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 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti
132 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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6
) SAVARNA SONS GET ONE THIRD SHARE : 800 Devala (1585) completely agrees with Kautilya (3/7/19-20)21,
when he states that the sons that are savarna (belonging to the same
caste), obtain 1/3 share, when the aurasa son is existing. While
those of lower caste should be given only food & raiment. Katy膩yana
(857) 22 mentions 11th share to be given to the savarnas. But there
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is also reading 't峁泃iyansaharah' for 'caturthamsaharah' in the verse
of Katyayana.
7) STATUS OF PUTRIK膧PUTRA :
The status of putrika or putrikaputra is the next to the auras a
son, according to Devala & is considered equal to aurasa as in
Manu (IX.130), Kautilya (3/7/5), Yajnavalkya (II.131) etc. But
some smrtis (like Vasistha, Sankhalikhita, Narada, Visnu, Yama
cf.previous table) consider Ksetraja to be superior to the putrik膩
or putrikaputra. Gautama gives tenth place, & Harita mentions the
putrika at the fifth place, in the order of sons. This reflects
upon the status of putrika according to the different smrtis. In
this respect of the position of putrikaputra also, Devala agrees
with Kautilya's Arths astra.
8)
POSTITION OF DATTAKA :
-
It would be clear from the table of sons, given previously,
that Devala gives nineth place to the dattaka son, like Kautilya
Sankhalikhita, Narada & Yama. While some Smrtikaras like Gautama,
Baudhayana, Manu, Brhaspati etc. place him at a higher position.
It is also noteworthy that Devala has indicated the inclusion of
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