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 3 - Regarding Smriti
9 (of 19)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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(1) The satvika smrtis are those of Vasistha, Harita, Vyasa, 瑾� Parasara, Bharadv膩ja & Kasyapa. They are said to be auspicious & leading to liberation. (2) The Rajasa smrtis, leading to heaven, are declared to be those of Yajnavalkya, Atri, Tittiri, Daksa, Katyayana & Visnu. 3) While the Tamasa smrtis, leading to hell, are those of Gautama, Brhaspati, Samvarta, Yama, Sanknya & Usanas. 1 74 Many important smrtis (e.g.those of Manu, Narada, Devala etc.)
are not taken into consideration, in this classification. Moreover,
no reason is mentioned for their inclusion in a particular group.
But the classification, at least, points out that there was an
attempt (though not exhaustive), to classify smrtis into the above
three-fold division.
1 1
8) AVAILABLE & LOST :
23 Numerous smrtis, ascribed to different vedic sages, are still
available. They have also been published in several smrti-collections.
But it is also a fact that several smrtis, have been completely
or partially lost. The names of different smrtikaras are enumerated
24 in various lists The digest-writers & commentators have also
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added many other names to these lists, to make the enumerations of
25 smrtikaras, more exhaustive
鈥�
It names of all such smrtik膩ras
are collected, they would be "about one hundred "26. The original
works of numerous smrtikaras are not available. Moreover, among
smrtis, that have been published in the smrti-collections, number
of smrtis, are fragmentary or incomplete in their nature. The
