyayana, Brhaspati etc.
Among them, Devala is one of the most profusely & every now & then
quoted ancient Smrtikaras whose views have been given great promi-
nence & importance by almost all the famous writers on Dharmasastra
They also try to reconcile his views, with those of other
Smrtikaras. He is most exhaustively quoted by Laksmidhara,
Vijnanesvara, Hemadri, Madhava and all the other great & small
authors of digests & commentaries, whose authority regarding
authenticity of quotations is evidently unquestionable.
NATURE AND PECULIARITY OF DEVALA'S VIEWS :
The quotations, ascribed to Devala, found in the digests &
commentaries on Dharmasastra, are not only numerous, but are also
varied. They cover almost all the topics, dealt with in other
smrtis, such as ac膩ra, vyavah膩ra, pr膩vascitta and their various
sub-divisions. Though Devala deals with these subjects, similar
to those, found in other smrtis, he has many a distinct and novel
view, about various smrti-topics, which display his originality
& accord him an independent & prominent status as a Smrtikara
(law-giver).
HIGH WEIGHTAGE GIVEN TO DEVALA BY EMINENT MODERN SCHOLARS :
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The importance and value of the numerous & varied quotations
of Devala, have been well-understood & recognized by the eminent
modern scholars, in the field of Dharmasastra.
1 Mm. P. V. Kane exhorts some scholar to undertake the work of
collecting the quotations of Devala at two places in the first.
kalpana't
