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 8 - Devala-Smriti (a summary of the reconstructed text)
10 (of 16)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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ADHYAYA II 802 PRAKARANA I RAJADHARMAH :
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The duties of a king are mentioned in this chapter.
The king should always be ready to fight in the battle,
for the protection of his subjects, even at the risk of his life
(1531-1537). He should also try to check the intermixture of castes
& employ the four varnas in their respective duties (1538,1539).
The treatment of rajadharmas is very brief.
PRAKARANA II - ATATAYINAH :
Here atatayins (desperados) are referred to in the three verses'.
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The atatayin (a person, who is assailing with a weapon in
his hand), should always be killed, though he may be a bhr奴na
(a learned Brahmana) (1541). The person, comitting suicide is
also a kind of atatayin. There is no expiation in his case.
He straight-way goes to Hell only. (1540,1542).
PRAKARANA III - STRIPUNDHARMAH :
The legal duties of husband & wife are treated in the present
chapter.
1 The circumstances under which the earlier wife, can be super-
seded, are mentioned (1544-1548). Similarly, the circumstances,
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