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
145 (of 165)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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relaxation in the prescribed penance (1885-1889). This concession
should not be awarded by one person, though proficient in vedas,
but assembly or group of knowers of Dharma are authorised to
5 prescribe it. This is opposed to Yajnavalkya (1.9), who
alternatively allows to accept the verdict, even of one person,
expert in spiritual knowledge.
The concession, varies in accordance with severity or other-
wise of the offence. It has not to be declared through the force
of any such element like love, greed, fear or ignorance. The rule
of relaxation in the prescribed penance is to be resorted to
only, when, it amounts to danger to the life of the person,
undergoing it & not at all, in case of a healthy person.
2) CIRCUMSTANCES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PRESCRIPTION OF A
PARTICULAR TYPE OF PENANCE :
Many circumstances are to be considered for imposing the
expiation on the sinful. (1890-1907). The caste, capacity,
strength, wealth, qualities, age & sex of the performer, the
is
number of times, the sin committed; whether the act has been
done with intention or without it; whether it is committed
secretly or publicly,, the time & place of the sin perpetrated
these & several other conditions are to be taken into consideration.
The following rules are recommended for prescribing the
penance.
1) The half of the penance, prescribed to brahmana should
be enjoined for k峁triya, half of that of k峁triya to the vaisya
